Big Sky Expansion

[JBB]

Hockey was no benefit to the NCC and almost every school had a D1 hockey team. Hockey has done nothing for the GWC either. It will do nothing for the BSC as well. There is no cross-over. Hockey is a niche sport and is invisible if you arent a fan.

[SuperHornet]

Looking at the map, it's hard to see how the addition of SUU helps anyone geographically. They're too far from NAU and UNC to be decent travel partners for them, and Weber is actually closer to the Bungles.

I'd suggest going after Mines. Perfect travel partner for UNC.

[webfan]

Who is "mines"?

[SuperHornet]

Who is "mines"?

#20 Colorado School of Mines (6-1). Yeah, the RMAC is weak. But they're pretty much dominating it and looking to get a good playoff spot. Six-game winning streak isn't bad. They're looking to win out, too.

[mtjack]

Who is "mines"?

A guess.....Colorado School of Mines?

Superhornet - Right now, NAU students are unable to go to any road games short of an extensively long drive to Ogden, Utah (WSU). The distance may not seem close to you but it's close compared to going to Sacramento, Greeley, etc.

I'll cast my non-existent vote for SUU into the Big Sky Conference.

[AZGrizFan]

Looking at the map, it's hard to see how the addition of SUU helps anyone geographically. They're too far from NAU and UNC to be decent travel partners for them, and Weber is actually closer to the Bungles.

I'd suggest going after Mines. Perfect travel partner for UNC.

They're closer to NAU than Bozo is to Missoula. Or EWU is to PSU.

[SuperHornet]

NAU is going to be shafted no matter what the Sky does short of calling up Western New Mexico. For me, the best deal is to pair UNC with Mines and NAU with the Horseys.

[SDHornet]

NAU is going to be shafted no matter what the Sky does short of calling up Western New Mexico. For me, the best deal is to pair UNC with Mines and NAU with the Horseys.

[SUUTbird]

Really not understanding what you have against SUU superhornet as every post on here seems to be trying to take us down in some way. Not trying to nit pick just pointing that out. Academic and Athletic wise SUU is more then capable of being allowed into the Big Sky. Mines geographically may be a fit for UNC but for who else? SUU can be with either Weber or NAU and i would be good for the conference to have another instate rivalry besides Montana and Montana State.

The problem with Mines is i doubt the Big Sky would take a D2 transition team over an already proven and capable D1 team in SUU. Mines Football stadium only seats 4,000 people and though they are a decent team in the D2 ranks they would have to take several years (much like UNC is now) in order to come up and compete with the teams in the Big Sky. SUU joining is a no brainer, really makes no sense why they are taking this long to make up their minds.

If push comes to shove im really hoping that (since it seems the Summit League isnt doing football) that a conference like the Southland comes calling especially if Texas State moves up, not the best fit at all but at this point any conference besides the GWC would be good for us. Hope the Big Sky comes to their senses.

[Jacksfan29]

NAU is going to be shafted no matter what the Sky does short of calling up Western New Mexico. For me, the best deal is to pair UNC with Mines and NAU with the Horseys.

You are kidding right? Do you know anything about Mines? Very small, incredibly harsh academics, they play on a HS field which most students have only seem from their room while studying and if you think the FB field is a joke we won't even talk about their BB facility.

[Wildcat Ryan]

Really not understanding what you have against SUU superhornet as every post on here seems to be trying to take us down in some way. Not trying to nit pick just pointing that out. Academic and Athletic wise SUU is more then capable of being allowed into the Big Sky. Mines geographically may be a fit for UNC but for who else? SUU can be with either Weber or NAU and i would be good for the conference to have another instate rivalry besides Montana and Montana State.

The problem with Mines is i doubt the Big Sky would take a D2 transition team over an already proven and capable D1 team in SUU. Mines Football stadium only seats 4,000 people and though they are a decent team in the D2 ranks they would have to take several years (much like UNC is now) in order to come up and compete with the teams in the Big Sky. SUU joining is a no brainer, really makes no sense why they are taking this long to make up their minds.

If push comes to shove im really hoping that (since it seems the Summit League isnt doing football) that a conference like the Southland comes calling especially if Texas State moves up, not the best fit at all but at this point any conference besides the GWC would be good for us. Hope the Big Sky comes to their senses.

The reason the Big Sky hasnt said anything yet, is probalby because they are waiting for Montana to make thier decision, as soon as Montana does we will all get our answers.

My theory is if Montana stays they will let SUU in, but if Montana leaves (which im thinking they will) then the Big Sky will bring both UND and SUU in.

It all hinges on Montana

[Willie]

Who is "mines"?

#20 Colorado School of Mines (6-1). Yeah, the RMAC is weak. But they're pretty much dominating it and looking to get a good playoff spot. Six-game winning streak isn't bad. They're looking to win out, too.

Let's just invite the DAC teams from NAIA. Screw the Frontier Conference we'll take 'em all.

[native]

...every post on here seems to be trying to take us down in some way. ...

Bullsh!t! SUU has several advocates on this thread, including me. Stop whining.

Edited to capture the correct part of SUUTbird's post for quotation.

[SloStang]

...Not trying to nit pick just pointing that out. Academic and Athletic wise SUU is more then capable of being allowed into the Big Sky. ...

