Report: Loyola-Chicago to join MVC

[ShockerPrez]

According to this article, the vote to add Loyola was unanimous. You can now forward your grievances to President Bardo.

Maybe because the outcome wont affect us ultimately?

Why tell someone who they can or cant invite to a party we wont be attending.

Please let this be the case.

[RoyalShock]

I meant to go to the Royals Scout board, but clicked the KU Scout board by mistake and saw a topic on the Valley adding LU. I saw this little nugget from a KU fan: "Meanwhile, 5 figure donors at WSU have been quietly told to hang tight, that something is in the works for moving WSU to a better conference."

Take it for what it's worth, as this guy didn't realize that VCU wasn't in the new AAC.

[Rlh04d]

Is there any evidence or information, anywhere, that Bardo or Sexton, have initiated any action whatsoever, concerning realignment or are they just sitting back on their haunches hoping some conference will miraculously beg us to join them?

The apparent lack of information from our leaders on this subject is deafening, but then again, perhaps they do not consider it a major factor.

This is what I've learned from spending WAY too much time researching FSU possibly leaving the ACC: Universities don't talk about conference moves until they happen. It just doesn't happen. That makes it incredibly difficult to separate speculation from fact. If you make it clear you want out of a conference, and then you don't get the bid you're looking for, you're immediately a joke and an outcast within the conference, with no ability to influence decisions to benefit us, because we would be concretely seen as having one foot out the door, and thus not interested in the Valley's future. Whether we want out or not, the possibility of us being stuck in the Valley long-term means we have to play politics and maintain our ability to be effective long-term in the conference if we have no choice.

Bardo and Sexton can't say anything. The real way to read the tea leaves regarding conference realignment is by finding out what the boosters want.

The major boosters are not confined by the same rules that restrict university employees. They are also the ones that have the financial clout to influence decisions. If a significant amount of financial clout is determined that we need to leave the conference, it will happen. If the boosters are happy with the Valley, we will not look to leave.

[ABC]

This is what I've learned from spending WAY too much time researching FSU possibly leaving the ACC: Universities don't talk about conference moves until they happen. It just doesn't happen. That makes it incredibly difficult to separate speculation from fact. If you make it clear you want out of a conference, and then you don't get the bid you're looking for, you're immediately a joke and an outcast within the conference, with no ability to influence decisions to benefit us, because we would be concretely seen as having one foot out the door, and thus not interested in the Valley's future. Whether we want out or not, the possibility of us being stuck in the Valley long-term means we have to play politics and maintain our ability to be effective long-term in the conference if we have no choice.

Bardo and Sexton can't say anything. The real way to read the tea leaves regarding conference realignment is by finding out what the boosters want.

The major boosters are not confined by the same rules that restrict university employees. They are also the ones that have the financial clout to influence decisions. If a significant amount of financial clout is determined that we need to leave the conference, it will happen. If the boosters are happy with the Valley, we will not look to leave.

Good point. Missouri looked foolish when they courted the B1G conference. Then they were kind of forced to leave the Big 12 and in my opinion, made a terrible choice by going to the SEC. I have yet to meet a Mizzou fan who really likes being in the SEC.

[lostshocker]

Good point. Missouri looked foolish when they courted the B1G conference. Then they were kind of forced to leave the Big 12 and in my opinion, made a terrible choice by going to the SEC. I have yet to meet a Mizzou fan who really likes being in the SEC.

colorado also wanted to leave the big12. they were almost as loud as misery.

and i thought misery fans loved being in the best football conference? thought it made them a better team.

[Rlh04d]

Good point. Missouri looked foolish when they courted the B1G conference. Then they were kind of forced to leave the Big 12 and in my opinion, made a terrible choice by going to the SEC. I have yet to meet a Mizzou fan who really likes being in the SEC.

Exactly. Missouri never would have been effective if they had been forced to stay in the B12 because of the way they horribly mismanaged negotiations with the B1G.

And while I'm sure they're happy with the financial advantage of being in the SEC, they're going to be pretty much permanently irrelevant in football, and the B1G is a much better overall conference. The SEC was only interested in them for an extra TV market for their upcoming SEC network and added academic respect for a conference that has, outside of a few schools (UF, UGA, Vanderbilt, etc.), been typically considered an academic joke.

