Impact of other sports on Expansion and vice versa?

[MUMountin]

From the Trib article (http://marquettetribune.org/2013/01/15/news/marquette-to-help-found-new-conference-with-catholic-seven/):  "Williams said the Catholic Seven hope to build their conference with “schools that are committed to competitive excellence, primarily in men’s basketball, and also competitive excellence across a number of other team sports.”

"Other sports that Williams said he will value highly in prospective additions to the Catholic Seven will include women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball."


I've seen a lot of analysis and discussion of the various potential targets based on basketball, fans, TV, etc., but not much on the rest of the athletic departments.  How does taking other sports into account affect the relative merits of Xavier, Butler, Creighton, Dayton, SLU, VCU, etc?  Anyone know much about how these schools perform in women's bball, volleyball, soccer, etc?  And, with the impending addition of lacrosse's first season this year, do any of these schools field lacrosse teams?

I'm pretty sure that SLU and Creighton historically field really good men's soccer team, and I've read that Dayton's overall athletic program is actually pretty strong, but I don't really know that much about the rest of the programs.  If we are giving some significant weight to the competitiveness of these schools across the board, anyone have thoughts on whether that might favor any of these schools over the others?

[brewcity77]

Basically, I take that quote as saying Dayton is in.

[Goatherder]

Basketball is going to be driving the bus.  Probably, the AD's would like schools that at least make an effort in other sports, and if men's basketball makes money, that can be used to support other teams.  But nobody is getting in because they have a really good women's volleyball team. 

[Badgerhater]

The only questions about other sports that needs to be asked is how does the new conference impact the cost of these sports, as well as the abilty of the men's basketball program to subsidize them.

Every other factor is meaningless....and I say this as a former collegiate track & field athlete.

[Warriors10]

Basically, I take that quote as saying Dayton is in.

+1

You have no need to say this if you are going to build the best basketball conference you can, because then Dayton would not be included in that.  Did these other sports have a major effect on their (if made) decision?  No, but by including Dayton you cannot say we picked the best basketball school available so you have to justify their selection in another "but look how good they are at other sports" way.

[GGGG]

I think you are reading too much into it.  As Athletic Director, he can't say "well, the only sport that matters is men's basketball."

[Jet915]

Hi all,
Big Creighton fan here.  I hope we can join you guys in the new Big East.  I hope going to a big time league will elevate Creighton like it did Marquette.  Anyways, thought I'd chime in about this question.  Creighton has done really well recently in olympic sports.

1.  Soccer is our most successful sport.  I think we've made the NCAAs like 19 out of the last 20 years.  Only college team to have someone drafted by the MLS every year and we've made two straight College Cup's (final four).  We also play at one of the best venues for college soccer, Morrison Stadium.

2.  Women's basketball is on an upswing as well.  We made the NCAAs last year and almost upset St John's.  This year, we were picked to win the MVC and having a very successful season so far.

3.  Women's volleyball is also doing really well.  Made the NCAAs last year and made them again this year.  Both times winning a game.  Women's basketball and volleyball play at a brand new arena specifically for these sports (DJ Sokol Arena).

4.  Men's baseball has also made the last two NCAAs and have won games in the tournament.  We also play at the home of the College World Series (TD Ameritrade Park).

5.  Lastly, it was announced that there will be a brand new Basketball Practice Facility built that will be completed in 2014.

[GGGG]

Hi all,
Big Creighton fan here.  I hope we can join you guys in the new Big East.  I hope going to a big time league will elevate Creighton like it did Marquette.

Uh...what?

Anyway, if I were grading your post, it would clearly get an "A" due to the use of visuals.  And Creighton is one of the teams I would like to see in too.

[Jet915]

Uh...what?

Anyway, if I were grading your post, it would clearly get an "A" due to the use of visuals.  And Creighton is one of the teams I would like to see in too.

Haha, thanks!

[MUMonster03]

Is there any chance that the new conference will lead to Marquette bringing back/starting teams?

It seems like after Basketball, Soccer, Track & Field, and Womens Volleyball the sports that the universities all offer are a little all over the board.

[RJax55]

Haha, thanks!

Jet, if Creighton is invited to join the C7, what happens to the baseball program? Does it stay in the Valley?

My recollection is that the Valley is a pretty solid baseball conference.

[MUMonster03]

Is there any chance that the new conference will lead to Marquette bringing back/starting teams?

It seems like after Basketball, Soccer, Track & Field, and Womens Volleyball the sports that the universities all offer are a little all over the board.

Just to add a little more to this below is the number of C7 teams for other sports

Baseball - 4
Field Hockey - 3 (east coast shcools)
Mens Lacrosse - 5 (counting MU)
Womens Lacrosse - 3
Womens Volleyball - 6

Big East also offered Golf, rowing, tennis, softball, swimming & diving which Georgrtown and Nova did almost everything and others were here and there.

[Jet915]

Jet, if Creighton is invited to join the C7, what happens to the baseball program? Does it stay in the Valley?

My recollection is that the Valley is a pretty solid baseball conference.

Not sure, leaving the Valley will hurt our baseball the most.  WSU is always solid and Dallas Baptist is joining the MVC.  I would assume all our team sports would move.

