Big Sky Expansion

[JBB]

This is a blessing for the Summit. We exported high fixed travel costs and high RPIs to the BSC.

On average Summit teams save about $100,000/yr by not having to travel to SUU. Similar savings when Centenary leaves.

Its not as bad for the Big Sky. SUU is closer than a lot of their OOC games. They will feel the impact of adding North Dakota. They represent $80-$100,000/year in travel costs to the BSC members.

In the meantime all Summit schools just got a lot richer.

The RPI is improving too, the league’s RPI ranking for men’s basketball would go from 26 to 17 and would go from 30 to 22 in women’s basketball based on last years results without them. The BIG Sky is also taking a hit to the RPI. This of course can change if schools get better. The travel cost issue will only get worse.

[SloStang]

This is a blessing for the Summit. We exported high fixed travel costs and high RPIs to the BSC.

On average Summit teams save about $100,000/yr by not having to travel to SUU. Similar savings when Centenary leaves.

Its not as bad for the Big Sky. SUU is closer than a lot of their OOC games. They will feel the impact of adding North Dakota. They represent $80-$100/year in travel costs to the BSC members.

In the meantime all Summit schools just got a lot richer.

The RPI is improving too, the league’s RPI ranking for men’s basketball would go from 26 to 17 and would go from 30 to 22 in women’s basketball based on last years results without them. The BIG Sky is also taking a hit to the RPI. This of course can change if schools get better. The travel cost issue will only get worse.

All good points, only thing is the Summit is getting lite on members and could be in trouble if a few more members end up leaving.

[JBB]

We can all borrow trouble from the future, but as things stand now I think the Summit is at 9. As far as I know USD has not accepted the BSC invite.

Question is what happens if USD doesn't join. UNIs head coach said today USD would be a great fit in the MVFC.

Either way the Summit is looking good. We are a stronger conference with a chance for our AQ team to get a better seed. In addition its a tight travel conference. We could use USD as a nice insurance policy against ORU leaving but they like it here.

I do hope USD stays with the Summit and gets into the MVFC. I think the citizens of the Dakotas Deserve having the Big 3 Dakota Collegiate sports teams in the same conference: NDSU, SDSU and USD.

Another nice thing is that UND will almost always have the late game so the prime times are owned by the MVFC/Summit teams in the region.

[dbackjon]

How do you figure $100k per team for SUU travel?

[JBB]

How do you figure $100k per team for SUU travel?

I could probably find the link dbackjon, but the estimate is based on what the WIU AD said they were saving on travel just on SUU leaving. He said they would save $80 thousand so I figured on average $100 grand. Its a significant number if the AD is anywhere near correct.

[SDHornet]

How do you figure $100k per team for SUU travel?

Are you seriously expecting a response with supportive facts?

[JBB]

Southern Utah’s exit will lead to savings in travel costs for Western Illinois — Van Alstine estimated about an $80,000 savings.

http://www3.thehawkeye.com/bohnenkamp_blog/?p=1165" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SDHornet]

Southern Utah’s exit will lead to savings in travel costs for Western Illinois — Van Alstine estimated about an $80,000 savings.
“We would fly a volleyball team out there for a cost of around $15,000, and they might play a 90-minute match,” Van Alstine said. “And that’s a three-day trip.”

Well no shit. That dumb ass AD sent the VB team on a 3 day trip for something that should take no more than 2 days. Great planning.

Now how do these costs relate to travel to the Dakotas? Sounds like these ballpark costs are only relevant to Summit League members traveling to SUU. How that equates to BSC members traveling to the Dakotas still needs to be proven. I'll be waiting for you to enlighten us.

[JBB]

Since you are a sceptic, or an ostrich, I cant tell which, I used the $80,000 as a benchmark and extrapolated the per mile cost, with adjustment for specific school location, and applied that per mile cost to each schools probable travel itinerary. The math is a little to complicated to go into here, but suffice it to say its going to be a burden.

[SDHornet]

Since you are a sceptic, or an ostrich, I cant tell which, I used the $80,000 as a benchmark and extrapolated the per mile cost, with adjustment for specific school location, and applied that per mile cost to each schools probable travel itinerary. The math is a little to complected to go into here, but suffice it to say its going to be a burden.

Go ahead and post the calcs. I'll wait.

And the per mile could be misleading as a direct A to B route may not be possible.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Since you are a sceptic, or an ostrich, I cant tell which, I used the $80,000 as a benchmark and extrapolated the per mile cost, with adjustment for specific school location, and applied that per mile cost to each schools probable travel itinerary. The math is a little to complected to go into here, but suffice it to say its going to be a burden.

Wow JBB, I wish the conference commissioner and the AD's had a sharp feller like you at their disposal to help them with these sorts of details that come so easily to ya. They must have skipped right over this stuff.

[JBB]

They accepted the burden against the risks of the future.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

They accepted the burden against the risks of the future.

Man you are a smart fella that can put it all down with your simpleton logic in a way that let's us all see the path. Thanks for being you.

[JBB]

In addition we now have Brian Faison, the beleaguered, highly criticized and oft confused AD from UND, saying he isn't as sure about USD joining the BSC as he was last week. On top of that USD has announced a presser for Noon tomorrow.

