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Forum Member
 
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I'm not sure how long we can continue to afford to be a DI school. Not only is it a money issue, but also a competitiveness issue. Seldom do our sports vie for conference championships, and the Summit League and Gateway football leagues are not exactly premiere DI conferences. Just look at how our conference winners do in the first round of the NCAA's.
Would we be better off being a DII school that is truly competitive? From a fan's point of view, it's much better to watch when we are winning and I really don't think we'd see less quality as perceived from a fan's viewpoint. And I'd think we'd be saving lots of money in DII instead of DI.
Any one else have thoughts and/or facts on this idea?
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Forum Guru
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Costs seem to be the main focus. Maintaining all the Division 1 sports is very expensive.
Right now, if we do make it to the NCAA Tournaments, we seldom go beyond the first round game.
Perhaps a move back to Division 2 would be in everyone's best interests.
Let's Go WESTERN !!
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Folks who have been on the board for the past couple of years, know I am one who has supported this idea. I really believe- for all of the stated reasons- that is where WESTERN belongs.
The only problem(s), is where could they join? The MIAA would not be interested, for a variety of reasons. Their recent and future expansions will be west, not east of KC, as a major reason.
GLVC? That is really a crappy conference. YES,YES, we all know of it's basketball reputation. That's the problem, it's a one sport conference (basketball). The other sports are really bad.(underfunded etc.)
Maybe the conference with Grand Valley? More travel issues.
I'm afraid to say that WESTERN might need to cut some programs, or,cut some funding and pour what money there is into Basketball (men and women), along with football.
They just cannot continue trying to offer as many sports as they do- the money just can't be there. Travel has got to be eating them up.(Money and missed class time). Have the minimum sports for the Summit, and try to join the Pioneer League.
I think everyone likes to say-"hey, we are a D1 school" BFD
Someone said once that it was like putting lipstick on a pig. It looks a little better, but, it's still a pig.
WESTERN looks a little better being D1, but, if you can't give your athletes what they need to be competitive at that level, you are somewhat cheating them. IMHO
A successful season at WESTERN is " qualifying for the NCAA"- whatever sport. Shouldn't expectations be higher? (Let's say realistic expectations should be higher.)
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Forum Member
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Gee, I thought we had already had a thread going about this.
Enough already.
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| I think UNI and lately Southern Illinois usually vies for National championships in football so I don't think you can say that about the Gateway(now Missouri Valley) and the Summit League is like ever other mid-major or below conference. They have no chance at winning a national championship. I'm not doubting the money issue, but to use the notion of not having a chance to win a national championship as a reason to move down. There would be alot of D1 teams dropping down because Western Illinois is not the only institution in the boat they are in.
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The almighty University of Illinois has never won the NCAA championship in basketball (or football for that matter).
Perhaps The U of I should consider dropping to D-II. Isn't that where the glory is?
The only school in Illinois that has won a National Championship in Basketball or Football is Loyola of Chicago (Basketball in 1963 I think).
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I am sorry but if you want to compare WIU to U of I you prove the point not deflect it 101.....
U of I wins national championships consistently. I am not sure where you are going with picking two sports among all of the possibilities. They have never been considered a good football school since I have been alive. They are considered the best program to have never won a men's hoop championships by many people. Does anyone say that about WIU in anything? WIU doesn't win in the two sports you mention OR ANY OTHER....... U of I sure the he!! does.
WIU Athletes work hard to represent the University and Macomb. Regardless of any comment I make on a topic I want to affirm my support. Go Leathernecks....
Remember Athletics are a window for the public to view the entire University.
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