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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2019 19:04:05 GMT -6
Again...just a matter of time. This should probably have been posted under "NCAA News and Notes", but since it involves a potential HL expansion candidate, I put it here. Link per wdrb.com: Bellarmine to Division I?LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Bellarmine isn't talking publicly about the possibility of a move to Division I athletics, but it is talking about it. The university is embarking on a period of expansion, looking to grow its enrollment, diversify its student body, increase its regional footprint and modernize its use of technology, among other key goals.
Discussions of these aims have been moving forward since Dr. Susan Donovan became the university's fourth president two years ago. They are continuing through a series of Town Halls designed to get input from various campus stakeholders.
Now, the discussions have turned to athletics. Bellarmine isn’t talking specifics. But two sources close to the university's athletic programs say that the school is mulling a jump to the NCAA Division I level in all 22 of its varsity sports (men's lacrosse already competes at the D-I level).Link per courier-journal.com: Considers Moving to Div IBellarmine University is considering moving the remainder of its 22 varsity sports from the NCAA Division II to the Division I level, and may have a home in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Representatives from the ASUN Conference were on Bellarmine's campus last week to discuss a possible move, a source with direct knowledge told the Courier Journal on Thursday. The conference is expected to make a decision by May 15.
Bellarmine media relations director Jason Cissell and assistant athletic director John Spugnardi declined to comment. Representatives from the ASUN conference did not respond to a Courier Journal email seeking comment.
The news comes as Bellarmine continues to hold internal discussions and a series of community town halls to get input about effects of transitioning to the higher level.
Cissell confirmed the news about the meetings to the Courier Journal on Thursday, but declined to discuss a potential transition publicly, including a timeline and whether the school has the athletic facilities capable of competing in Division I.
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Post by iwokeuplikethis on Apr 18, 2019 22:39:12 GMT -6
Interesting they’re looking to model after Saint Mary’s. Similar enrollment. Catholic school. Also exploring Freedom Hall.
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Post by gbphoenix1 on Apr 19, 2019 15:22:46 GMT -6
Reading that article it certainly seems like they are planning to move up for the right reasons as a school. I can get behind that.
Once their program is up and running it would be an interesting fit for the Horizon League. I'm still not convinced that letting the ASun and OVC groom expansion members is the best fit for the HL. I can see holding a higher standard as a league, yet some current members don't carry themselves that way so what is the difference in waiting or not?
Freedom Hall is way too big and kind of funky with how it is set up. I think there is another smaller arena on the KY Expo grounds that would be a better fit for them.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2019 16:57:45 GMT -6
The situation worked out well for NKU: letting them get the invite and D1 experience within the ASun and then the HL snatching them up. Things have changed. The P6/P7 are closing ranks which means some mid-major conferences might get desperate in holding on to programs. They may impose huge penalties for leaving. Schools don't make D1 upgrade announcements unless they have an invite from a League. Hopefully the HL swoops in and makes an invite now instead of later. Times have changed. I don't think waiting for Bellarmine and/or possibly USI to get D1 seasoning in another conference is the way to go this time around. Grab them now and deal with the transitional growing pains.
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Post by iwokeuplikethis on Apr 19, 2019 18:43:50 GMT -6
It would be interesting if ASun learns from the NKU robbery and makes Bellarmine’s admission contingent on a hefty exit fee. If ASun is Bellarmine’s only present offer, the league holds the leverage in this case.
But I still think - like Northern Kentucky - Bellarmine’s “goal league” is the Horizon. Though the OVC offering a Lipscomb/Bellarmine/USI package if someone left could change the calculus.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2019 19:19:04 GMT -6
It would be interesting if ASun learns from the NKU robbery and makes Bellarmine’s admission contingent on a hefty exit fee. If ASun is Bellarmine’s only present offer, the league holds the leverage in this case. My point exactly. The ASun has actually improved as a conference...at least perceptionally. They have a better baseball league than the HL and Liberty and Lipscomb have helped them basketball-wise. Maybe Bellarmine won't be too quick to want leave so fast if invited, which leads to my next comment... But I still think - like Northern Kentucky - Bellarmine’s “goal league” is the Horizon. Though the OVC offering a Lipscomb/Bellarmine/USI package if someone left could change the calculus. The cost of travel would still be a huge concern for Bellarmine staying in the ASun if invited. From Florida to New Jersey to Virginia. That's enough of a deterrent for staying long term. Travel was the main reason for Oakland and NKU accepting an HL invite. IUPUI's coach made comments about travel costs and students missing class time when he did an interview after the HL invite. The Horizon League would be a much better fit.
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Post by iwokeuplikethis on Apr 21, 2019 14:09:25 GMT -6
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2019 6:15:17 GMT -6
Coach Davenport was as excited as a little kid at Christmas! I just can't see the HL or even the OVC not making an invite. It would undoubtedly give either League the upper hand. Average travel time in the ASun is about 8.5 hours. They're gonna have to fly to Florida 3 times and once to NJ. Lipscomb would be they're closest opponent at 2.5 hours. The average travel time in the HL would be 5.5, with Green Bay being the farthest at about 8 hours.
