Centenary College to Division III in 2011

[Mike Johnson]

http://www.collegeswimming.com/news/200 ... ision-iii/

Is this reason South Dakota was accepted into the Summit from 2011?

[dbackjon]

It makes sense - with less than 1,000 students, it was difficult financially for them to be in D-I.


North Dakota would put them back at 11, unless there is more movement.

[Mike Johnson]

11 teams in a conference is not ideal. That, and the admission of South Dakota three years out seemed very odd to me at the time. I remember asking if anybody were aware of any Summit team looking to move.

I kind of think Centenary moving to Division III has been in the works for a while, but was committed until 2011 and not announced until now. I think that is why South Dakota was admitted to start in 2011, to keep them at 10 teams in 2011.

I agree that Centenary will be better off in Division III. Going from athletic grants to none, could have an impact on current players, perhaps another reason not to do the move until 2011. The current players have athletic grants, but new players won't.

Sure, North Dakota will eventually get in, with three nearby rivals in the conference, but it may have to wait until somebody else leaves or the conference decides to go to 12 teams.

[dbackjon]

There are a few other schools that could step in. Your own UVU might go well with SUU. Houston baptist would be another possibility