The better scenario, I would imagine, would have been for Missouri to remain in the B12 biding their time until negotiations with the B1G resulted in an invitation.

[Dan]

one thing that Loyola offers that the other schools don't is easy access. I can jump on southwest airlines from Houston to Midway and take the train right to campus. This is an away game I can see myself going to.

[DUShock]

It would be a fun roady.

[LandStander]

For the folks that want to make the road trip to Loyola, the local Chicago Shocker bar is called "The Crew Bar & Grill!" It's pretty close to the Loyola Campus just off the "Lawrence" stop on the Red Line, literally 6 stops south of the Loyola stop. Awesome place with some good fans. We watched the Final Four game their and it was packed. I'm sure the owner is doing back flips when he heard Loyola was invited!

[Ricardo del Rio]

After all of this, I sure hope we do not fall on our face in basketball next year.

[jrschh]

While I'm not exactly jumping for joy that Loyola is joining the MVC, as people have mentioned they are a making an investment in their sports programs and they have a boat load of money. While we know of their horrendous record in the Horizon this year, I was curious to at least see what kind of improvements their new coach is trying to make to the program. One indicator is who is the coach recruiting.

I went to ESPN to see what kind of recruiting trends they have (Note: the star rating is ESPN's). I also understand that the "experts" who do these ratings can be very suspect or biased (i.e. Baker was not rated). However, I have no other way to compare than using this rating system.

2010 - 2 two stars and 1 one star
2011 - 1 recruit no stars
2012 - 5 two star recruits (Moser's first recruiting class)
2013 - 1 three star recruit and 1 two star recruit
2014 - They have 1 four star, 2 three stars and 1 two star (considering) I know that really means nothing (and I'd be really surprised if they land that 4 star), but all are from the Chicago region. So, it shows they are at least trying to take advantage of the talent around them.

Overall, their 2012/13 classes are "rated" better than most of the Valley Schools. Of course, rankings don't mean much once they get in school. It comes down to if the coach can make them produce. I know Moser didn't have a stellar time w/ Ill State.

I really just looked up this information out of curiosity. Hopefully, Moser's sabbatical at SLU under Majerus has helped his ability to coach in the Valley. I guess time will only tell.

Ultimately, they aren't going to be an immediate replacement for Creighton's RPI. Hopefully, they improve enough next year so that their RPI doesn't kill us. (I doubt it) At least Moser is bringing in better players than his predecessor.

[jrschh]

Well, maybe I should do a little more research next time. I just read that Loyola's "three star" recruit was released in Mar from his LOI for the 2013 class.

[wusphlash]

I'm not to worried about their past. What does their future hold? Are they investing in the athletic programs? Are they investing (more) in their facilities? Are they looking at adding sports? Are they working on TV and radio exposure? In other words, I'm hoping for a serious committment to be part of this deal. It can be done. Are they committed to doing it right?

[Rlh04d]

I'm not to worried about their past. What does their future hold? Are they investing in the athletic programs? Are they investing (more) in their facilities? Are they looking at adding sports? Are they working on TV and radio exposure? In other words, I'm hoping for a serious committment to be part of this deal. It can be done. Are they committed to doing it right?

I'm always wary of promises to make a serious commitment to some sport. Promises have good intentions ... but when it's time to put the money in, intentions don't always last.

The "Miami" Marlins had tons of good intentions last year. They spent a ton of money. Brought in a big name coach. Bunch of free agents. And one bad season and they went right back to their old ways, cutting and firing like crazy to shed all of the excess money they had spent.

I'll believe their promise when I see it. And when I see it last through several bad years.

[SubGod22]

It's kind of funny. Loyola fans seem to think they're a mid pack team next year. They base some of this confidence on having a 6-6 record against the MVC in their last 12 games. Most of those games are against bottom tier teams. If they finish as a Thursday team 4 or 5 years in a row, you have to wonder if they'll maintain their investment or if they'll back off seeing it as a waste.

Time will tell.