Big Sky looking at USD

[yoteforever]

Re: Two more Teams??

I agree with what you say (I'm heading in to get checked by a doctor) but the thing that is a killer is the travel $$$. Nobody wants to travel by bus but due to tight budgets its a reality. Not smack here at all, but will USD be riding Jackrabbit Lines to play out west?

The great thing for USD is that there are a couple of conferences that have strong interest. SDSU was lucky to have the right conference need a couple of teams at the right time. USD may catch the same break.

SUPERBUNNY

When you make your Dr.'s appointment, get a time slot for me. I can't believe we are agreeing. In fact, JackMD will you see me and SuperBunny?

To answer your legit questions regarding travel, let me explain it as it was explained to me. Right now, we are traveling air in football almost every road game. The basketball teams play in Texas, New Jersey, heck, all over the place. The travel budget I am sure would be higher than the MVC, but that is one part of our budget that maybe we are used to, and have learned to absorb?? I don't know.

Again, this isn't intended to be smack, so allow me some latitude. There have been significant discussions on this board and many of your boosters have expressed interest in playing the Delawares, Texas State's, and Georgia Southerns of the world. Initially, I thought they were on crack for thinking in those lines. But I truely believe that it is your program, and play who the heck you want to play. But then you can't say anything "smackish" about USD's travel expenses when in reality we literally drove the contract to play SDSU 5 times, 3 in Brookings and 2 in Vermillion.

I don't want your league, or any potential league we might be looking at to get hurt or suffer. It is in the best interest of this state for both schools to have a conference affiliation and be successful. My opinion is that if the Big Sky extends (and they have) for all sports, and it meets the requirements our President has set forth in repositioning the University, then I am all for the Big Sky move, and we'll play each other when the proper time comes, if it comes.

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: Two more Teams??

When you make your Dr.'s appointment, get a time slot for me. I can't believe we are agreeing. In fact, JackMD will you see me and SuperBunny?

To answer your legit questions regarding travel, let me explain it as it was explained to me. Right now, we are traveling air in football almost every road game. The basketball teams play in Texas, New Jersey, heck, all over the place. The travel budget I am sure would be higher than the MVC, but that is one part of our budget that maybe we are used to, and have learned to absorb?? I don't know.

Again, this isn't intended to be smack, so allow me some latitude. There have been significant discussions on this board and many of your boosters have expressed interest in playing the Delawares, Texas State's, and Georgia Southerns of the world. Initially, I thought they were on crack for thinking in those lines. But I truely believe that it is your program, and play who the heck you want to play. But then you can't say anything "smackish" about USD's travel expenses when in reality we literally drove the contract to play SDSU 5 times, 3 in Brookings and 2 in Vermillion.

I don't want your league, or any potential league we might be looking at to get hurt or suffer. It is in the best interest of this state for both schools to have a conference affiliation and be successful. My opinion is that if the Big Sky extends (and they have) for all sports, and it meets the requirements our President has set forth in repositioning the University, then I am all for the Big Sky move, and we'll play each other when the proper time comes, if it comes.

Flying your football team to play at Deleware, GA Southern, or some other coastal team once a season isn't anywhere near the same as flying/driving your tennis, swimming/diving, softball, volleyball, or other non revenue sports to the west coast every other weekend for conference games. The amount of time away is exponentially higher and the publicity (USD or SDSU in the local papers, newcasts, etc) you get in those areas is far less when the non-revenue sports play there.

[jackmd]

Re: Big Sky looking at USD

There a numerous factors to consider and many issues that are uncertain as it pertains to the future of almost all the conferences at the DI level. So much so, that I believe the NCAA may have to reconsider some of the restrictions regarding autobids to the NCAA tourneys or the possibility of a subdivision for basketball. We have all heard about that before. You know the power conferences are not in favor of more mid and lower conferences getting bids to the big dance. You also know the mid and lower conferences aren't interested in NO option for the real postseason. Without an autobid there isn't a real option for most mid and low conferences.

So, I believe the current members of the Summit are obligated to be considerate of USD's desires to have their football program in a conference. However, I don't believe the MVC schools are under any obligation to the Summit league. That puts SDSU and several other Summit schools in a precarious situation. I prefer to think of it as challenging and as an opportunity to improve with change. I suppose you could look at it with fear or disdain as well. It's not as easy as "do what right for xDSU or UxD and it will all work out in the end. There are many more factors at play and variables to consider.