[Norm]

Yep, Creighton should be a no brainer, along with Xavier and Butler. If the final 2 spots are between Dayton, St. Louis and VCU, then I hope that Dayton is the odd man out. St. Louis is a soccer powerhouse, leading all schools with 47 NCAA soccer tournament appearances, with 10 championships. Creighton has made the soccer tournament 20 times, reaching it 11 of the past 12 seasons, making the Final Four in back-to-back seasons.

Here's the number of times each potential new league member has made the NCAA soccer tournament:

St. Louis - 47 (9 since 2000) (Champions in 59, 60, 62, 63, 65, 67, 69, 70, 72, 73)
Creighton - 20 (11 since 2000; only season missed was 2009) (Runner-up in 2000)
St. John's - 19 (11 since 2000; only season missed was 2007) (Champion in 96)
Seton Hall - 11 (5 since 2000)
VCU - 7 (5 since 2000)
Providence - 6 (5 since 2000)
Butler - 6 (3 since 2000)
Georgetown - 4 (2 since 2000) (Runner-up this past season)
Xavier - 3 (3 since 2000; all 3 the past 3 seasons)
Marquette - 2 (1 since 2000; this past season)
Dayton - 1 (2008)
DePaul - 1 (2007)
Villanova - 0

[GGGG]

Just to add a little more to this below is the number of C7 teams for other sports

Baseball - 4
Field Hockey - 3 (east coast shcools)
Mens Lacrosse - 5 (counting MU)
Womens Lacrosse - 3
Womens Volleyball - 6

Big East also offered Golf, rowing, tennis, softball, swimming & diving which Georgrtown and Nova did almost everything and others were here and there.

For certain sports, like lacrosse and field hockey, they will always be able to find a place to park those sports if the conference doesn't sponsor it.

[LloydMooresLegs]

A very imperfect assessment of at least the strength of the various Fall Sports programs of the C7 + ? compiled from links via the new MU aggregation site promoted on another thread: http://marquette.bleacherlife.com/community/marquette

After the completion of every fall NCAA Championship, Marquette University ranks 37th in the NCAA Division I Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Standings, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced Thursday, Jan. 10.
The Golden Eagles are first among non-football playing institutions with 139.00 points.

Marquette earned 64 points from women's soccer advancing to the NCAA Regional Semifinals and 50 points from men's soccer making the NCAA Second Round. The women's volleyball program also racked up 25 points after making its second NCAA Championship appearance in as many years.

Men's and women's cross country in addition to women's field hockey, men's water polo and football are the other sports counted in the final standings

14.  Georgetown
37.  Marquette (first among all not football schools)
39.  Creighton
42.  Villanova
111. Dayton
111. SLU
111. VCU
111. Xavier
141. Butler
154. St. John's

No points:  Providence, DePaul, Seton Hall

Notre Dame 4; Wisconsin 36, FWIW

[slingkong]

1.  Soccer is our most successful sport.  I think we've made the NCAAs like 19 out of the last 20 years.  Only college team to have someone drafted by the MLS every year and we've made two straight College Cup's (final four).  We also play at one of the best venues for college soccer, Morrison Stadium.

Jet, when did Creighton start playing soccer at Morrison Stadium? It's been a long time since I traveled with the team (1996) but Creighton played in on a run of the mill field at that time.

[Jet915]

Yeah, Morrison Stadium was finished in 2004.  Nice view of downtown, seats up to 6K I think.  We usually get around 3-4K a game but up to 6K depending on the opponent.  Always top 10 in attendance and collegesoccernews.com called it the most exciting venue to watch a college soccer match.

[honkytonk]

A very imperfect assessment of at least the strength of the various Fall Sports programs of the C7 + ? compiled from links via the new MU aggregation site promoted on another thread: http://marquette.bleacherlife.com/community/marquette

After the completion of every fall NCAA Championship, Marquette University ranks 37th in the NCAA Division I Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Standings, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced Thursday, Jan. 10.
The Golden Eagles are first among non-football playing institutions with 139.00 points.

Marquette earned 64 points from women's soccer advancing to the NCAA Regional Semifinals and 50 points from men's soccer making the NCAA Second Round. The women's volleyball program also racked up 25 points after making its second NCAA Championship appearance in as many years.

Men's and women's cross country in addition to women's field hockey, men's water polo and football are the other sports counted in the final standings

14.  Georgetown
37.  Marquette (first among all not football schools)
39.  Creighton
42.  Villanova
111. Dayton
111. SLU
111. VCU
111. Xavier
141. Butler
154. St. John's

No points:  Providence, DePaul

Notre Dame 4; Wisconsin 36, FWIW

You missed SHU. They didnt receive any points, either.

[Jet915]

Interesting how the C7 teams that are down for the last several years for basketball are also at the bottom of the list for all other sports as well. 

[Aughnanure]

Interesting how the C7 teams that are down for the last several years for basketball are also at the bottom of the list for all other sports as well. 

Hard to get donations, interest, etc when UCONN, Pitt and Cuse are killing you in the most major sport you play. This league, I believe, will really help rejuvenate those programs...especially St. John's.

[MU86NC]

Interesting how the C7 teams that are down for the last several years for basketball are also at the bottom of the list for all other sports as well. 

That is interesting and probably indicative of the commitment of the university....  hope Creighton makes the new league.

[LloydMooresLegs]

You missed SHU. They didnt receive any points, either.

Thanks; and fixed.