Bullsh!t! SUU has several advocates on this thread, including me. Stop whining.

He was addressing SuperHornet and I think he has backed up what he is saying. I am pulling for SUU.

[native]

...Bullsh!t! SUU has several advocates on this thread, including me. Stop whining.

He was addressing SuperHornet and I think he has backed up what he is saying. I am pulling for SUU.

Ooops! I quoted the wrong part of SUUTbird's original post. My response and this post has now been edited for (hopefully) clarity.

I am pulling for SUU as well. So are a number of posters on this thread. So SUUTbird was absolutely wrong when he said, "...every post on here seems to be trying to take us down in some way. ..."

[SloStang]

He was addressing SuperHornet and I think he has backed up what he is saying. I am pulling for SUU.

Ooops! I quoted the wrong part of SUUTbird's original post. My response and this post has now been edited for (hopefully) clarity.

I am pulling for SUU as well. So are a number of posters on this thread. So SUUTbird was absolutely wrong when he said, "...every post on here seems to be trying to take us down in some way. ..."

Once again he is talking about every post of SuperHornet's on here seems to be trying to take SUU down in some way.....

I think SUUTbird, you and I are all on the same side of this.

[SDHornet]

Aside from SH, I haven’t seen many anti-SUU sentiments on this issue. The only other negative comments on this board were anti-UND from none other than the designated UND hater JBB.

[SUUTbird]

Native Slostang is correct i was addressing SuperHornet and Superhornet only...leave it to a weber fan to misinterpret what an SUU fan writes

Not at all whining about it either, more calling him out on it to see why he is. Ive noticed almost everyone else supports the thunderbirds, just trying to wonder why he doesnt seem to.

[native]

Well alrighty, then, boys!

[EWURanger]

I can't even believe that Colorado school of the Mines has been brought into this discussion. I thought it was a joke at first. SH, you been hittin' the crack pipe again? They're Division II, they have 4,000 students, and no facilities to speak of.

Big Sky Conference (football members) enrollment. Also added SUU and UND for comparison.

UC Davis - 32,000
Sacramento State - 24,000
Weber State - 23,000
Portland State - 21,500
Cal Poly - 19,000
Northern Arizona - 15,800
Idaho State - 15,500
Montana - 15,000
Montana State - 13,500
Eastern Washington - 11,500
Northern Colorado - 10,000

North Dakota - 14,000
Southern Utah - 7,000

[GeauxSioux]

Since both Cal Poly and UC-Davis have been allowed to join the Big Sky as football only, will Sac State be requesting the same? I'm sure their travel expenses would be severely reduced if allowed to join the "California bus league".

This would seemingly open the door for another full membership into the Big Sky.

[JBB]

Aside from SH, I haven’t seen many anti-SUU sentiments on this issue. The only other negative comments on this board were anti-UND from none other than the designated UND hater JBB.

I think you miss-interpret. I want UND in the BSC.

The only thing I have been doing is shedding light on some of the hyperbole being presented on behalf of UND. If you need BS to help you make up your mind by all means. Im just pointing out that BS.

The BSC has no choice. They may need a member. Its geography or pie-in-the-sky. The Dakotas have never been included. The fact the BSC is even considering them is a sign of their limited choices.

I still think SUU will be first choice followed by UND if they have the need. I dont think the BSC is going to gobble up everybody, they have been too conservative in past expansion for that.

[weberwildcat]

Looking at the map, it's hard to see how the addition of SUU helps anyone geographically. They're too far from NAU and UNC to be decent travel partners for them, and Weber is actually closer to the Bungles.

I'd suggest going after Mines. Perfect travel partner for UNC.

They're closer to NAU than Bozo is to Missoula. Or EWU is to PSU.

Weber to ISU is 1 hr 45 min. I go to every Weber game at ISU in fball or bball since its so close. Weber to SUU is 4 hrs. That is not too far for fball, for big sky that is very close!

[weberwildcat]

I can't even believe that Colorado school of the Mines has been brought into this discussion. I thought it was a joke at first. SH, you been hittin' the crack pipe again? They're Division II, they have 4,000 students, and no facilities to speak of.

Big Sky Conference (football members) enrollment. Also added SUU and UND for comparison.

UC Davis - 32,000
Sacramento State - 24,000
Weber State - 23,000
Portland State - 21,500
Cal Poly - 19,000
Northern Arizona - 15,800
Idaho State - 15,500
Montana - 15,000
Montana State - 13,500
Eastern Washington - 11,500
Northern Colorado - 10,000

North Dakota - 14,000
Southern Utah - 7,000

Weber actaully has over 24,000 for 2010 Fall enrollment. When I graduated 4 yrs ago WSU had 18k. ISU had 8k my fresh yr. Weird how much they have grown. SUU has always been the same I guess.

I'm not really sure how enrollment factors in or even matters. Doesn't Tulsa have like 3,000 students?

[AZGrizFan]

Native Slostang is correct i was addressing SuperHornet and Superhornet only...leave it to a weber fan to misinterpret what an SUU fan writes

Not at all whining about it either, more calling him out on it to see why he is. Ive noticed almost everyone else supports the thunderbirds, just trying to wonder why he doesnt seem to.

Because he thinks Colorado School of Mines is a better fit.