I don't think any SDSU fans want to see a Summit Football Conference that doesn't include the current MVFC teams. However, that might be the best option for the stability of our current conference as a whole. All things considered, I believe the addition of SDSU and NDSU has added strength and credibility to the Summit League and to a lesser extent the MVFC. We deserve recognition and consideration for that. If the administration and boosters at USD or UND are not respectful of that fact it should and likely will make a compromise more difficult.

It's not as simple as USD offering a 3 for 2 in football and being "turned away". There is a lot more at play here than that.

[jackmd]

Re: Two more Teams??

Again, this isn't intended to be smack, so allow me some latitude. There have been significant discussions on this board and many of your boosters have expressed interest in playing the Delawares, Texas State's, and Georgia Southerns of the world. Initially, I thought they were on crack for thinking in those lines. But I truely believe that it is your program, and play who the heck you want to play. But then you can't say anything "smackish" about USD's travel expenses when in reality we literally drove the contract to play SDSU 5 times, 3 in Brookings and 2 in Vermillion.

I don't want your league, or any potential league we might be looking at to get hurt or suffer. It is in the best interest of this state for both schools to have a conference affiliation and be successful. My opinion is that if the Big Sky extends (and they have) for all sports, and it meets the requirements our President has set forth in repositioning the University, then I am all for the Big Sky move, and we'll play each other when the proper time comes, if it comes.

Like 79 said, a single away game once a year or every other year is not the same as multiple trips in multiple sports required each and every year.

As for the best interest of the state, I don't think we know that for sure. If it jeopardizes the possibility of a dominant program at SDSU in order to support 2 mediocre programs handicapped by extensive travel costs and revenue issues than I don't think it is in the best interest. Right now we need capital to improve facilities and attract the best athletes, not extensive travel and associated costs for the sake of conference affiliation. So, what's the best solution? I'm not sure.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Two more Teams??

Again, this isn't intended to be smack, so allow me some latitude. There have been significant discussions on this board and many of your boosters have expressed interest in playing the Delawares, Texas State's, and Georgia Southerns of the world. Initially, I thought they were on crack for thinking in those lines. But I truely believe that it is your program, and play who the heck you want to play. But then you can't say anything "smackish" about USD's travel expenses when in reality we literally drove the contract to play SDSU 5 times, 3 in Brookings and 2 in Vermillion.

Also not meant as smack, but if you thought we were on crack for wanting one long distance game per season against nationally known programs, what exactly are you on to be excited for multiple long distance games against Big Sky bottom feeders, not to mention all the extra travel for the other 14 sports at USD?

If SDSU's budget gets tight down the road, we can stop scheduling those games. USD will be obligated to play their conference games regardless of what their budget looks like.

IMO, USD should sit tight in the Summit. Football scheduling will be very difficult, but I also think that sooner or later the MVFC will add them.

Also, just my opinion, but I believe the results of the Summit football study will indicate a STRONG recommendation for Summit schools with football to work with USD to schedule as many games as possible.

[jack power]

Re: Two more Teams??

I never thought i would say this,but i agree with Stu:

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs...8a54b&plckPers

[SUPERBUNNY]

Re: Two more Teams??

When you make your Dr.'s appointment, get a time slot for me. I can't believe we are agreeing. In fact, JackMD will you see me and SuperBunny?

To answer your legit questions regarding travel, let me explain it as it was explained to me. Right now, we are traveling air in football almost every road game. The basketball teams play in Texas, New Jersey, heck, all over the place. The travel budget I am sure would be higher than the MVC, but that is one part of our budget that maybe we are used to, and have learned to absorb?? I don't know.

Again, this isn't intended to be smack, so allow me some latitude. There have been significant discussions on this board and many of your boosters have expressed interest in playing the Delawares, Texas State's, and Georgia Southerns of the world. Initially, I thought they were on crack for thinking in those lines. But I truely believe that it is your program, and play who the heck you want to play. But then you can't say anything "smackish" about USD's travel expenses when in reality we literally drove the contract to play SDSU 5 times, 3 in Brookings and 2 in Vermillion.

I don't want your league, or any potential league we might be looking at to get hurt or suffer. It is in the best interest of this state for both schools to have a conference affiliation and be successful. My opinion is that if the Big Sky extends (and they have) for all sports, and it meets the requirements our President has set forth in repositioning the University, then I am all for the Big Sky move, and we'll play each other when the proper time comes, if it comes.

