Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[formerd3db]

Unfortunately, another storied college football program "bites the dust" with Colorado College dropping the sport.  That is sad news, although perhaps understandable.  I wondered how long it would be before this move was made as CC was, as you all are aware, basically out there by themselves.  In light of the bad economic times, the travel flight costs alone were probably what did it in as their administrators indicated.  Still, and again, it is sad to see; if you go back through the history books, CC has a great history, yet the writing seemed to be on the wall even 3-4 decades ago when they pulled down the old stadium, and basically just "changed the atmosphere" as far as football goes, IMO.

As some of you have indicated, I wonder now how long DePauw will stay in the conference re: due to the travel costs.  It's been debated/discussed very well many times by many of you, but it seems for a simple logical standpoint, that DePauw would be better off financially by going back to a conference in their region, similar to the move that Rose-Hulman made (and Wabash has maintained over the years).  Historically, it seems a good fit; from their academic opinion/standpoint, that is another issue as many of you have mentioned.  With the economic times, nothing seems to surprise us anymore. 

[Ron Boerger]

The open letter to the CoCo community is here.

One of the factors listed was 'competitive success'; while money was the primary factor, had the football program been more competitive the decision could have been more difficult to make.

And I still want to know how Division I hockey is "compatible with the aspirations of an elite liberal arts college."  Seems that if you want to save money and focus on being 'an elite liberal arts college' you start there.  Not only do you not spend the travel money, staff, etc.  but you get back all the money you're throwing away on scholarships. 

[Ralph Turner]

If travel is a major concern, then Colorado College should move to D-II!

The student athletes would spend more time in class and they could save football.

Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

[D3_DPUFan]

...also noticed Title IX was mentioned among factors in the decision. 

It was also critical to follow all applicable federal regulations.  This change actually will bring CC more closely into compliance with Title IX Gender Equity legislation, an important aspect of any decision involving athletic programs.

[Shoreman]

Does Hendrix still have a football timeline?

Any likely candidates to join SCAC, Huntington?

[Ralph Turner]

Here is the "value" question about Colorado College and the SCAC...

Colorado College brought value in their football program.  They helped fill the 10-game schedule for "like-minded" institutions.  Furthermore, they allowed the SCAC to have a geographically proportioned two-division 6-team lineup in several team sports (except D-1 women's soccer).

Now that softball and football are gone, is it really worth destroying the travel budgets of the other 11 members in the remaining team sports? 

Current Colorado College offerings...

Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Football, Men's Lacrosse, Women's Lacrosse, Men's Soccer, Softball, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis, Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field, Volleyball

What is unique to Colorado College that provides value in achieving the conference's overall goals?

Men's and women's lacrosse?

These are questions that are rocking the identity and composition of the SCAC.  How does another school's administration and board justify trips to Colorado College for this school's contribution to the conference?

[cush]

Wow!...that is a shocker...CC has a long history of having a football team + they have a large endowment, almost 500M i think. Yet, i don't fault them for keeping the hockey program, they have a nice niche and clearly that is the sport for the school to put their $'s into...i do fault them for making such a move with little warning (i think)for other scac members in putting together a schedule for next year.  The other thing to consider is maybe they are dropping football do to gripes from other scac members about the travel and by making such a move, they will be able to stay in the league, who knows. I think CC has value being tied into the the texas scac school's, harder to make the case for the eastern scac school's though...which is why the concept of going to 14 teams might be of value. As for its impact on scac football, with hendrix starting a team, losing cc really has no impact...think the key is having 9 teams for a balanced schedule. However, if depauw leaves the scac, than whoever replaces them might need to start a football program, ie berry college would seem to be the most likely from the 3 school's i viewed as possible replacements.

[D3_DPUFan]

Here is the "value" question about Colorado College and the SCAC...

Colorado College brought value in their football program.  They helped fill the 10-game schedule for "like-minded" institutions.  Furthermore, they allowed the SCAC to have a geographically proportioned two-division 6-team lineup in several team sports (except D-1 women's soccer).

Now that softball and football are gone, is it really worth destroying the travel budgets of the other 11 members in the remaining team sports? 

Current Colorado College offerings...


Quote
Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Football, Men's Lacrosse, Women's Lacrosse, Men's Soccer, Softball, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis, Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field, Volleyball

What is unique to Colorado College that provides value in achieving the conference's overall goals?

Men's and women's lacrosse?

These are questions that are rocking the identity and composition of the SCAC.  How does another school's administration and board justify trips to Colorado College for this school's contribution to the conference?

Bravo, Ralph. I had not thought of it in that way...but I think you are exactly right. I also wonder the extent to which CC administrators were in touch with the conference in advance of this announcement...suddenly dropping football in the spring would seem to put the conference and its remaining member institutions in a very tough spot regarding scheduling.

[Pat Coleman]

Which CC administrators, if any. I wonder if the fact that the SCAC hasn't had a news release of its own on the matter means they didn't have any advance warning of it.

[scaccommish]

SCAC Statement on Colorado College dropping football and softball

http://www.scacsports.com/sports/fball/2008-09/news/statement_colorado_drops_sports

[Pat Coleman]

Thanks -- I think that's the first time I've heard a specific date for Hendrix football.

[D3_DPUFan]

SCAC Statement on Colorado College dropping football and softball

http://www.scacsports.com/sports/fball/2008-09/news/statement_colorado_drops_sports

What options are available to member schools in terms of scheduling? Are they simply on their own to find a random game?
 

[cush]

Maybe the scac can have everybody play one team twice, h/a,  works in the NFL

[Ron Boerger]

What options are available to member schools in terms of scheduling? Are they simply on their own to find a random game?
 

Pretty much.  Some (most?) schools will probably have to go with nine games since there aren't too many teams still looking for a game this late.    According to the open dates board, Trinity's choices boil down to St John Fisher and Kalamzoo, and since CC was a home game this season (one of only four) it's unlikely they'll be able to talk either of those schools into a trip to TX.   SJF and 'zoo both want 2-year, home-and-homes, Fisher also wants an '09 home game.     Another possibility might be an Oct 10 game against either Wesley (ouch) or Frostburg State. 

[PA_wesleyfan]

 Wesley has been trying desperately to fill it's schedule, but I am not sure what date is open at this point. I do know they were trying to shift some things around to open a date with a top 5 team but I understand that they fell through when the team scheduled on that date wasn't receptive to a midseason meeting with Wesley which is understandable.. I wouldn't be suprised if Wesley wouldn't even go as far as to drop one of their non D III opponents to schedule more than  one D III.( complete speculatiion on my part) team. One reason they wouldn't do that would be because those non DIII schools help Wesley fill out the schedule year after year. That excludes Apprentise because they are a ACFC member.
 Frostburg St on the other hand has been happy playing nine games schedules of late.