From what I understand, there are major structural issues w/ the academics of Chi. St. and that's not even taking into account the academic performance of their athletes. I don't think any conference will be eager to take that on regardless of membership concerns.

From your list, FSA, it seems Bellarmine would be the only fit for a Summit invite. I do believe if they make the transition they will prosper given the president's earlier comments. If they begin to realize their ambition and potential, they would also be on the radar of Horizon and OVC eventually, and probably A-Sun right away.

When/where did you hear this? Do you have a link?

Over a year ago, Senior Reports? or the D-II board?. One of them must have the link. I might have read and posted about it on the A-Sun section of the csn board too, in an expansion thread. I wasn't the only one talking about it, someone was telling me about how they'd be a perfect fit and they would be the 10th member, then NKU took that spot. All I found recently is this(just some talk about them being ready to jump soon, new arena yada yada) but I read about it from somewhere else over a year ago.

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=560175&page=2

_________________

Bellarmine would probably prefer the A-Sun over the OVC or Summit-they get to renew the rivalry with Northern Kentucky (about 100 miles away), and Bellarmine thinks of themselves as a Southern school, not a Midwestern school (even if the "Notre Dame of the South" isn't that far from the Notre Dame in South Bend). I would expect the Atlantic Sun to add Bellarmine once NKU is far enough in the transition process to count as a Division I opponent. The Summit really should look at Missouri-St. Louis, who will be the largest school left in the GLVC.

What is interesting is that the Summit League would be down to 7 members who count as Division I for scheduling purposes if IUPUI leaves (Nebraska-Omaha won't be Division I until 2015). In the event of further losses, North Dakota is probably the first call, followed by UTPA, Chicago State, or NJIT. The Big Sky would likely accept a football-only membership from North Dakota given that South Dakota bailed on them at the last minute.

Thanks, FSA,

Always good to hear of new possibilities.

I wish I could remember where I 1st read it. It could have been on the Senior Reports facebook page. I don't think it was the D-II board because we only fb on there. could been on the csn expansion board back when NKU got invited to the A-sun.

_________________

No reason for the Big Sky to offer football only to UND - Big Sky did for Cal Poly and UC-Davis because there is no other option out west. UND is becoming a full member of the Big Sky - if the Summit wants them, they will have to convince the MVFC to take them as well, like they did for USD.

Cleveland Plain Dealer article discussing possible Horizon League replacements for Butler.Link at http://www.cleveland.com/sports/csu/ind ... _stat.html

If I'm the Horizon I take Robert Morris, IUPUI, Oakland. Let Summit talk Wayne St. into moving D-I. They have football, so unless UND and WSU are allowed in the MVFC they'd have be Indy or drop it. WSU is the biggest school in D-II and they looked at moving to D-I in 2004 but decided not to. Duquesne isn't leaving the A10.

_________________

Would the NEC allow Robert Morris to remain as a football affiliate? If not, what does RM do? Drop to the Pioneer?

Why not, they have AEC schools in the NEC for fb only.

_________________

and a10 (uri)

_________________


@ncaasports csi.com/facebook


Like the new CSI Userbar? Feel free to use it here and any other forums.
You can save and host it yourself or link from here.

UMSL is not even thinking about an upgrade right now. First off, they are a commuter school with minimal facilities. Second, SLU and D-III Washington rule the college sports roost in StL with SIU-E not too far down the road. Plus I don't see the UM Board of Curators approving any such move with the current state of the economy in the state right now. Also, UMKC is a prime example of thinking they are "big time" when they have not even dominated the D-II level in any sport. Central Missouri would consider moving up to D-I before UMSL does.

When did the NEC add scholarships?

_________________
1897-1898 | 1900-06 | 1926-27 | 1929-30 | 1939 | 1942

Article out of Green Bay(previously posted in another thread)reporting that Horizon Commish announced this morning that Butler is leaving the Horizon for the A-10.Link at http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/art ... -Green-Bay