College Conference Shakeups

This summer the college sports world was turned upside down as major institutions and conferences played a few rounds of musical chairs.

Everywhere you looked, there were rumors of what school would go where and why.  The majority of the switches, proposed changes, and general hot-stove discussions were about money and power.  Schools and conference were attempting to position themselves best for financial success (primarily).

In these economic times, financial stability is not only a viable concern, but it is also reality.  To me, the panic was understandable as individuals tried to ensure the best situation for their institutions.

How much does this really have to do with Goshen College Athletics and the Mid-Central College Conference (MCC)?  After all, there are no 100,000 fan football games and multi-million dollar television deals.

The answer may surprise you.

Over the course of the last few years, more and more "small" colleges have been examining the position of their athletic programs.  While economic feasibility certainly weighs into the discussion, the more common themes have revolved around the question, "Where do we fit?"

Where do we fit academically? Where do we fit competitively?  What are the goals of our athletic program?  What can we say about our student-athletes experience?  What do we hope to say about it?  Where do we fit in terms of mission (spiritually)?

All that brings us to the current state of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and the the MCC.  Each year for the past few (or more) a number of programs are leaving the NAIA and a number are newly accepted into the organization.  As recent as two years ago, the NAIA and NCAA looked at potential partnerships that would help NAIA programs answer the above questions without choosing to make significant changes.

Since adding Spring Arbor University to the conference in 2004, the MCC has always had at least a little interest in finding a 10th team.  The debate has always come back to the "right fit."

Later this week (Nov. 10), the nine institutional president's of the MCC will decide if we have indeed have found that fit.  Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio) officially applied for membership to the conference and over the last few months president's have been gathering the pertinent facts as well as feedback from athletic departments.

From the MCC Procedures Manual:
"Membership in the MCC shall be at minimum a four year liberal arts college or university that embodies the fundamental characteristics of NAIA Champions of Character program.  Given the history of the original MCC membership, institutions with similar faith-based traditions will discover a unique affinity with the conference. Institutions of interest shall be entities of similar size, have a traditional undergraduate residential program, educational philosophy, and athletic philosophy and are geographically acceptable; defined as institutions that are located within 240 miles or less travel distance from the average distance of all current MCC institutions combined."

With that in the forefront, here are some possible reasons for accepting MVNU's application:

• 10th team gives some sports second automatic bid to national tournaments
• They are a fit academically, in size, and in faith-tradition
• They have a strong athletic tradition and history of success like the other members of the MCC
• They need a place to go.  Their current conference (American Mideast) has been disbanding as institutions have made different decisions based on answers to the question of where they fit today and for the future.

Some potential reasons opposing accepting MVNU's application:

• The distance: Mount Vernon, Ohio would add a trip of up to five hours for conference schools.
• The cost: Adding a trip of that distance could affect budgets
• The need: In most MCC sports, more than one program already makes the national tournament field via at-large berths.  Would adding another strong competitor limit opportunities for current members?  Is the need for a 10th team really there?

Those lists are in no way meant to be complete and exhaustive.  The school presidents have their own lists of pros and cons.  Let me assure you, that unlike the Big 10/ Big 12 shakeups, they are not entirely financially based.  Once again, it goes back to questions of who we are (as conference and as individual institutions), what we want to become, and how this move would benefit or hinder those decisions.

We will find out in the coming days if Mount Vernon Nazarene University will become the 10th member of the Mid-Central College Conference.  Opinions aside, trust that the presidents of nine outstanding institutions will make the best decision for everyone involved and not just for No. 1.

I do.

If MVNU were to be accepted, they should count themselves fortunate to be part of associations (NAIA and MCC) with quality institutions (academically and missionally).  We all should count ourselves fortunate for the situation we are in as athletic departments.  The MCC is among the best in the nation.