Conference changes

[jmcozenlaw]

Three potentially juicy MAC rumors that might or might not (especially #3) come to fruition by the end of the summer:

1. The MAC might very well end up, in time for the Fall of 2027, as a 20 team conference, with two, 10 team divisions. This would put an end to the "MAC should not have two automatic qualifiers" noise once and for all.

There are at least seven schools that have reached out to the MAC, anticipating more fallout with their current conference(s) from closures/mergers and the elimination of sports, in addition to a weak conference, made a bit weaker with the latest round of moves.

The interesting thing that I am hearing is that the MAC has a list of schools that they would bring aboard, a pecking order so to speak, BUT, the conference wants to know what is happening with at least two, and possibly even three existing members in terms of their future viability. One school in particular is getting close to life support and is in an all out begathon from alums.

2. Two MAC schools are very seriously looking at adding football, while one just very quietly shot down the idea as unnecessary from an enrollment perspective (hint: think Dorney Park).

3. This last one sounded way off to me, but I have heard that the mothership in State College is not the only school looking closely at the beautiful, bucolic Doylestown area, for a possible satellite. I have heard from extremely reliable sources that Rowan has been sniffing around as well. I know that Rowan has massive plans for growth over the next decade, but I can't quite figure out the how or why with this one. I know that DelVal's wheelhouse in the sciences and research might tuck in very nicely, but it sounds more like disparate parts vs. a seamless fit.

Things have changed across the landscape over the last few years.........and I think that we are only in the second inning when we look back 10 years from now.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

1. The MAC might very well end up, in time for the Fall of 2027, as a 20 team conference, with two, 10 team divisions. This would put an end to the "MAC should not have two automatic qualifiers" noise once and for all.

The issue with the grandfathered two AQs is not about number of teams, but that the MAC participates as one conference for some sports and two conference for others.  Nobody else gets that flexibility.

[jmcozenlaw]

1. The MAC might very well end up, in time for the Fall of 2027, as a 20 team conference, with two, 10 team divisions. This would put an end to the "MAC should not have two automatic qualifiers" noise once and for all.

The issue with the grandfathered two AQs is not about number of teams, but that the MAC participates as one conference for some sports and two conference for others.  Nobody else gets that flexibility.

I agree Ryan. I remember way back in the day, the MAC was a massive conference, with several of today's conferences eminating from the <AC over many years.

[KnightSlappy]

The MAC should not have 2 automatic qualifiers.