Are they trying to create a North and South division of the conference to make travel more manageable?
That's not surprising. The school has lousy academics and can't pay bills. Not a big loss. That's a good move for UIC. It will be good for the men's and women's teams. Massey rates The Valley slightly higher than the Horizon for both the men and women. Geographically it will also work out a bit better for UIC. The UIC men have a pretty good soccer tradition and usually competed in the Horizon. I would also expect them to compete well in The Valley. They haven't been outstanding but are usually decent. The UIC women on the other hand, since the program started in 2014, have struggled. They had a bit of success for one year under Tom Anagnost but there was some sort of an issue with him and he is now the Associate HC for the Cincinnati women's team. Even though Massey says that the MVC is a stronger conference for women's soccer, I don't buy it. The Horizon has a bit more depth and UIC should compete better in the MVC. Even the Valpo women started having some success since moving from the Horizon to the MVC.
Southern Indiana has officially announced a DI transition. Maybe going to Horizon or MVC? Horizon would certainly need to expand after losing UIC. Location makes sense for either conference. Probably see the ASUN to begin with as they accept everyone for a couple years in transition.
Mentioned earlier, but now it is official that another DII voting for DI this week…Queens in Charlotte.
Any whispers on who the SoCon, MAAC, and America East might be after to fill the spots vacated by schools heading to the CAA?
Looks like Southern Indiana is going OVC, which doesn’t have men’s soccer. Interesting conundrum there. Will it be temporary? As the OVC is hurting anyway.
You folks have problems? In 2021 the MAC sent more teams to the NCAA Tournament (5) than it currently has (4) in the conference.
Just speculation here. With the departure of UIC immediately, how quickly does the Horizon League look to add some schools? Potentials? Southern Indiana (transitioning DI) Bellarmine (transitioning DI) Chicago State...makes sense and keeps the HL in Chicago UIndy (rumored to be transitioning DI) GVSU (no MSOC, but does make some sense - rumored to transition DI)
Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, Missouri is rumored to be making the DI jump. Eying the OVC. No mens soccer for OVC.
Sun Belt Conference Men's Soccer is now officially back in 2022! We now know that the league will fire up in 2022 with at least these members- Marshall Coastal Carolina JMU ODU Georgia Southern Georgia State For the 2023, the conference is expected to add 4 affiliate members - Kentucky South Carolina West Virginia UCF
Bryant's move to America East is now official. The expectation is that one more school will follow (likely Quinnipiac or Sacred Heart).
Turns out, it was unanimously approved to explore DI. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article258218363.html
Here's what i have for the mess that is Conference USA, pending other conference moves and affiliates opting out: (A) = affiliate member for men's soccer 2021 (6+3) Charlotte Florida Int'l Florida Atlantic Marshall Old Dominion Alabama-Birmingham Coastal Carolina (A) Kentucky (A) South Carolina (A) 2022 (4+3) Charlotte Florida Int'l Florida Atlantic Alabama-Birmingham Kentucky (A) South Carolina (A) West Virginia (A) 2023 (2+3) Florida Int'l Liberty Kentucky (A) South Carolina (A) West Virginia (A) I can't see UK, USC, and WVU actually being in CUSA for 2023, when the Sun Belt starts calling. I'm going to guess that Liberty will keep its men's soccer in the ASUN, and FIU affiliates with the ASUN.
Here's the alignment for the Western Athletic Conference, pending other conference moves and affiliates opting out: (A) = affiliate member for men's soccer 2021 (7+5) California Baptist Chicago State Dixie State Grand Canyon Seattle Texas-Rio Grande Valley Utah Valley Air Force (A) Houston Baptist (A) Incarnate Word (A) San Jose State (A) Nevada-Las Vegas (A) 2022 (7+4) California Baptist Grand Canyon Incarnate Word Seattle Texas-Rio Grande Valley Utah Tech Utah Valley Air Force (A) Houston Baptist (A) San Jose State (A) Nevada-Las Vegas (A)
Marshall coach Chris Grassie was on the radio program "The Drive with Paul Swann" on Friday, and he confirmed that Kentucky, South Carolina, and WVU have made the switch and will play in the Sun Belt in 2022. He said they are pushing for UCF to join in 2023 but they have not finalized. Link to the interview below - Grassie's comment on three joining the Sun Belt start at the 21:45 mark on the 4/1 episode. The Drive with Paul Swann | Podcast on Spotify