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Post by kevinudm on Dec 10, 2013 12:56:02 GMT -6
There seems to be a consensus on this message board and others that NKU is headed to the Horizon at some point. Does LeCrone agree with this, or the leadership at NKU? Only time will tell.
Evansville would be a very reasonable add to the HL but I'm not convinced that they would be preferable to NKU. Evansville has one NCAA appearance in the last 20 years (1999), one NIT appearance in the last 20 years (1994), one winning MVC season since 1999 (last year, 10-8). They've had a recent resurgence, but that still has left them as a CBI/CIT team 4 of the last 5 years. Of course it would be great to see the return of a founding member of the conference, but it's hard to believe that Evansville would be willing to pay an MVC exit fee in order to return to league that is less renowned. Especially as they are finally experiencing some modest success in the MVC, after a prolonged drought.
NKU has no history. But Evansville has just moved up from D-2 when it joined the MCC and they did quite well at the time. When Butler joined the MCC/HL they had not been to the NCAAs or NIT since 1962, but they did great too. Despite NKU's lack of history, they're on a good trajectory and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they enjoyed a lot of success in the coming decade.
If NKU joins and no one else leaves, it's hard to see any more likely additions. Either unimpressive pairs from within the geographic footprint (IPFW/IUPUI, Chicago St/UMKC) or unlikely pairs from further afield (Belmont/Murray St., ORU/Little Rock, Denver/Northern Colorado, Canisius/Niagara). So after NKU comes aboard, the HL will remain a 10 team league until external forces bring about a change.
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Post by commissioner on Dec 10, 2013 15:07:25 GMT -6
When NKU decided to move to D-I a few years ago, their feasibility study recommended seeking membership in the Horizon as the best option, followed by the Ohio Valley and then the Atlantic Sun (where they are). So unless things have changed, they would have interest in the move.
NKU has a great facility - it would instantly be the best in the Horizon (unless, like me, you love the historic feel of Calihan Hall, or have other quirks, like those who love the tiny ARC and O'Rena.) They draw well: as a D-II school in 2012, they averaged 1796, better than about one-third of D-I schools; last year, their first in D-I, they averaged 3551, which would have been second best in the Horizon. Like Evansville and Valpo, they were a D-II power before moving up. I can't imagine LeCrone is not interested. They form a good traveling partner with Wright State. They get the Horizon a toehold in Kentucky but also in the Cincinnati market (their campus is closer to downtown Cincinnati than is UD's to downtown Detroit). As a Titan fan, I'd rather see a private school come in; and I'm prejudiced in favor of schools with tradition. But NKU makes absolutely perfect sense for the Horizon. And the league needs a 10th team - it makes scheduling easier, it allows each team to drop two non-conference games, it gives the league a sense of momentum again.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2013 10:00:44 GMT -6
There seems to be a consensus on this message board and others that NKU is headed to the Horizon at some point. Does LeCrone agree with this, or the leadership at NKU? Only time will tell. Evansville would be a very reasonable add to the HL but I'm not convinced that they would be preferable to NKU. Evansville has one NCAA appearance in the last 20 years (1999), one NIT appearance in the last 20 years (1994), one winning MVC season since 1999 (last year, 10-8). They've had a recent resurgence, but that still has left them as a CBI/CIT team 4 of the last 5 years. Of course it would be great to see the return of a founding member of the conference, but it's hard to believe that Evansville would be willing to pay an MVC exit fee in order to return to league that is less renowned. Especially as they are finally experiencing some modest success in the MVC, after a prolonged drought. Thanks for the historical info on the Purple Aces. It appears that their recent history is not that much more prolific as NKU's was as a DII player. With their current modicum of success, that might just be enough to keep them in the Valley...for the time being. When NKU decided to move to D-I a few years ago, their feasibility study recommended seeking membership in the Horizon as the best option, followed by the Ohio Valley and then the Atlantic Sun (where they are). So unless things have changed, they would have interest in the move. NKU has a great facility - it would instantly be the best in the Horizon (unless, like me, you love the historic feel of Calihan Hall, or have other quirks, like those who love the tiny ARC and O'Rena.) They draw well: as a D-II school in 2012, they averaged 1796, better than about one-third of D-I schools; last year, their first in D-I, they averaged 3551, which would have been second best in the Horizon. Like Evansville and Valpo, they were a D-II power before moving up. I can't imagine LeCrone is not interested. They form a good traveling partner with Wright State. They get the Horizon a toehold in Kentucky but also in the Cincinnati market (their campus is closer to downtown Cincinnati than is UD's to downtown Detroit). As a Titan fan, I'd rather see a private school come in; and I'm prejudiced in favor of schools with tradition. But NKU makes absolutely perfect sense for the Horizon. And the league needs a 10th team - it makes scheduling easier, it allows each team to drop two non-conference games, it gives the league a sense of momentum again. I guess when all is said and done, it just might be Northern Kentucky. They would be a breath of fresh air with a new market and great facilities. Remember, they also have two connections with the HL: their President and AD. With this addition, it would give the HL 7 baseball teams and 9 soccer teams, all of them our own and not "associate members" like the Valley has.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2013 0:58:48 GMT -6
I think with all the prognostication that's been offered; the analysis of the potential HL suitors; and the like fit or not, academically of said institutions, I too, must say that it looks like a foregone conclusion that it will be Northern Kentucky that will be the newest member (and newest Black & Gold member) of the Horizon League. Their potential is great and of course they bring baseball, soccer and their own facilities. I'm in!
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Post by HLFanaticus on Dec 13, 2013 2:28:22 GMT -6
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