More Conference Realignment, Division II Style; UNA To D1?

[HT: Arkansas Democrat Gazette]

You didn't think conference realignment was over for good in college football this summer. NCAA Division II schools are in the act, too.

The six schools from Arkansas that participate in the Gulf South Conference along with three Oklahoma schools will apply to the NCAA to form a new Division II conference.

Arkansas Tech, Southern Arkansas, Arkansas-Monticello, Henderson State, Ouachita Baptist and Harding have informed the Gulf South Conference its intention of going on their own after this upcoming academic year. They will join East Central University, Southeastern Oklahoma State and Southwestern Oklahoma State in the formation of a new Division II conference.

The GSC's official statement released by the conference is:
"The Gulf South Conference has been officially notified that its six Arkansas members plan to leave the league. The GSC will continue to communicate with those Arkansas schools regarding the official departure process. The group’s decision creates a few challenges in football scheduling, but the Conference is moving forward with solutions that solve those issues and will actually strengthen us. The GSC is excited about the future thanks to the academic excellence and athletic success of its remaining core member institutions, likelihood of expansion and potential football scheduling alliances with like-minded leagues."

One of the reasons the "Arkansas 6" is leaving the Gulf South is lack of year to year success in football.

“Let’s face it, this is also about competitive equity,” GSC Commissioner Nate Salant told the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. “This is really not about cost. This is really not about lost class time. It’s about other things. And that’s OK.”

One of those "other things" is athletic budgets most specifically travel costs. With the exception of Arkansas Tech, the athletic budgets for the Arkansas schools are not up to par with the West Georgia's, the Valdosta State's and so on. Travel costs alone range around $20,000.

The presidents, chancellors and athletic directors of the nine schools forming this new conference released this statement:

“The intent of the conference is to group together similar institutions in terms of budgets and goals, Furthermore, the conference is intended to be made up of universities that field an intercollegiate football program. Our most important goals in this new endeavor are to limit time away from class and limit our travel costs.”

No name for this new conference yet but those of us at the OSG HQ would like to suggest calling it the new "Southwest Conference".

UPDATE: Because of the dissolving of the Gulf South, Terry Bowden and the University of North Alabama is exploring a move to Division I.

Al.com reports that the board of trustees agreed back on Monday at its annual retreat to have President William Cale and other school officials put a plan together detailing any kind of a move. Trustees want the plan finished by a September 10th board meeting.

Steve Pierce, the UNA board's president pro tem, says it could be "a defining moment for our university."

"I feel that for the future of the university as a whole, we need to look at the possibility of moving to another level," he said.

UNA athletics director Mark Linder said it would cost between $900,000 and $1.3 million for the three-time Division II football national champions to just apply for the move. He has no current clue as to how make up for the budget shortfall, but the guess is that a rise in student fees would be the first step in any kind of process.

The HQ thinks that a move to I-AA and the Ohio Valley would be a safer, interim play for the sake of travel and budgets. Jumping all the way to the Sun Belt might be suicidal, but we are talking about Terry Bowden- one of the bigger dreamers out there...

TWTW: Bowden Still Rolling... No, Not That One...

We're actually talking about Terry...

In his first season at the University of North Alabama... where, apparently, one-third of his players were booted out of D1 programs because of one disciplinary issue or another...

Nice...

North Alabama beat Arkansas Tech 41-28 on Saturday. UNA beat the Wonder Boys 42-17 on October 3rd and now will play Carson-Newman.

UNA recorded its 24th straight win over teams from Arkansas.

Carl Prather has your highlights- starting at about the 2:15 mark...
((HT: WAFF-TV/Huntsville))


Oh, Brother Wilkie can fill you guys in on the whole "Wonderboys" thing...
We have no earthly idea...

Terry Bowden Returns To Coaching

We know what you're thinking...
Terry Bowden...??? Don't you mean Tommy or something...???

Nope... it's Terry and the University of North Alabama- a traditional Division II power in Florence, Alabama...

John Pearson at WHNT-TV in Huntsville catches up with the now ex-broadcaster to ask him "What are you thinking...?"

Friday Afternoon Dis And Dat...

Late last night, the Boston Red Sox thought they were out of the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes...

At least that's what they said publicly...
SI's Jon Heyman calls shenanigans and posturing...

Braves General Overseer John Schuerholz is somewhat angry over the whole Rafael Furcal "he's here now he's not" deal...

The choice paragraph from Jeff Schultz's piece is below...

Yeah, we know... it's two paragraphs...

“Having been in this business for 40-some years, I’ve never seen anybody treated like that,” Schuerholz said. “The Atlanta Braves will no longer do business with that company — ever. I told [agent] Arn Tellem that we can’t trust them to be honest and forthright. I told him that in all my years, I’ve never seen any [agency] act in such a despicable manner.
“It was disgusting and unprofessional. We’re a proud organization, and we won’t allow ourselves to be treated that way. I advised Arn Tellem that whatever players he represents, just scratch us off the list. Take the name of the Atlanta Braves off their speed dial. They can deal with the other 29 clubs, and we’ll deal with the other hundred agents.”

Heyman catches up with Fookie's agent, who again denies a bait and switch...

PGA Tour Commish Tim Finchem wants the number of unexcused absences from his players to decrease severely... What...? He doesn't like the current field at the Reno-Tahoe Open...?

Both Phillip Fulmer and Terry Bowden are interested in the Iowa State job...
Why...? Just flat-out why...? We ask and beseech for an answer...?????

While UGA is welcoming Jeff Owens for another year in 2009, they may lose Stacey Searles to Auburn. Searles is in talks with The Chizik about a possible upgrade from his offensive line position on Mark Richt's staff...

Terry Bowden Says Tommy Bowden Deserved To Be Fired

Terry Bowden in his blog on Yahoo Sports.com expressed his opinion on the fate of the brother, Tommy Bowden at Clemson.

So, did Tommy Bowden deserve what happened to him Monday?
Unfortunately, yes.
He deserved it because he, of all people, knew what to expect when he got into this business. We grew up in it.
He knew what to expect when he went to Clemson. He knew that no matter where you go, there is an expectation of success that must be met. After nine years at Clemson, he knew exactly what those expectations were and he knew they had not been met.
Clemson expects to win the conference championship once in a while – and they should. After 10 years of falling short, they deserve the right to try to find a coach they believe can get them there.

Terry Bowden makes some good points. I think the conversation will be very interesting at the next Bowden family get together.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images