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.

 

[Pablo]

Brett McMurphy
@Brett_McMurphy


Grand Canyon will join Mountain West a year early this fall instead of 2026, sources told
@On3sports. GCU is a MW member in all sports but football. The Antelopes will increase MW’s men’s basketball membership to 12 teams this season. 1st reported by @RossDellenger

9:32 AM · Jul 8, 2025

 

[Pablo]

Shane Mettlen

@Shane_DNRSports


Sun Belt presidents are scheduled to meet Monday when they are expected to vote on extending an invitation to Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs would need 10 of 13 remaining schools to vote yes to receive an invitation.


6:20 PM · Jul 11, 2025

 

[GM Logo Guy]

Shane Mettlen
@Shane_DNRSports


Sun Belt presidents are scheduled to meet Monday when they are expected to vote on extending an invitation to Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs would need 10 of 13 remaining schools to vote yes to receive an invitation.


6:20 PM · Jul 11, 2025

I feel like CUSA and the Sunbelt are equals.

 

[Pablo]

Louisiana Tech returns to Sun Belt, sources say

The Sun Belt's CEOs voted to invite Louisiana Tech as the league's 14th member Monday morning, sources told ESPN.

www.espn.com

"The Sun Belt's CEOs voted to invite Louisiana Tech as the league's 14th member Monday morning, sources told ESPN, giving the conference a replacement for Texas State.

Louisiana Tech's entry date into the conference isn't certain; the earliest is 2026. The entry date is expected to be figured out over the next few weeks as Louisiana Tech works out its departure from Conference USA, which is expected to cost at least $5 million.

It marks a return to the Sun Belt for Louisiana Tech, which was part of the league from 1991-2001 before departing for the WAC."

 

[Old Man]

I feel like CUSA and the Sunbelt are equals.

I agree, but the travel costs should go down as I think the footprint of the Sunbelt is smaller than C-USA so they should save a few dollars.

 

[psyclone]

Kenpom ranks C-USA as 9th in Div 1 men's bb, and Sun Belt as 21st.

Not sure about conference ranking in football.

 

[GMUgemini]

Kenpom ranks C-USA as 9th in Div 1 men's bb, and Sun Belt as 21st.

Not sure about conference ranking in football.

Sun Belt was ranked 6th CUSA was ranked last in FBS last season. It would be a football move for sure.