Conference options

[ZachTheZip]

I've been looking into our options as far as changing conferences would go for Soccer. There are only three geographical conferences that we could join realistically while keeping our increasing our program's prestige. The Big Ten: They only have 7 teams, the same as the MAC. All 7 teams are full-time conference members, unlike the MAC with Hartwick and FAU. I seriously doubt that they would accept us, since the Big Ten doesn't have any single-sport members at all. You're either in the Big Ten for everything or you aren't.The Big East: All 16 Big East basketball schools have a men's soccer program. Presumably it's considered a mandatory sport. As much as I would love to see us dominate them, there's really no room.C-USA: Here's our best chance. They have 9 teams, three of which are in for soccer-only, Kentucky, FIU, and South Carolina. Tulsa was ranked last year, and the conference has had at-large bids awarded to several teams in the past. The few fans I have asked seem open to adding us.While the MAC is bending over backwards trying to accomadate us by adding any team they can find, the situation is unstable. If even one school drops the sport to save money we'll be in a pretty bad situation.

[Zips fan]

I agree that we are in a questionable situation for soccer but I don't think Akron would consider leaving our own conference while we sponsor the same sport. C-USA might be a better fit for the soccer program but it would be a large increase in travel and budget. Also, the loss of Akron to MAC soccer would be a huge blow to those programs left behind. I think we need to stay and strengthen the MAC.

[Zipmeister]

I've been looking into our options as far as changing conferences would go for Soccer. There are only three geographical conferences that we could join realistically while keeping our increasing our program's prestige. The Big Ten: They only have 7 teams, the same as the MAC. All 7 teams are full-time conference members, unlike the MAC with Hartwick and FAU. I seriously doubt that they would accept us, since the Big Ten doesn't have any single-sport members at all. You're either in the Big Ten for everything or you aren't.The Big East: All 16 Big East basketball schools have a men's soccer program. Presumably it's considered a mandatory sport. As much as I would love to see us dominate them, there's really no room.C-USA: Here's our best chance. They have 9 teams, three of which are in for soccer-only, Kentucky, FIU, and South Carolina. Tulsa was ranked last year, and the conference has had at-large bids awarded to several teams in the past. The few fans I have asked seem open to adding us.While the MAC is bending over backwards trying to accomadate us by adding any team they can find, the situation is unstable. If even one school drops the sport to save money we'll be in a pretty bad situation.

Well if a few fans in C-USA are open to adding us, I say lets make the move. Damn those fans in the BIG TEN.