FB: American Southwest Conference

[Ron Boerger]

Interesting takes on this situation:

D3Football.com's interview with SCAC Commissioner Dwayne Hanberry (YouTube)
D3vbwest's (Robert Rochelle) Southwestern Returns to the SCAC
Frank Rossi's take (on X)

[Bmo]

If I'm the ASC, I'm reaching out to Trinity and Berry and asking what it would take to create the D3 SEC .  This is probably the one and only shot at that happening.

[Ron Boerger]

If I'm the ASC, I'm reaching out to Trinity and Berry and asking what it would take to create the D3 SEC .  This is probably the one and only shot at that happening.

Probably options for Berry that would not require them to hop on a plane for every away game.  Lots of sports beside football to account for.

[Bmo]

100%.  There certainly are better options for Berry, but that's what gives them leverage.  Maybe they affiliate for football only and drag Maryville and/or Belhaven along.  If ASC wanted long-term stability, this is their shot to put together their best pitch.  (edit - ok, maybe not long-term stability, but it would make for some great storylines while it existed)

[MCScots2013]

No way Maryville is paying for multiple football flights a year affiliating with the ASC. The only saving grace while it lasts in the SAA was one home, one away game per year with Trinity and Southwestern.

If anyone has inside knowledge, would love hearing a general cost per trip.

[Bmo]

Ok, it sounds like Maryville's number is the cost of multiple flights per year.  Remember, the goal here is to make the D3 SEC, not to make any fiscal or logical sense.  I'll stop now, and wait for the next domino to fall,  .

[MCScots2013]

We'll be ok being the NC State of D3 South football.

Our saving grace is the fact we're in the part of Tennessee in the eastern time zone. Lots more options within a 6-8 hour drive!

[Mavchamp]

Gotta wonder if Belhaven is happy with USA South for football....lots of travel for them.  Makes you wonder if the SAA or SCAC would be options for them.  Travel to the ASC would be no better than USA for them.

I'm simply not sold on the stability of the ASC.....at least not anything past this 10 year deal.  My guess is that those 2 schools will be looking to go back to the SCAC first chance they get.

ASC's best chance for long-term survival is picking off some NAIA teams from the Sooner Conference.  Gotta wonder if the BGCT might pressure Wayland to join the other Baptist schools.  Nelson (SAGU) makes geographical sense.  Getting Louisiana college back.  Maybe waiting and seeing is Sul Ross will give up on D2 and drop back down.  Maybe the same with Missippi College.

All of those seem like long shots right now.  But I realize things can change quickly.

But I predict in 10 years..... we will have the Baptist Four in the same mess they were in last season.  No D3 conference wants them and all four are either toying with moving to NAIA or going up to D2 (LSC/GAC).

HPU and ETBU should start sending Christmas cards to the commish of the SCAC now.

[MCScots2013]

I think the issue at hand is the total number for the SCAC when accounting for non-football schools. Unless they want to be the D3 SEC with 16 schools, the total number is  getting big. Someone needs to try to make that SCAC move asap because they shut that door. I think the ODAC has 14 schools (not checking their website), so I guess there is Region 3 precedence.

But, yeah...if ex-D3's came back it could help a lot.

[Mavchamp]

I think the issue at hand is the total number for the SCAC when accounting for non-football schools. Unless they want to be the D3 SEC with 16 schools, the total number is  getting big. Someone needs to try to make that SCAC move asap because they shut that door. I think the ODAC has 14 schools (not checking their website), so I guess there is Region 3 precedence.

But, yeah...if ex-D3's came back it could help a lot.

Call me a pessimist....but I think the ASC on life support again when this 10 year "deal" is done.

All six members should be thinking long-term if they are wise.

The good news:  Necessity may force them together long term....even if they don't like it.

There's always a chance that the SCAC will have no interest in taking McMurry and Schreiner back in 10 years.  If that's the case...both could be stuck with the ASC unless they look else where.

Trinity may not want the ASC..... and the ASC may not want Trinity.  But.... they may have to live with each other.

HSU and UMHB may not want to move to D2...but if they ASC falls apart.... will they have any options?

And HPU and ETBU have got to decide if they remain faithful to the Baptist Four or if they decide to go every many for themselves and start looking at SCAC, D2 or NAIA.

And like mentioned....Sul Ross coming back could be huge....even if it's a long shot.

Recruiting the Sooner Conference

But it could be interesting..... all the talk of life support in 10 years (and it's still very real).... but the ASC could end up being an alliance of the unwanted and unwilling if the SCAC say thanks but no thanks to everyone.

Trinity
UMHB
HSU
ETBU
HPU
McMurry
Schreiner


A conference that hardly anyone would be happy about being in....but survives due to necessity.