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Chicago State Eyeing OVC or Horizon League
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joshadam84 Offline
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Chicago State Eyeing OVC or Horizon League
The Board of Trustees held their annual retreat (virtual) meeting on August 24th, and recently uploaded the recording to YouTube: BoT meeting. Director of Athletics Elliott Charles kicked off the meeting with a presentation.. so you don’t have to go to far into it to listen.

There were several good bits of information from the meeting, and one topic that was brought up was CSU’s conference. Of course, no one on the board likely knows what led to CSU joining the WAC back in 2013, but they are interested in knowing a timeline and regional conference options for CSU. Director Charles was pretty straightforward that there are still things CSU needs to improve upon before likely being considered by other conferences; however, he did state there has been contact made with the OVC and Horizon League, and expects to know more by October. Additionally, Director Charles acknowledged the fact the OVC sponsors football which could be an impact— though a couple members do not have a program.

I realize anyone affiliated with the baseball program was frustrated with the program being dropped— anyone involved would be in that situation. But it wasn’t some random move that was made. It was studied and calculated in order to improve the department as a whole. And I feel the athletic department has strong, competent leaders for the first time since Schumacher. I’m greatly looking forward to the future of Chicago State athletics.
09-08-2020 04:56 PM
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chrisattsu Offline
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RE: Chicago State Eyeing OVC or Horizon League
(09-08-2020 04:56 PM)joshadam84 Wrote:  The Board of Trustees held their annual retreat (virtual) meeting on August 24th, and recently uploaded the recording to YouTube: BoT meeting. Director of Athletics Elliott Charles kicked off the meeting with a presentation.. so you don’t have to go to far into it to listen.

There were several good bits of information from the meeting, and one topic that was brought up was CSU’s conference. Of course, no one on the board likely knows what led to CSU joining the WAC back in 2013, but they are interested in knowing a timeline and regional conference options for CSU. Director Charles was pretty straightforward that there are still things CSU needs to improve upon before likely being considered by other conferences; however, he did state there has been contact made with the OVC and Horizon League, and expects to know more by October. Additionally, Director Charles acknowledged the fact the OVC sponsors football which could be an impact— though a couple members do not have a program.

I realize anyone affiliated with the baseball program was frustrated with the program being dropped— anyone involved would be in that situation. But it wasn’t some random move that was made. It was studied and calculated in order to improve the department as a whole. And I feel the athletic department has strong, competent leaders for the first time since Schumacher. I’m greatly looking forward to the future of Chicago State athletics.
Just came across this post, do you feel like CSU would be in a better place in a regional conference?

How do you feel about the Horizon and OVC? Do you have a preference?
09-09-2020 12:08 AM
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IWokeUpLikeThis Offline
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RE: Chicago State Eyeing OVC or Horizon League
It was clear the BOT's weren't very knowledgeable in CSU's athletic history (ie. why CSU is in the WAC to begin with). Discussions with the OVC and Horizon are a good sign. Surprised nothing about the MEAC was mentioned - they are desperate with 8 members and VSU/WSSU supposedly not interested.
09-09-2020 08:34 AM
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PojoaquePosse Offline
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RE: Chicago State Eyeing OVC or Horizon League
Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing. I hope that Chicago State can improve things. It's funny that people clamor for the WAC to drop Chicago State. But that would leave the WAC at 8 schools and on the verge of collapsing. We need Chicago State and I hope things get better for all involved.
09-09-2020 09:28 AM
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joshadam84 Offline
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RE: Chicago State Eyeing OVC or Horizon League
(09-09-2020 12:08 AM)chrisattsu Wrote:  Just came across this post, do you feel like CSU would be in a better place in a regional conference?

How do you feel about the Horizon and OVC? Do you have a preference?

I think it would benefit their athletic department to be in a more regionally aligned conference. Being in either league would greatly save them on travel costs.

Just from an ability to go and watch games, I'd probably prefer the OVC. The conference championship is in Evansville, IN, which is just a couple hours south of me. I think they'd be a bit more competitive in the OVC as well.

Either conference would provide more exposure since both have ESPN+ contracts. They could be a travel partner with EIU in the OVC or UIC in the Horizon. Also, the two conferences have a much smaller membership fee that the WAC which is an additional cost savings.

(09-09-2020 08:34 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  It was clear the BOT's weren't very knowledgeable in CSU's athletic history (ie. why CSU is in the WAC to begin with). Discussions with the OVC and Horizon are a good sign. Surprised nothing about the MEAC was mentioned - they are desperate with 8 members and VSU/WSSU supposedly not interested.

I agree. They seemed pretty oblivious to the conference landscape back then, and the fact the Cougars went from an independent to Great West Conference and then the WAC as a means of survival for both the WAC and CSU. It wasn't like conferences were knocking at their door.. especially ones with auto-bids.

I was thinking the same thing on the MEAC. While CSU would be another outlier in the MEAC, the conference is desperate for membership and the Cougars would actually be competitive within it. I know Collegiate Consulting was doing a study for the MEAC, and they had completed a study to assist in CSU's sport sponsorship decision. So I'd have to think they'd be on the MEAC's radar.

(09-09-2020 09:28 AM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing. I hope that Chicago State can improve things. It's funny that people clamor for the WAC to drop Chicago State. But that would leave the WAC at 8 schools and on the verge of collapsing. We need Chicago State and I hope things get better for all involved.

No problem, Pojoaque. I am absolutely with you on the WAC/Chicago State relationship. It's a necessary one for both, and has been since the Cougars joined. CSU hasn't really garnered any interest from other conferences for obvious reasons. On the other end, if the WAC can get to a healthy number then CSU is disposable. But they need one another until then.
09-09-2020 06:25 PM
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