[JBB]

Since you are a sceptic, or an ostrich, I cant tell which, I used the $80,000 as a benchmark and extrapolated the per mile cost, with adjustment for specific school location, and applied that per mile cost to each schools probable travel itinerary. The math is a little to complected to go into here, but suffice it to say its going to be a burden.

Go ahead and post the calcs. I'll wait.

And the per mile could be misleading as a direct A to B route may not be possible.

I assure you, the proper adjustments have been made. Im having a little problem with the coding, you may have to wait for the revival of http://www.bisonsports.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for your chance to peruse the full report. It will probably be posted on the information site, http://www.bisoncity.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; that will be linked to the main, international board.

[JBB]

Ps. Just a little heads up SDHornet.

After proper per mile adjustments based on most efficient itenarary on a game by game basis for each team I was able to calculate travel cost differentials From there I averaged the results to arrive at the figure I posted. Actually its the mean.

I used a spreadsheet (ie. software application on the computer) and employed the internet for a lot of my information. I got the rest of it at the local library.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Ps. Just a little heads up SDHornet.

After proper per mile adjustments based on most efficient itenarary on a game by game basis for each team I was able to calculate travel cost differentials From there I averaged the results to arrive at the figure I posted. Actually its the mean.

I used a spreadsheet (ie. software application on the computer) and employed the internet for a lot of my information. I got the rest of it at the local library.

Ah HA! I was wondering what your secret was.

[JBB]

In the end, the Summit has triumphed!!!

We exported our high travel costs and RPIs for a more strategic approach to the NCAA basketball tournament and dodged the UND bullet. I dont know what will happen over at the BSC if UND is left holding the bag without USD. I do know the Summit is fine without USD, but better with them. I would also like to see them in the MVFC. Its starting to look like the Summit/MVFC/MVC is going to be building a pretty powerful "super conference" business model with modest travel costs and very competitive RPIs.

[EWURanger]

Ps. Just a little heads up SDHornet.

After proper per mile adjustments based on most efficient itenarary on a game by game basis for each team I was able to calculate travel cost differentials From there I averaged the results to arrive at the figure I posted. Actually its the mean.

I used a spreadsheet (ie. software application on the computer) and employed the internet for a lot of my information. I got the rest of it at the local library.

[youtube][/youtube]

[JBB]

Reports are starting to roll in. The phones are ringing off the hook:

We have this from an anonymous source:

it’s (USD presser) either to announce its intention to join the Big Sky Conference or there is also strong speculation tonight from some pretty solid sources that USD is doing an about face and will join the Missouri Valley Football Conference. It would then retain its membership in the Summit League.

With that news the NDSU Football Conglomerate has bathed the Prestigious and Fabulous Fargo Dome in light. The mighty stadium sits empty glowing against the cold November night sky. This is a moment of history in the NDSU football program as the Internationally recognized football stadium on the Campus of NDSU awaits a game of desteny Saturday afternoon. It is not known if the lights are on because of some recent development deep in the catacombs of the FFD or if this is a routine measure to announce the achievement of "Game Plan"! At any rate, if not a signal, it is a digression from BSC expansion.

[SDHornet]

You don’t have to post anything fancy. Just something simple like:

Travel from A to B is $X per person to fly +$Y for lodging per person etc.
Keep your fancy algorithms and whatnot to yourself; I just want a straight forward ballpark estimate as to how/why it is so expensive to travel to the Dakotas.

Also why is splitting the Dakotas up between the Summit and the Sky a good thing? I would think both would save travel when hoops and other sports are considered. If they are split, both conferences would get hammered by additional travel costs. I am not in favor of having them in the Sky due to travel costs but if the BSC is going to get one, might as well get them both.

[JBB]

Im sorry SD, may I call you SD, the data is tied up in the digital sequencer not to be confused with the dilithium crystal converter or the flux capacitor. I will summarize for you as you seem to be an inquisitive and bright fellow:

Travel from A to B is derived from market per person to fly +market for lodging per person etc = $80,000 - $100,000/BSC conference member not previously affiliated with the Great West Conference. These figures, at least up until now, have been kind of "hush-hush" so try not to extend the range ok?

[JBB]

Also why is splitting the Dakotas up between the Summit and the Sky a good thing? I would think both would save travel when hoops and other sports are considered. If they are split, both conferences would get hammered by additional travel costs. I am not in favor of having them in the Sky due to travel costs but if the BSC is going to get one, might as well get them both.

Now you are talking.

The BIG 3 Dakota Schools are: NDSU, SDSU and USD. All the citizens in the Dakotas deserve to see these schools compete. Its a wonderful round-robin.

UND on the other hand is a "peer institution" negotiating from the mythical "position of strength". That right there is enough to send them "out west"!

[SloStang]

UND made the right choice. MVFC is an equal of the Big Sky in football, but the Big Sky is a much better than the Summit for all their other sports.

[JBB]

Right now the only thing that makes sense is Montana to the WAC. UND joins its peer institution Montana State as a travel partner. Montana gets the OK from the WAC to play at Montana State keeping that money maker alive.