WAC Sponsoring FCS football?

[EdubAlum]

Did you guys see this? I missed it. Apparently the WAC is considering sponsoring FCS football? I wonder what shifts that could mean for the Big Sky.

The WAC has confirmed to Collegiate Consulting it is initiating a study in the Fall 2018 to explore the options and opportunities of starting a FCS football conference

https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/dixieathletics.com/documents/2018/10/11/DSU_Feasibility_Study_10_1.pdf

 

[tomq04]

That would be great. Split the sky!

 

[clawman1]

Do you think Central would ever move to FCS?

 

[EdubAlum]

Do you think Central would ever move to FCS?

With the GNAC falling apart you would think so.

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

How does (could) any of this benefit current BigSky members?

 

[EdubAlum]

How does (could) any of this benefit current BigSky members?

1) Possible addition of more fcs opponents west of the Mississippi. This helps us with ooc scheduling.

2) Some big sky members leaving the conference resulting in a more manageable sized conference. This also could result in the return of a schedule where everyone plays everyone each year. Return of Montana to our schedule every year so we can kick their ass, unlike this year when we don't get that opportunity.

 

[flyingnail]

THIS

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

How does (could) any of this benefit current BigSky members?

1) Possible addition of more fcs opponents west of the Mississippi. This helps us with ooc scheduling.

2) Some big sky members leaving the conference resulting in a more manageable sized conference. This also could result in the return of a schedule where everyone plays everyone each year. Return of Montana to our schedule every year so we can kick their ass, unlike this year when we don't get that opportunity.

Great points. Thanks

 

[EWURanger]

In all seriousness, I think this is a pipe dream.

But if it were to happen, the Big Sky could basically take all of the original members of the conference (minus Boise St and Nevada) and be completely fine.

Montana
MSU
Idaho
EWU
ISU
Weber St.
NAU

Throw one other school in there and you’ve got a pretty balanced conference.

 

[EWURanger]

Do you think Central would ever move to FCS?

With the GNAC falling apart you would think so.

We don’t want another Division I school in the state.

 

[WILDCAT]

In all seriousness, I think this is a pipe dream.

But if it were to happen, the Big Sky could basically take all of the original members of the conference (minus Boise St and Nevada) and be completely fine.

Montana
MSU
Idaho
EWU
ISU
Weber St.
NAU

Throw one other school in there and you’ve got a pretty balanced conference.

I'd take Southern Utah as my 8th school.

 

[EdubAlum]

Do you think Central would ever move to FCS?

With the GNAC falling apart you would think so.

We don’t want another Division I school in the state.

Agreed

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

Do you think Central would ever move to FCS?

With the GNAC falling apart you would think so.

We don’t want another Division I school in the state.

Does that divide the fan base or something?

 

[EWURanger]

Do you think Central would ever move to FCS?

With the GNAC falling apart you would think so.

We don’t want another Division I school in the state.

Does that divide the fan base or something?

No, but I think one of EWU’s main advantages is in-state recruiting. I think another Division I school would not be advantageous to us in that regard. Right now we get a lot of the in-state guys that don’t go to UW or WSU. I don’t want to see that change.

 

[clawman1]

In all seriousness, I think this is a pipe dream.

But if it were to happen, the Big Sky could basically take all of the original members of the conference (minus Boise St and Nevada) and be completely fine.

Montana
MSU
Idaho
EWU
ISU
Weber St.
NAU

Throw one other school in there and you’ve got a pretty balanced conference.

Portland State is much easier to travel to. Their program is a bit shaky now and may always be since they have two Pac 12 schools close by.

 

[EdubU10]

Do you think Central would ever move to FCS?

With the GNAC falling apart you would think so.

What's going on with the GNAC?

 

[EdubAlum]

Do you think Central would ever move to FCS?

With the GNAC falling apart you would think so.

What's going on with the GNAC?

They only have 5 teams and one of them is shutting down football (Humboldt State). A 4 team conference doesn't seem like a lot of fun to me. Maybe someone knows more though....

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

In all seriousness, I think this is a pipe dream.

But if it were to happen, the Big Sky could basically take all of the original members of the conference (minus Boise St and Nevada) and be completely fine.

Montana
MSU
Idaho
EWU
ISU
Weber St.
NAU

Throw one other school in there and you’ve got a pretty balanced conference.

Portland State is much easier to travel to. Their program is a bit shaky now and may always be since they have two Pac 12 schools close by.

My opinion on the Portland State football program is that they’re hurting because they don’t have their own stadium. PGE Park is cool but it’s not THEIR stadium and I’ve never seen PSU fill it. I’ve never been to Hillsboro stadium but it doesn’t look good on film. I watched a few minutes of the EWU volleyball match to see PSU’s new arena and it looks good! It’s not huge but that’s not what programs need, it’s nice and PSU can fill it. Now they just need a football facility.

 

[360Eag]

In all seriousness, I think this is a pipe dream.

But if it were to happen, the Big Sky could basically take all of the original members of the conference (minus Boise St and Nevada) and be completely fine.

Montana
MSU
Idaho
EWU
ISU
Weber St.
NAU

Throw one other school in there and you’ve got a pretty balanced conference.

Portland State is much easier to travel to. Their program is a bit shaky now and may always be since they have two Pac 12 schools close by.

My opinion on the Portland State football program is that they’re hurting because they don’t have their own stadium. PGE Park is cool but it’s not THEIR stadium and I’ve never seen PSU fill it. I’ve never been to Hillsboro stadium but it doesn’t look good on film. I watched a few minutes of the EWU volleyball match to see PSU’s new arena and it looks good! It’s not huge but that’s not what programs need, it’s nice and PSU can fill it. Now they just need a football facility.

According to Barnum, there's something in the works.