FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Caz Bombers]

perhaps tangential to this discussion, I have found a disappointing number of D3 schools that "sponsor" women's golf without having enough student-athletes to score as a team in any events. Some of these have an online roster of 1-3 student-athletes, or even 0. Still shows up on their athletic websites as a sport they sponsor. I believe such schools are supposed to get written up by the Membership Committee, yet I can't say I've ever seen it reflected in those reports.

[Ralph Turner]

Simply calling a team that's only participating in your championship weekend an affiliate member of your conference for the sole purpose of securing an automatic bid is kind of unfair honestly.

If it's permitted by the NCAA, then it's perfectly fair.  Highly unusual, yes.  And if not for the C2C doing something similar (as Pat mentioned), there would be a number of schools without access to auto bids - such as the recently crowned MBB national champions - in many sports. 

And at least millions of dollars were not involved to make this happen.

IMHO, the panache of playing in the SCAC departed with Trinity. I am glad that the return to the ASC means playing fewer contests on Sunday for all sports.
My conjecture... but the money also helped Schreiner fund their nascent football program.

[Ralph Turner]

Simply calling a team that's only participating in your championship weekend an affiliate member of your conference for the sole purpose of securing an automatic bid is kind of unfair honestly.

If it's permitted by the NCAA, then it's perfectly fair.  Highly unusual, yes.  And if not for the C2C doing something similar (as Pat mentioned), there would be a number of schools without access to auto bids - such as the recently crowned MBB national champions - in many sports. 

And at least millions of dollars were not involved to make this happen.

Referring to the money that the ASC paid for McMurry and Schreiner to move...
IMHO, the panache of playing in the SCAC departed with Trinity. I am glad that the return to the ASC means playing fewer contests on Sunday for all sports.
My conjecture... but the money also helped Schreiner fund their nascent football program.

[Ron Boerger]

perhaps tangential to this discussion, I have found a disappointing number of D3 schools that "sponsor" women's golf without having enough student-athletes to score as a team in any events. Some of these have an online roster of 1-3 student-athletes, or even 0. Still shows up on their athletic websites as a sport they sponsor. I believe such schools are supposed to get written up by the Membership Committee, yet I can't say I've ever seen it reflected in those reports.

Since individuals can also qualify for NCAA post-season competition based on results (the best "X" scorers on teams that did not qualify are also invited) this seems legit, if not optimal.  I'm assuming those schools are also providing coaching support and access to regular season meets. 

[Ron Boerger]

IMHO, the panache of playing in the SCAC departed with Trinity. I am glad that the return to the ASC means playing fewer contests on Sunday for all sports.
My conjecture... but the money also helped Schreiner fund their nascent football program.

Agree that the money was vital for Schreiner and really helpful for McMurry, who out of the blue announced they will start a gymnastics program for both women and men this week. 

The funny thing is that Colorado College was then and is still now the most academically elite school in the conference; Austin's not that far behind.  And it wouldn't surprise me to see Southwestern (who probably slots between the two) to return.