TheOtherView
Opinions from around the country
We will miss the MAC.
It is undeniable that the recent move for Marshall to
Conference USA will be a good one for athletics from
a few standpoints.
If everything goes wrong for Marshall in C-USA, the
university will still earn $100,000 more than being
in the MAC. That's if everything goes wrong.
Marcum said that C-USAs television package alone
could be worth more than $500,000 for Marshall.
The move to C-USA also means much more exposure for
Marshall athletics and the university as a whole.
As the MAC is only considered a mid-major conference,
C-USA is considered a major conference. Many of its
schools are prestigious academic institutions. Good
company for Marshall, as university president Dan Angel
insists it will help direct Marshall toward national
prominence.
Apart from more national television time and better
company, by playing in bigger markets like Houston,
New Orleans and Memphis, Marshall will gain media attention
in areas it would not have in the MAC. The number of
people aware of Marshall will only increase.
Marshall now becomes the northern most school in a southern
conference. The national travel will help with athletic
recruiting.
This wasnt possible when Marshalls travel
was limited to Ohio and Michigan, along with one school
in each Indiana, Illinois and New York.
So why would we miss the MAC?
Because the travel was limited to Ohio, Michigan and
the others. Traveling to away games was a possible day
trip for those wanting to support Marshall athletics.
Now, the Thundering Herd's closest competitor is East
Carolina, more than 400 miles away as opposed to the
80 miles it takes to get to Ohio University.
And with the move, what geographic, in-conference rival
does that leave Marshall with? Having a rivalry with
Alabama-Birmingham or Southern Methodist doesn't seem
as fun as one with schools in a state just across the
Ohio River.
But as the move to C-USA means both athletic and academic
progress for Marshall, well deal. The school will
develop new rivalries and supporters will make the longer
trips.
Good bye, MAC. It's been a pleasure.
This
is a staff editorial from The Parthenon at Marshall
University.
This editorial was distributed by U-Wire.
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