Previous Message

Extra Points publisher Matt Brown reports Kansas City is likely to be considered for membership in the Missouri Valley with Northern Kentucky, Central Arkansas, and Little Rock also emerging as potential candidates. “Why the Arkansas schools? I’m told that presidents in the MVC remain interested in finding ways to improve the visibility of their schools outside the traditional midwestern footprint as to better recruit students, not just athletes. Arkansas isn’t a state that exports very many college students, but if the mission is to kick the tires on programs that are a) potentially persuadable, b) in new markets and c) aligned with MVC budgets, ambitions and sport offerings, these two were flagged as potential targets. There may very well be others.” After adding Grand Canyon and Seattle, Brown notes it’s possible the conference may expand further, as “WCC-aligned sources have expressed interest in other institutions, including Cal Baptist, as well as public institutions like UC Davis, UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara (interest that was not universally reciprocated). Should the league decide they want to expand to reach an even number of institutions, it will attract interest from several other schools, public and private alike.” For the WAC, Brown notes that “geography and instability” are not working in the conference’s favor, and “I’m told that there simply aren’t DII institutions in the league’s footprint that have the budget, interest, sponsored sports and membership support to warrant consideration. Recruiting existing DI members from the Big West, Summit, Big Sky or others is an uphill battle if schools do not perceive the WAC to be a stable option for the future.