Mississippi College looking to move back to DII

Started by sbparent, September 28, 2012, 11:48:53 AM

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sbparent

CLINTON, Miss. --- Mississippi College leaders agreed Thursday (9/27) to ask the NCAA to return the university to Division II and rejoin the Gulf South Conference after being away for 16 seasons.

The NCAA Division II Membership Committee, as part of its process, would reach a decision on MC's application in July 2013. Mississippi College is presently a member of the Texas-based American Southwest Conference in Division III.

After extensive study by university officials, MC's Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor of the recommendation from President Lee Royce and its executive committee to move forward with an application to pursue Division II membership. The potential move comes amid strong support among key university constituents- from alumni to students, faculty and staff on the Clinton campus.

"We appreciate the strong support from the Gulf South Conference as we move forward with the NCAA Division II application process," said MC President Dr. Lee Royce.  "The proposal has received enthusiastic support from faculty, staff, students, and alumni.  We look forward to renewing rivalries with schools such as Delta State University and GSC newcomers Union University in Tennessee and Shorter University in Georgia."

Athletic Director Mike Jones commented, "We are very excited about the opportunity to continue the process of making application for Division II membership."

Returning to the Gulf South Conference would reunite the Choctaws' decades long in-state rivalry with Delta State University, as well as compete with nearby neighbors like the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Christian Brothers in Memphis, and the University of West Florida in Pensacola. GSC newcomers including two Baptist-affiliated schools, Union University in Jackson, Tennessee and Shorter University in Rome, Georgia would also be good opponents for MC, the nation's second oldest Baptist college. MC presently enrolls 5,145 students. Another Christian institution, 4,400-student Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee received NCAA permission to join the GSC in July.

A Gulf South Conference member from 1972 until departing  in 1996, Mississippi College would potentially join a vibrant 12-school conference that includes a mix of public and private universities, Royce said. Over the years, GSC schools have won 46 NCAA Division II championships in 13 sports.

If Mississippi College were to receive an invitation to begin the Division II membership process and rejoin the Gulf South Conference it would result in much more media exposure for the university in the region. GSC football games of the week are broadcast in the fall on cable TV's CSS and reach millions of homes in the South.

A possible jump to NCAA Division II also makes sense from a logistical and cost standpoint. MC Athletic Director Mike Jones and others say rejoining the Gulf South Conference would greatly reduce travel time for the university's student-athletes, coaches and support staff.

The Gulf South Conference dates back to 1970 with original members including Delta State, North Alabama, Jacksonville State, West Alabama, Tennessee-Martin and Troy State. GSC reports note that 113 of its alumni have been players in the NFL or Canadian Football League, including 25 in the Super Bowl and 14 making all-pro.

Among Mississippi College's prominent NFL player was Fred McAfee, the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame member from Philadelphia, MS who presently serves as director of player personnel for the Saints. McAfee is among the alumni hailing the Christian university's potential return to Division II.

Present GSC institutions include the University of Alabama-Huntsville, Christian Brothers University, Delta State University, the University of North Alabama, Valdosta State University, the University of West Alabama, the University of West Florida, and the University of West Georgia. The NCAA gave approval in July 2011 for Shorter University and Union University to become provisional members of the conference this year and full members in 2013-2014.

Florida Tech was admitted to the GSC as a football associate member beginning in 2013.

Mississippi College is home to teams in 15 NCAA sports with the football team winning the ASC championship in 2009.
Based in Birmingham, the Gulf South Conference is led by President Nate Salant. GSC leaders recently visited Mississippi College and met with key university constituents – including alumni, students, faculty and staff who all enthusiastically backed MC's return to NCAA's Division II ranks.

Pat Coleman

We broke this Thursday morning and there is already some discussion on the ASC football board if you want to check there.

http://www.d3football.com/notables/2012/09/mississippi-college-chooses-d2

Quote from: sbparent on September 28, 2012, 11:48:53 AM
CLINTON, Miss. --- Mississippi College leaders agreed Thursday (9/27) to ask the NCAA to return the university to Division II and rejoin the Gulf South Conference after being away for 16 seasons.