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Post by gbphoenix1 on Apr 22, 2019 8:17:54 GMT -6
It's fun to dream, I do it a lot on message boards. In this case the HL asking Bellarmine to join is a dream. It was obvious in that interview that the ASun is the only path available/being pursued.
The coach seemed to be pretty tight with the radio guys, they knew the things that coach Davenport can only say off the record.
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Post by kevinudm on Apr 22, 2019 11:58:54 GMT -6
Bellarmine may find it challenging to compete in D1: - Enrollment less than 4,000 will make them one of the smallest D1 schools. Only 2,600 undergrads.
- Knights Hall built in 1960, seats only 2,200 for basketball.
- Athletic budget only $8.5m. They'll need a major upgrade to improve competitiveness, facilities, and to pay for travel.
- Bellarmine sponsors 22 teams. That's got to be over 400 athletes and the number will only climb for D1. With only 2600 undergrads, that's going to be big percentage of the university.
- Bellarmine may find it hard to get much attention in the Louisville media market, which is already focused on a different university.
Other small private schools have made the leap to D1 and found success, like Belmont, Lipscomb or Valparaiso. I'll be interested to see how Bellarmine performs in the A-Sun over the next 4-5 years. The HL should be in no hurry to invite any school to join that has not yet shown an ability to succeed in D1.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2019 13:59:02 GMT -6
Bellarmine may find it challenging to compete in D1: - Enrollment less than 4,000 will make them one of the smallest D1 schools. Only 2,600 undergrads.
- Knights Hall built in 1960, seats only 2,200 for basketball.
- Athletic budget only $8.5m. They'll need a major upgrade to improve competitiveness, facilities, and to pay for travel.
- Bellarmine sponsors 22 teams. That's got to be over 400 athletes and the number will only climb for D1. With only 2600 undergrads, that's going to be big percentage of the university.
- Bellarmine may find it hard to get much attention in the Louisville media market, which is already focused on a different university.
Other small private schools have made the leap to D1 and found success, like Belmont, Lipscomb or Valparaiso. I'll be interested to see how Bellarmine performs in the A-Sun over the next 4-5 years. The HL should be in no hurry to invite any school to join that has not yet shown an ability to succeed in D1. Agree with your points kevinudm, but St. Mary's was mentioned in an article as a pattern to follow. They along with quite a few other programs in the WCC have small enrollments and gyms. It was mentioned during that Valvano show that a group was already involved in funding to renovate "Louisville Gardens", which could be used for Bellarmine basketball. The travel for a small budgeted program would indeed be cause for concern. We shall see come May 15 what the deal is.
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Post by gbphoenix1 on Apr 23, 2019 7:19:38 GMT -6
Renovating Louisville Gardens would be awesome. A historic exterior and intimate interior. If done right it could be a perfect mid major building.
I agree with what Kevin wrote. I don't necessarily long for Bellarmine or USI to join the HL. What intrigues me is seeing programs doing things to improve. These schools are taking their shot. Then I look around the horizon and see schools that aren't doing anything or might not be capable of doing anything. I get frustrated and end up looking at transition schools to see if progress for the league can be found. For some of our member schools they don't believe in the idea that if you aren't moving forward you are moving backwards.
One thing I believe with any mid major that is facing huge travel costs is the right geographic league will help immensely. If they invest every dollar saved on travel somewhere else in the program they will achieve success faster. I so think PFW or Bellarmine would be up to speed faster in the HL than the Summit or ASun.
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Post by kevinudm on Jun 17, 2019 11:13:32 GMT -6
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Post by HLFanaticus on Jun 17, 2019 12:22:37 GMT -6
Link for article below per wdrb.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The move to Division I athletic status is official for Bellarmine University. Presidents from the nine Atlantic Sun Conference schools have voted unanimously to admit the Knights as a member in the 2020-21 season, and the school's board of trustees has approved the reclassification, according to sources close to the process.
The school, whose membership in the ASUN will begin on June 1, 2020, has called a news conference for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday to announce the move.
The step has long been a topic of speculation on the campus, located in Louisville's historic Belknap neighborhood, but became a reality as part of a larger growth plan proposed university president Susan Donovan, who became the school's fourth president in June of 2017. A series of discussions involving students, administrators and faculty and staff has been ongoing in recent months.
Reclassifying to Division I is a four-year process, during which Bellarmine's programs will not be eligible for postseason play but can win league regular-season championships. Reclassifying programs also may compete in the postseason National Invitation Tournament and the 16-team College Basketball Invitational.
The move comes with a price tag -- $1.6 million for the application fee to the NCAA and an undisclosed amount to become a member of the ASUN conference.
But school officials hope it also opens up new sources of revenue -- particularly guarantees for road games against big-name Division I opponents for the men's basketball program -- and eventually, revenue sharing from NCAA Tournament appearances once Bellarmine becomes eligible for the Division I big dance.
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Post by HLFanaticus on Jun 18, 2019 9:50:20 GMT -6
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