Three new D-I schools (exploratory years)

[filbert]

The exodus of D-II schools to D-I continues . . .

Central Arkansas, Cal State Bakersfield, and Winston-Salem State have announced their exploratory year for D-I reclassification, according to the NCAA web site:

http://www1.ncaa.org/membership/gove...fo/Status_Page

They join:

In year 1 of reclassification: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State, and North Florida;

In year 2, NDSU and SDSU, and

In year 3, UC Davis, Longwood, and Northern Colorado.

[Rodentia]

Re: Three new D-I schools (exploratory years)

How many of those new schools have football, and might they be GWFC prospects? With all the new teams going to D-I, I think that a new all-sports conference is inevitable. The NCAA says that it won't allow a new conference to have an autobid to the basketball tournament, but I don't see that they are going to have much choice. Besides, there already is one "play-in" game, there's room for more.

[filbert]

Re: Three new D-I schools (exploratory years)

I'd guess none are GWFC candidates. Central Arkansas is getting a look-see from the Southland. CSU-B doesn't play football and looks to be headed to the Big West. Winston-Salem State has a number of I-AA leagues to try for out east.

The rest either are already GWFC or don't have football.

[Dakota]

Re: Three new D-I schools (exploratory years)

The below is from The Sports Network Web Site by Matt Dougherty, Executive Director of I-AA Football
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default...extrapoint.htm


NEWS & NOTES

CENTRAL ARKANSAS JOINS THE SOUTHLAND

After months of rumors, meetings and visits, Central Arkansas and the Southland have finally reached a deal. Central Arkansas is making the move from Division II to I-AA, effective July 1, 2006, and will join the Southland Conference. Central Arkansas became the second school to join the conference in the past few weeks, with Texas A & M-Corpus Christi also gaining membership. The conference will have 12 teams total, but also moves to eight teams for football when Central Arkansas joins. With the announcement to join Division I, Central Arkansas enters a five-year transition period and will be eligible for the postseason and become a full Division I member on September 1, 2010. The addition of Central Arkansas will aid the Southland schools by giving them a seventh conference game, and expands the league past Texas and Louisiana in football. Central Arkansas should begin playing a full Southland football schedule in 2007.

[Dakota]

Re: Three new D-I schools (exploratory years)

I guess Central Arkansas would be a good team to schedule games with during both our reclassification.