The NCAA Division II Membership Committee, as part of its process, would reach a decision on MC's application in July 2013. Mississippi College is presently a member of the Texas-based American Southwest Conference in Division III.

After extensive study by university officials, MC's Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor of the recommendation from President Lee Royce and its executive committee to move forward with an application to pursue Division II membership. The potential move comes amid strong support among key university constituents- from alumni to students, faculty and staff on the Clinton campus.

"We appreciate the strong support from the Gulf South Conference as we move forward with the NCAA Division II application process," said MC President Dr. Lee Royce.  "The proposal has received enthusiastic support from faculty, staff, students, and alumni.  We look forward to renewing rivalries with schools such as Delta State University and GSC newcomers Union University in Tennessee and Shorter University in Georgia."

Athletic Director Mike Jones commented, "We are very excited about the opportunity to continue the process of making application for Division II membership."

Returning to the Gulf South Conference would reunite the Choctaws' decades long in-state rivalry with Delta State University, as well as compete with nearby neighbors like the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Christian Brothers in Memphis, and the University of West Florida in Pensacola. GSC newcomers including two Baptist-affiliated schools, Union University in Jackson, Tennessee and Shorter University in Rome, Georgia would also be good opponents for MC, the nation's second oldest Baptist college. MC presently enrolls 5,145 students. Another Christian institution, 4,400-student Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee received NCAA permission to join the GSC in July.

A Gulf South Conference member from 1972 until departing  in 1996, Mississippi College would potentially join a vibrant 12-school conference that includes a mix of public and private universities, Royce said. Over the years, GSC schools have won 46 NCAA Division II championships in 13 sports.

If Mississippi College were to receive an invitation to begin the Division II membership process and rejoin the Gulf South Conference it would result in much more media exposure for the university in the region. GSC football games of the week are broadcast in the fall on cable TV's CSS and reach millions of homes in the South.

A possible jump to NCAA Division II also makes sense from a logistical and cost standpoint. MC Athletic Director Mike Jones and others say rejoining the Gulf South Conference would greatly reduce travel time for the university's student-athletes, coaches and support staff.

The Gulf South Conference dates back to 1970 with original members including Delta State, North Alabama, Jacksonville State, West Alabama, Tennessee-Martin and Troy State. GSC reports note that 113 of its alumni have been players in the NFL or Canadian Football League, including 25 in the Super Bowl and 14 making all-pro.

Among Mississippi College's prominent NFL player was Fred McAfee, the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame member from Philadelphia, MS who presently serves as director of player personnel for the Saints. McAfee is among the alumni hailing the Christian university's potential return to Division II.

Present GSC institutions include the University of Alabama-Huntsville, Christian Brothers University, Delta State University, the University of North Alabama, Valdosta State University, the University of West Alabama, the University of West Florida, and the University of West Georgia. The NCAA gave approval in July 2011 for Shorter University and Union University to become provisional members of the conference this year and full members in 2013-2014.

Florida Tech was admitted to the GSC as a football associate member beginning in 2013.

Mississippi College is home to teams in 15 NCAA sports with the football team winning the ASC championship in 2009.
Based in Birmingham, the Gulf South Conference is led by President Nate Salant. GSC leaders recently visited Mississippi College and met with key university constituents – including alumni, students, faculty and staff who all enthusiastically backed MC's return to NCAA's Division II ranks.
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Quote from: old 40 on September 25, 2007, 08:23:57 PMLet's discuss (sports) in a positive way, sometimes kidding each other with no disrespect.

Pat Coleman

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Quote from: old 40 on September 25, 2007, 08:23:57 PMLet's discuss (sports) in a positive way, sometimes kidding each other with no disrespect.

Gregory Sager

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Pat Coleman

A D2 athletic director type told me that most of the recent rejections have been for lack of a full-time compliance coordinator without coaching duties or having an AD with coaching duties.
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Quote from: old 40 on September 25, 2007, 08:23:57 PMLet's discuss (sports) in a positive way, sometimes kidding each other with no disrespect.