I am very on record on this board that it is important for the state of South Dakota to have both schools be succesful, academically and athletically. Of course, we want to see each other's team beat the tar out of the other when the opportunity presents itself.

The travel costs are big, big issues for both schools and I certainly didn't mean to infer that it applies to one school and not the other. Maybe others have but you were responding to both posts. Football being a revenue generating sport makes it different then most of the sports offered. For the other sports it is rough. As a counter-point, I have always argued that once you decide to fly, it doesn't matter if you fly 500 miles or all the way to Miami if the ticket costs the same. Yes, there is time involved for players and coaches and that's important.

I believe the strongest solution for both UND and USD to come into the Summit League. That would reduce travel costs for all of the schools in the conference not just the XDSU'S and XSD's. Like I mentioned earlier, with all the talk and possibilities it helps put USD and UND in better positions. This thing has gotten moved to the front burner and taken off of simmer.


SUPERBUNNY

[SUPERBUNNY]

Re: Two more Teams??

I never thought i would say this,but i agree with Stu:

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs...8a54b&plckPers

Stu absolutely nailed. Geez, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

SUPERBUNNY

[jackmd]

Re: Two more Teams??

I never thought i would say this,but i agree with Stu:

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs...8a54b&plckPers

Stu makes a lot of the same points that have been made here. The assumption that it would be good for all involved if USD finds a conference home for all sports regardless of which conference that is (i.e. the BSC) is a poor assumption. Leaving the Summit to joint the BSC for the sake of football would be akin to cutting of your nose to spite your face.

Admittedly, I'm a little torn here. I've enjoyed watching and listening to the excuses and conjecture and it pertains to USD's previously poor decision to remain DII and the explanations provided when they finally realized their mistake. Not to mention their boosters previously eager criticism of the Great West and Summit leagues, both of which they now revere because of their affiliation and more accurately SDSU's affiliation.

A move to the BSC would be touted as monumental by many of USD's naive fans, note, I said many naive fans, not all their fans. The eventual realization that they have made a colossal mistake would be priceless and I would be an interested observer.

This is not to say that I was not personally interested in the BSC during the early days of SDSU's transition. At the time there was little else available and I held the BSC is some esteem. Neither of those issues exist at the time. USD is in the Summit league and that is probably where they should stay.

[NoVaJack]

Re: Big Sky looking at USD

Does UND and USD have the budgets to be in the Big Sky? After all, there are not a lot of bussable (Gotta love made up words) on that schedule.

Not with the SD Board of Regents.

[LakeJack]

Re: Big Sky looking at USD

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs...Id=personaDest

Big Sky (as in Big Lie)

I’m going to come right out and say this, because it sounds like there’s no time to waste.

The possibility of the University of South Dakota joining the Big Sky Conference for all sports is a terrible idea, and anyone who thinks otherwise knows nothing about intercollegiate athletics.
OK. Now I feel better. But not really.

Because if the powers that be at USD decide to accept membership into the Big Sky, the future of our state’s Division I experience will be irrevocably altered, and not in a good way.

[jackmd]

Re: Two more Teams??

We need to have one of the moderators combine this thread with the thread titles Big Sky looking at USD as there is a fair amount of redundant posting.

[jackmd]

Re: Big Sky looking at USD

One of the moderators needs to combine this thread with the one titled "Two more team?". There is a lot of redundant posting and the topic is essentially the same. Only my opinion, of course.

[propar80]

Re: Two more Teams??

We need to have one of the moderators combine this thread with the thread titles Big Sky looking at USD as there is a fair amount of redundant posting.

I had a feeling that would happen! Good discussion though. Mods...be my guest in combining this one with the USD/Big Sky thread...it would be easier.

Considering Stu is usually right about as much as Craig is...I'm having a much tougher time with my decision on what is right for USD in the long-run. Just kidding Stu...you've probably got this one right...on the other hand it's USD...WTF do I care.

Go Jacks!!

[zooropa]

Re: Two more Teams??

The real question is: How do Bradley, Creighton, Drake, Evansville, and Wichita State feel about a potential membership of USD in the Missouri Valley Football Conference

Irrelevant.

They have absolutely no direct say in the matter, and if any Valley member is willing to give them an indirect say in the matter they should be stripped of their voting privileges.

("Uh, yeah, this is Bob, president of UNI, I just wanted to get all you guys on the phone to find out how you feel about USD in the football conference that you aren't part of, especially from you schools that don't even play football. See, I need to make a decision, and I'm not going to make it unless you all agree with it.")