would be hard to argue the "travel costs" aspect. off the top, i think Green Bay would be the longest trip at just over 6hrs? just seems to me, IF the Horizon came knockin', IPFW would at least give it some consideration. according to the Horizon League commissioner, men's basketball activities will weigh heavily on expansion.
I have been following this pretty closely on news reports and fan forums. Appears that Fort Wayne is probably of more interest to the Horizon than IUPUI for some reason. Also appears that the various changes going on at Fort Wayne, they are no longer associated with the University of Indiana and are now only associated with Purdue, have made them a little less appealing. In any case, it is doubtful there will be a change for 17-18 at this point. There has also been some discussion of the Horizon's interest in Omaha and Denver. IMHO going from the Summit to the Horizon would be a step down, so I doubt that Omaha or Denver would be likely to make such a move. The travel distance would seem to be the primary incentive for Fort Wayne or IUPUI. Time will tell, but I doubt we see any of these four moving to the Horizon this year and probably not in the future either.
reading about Omaha's financial woes, i just don't see them taking a jump.
I still have no idea why UNO ever thought the Horizon was that appealing. Nobody in Omaha is going to care about playing any of those schools, it is still a one bid league just like the Summit plus there would be significantly more travel.
I still have no idea why UNO ever thought the Horizon was that appealing. Nobody in Omaha is going to care about playing any of those schools, it is still a one bid league just like the Summit plus there would be significantly more travel.
Agreed FargoBison - the UNO athletic department seems to be using the same playbook as dreadful football offenses use which is "throw the ball up in the air and hope the ref calls pass interference".
Sat next to a UNO fan two years ago and got into a discussion about their D1 move. He was of the opinion that UNO would never be able to compete in football with Northwest Missouri any more than they could against North Dakota State, thus the move. I will say that after attending games at ORU, IUPUI, WIU and UMKC that Omaha has by far the best atmosphere-- though that's not saying much. Can't see why they'd want to head to the Horizon. Fort Wayne and IUPUI? Think it would make a lot of sense.
I keep hearing rumors that Lindenwood is planning a D1 move within the decade. If Jed Stugart can't compete, I'd look for the possibility of them dropping football and possibly making a play for the Summit. Either that or SIUE- although no one in Illinois can do anything but hang on by their fingernails. Either way, there would be no attention paid by the St. Louis media. Don't think I've ever heard a SIUE score on TV.
It sounds like Horizon League will be announcing the addition of a new school this week that has a baseball program. Speculation is that it will be IPFW, will be interesting to see.
There is a report from a "reliable source" on the MVC forum that Murray State has been invited to the Horizon and accepted for 17-18 and that Fort Wayne and IUPUI MAY be added next year. It is awfully late to redo schedules or fall sports and even winter sports if any of this is accurate. The same person is reporting this on the Horizon League fan forum. http://horizonleaguefans.freeforums....nds-invitation
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