Quote from: HansenRatings on June 27, 2025, 03:51:30 PM

Quote from: DriftlessDuhawk on June 27, 2025, 02:02:31 PMYeah, Logan and I have very similar sources, as these are the two schools I was referring to. The only thing I would add is that with Luther leaving, the conference is looking to move to a "travel partner" approach for all non-football sports.

With that being said, adding both Monmouth and Northwestern doesn't really work with that idea, and so the league would rather expand in one direction by getting two schools. So, either looking for an additional school in western Illinois or another one in the Twin Cities area.

I said this before, but I think Augustana would make a lot of sense for both parties. They're a good fit for the ARC geographically & fit the mold of the current institutions, and if Monmouth gets/accepts an invitation, that would be a good travel partner for them.

I'm not sure who else from the Twin Cities area would make sense, either for the ARC or for a school potentially looking for greener pastures.

Replace Luther with, wait for it, Martin Luther.  And there is a Brewery in New Ulm, MN.  (this is said with tongue firmly planted in cheek)

Quote from: DriftlessDuhawk on June 27, 2025, 02:02:31 PMYeah, Logan and I have very similar sources, as these are the two schools I was referring to. The only thing I would add is that with Luther leaving, the conference is looking to move to a "travel partner" approach for all non-football sports.

With that being said, adding both Monmouth and Northwestern doesn't really work with that idea, and so the league would rather expand in one direction by getting two schools. So, either looking for an additional school in western Illinois or another one in the Twin Cities area.

Knox is about 20 miles away from Monmouth.  With Luther leaving for the Midwest Conference it might be a bit funny to lose one school to that conference only to then take two from them.

Quote from: DriftlessDuhawk on June 26, 2025, 04:13:42 PM

Quote from: HansenRatings on June 25, 2025, 10:17:50 PMI could maybe see something where the top non-playoff team from a combination of the UMAC/MWC/NACC matches up with the next best team from the ARC, but that would probably, regrettably mean the dissolution of the Lakefront Bowl.

The other issue with this is that I know a couple of teams in these conferences have asked if the ARC plans on moving up to 10 teams with the subtraction of Luther, according to my "sources".

Even if completely made up...you have my attention 

New strategic plan for the conference.

https://rollrivers.com/news/2025/6/23/american-rivers-conference-unveils-2025-28-strategic-plan-to-guide-future-growth-and-impact.aspx

Quote from: DriftlessDuhawk on June 19, 2025, 03:09:26 PM

Quote from: Fannosaurus Rex on June 14, 2025, 06:40:11 PMThe weekend Wall Street Journal has an article about how to spend a three day weekend in Dubuque. Of course the fist thing to do should be to get back in the car and drive to Pella. They missed that obvious move but it still paints Dubuque in pretty nice light.

Now I'm not sure I would go as far as to say you should be spending a full 3-day vacation in Pella  , but the article Fannosaurus Rex is referring to is written by David Farley, who is a native of Dubuque. Farley also owns lots of real estate in the city of Dubuque, and those who are aware of this took the article in a very tongue-in-cheek way, as clearly there is no ulterior motive behind the article...

That being said any sort of Dubuque itinerary that does not include a stop by one of the two casinos in town, a drink from Fat Tuesday's or the Walnut Tap, or dinner and live music at the Yardarm on the river is not exactly highlighting the best of things to do in Dubuque, in my opinion. He did get it right that the best burgers in town do come from Paul's Tavern, however, so I will give him that.

Going way back here.  The old dog track has morphed into a casino and great live music venue.  We highly recommend.  I liked Fat Tuesday's, but we were more Whiskey River (pretty much across the street) types.  One summer I lived across the street from the Walnut but wouldn't go there as it was known as a Loras bar     I am to this day, a Dog House fan. A couple of years ago my daughter got kicked out of Paul's because the bouncer didn't like her attitude...all 4'11" of her attitude!  So I have not been to that place.  I agree, the Yardarm is a great place during the summer months.  Our kids and their friends agree.   

Interview with the Luther President
https://youtu.be/QfmCqrFIhfI

Quote from: Pat Coleman on June 03, 2025, 11:23:20 AMLuther will be leaving the ARC after this upcoming season:
https://d3sports.com/notables/2025/06/luther-leaves-arc-for-mwc

This comes as a surprise to me.  Luther is an original member dating to 1922.  7 of the 9 members of the conference can trace their roots in the conference to the 1920's - 1930's. 

With the facilities improvements underway at Luther.  Renovated field house and I thought an indoor practice facility.  Their history of athletics success and strong financial position, I believed they were attempting to improve football and basketball to competitive standards.  And their overall athletics department were already strong. 

I'm not sure this move will drive enrollment.  They should be more competitive on the athletics side.  Cornell went from a bottom feeder in the IIAC to .500 in football with the move to the MWC.  I would think that improves attitudes on campus. 

It also seemed like Luther did a bit of a dig to the ARC in their statement about athletics and academics, with the ARC firing back in their statement noting the conferences academics in their release. 

Still, this is a sad day to see an original member leave.

100 days until the 2025 season.

This is big news. 

BVU hires former Iowa Hawkeye Jeff Horner as their new HC.  He was at D2 Truman State and in his 7 years there took them to the NCAA tourney 3 times. 

https://x.com/BVUAthletics/status/1919755625820545400

Simpson released their schedule
https://x.com/scstormfootball/status/1911805417639780402

Two away games for Coe, though Mt Vernon is only a few miles down the road.  Seeing their countdown and noting in 2 weeks I can tell my wife it's now 150 days until college football season.  That will rate an eye roll from her!

UD announces their new D Line coach.  Jon Zohlmann, a 2022 Central grad and spent the last 2 seasons as the D Line coach at Nebraska Wesleyan.  Former UD defensive line coach Rob Huberty is now the Defensive Coordinator at St. Norbert. 

UD wins in double OT over Loras.  Incredible game to watch online.  And even better I got to watch my son playing his trombone in the pep band. 

Anxious to see how SpartyBlue breaks down the conference playoffs. 

Dubuque with a 3 point win @ Coe gives the Spartans the outright conference title.
NWU and Loras are playing for 2nd and 3rd place.
Coe and Central are 8-7 heading into the final regular season game on Saturday.
Wartburg and BVU are 7-8 going into their final game this weekend. 
I have no idea how those tie breakers could play out. 

Silver lining for Central is that despite a late season slide, you just need to get hot at tourney time.  Win 3 straight and you go to the dance.