OT: Conference Realignment

[phoenix-arizona]

And women's field hockey. Men's Lax and women's field hockey.

 

[Pablo]

And women's field hockey. Men's Lax and women's field hockey.

I don't see George Mason adding sports in the current environment - https://www.12news.com/article/spor...hange/75-c9fdb820-bb97-46a0-a012-147a53c11b07

"PHOENIX — After 17 years, Grand Canyon University's varsity men's volleyball program is coming to an end.

'In a rapidly evolving college athletics landscape, GCU is constantly evaluating how it can best position itself as a Division I athletic department and a university,' the university announced on its website. 'The move will allow GCU to focus on supporting its remaining 20 athletic programs at the highest levels in their respective conferences.'"

"The Lopes had their best season in program history in 2024, upsetting top-ranked UCLA to win their first MPSF title and advancing to the NCAA Final Four for the first time. They finished just five points short of a spot in the national championship match.

Now, the team’s 20 players — including five from Arizona — will be forced to transfer if they wish to continue to play. GCU was the only D-I men’s volleyball program in Arizona and one of just 28 in the country."

 

[The Great PATSby]

I don't see George Mason adding sports in the current environment - https://www.12news.com/article/spor...hange/75-c9fdb820-bb97-46a0-a012-147a53c11b07

"PHOENIX — After 17 years, Grand Canyon University's varsity men's volleyball program is coming to an end.

'In a rapidly evolving college athletics landscape, GCU is constantly evaluating how it can best position itself as a Division I athletic department and a university,' the university announced on its website. 'The move will allow GCU to focus on supporting its remaining 20 athletic programs at the highest levels in their respective conferences.'"

"The Lopes had their best season in program history in 2024, upsetting top-ranked UCLA to win their first MPSF title and advancing to the NCAA Final Four for the first time. They finished just five points short of a spot in the national championship match.

Now, the team’s 20 players — including five from Arizona — will be forced to transfer if they wish to continue to play. GCU was the only D-I men’s volleyball program in Arizona and one of just 28 in the country."

Wild considering GCU finished 10th in the National Rankings. Mason was 26th.

 

[jessej]

Wild considering GCU finished 10th in the National Rankings. Mason was 26th.

But there only about 35 D1 men's volleyball programs in the country.

 

[GMUgemini]

I don't see George Mason adding sports in the current environment - https://www.12news.com/article/spor...hange/75-c9fdb820-bb97-46a0-a012-147a53c11b07

"PHOENIX — After 17 years, Grand Canyon University's varsity men's volleyball program is coming to an end.

'In a rapidly evolving college athletics landscape, GCU is constantly evaluating how it can best position itself as a Division I athletic department and a university,' the university announced on its website. 'The move will allow GCU to focus on supporting its remaining 20 athletic programs at the highest levels in their respective conferences.'"

"The Lopes had their best season in program history in 2024, upsetting top-ranked UCLA to win their first MPSF title and advancing to the NCAA Final Four for the first time. They finished just five points short of a spot in the national championship match.

Now, the team’s 20 players — including five from Arizona — will be forced to transfer if they wish to continue to play. GCU was the only D-I men’s volleyball program in Arizona and one of just 28 in the country."

I’m surprised they didn’t drop men’s soccer first. It’s also the only D1 men’s soccer program in the state and probably more expensive to maintain.

Tennis and golf are two other ones I’m surprised people don’t drop more often.

I always thought volleyball was an underrated spectator sport. It’s a shame it doesn’t get promoted more at the college level.

Edit: FYI, their soccer stadium is loads better than ours (although I don’t remember if it’s natural grass or turf—down with turf for soccer!).

 

[Walter]

If we are voting, I vote that the A10 doesn't add anyone at the moment. 14 is already too many.

But if we must add a school, I vote for Belmont. Great location and a basketball first school.

 

[Patriotsince81]

In a perfect world every conference would have 10 teams near each other geographically. You play everyone home and away. Just saying. Then reality, greed, and money kick in and you have the current cluster f&ck with teams on opposite coasts playing in the same league. SMH.