Both Horizon and MAAC Leagues do not sponsor football as a league sport so RMU would need to find a home for that sport if they leave the NEC.?However only the MAAC sponsors men’s and women’s lacrosse as a league sport. That could be a deciding factor in the RMU decision. Lacrosse for both men and women is a very fast growing sport and IS has well established in the eastern United States.
Post by reindeerfan on Jun 5, 2020 16:50:16 GMT -5
I personally am tired of the MAAC reaching down to the NEC to expand. The MAAC has become the old NEC, not the same quality conference it once was. The sad thing is we still aren't competing....
But Reindeer, I think the MAAC and the NEC are pretty equal leagues now in terms of talent. And RPI. And the NEC schools that have joined the MAAC have done pretty well fairly quickly So how would bringing in NEC schools be “reaching down”? Unless you are considering other factors, such as endowment, which has been mentioned.
Academically, the NEC is awful. 6 of the 11 schools, including RMU, are not in the Forbes Top 600. Bryant has the highest ranking at 203. 2nd is Wagner at 338. SHU at 370, Merrimack at 380, FDU at 546. That's it.
I kind of accept overall the MAAC is a “better “ league rating wise when u consider the entire league as a whole. However recent additions to the MAAC from the NEC( QU and Monmouth) have been very competitive in the MAAC, so depending on the team that moves from the NEC to the MAAC u are not “reaching down”for a team to join the MAAC . I think this is probably the case with RMU. By the way, RMU post season appearances seem to be much more robust then FF. However I completely agree with Sobro. You are judge by who u associate with. IMO association with Patriot league schools is where u want to be not with a RMU.
If the MAAC had to take another NEC school, they should bring in Bryant. Basketball is a work in progress under Grasso but they have strong baseball and lacrosse programs. Adding the Rhode Island market and pushing closer to Boston would enhance the league. Plus Bryant is academically strong (#203) and financially strong ($183m) which would help improve the profile of the MAAC.
Last Edit: Jun 6, 2020 12:02:40 GMT -5 by Stagophile
Fairfield to Robert Morris University - 445 miles (18 miles past Pittsburgh, PA on I-79)
Fairfield to Niagara - 444 miles Fairfield to Canisius -425 miles
Fairfield to Siena - 145 miles Fairfield to Monmouth - 125 miles Fairfield to Rider - 115 miles
Fairfield to Marist - 80 miles Fairfield to St. Peter's - 65 miles Fairfield to Manhattan - 50 miles Fairfield to Iona - 40 miles Fairfield to Quinnipiac - 35 miles
You are judge by who u associate with. IMO association with Patriot league schools is where u want to be not with a RMU.....
Nobody is inviting the Stags but being associated with the academic superior Patriot League is much better for Fairfield University as the "Modern Jesuit Catholic University" and geographically from DC to Boston. Winning the PL will still get the Stags to the ultimate goal - the NCAA Tournament. Bucknell has 6 NCAA Men's bids (2005, 2006, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018) and Holy Cross has 6 (1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2016). Holy Cross has 11 NCAA Women's bids (1991, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007) and Bucknell has 4 NCAA Women's bids (2002, 2008, 2017, 2019). Who wouldn't take any of that?
Absolutely apply for the Patriot League! More in common,more prestige, similar education. Travel much easier and would save money. Would love to be associated with this group of schools. Put out "feelers" to anyone who will listen.
Naples, I think you may spent too much time in the sun😀 looking at the map for travel if we were in the patriot League would most likely be much worse than the MAAC. in the MAAC the only long trip is the Buffalo/Niagara trip and even then one trip hits both schools.
Also, I am generally amused by some so-called fans on the board who like to knock other schools both in the MAAC and other leagues most if not all have significantly longer histories and successes in basketball than FU. Canisius and Niagara are favorite whipping boys to some but have had a lot of success over the years and have actually had players not suit up for an NBA team but be star players.
Finally, when thinking of travel time etc put yourself in the shoes of Canisius or Niagara vis-a-vis other members of the MACC. Fairfield fans should not complain.