Murky fishbowl

[crazzymark]

After seeing Dallas Baptist University decision to move to Conference USA because of better recruiting, better as a program. I think I figured out why so many of you are against Illinois State moving to Conference USA or another big conference. Because you have to admit you were wrong. And that is a shame and very small minded of you. Illinois State being in a big conference when enhance the amount of people that attended games because of the quality of teams that will be playing in every sport throughout the program
With the exception of football, The Illinois State athletic program is swimming around in a murky fish bowl of competition. That would also bring all the sports programs under one conference roof not the three as we have now. That also brings better recruiting, better endorsements as well as better exposure as a program. Last but not least into bigger contracts money-wise for better coaches to stay or be hired.
Teams such as Creighton, Wichita State, Tulsa, Louisville, Western Kentucky as well as other FCS schools Liberty, UCF, USF, Appalachian State, Jacksonville State, to name a few have prospered and flourished making a move to bigger conferences or moving now moving on to bigger conferences. The Missouri Valley losing Drake and Loyola in basketball and as well as 3 top prominent Missouri Valley Football schools moving to the Mountain West (rumored) this is the perfect opportunity for The Illinois State University to make it jump to a conference that will behoove the athletic programs and the University as a whole.
In conclusion, change can be a good thing but, it can be a scary thing. I know it will disrupt you raking your leaves on Saturday except for attending football games or going to a basketball game on a night where you might want to play Yahtzee but we all have sacrifices to make like standing up and cheering when the team does well. But I do know that the fan base, and the community are up it and the new challenges of being in a big conference.

 

[Trey_Guidry4three]

After seeing Dallas Baptist University decision to move to Conference USA because of better recruiting, better as a program. I think I figured out why so many of you are against Illinois State moving to Conference USA or another big conference. Because you have to admit you were wrong. And that is a shame and very small minded of you. Illinois State being in a big conference when enhance the amount of people that attended games because of the quality of teams that will be playing in every sport throughout the program
With the exception of football, The Illinois State athletic program is swimming around in a murky fish bowl of competition. That would also bring all the sports programs under one conference roof not the three as we have now. That also brings better recruiting, better endorsements as well as better exposure as a program. Last but not least into bigger contracts money-wise for better coaches to stay or be hired.
Teams such as Creighton, Wichita State, Tulsa, Louisville, Western Kentucky as well as other FCS schools Liberty, UCF, USF, Appalachian State, Jacksonville State, to name a few have prospered and flourished making a move to bigger conferences or moving now moving on to bigger conferences. The Missouri Valley losing Drake and Loyola in basketball and as well as 3 top prominent Missouri Valley Football schools moving to the Mountain West (rumored) this is the perfect opportunity for The Illinois State University to make it jump to a conference that will behoove the athletic programs and the University as a whole.
In conclusion, change can be a good thing but, it can be a scary thing. I know it will disrupt you raking your leaves on Saturday except for attending football games or going to a basketball game on a night where you might want to play Yahtzee but we all have sacrifices to make like standing up and cheering when the team does well. But I do know that the fan base, and the community are up it and the new challenges of being in a big conference.

In conclusion, good job.

 

[Redbird222]

After seeing Dallas Baptist University decision to move to Conference USA because of better recruiting, better as a program. I think I figured out why so many of you are against Illinois State moving to Conference USA or another big conference. Because you have to admit you were wrong. And that is a shame and very small minded of you. Illinois State being in a big conference when enhance the amount of people that attended games because of the quality of teams that will be playing in every sport throughout the program
With the exception of football, The Illinois State athletic program is swimming around in a murky fish bowl of competition. That would also bring all the sports programs under one conference roof not the three as we have now. That also brings better recruiting, better endorsements as well as better exposure as a program. Last but not least into bigger contracts money-wise for better coaches to stay or be hired.
Teams such as Creighton, Wichita State, Tulsa, Louisville, Western Kentucky as well as other FCS schools Liberty, UCF, USF, Appalachian State, Jacksonville State, to name a few have prospered and flourished making a move to bigger conferences or moving now moving on to bigger conferences. The Missouri Valley losing Drake and Loyola in basketball and as well as 3 top prominent Missouri Valley Football schools moving to the Mountain West (rumored) this is the perfect opportunity for The Illinois State University to make it jump to a conference that will behoove the athletic programs and the University as a whole.
In conclusion, change can be a good thing but, it can be a scary thing. I know it will disrupt you raking your leaves on Saturday except for attending football games or going to a basketball game on a night where you might want to play Yahtzee but we all have sacrifices to make like standing up and cheering when the team does well. But I do know that the fan base, and the community are up it and the new challenges of being in a big conference.

In all seriousness, this may be your best post. I agree with a lot of your points. However, I do think that Conference USA took a beating this year and the cupboards have been raided.

My preference would be to join the Sun Belt with Missouri State (assuming they would take us). They seem to have a better plan currently.

I don't think the conference realignment is over. I think we will see changes in the American shortly and dominos will keep falling. ISU needs to explore all options and determine the right path versus sitting pat and hoping.

BTW I do believe being in a conference with members that are fully aligned with your school's strategic direction is important. It is becoming increasingly apparent that participating in MVC and MVFC doesn't necessarily accomplish that.

 

[cubird]

We are losing Drake?

 

[isuquinndog]

We are losing Drake?

Was just going to say, I missed that.

Maybe ISU has missed out on moving to a "bigger" conference. I don't think this CUSA is the answer though. And we aren't any where near ready for FBS football so it's a moot point. The IPF will help but Hancock isn't ready, I don't believe. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm also not a college football fan so...yeah.