The conference shake-ups triggered by the departures of Susquehanna (Liberty League) and Moravian and Juniata (Centennial) from the MAC continue at the Division III level.
Yesterday the MAC announced that Arcadia and Manhattanville will join for basketball, which has its own consequences. But in reporting on the move, Rich Scarcella of the Reading Eagle noted that the MAC has been closely considering four schools — Alvernia, Arcadia, Manhattanville and a fourth mystery team.
Conference Commissioner Ken Andrews also said:
“We talked a lot about football…It’s a high priority…We’d like to move into New Jersey, Delaware or the Washington, D.C., area. It’s a challenge, but it’s definitely on the front burner.â€
It’s all conjecture, but I wonder if the fourth school under consideration has football. If so, we’ve already heard rumblings about TCNJ and Shenandoah as possible members. But Wesley is the only Delaware school with a Division III program. The Wolverines will join the Capital Athletic Conference for non-football sports in 2007 and they are currently members of the ACFC for football.
As of today, the viability of the MAC seems to be uncertain. If so, that’s sad.
Please remember. The most valuable asset of the MAC is the Pool A bid. If the core 4 members can hold out, then they can add 3 affiliates and maintain the AQ.
Division II seems to be having an even tougher time with football.
Division II Football
Given all that has happened this offseason, we should expect a good four to five years of ripple effects from these changes…