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MSU missed opportunity on future of athletics
By Chad Courrier
Free Press Staff Writer
What’s happening to the North Central Conference is sad, the five members of this once-powerful Division II league reduced to beggars, hoping that some conference at some level will provide a home for future athletic events.
What’s happening to Minnesota State is more disappointing than sad, how the decision-makers at this university could be so blindsided and ill-prepared to act when such a situation has seemed imminent for more than a year.
Sometime this month — probably — Minnesota State will announce its intentions for the future of the athletic department and its 23 programs. Division I or Division II, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference or another league?
Whatever decision is made, it’s already about a year late. . . . (read more)
And another story:
http://www.mankato-freepress.com/sit...341224911.html
Our View: Important decision for MSU coming due
The Free Press
A quick look at Minnesota State’s athletic conference situation might indicate the university is between a rock and a hard place. MSU must soon choose between what are essentially two sobering options — whether to move up to Division I and incur $2 million or more in additional costs as a result, or to apply for inclusion in another conference — probably the Northern Sun, which would mean the loss of as many as 30 scholarships.
Though there are negatives to be weighed with either choice, there are also positives. One direction signals a rise in prestige; the other represents new opportunities within a reputable and competitive conference family. If MSU makes the right move, it can serve as a launching pad for the Mavericks to enter into a new and successful athletic era.
University officials are grappling with the reality that a move from Division II to Division I would not only require additional funds not easily found, but correspondingly, the potential loss of programs that would not sit well with students and fans. Both of the aforementioned realities (not to mention the scheduling nightmare) would be difficult to sell to a college community justifiably proud of the overall competitiveness of its programs but mindful that finances need to stretch far. A jump to Division I might signal an unpopular increase in student fees, not to mention growing pains associated with getting the Mavericks up to Division I speed. . . . (read more)
It sure is better to be a leader then a follower at this point.
Go State!
MSU missed opportunity on future of athletics
By Chad Courrier
Free Press Staff Writer
What’s happening to the North Central Conference is sad, the five members of this once-powerful Division II league reduced to beggars, hoping that some conference at some level will provide a home for future athletic events.
What’s happening to Minnesota State is more disappointing than sad, how the decision-makers at this university could be so blindsided and ill-prepared to act when such a situation has seemed imminent for more than a year.
Sometime this month — probably — Minnesota State will announce its intentions for the future of the athletic department and its 23 programs. Division I or Division II, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference or another league?
Whatever decision is made, it’s already about a year late. . . . (read more)
And another story:
http://www.mankato-freepress.com/sit...341224911.html
Our View: Important decision for MSU coming due
The Free Press
A quick look at Minnesota State’s athletic conference situation might indicate the university is between a rock and a hard place. MSU must soon choose between what are essentially two sobering options — whether to move up to Division I and incur $2 million or more in additional costs as a result, or to apply for inclusion in another conference — probably the Northern Sun, which would mean the loss of as many as 30 scholarships.
Though there are negatives to be weighed with either choice, there are also positives. One direction signals a rise in prestige; the other represents new opportunities within a reputable and competitive conference family. If MSU makes the right move, it can serve as a launching pad for the Mavericks to enter into a new and successful athletic era.
University officials are grappling with the reality that a move from Division II to Division I would not only require additional funds not easily found, but correspondingly, the potential loss of programs that would not sit well with students and fans. Both of the aforementioned realities (not to mention the scheduling nightmare) would be difficult to sell to a college community justifiably proud of the overall competitiveness of its programs but mindful that finances need to stretch far. A jump to Division I might signal an unpopular increase in student fees, not to mention growing pains associated with getting the Mavericks up to Division I speed. . . . (read more)
It sure is better to be a leader then a follower at this point.
Go State!
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