Warren Thompson

Pat: why was Mississippi College forced to "vacate" the 1989 D2 National Championship?

Captain_Joe08

#6
Quote from: Warren Thompson on July 13, 2013, 04:24:27 PM
Pat: why was Mississippi College forced to "vacate" the 1989 D2 National Championship?

Due to rule violations.
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Warren Thompson

Quote from: Captain_Joe08 on July 13, 2013, 05:02:40 PM
Quote from: Warren Thompson on July 13, 2013, 04:24:27 PM
Pat: why was Mississippi College forced to "vacate" the 1989 D2 National Championship?

Due to rule violations.

Thanks. Specifically, which rules?

Captain_Joe08

Quote from: Warren Thompson on July 13, 2013, 05:33:43 PM
Quote from: Captain_Joe08 on July 13, 2013, 05:02:40 PM
Quote from: Warren Thompson on July 13, 2013, 04:24:27 PM
Pat: why was Mississippi College forced to "vacate" the 1989 D2 National Championship?

Due to rule violations.

Thanks. Specifically, which rules?

Gave out double the amount of scholarships than they were allowed to give out.

http://dailyemerald.com/2013/04/03/walks-if-new-allegations-are-true-stripping-auburns-national-title-should-be-a-given/

"It was the first vacated NCAA football championship since 1989, when Mississippi College was found to have given out twice the number of academic scholarships it was allowed."
Once a Warrior always a Warrior.
WLC Men's Tennis (2014 NACC Tournament Champs)
2014 MIAA Football Pick 'Em Champ
2014 WIAC Football Pick 'Em Regular Season Co-Champ
2014 National Confidence Playoff Champion
Milwaukee Brewers: 2018 NL Central Champions

Pat Coleman

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Quote from: old 40 on September 25, 2007, 08:23:57 PMLet's discuss (sports) in a positive way, sometimes kidding each other with no disrespect.

Hawks88

I wonder how this affects this year's incoming freshman class? If they were accepted to DII when would they have started giving scholarships? Did they recruit mostly true DIII players for this year or did they already have guys on LOI planning to be on scholarship and red/grey shirting this season?

crufootball

Quote from: Hawks88 on July 14, 2013, 01:53:32 PM
I wonder how this affects this year's incoming freshman class? If they were accepted to DII when would they have started giving scholarships? Did they recruit mostly true DIII players for this year or did they already have guys on LOI planning to be on scholarship and red/grey shirting this season?

If my memory is working well from when McMurry left I don't think they would have offered scholarships until next year when they were officially accepted. Saying that I would bet they will have a few students transfer that thought they had a chance at a scholarship next year and now they won't.  I know when McMurry left the rest of the conference was a tad upset that McMurry was allowed to compete in conference tournaments and NCAA playoffs as it appeared they were getting some athletes using the appeal of going D2 the next year. This impacted MC in that I believe MC was not going to be allowed to compete for conference championship this year and therefore not allowed to be in NCAA playoff events. 

Pat Coleman

Quote from: Hawks88 on July 14, 2013, 01:53:32 PM
I wonder how this affects this year's incoming freshman class? If they were accepted to DII when would they have started giving scholarships? Did they recruit mostly true DIII players for this year or did they already have guys on LOI planning to be on scholarship and red/grey shirting this season?

I am sure that there are people who came to Mississippi College this year with the thought that someday they might get scholarship money. Whether that is wishful thinking on their part is another matter.
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Quote from: old 40 on September 25, 2007, 08:23:57 PMLet's discuss (sports) in a positive way, sometimes kidding each other with no disrespect.

smedindy

So are they in limbo? Will the ASC take them back?

crufootball

Quote from: smedindy on July 16, 2013, 02:51:06 PM
So are they in limbo? Will the ASC take them back?

As an ASC fan I would welcome them back with open arms since once they left the clock would start ticking on us losing our automatic bid to the playoffs since we would fall to 6 football playing members.