Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2010 10:38:02 GMT -5
Hey guys,
I'm a Milwaukee Panthers fan from over at the discussion board we've got... (http://uwmfreak.proboards.com/index.cgi)
I was just wondering if you guys had heard any rumors about Oakland having interest in joining the Horizon League. I think you guys have a very nice program over there, and would be a natural fit as a rival with Detroit. Also, it seems the Summit League could be a stepping stone to the Horizon League with Valpo recently joining our conference. Just curious as to what your thoughts were, and if you had heard anything on the rumor front.
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Post by Germane on Mar 31, 2010 11:49:43 GMT -5
My understanding is that Horizon members have a sort of "veto" power to keep perceived local competitors/rivals out of the Horizon League. My memory is fuzzy on the details, but former UofD coach Perry Watson did just about everything in his power to keep Oakland out of the Horizon (and to try to squash Oakland's move to D-1 more generally).
Does anyone here have more specific knowledge of UofD's "veto" power? Is it just an informal understanding? Is it a codified procedure in determining conference invites? Are Ray McCallum and Keri Gaither less inclined to use the veto power if Oakland was ever under consideration for Horizon membership?
If Oakland ever did get an invite to the Horizon, it would be very tough to say no (both from a competetive and financial/travel perspective).
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Post by tmgeneral on Apr 1, 2010 10:13:27 GMT -5
I think it would be a bad move at this time for Oakland. Look at Valpo since they joined the Horizon. They haven't even come close to getting an NCAA tourney birth. On top of that, Oakland doesn't have a big enough facility yet.
Since Centenary is leaving the Summit League, that leaves only Southern Utah as the last team that should leave the conference. If they leave, then the travel costs are not much worse than the Horizon League.
Oakland should be a perennial favorite in the Summit for years which means more NCAA tourney appearances. I think in 5-10 years after a few more appearances and when a bigger arena is built, then they should consider the move.
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Post by sportsdoctor05 on Apr 1, 2010 16:35:23 GMT -5
Travel costs will still be much worst then the Horizon think about it SUU, ORU (Tulsa, OK), NDSU, SDSU, UMKC. Thats five schools that r alot further then any Horizon league school. Most Horizon schools r from states that neighbor Michigan excluding IL.
As far as Valpo goes, they last went 2 the Big Dance in 04, 3 years b4 they even joined the Horizon, so they we're on the decline b4 they even left.
I'm not so sold on OU going 2 the Horizon either at this point. Having a chance 2 compete 4 a championship and an NCAA tournament berth every year is good enough 4 me right now. Maybe in 5 - 10 years if the program continues 2 progress it should be under serious consideration in my opinion.
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rock1
Jr. Member
Posts: 32
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Post by rock1 on Apr 1, 2010 18:35:28 GMT -5
I think it would be a bad move at this time for Oakland. Look at Valpo since they joined the Horizon. They haven't even come close to getting an NCAA tourney birth. On top of that, Oakland doesn't have a big enough facility yet. Since Centenary is leaving the Summit League, that leaves only Southern Utah as the last team that should leave the conference. If they leave, then the travel costs are not much worse than the Horizon League. Oakland should be a perennial favorite in the Summit for years which means more NCAA tourney appearances. I think in 5-10 years after a few more appearances and when a bigger arena is built, then they should consider the move. What would your ideal arena be for the future?
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Post by blackandgold on Apr 2, 2010 1:12:09 GMT -5
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Post by sportsdoctor05 on Apr 2, 2010 12:24:06 GMT -5
That's a sweet arena ;D
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Post by Kim Jong Skillz on Apr 3, 2010 7:02:13 GMT -5
my source inside the AD has told me that kampe has been pushing for the horizon league for a while now. i personally would love the move. not only would we save a lot more on travel costs, the FANS would be able to attend away games since the conference ONLY includes schools from michigan, ohio, indiana, illinois, & wisconsin, we would have an instate rival in UofD, our old rival valpo is in the league, & the money we save along with the money we make b/c of our murderous non-conference schedule would help to upgrade our facilities more quickly.
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Post by PantherU on Apr 13, 2010 10:34:19 GMT -5
Personally, as a Milwaukee fan, I would trade Youngstown State for Oakland in a heartbeat.
A heartbeat. OU is exactly the kind of school the Horizon League should have.
With Butler's run and the huge television contract the conference is about to get (in negotiation right now), the Horizon League is preparing a move to separate itself from the MAC and move closer to being a conference like the A-10 and MVC.
Our athletics budgets are getting bigger around the League, and scheduling is getting a whole lot better as well.
Let's do it.
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Post by Germane on Apr 14, 2010 7:22:24 GMT -5
It's good to hear this from more than one UWM fan. I would love to see Oakland in the Horizon, but (like many others) I have a feeling that there will eventually be some broader multi-conference realignment that separates the private schools in the Horizon from the publics. I'm not advocating this, since the loss of Butler alone would mean an obvious loss of prestige, but Oakland and IUPUI would fit especially well with the non-football publics currently in the HL (Milwaukee, Green Bay, UIC, Cleveland State, etc).
If the Horizon could stay intact and still add Oakland, I would be thrilled.
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