St. Thomas to DI-approved

[mnriverbison]

Can't read this news without thinking that it will narrow the pipeline of D1 talent from MN to NDSU that we have been gorging ourselves on.

Not sure how Pioneer recruits without schollies, but at the moment them joining a non-scholly football league is about the only good news here.

Well that and the prospect of UST/NDSU football tailgates since most everyone at both schools have friends at the other. A MN D1 football opponent who could be a legit home/home option? Could eventually have this be a trophy game? Give it to me. All of it.

[56BISON73]

Can't read this news without thinking that it will narrow the pipeline of D1 talent from MN to NDSU that we have been gorging ourselves on.

Not sure how Pioneer recruits without schollies, but at the moment them joining a non-scholly football league is about the only good news here.

Well that and the prospect of UST/NDSU football tailgates since most everyone at both schools have friends at the other. A MN D1 football opponent who could be a legit home/home option? Could eventually have this be a trophy game? Give it to me. All of it.

Academic and need based scholarships just like they do now. No I dont see them being a factor in our recruiting.

[mnriverbison]

Academic and need based scholarships just like they do now. No I dont see them being a factor in our recruiting.

Forecasting 0 effect at all seems very optimistic!

[IndyBison]

Forecasting 0 effect at all seems very optimistic!

They won't be a factor for football as long as they are Pioneer. Butler, Dayton, and Valpo don't compete for the same athletes as Indiana State/Youngstown/Illinois State/Eastern Illinois. They compete with D3 and NAIA school and some D2 if you want to attend a school like Butler rather than UIndy or Quincy. The Pioneer schools here have very good academic reputations in the area. Other sports will be a different story.

[GreenfieldBison]

Forecasting 0 effect at all seems very optimistic!

Maybe and maybe not. Seems to me that most of the kids who come to NDSU have a strongish desire to play for championships. I don't think the Tommies will be offering that opportunity anytime soon, if ever.

[NDSUstudent]

Forecasting 0 effect at all seems very optimistic!

They are essientially going to be the same thing, a non-scholarship program just in a different division.

Other sports there may be affect but the presence of a MN school could also enhance recruiting since it is going to lead to more exposure in the Twin Cities.

[NDSUstudent]

Well, NDSU left D2 when they cut scholarships, went to a stupid regional playoff system, and schools like Mary College (now UMary), Minot, Crookston, Bemidji, etc all started joining or were talking about joining.

St. Thomas has baseball so they actually bring something to the conference.

Yeah. St Thomas is a legit DI program, they are more like we were if anything. Much too big of a fish in a very small pond.

[AKBison]

Legit D1 school? There basketball teams play in a high school gym. Football is their flagship program and it is going to a non scholarship conference. Listen, their better than UMKC and Augie but that's not saying much. It's not like the Summit landed NMSU.

[MankatoBison]

Good for St Thomas! very cool. Im sure it will have minimal effect on us for the time being, but the more successful they become, and they WILL become successful, they will become a growing threat for recruiting. And I promise they will not stay pioneer forever. They want more. They jumped from D3 to DI- they are HUNGRY and Pioneer doesnt satisfy that hunger

[NDSUstudent]

Legit D1 school? There basketball teams play in a high school gym. Football is their flagship program and it is going to a non scholarship conference. Listen, their better than UMKC and Augie but that's not saying much. It's not like the Summit landed NMSU.

They have a massive endowment, are a fantastic school and are one of two DI schools in a top 20 metro area. The potential they have is huge.

I don't think football is going to be their flagship program anymore but it will be interesting if it is hockey or basketball that emerges in that regard. They would be smart to invest in hoops but they are a MN school.