How long will the NAIA even survive?

College Running Other Divisions

8 years ago 05/04/2016 3:25am EDT

Is this a dying league? They might as well put it out of its misery. Been noticing for the past decade or so that only the top 3-5 runners in each track event are elite, and now even fewer. The Africans who generally dominate it are disappearing or leaving after a year, and the few strong schools are going D2 or D1 (OBU and Cal san Marcos left this year) . Pretty much just UBC and Oklahoma City survive as the only Strong NAIA schools (and maybe Wiley and Wayland in sprinting) but besides that it's kind of becoming a joke. (1:15/1:32 half marathon really?) Do you think within the next decade the good schools will just move up while the rest just become D3? why is this league even necessary?

8 years ago 05/04/2016 5:27am EDT

re: kwestion

you have to look at all sports, track is low on the totem pole in deciding whether to jump ship

8 years ago 05/04/2016 9:19am EDT

re: kvothe

The NAIA quality always comes back, when those top schools leave and become second rate D2 schools, it takes a few years for the gap to be filled, but it get filled. Distance running is down now, but sprints are up.

As far as the NAIA goes, I look for more former members to return. The NCAA has become very hostile toward Non-D1s, non-public colleges, and small devout religious institutions. Huge debate is brewing over the NCAAs stance on LBGTQ issues and mandating activity at religious institutions. Costs required of institutions in the NCAA bureaucracy are growing exponentially, which is difficult for non-public institutions. The NAIA has become international (finally) with members in Canada and the Caribbean.

8 years ago 05/04/2016 9:33am EDT

re: kwestion

I believe in the next decade that the Power 5 schools will start a new tier of Div 1 athletics. The remaining institutions will have to fend for themselves along with D2 and D3. Will the NAIA or college athletics as we know it even exist? It's all about the $$$ to the NCAA...

8 years ago 05/04/2016 9:45am EDT

re: onceafastcat

onceafastcat wrote:
I believe in the next decade that the Power 5 schools will start a new tier of Div 1 athletics. The remaining institutions will have to fend for themselves along with D2 and D3. Will the NAIA or college athletics as we know it even exist? It's all about the $$$ to the NCAA...

No way. The power 5 schools need the rest of the Div 1, just like the elite runners need back of pack marathoners.

8 years ago 05/05/2016 11:01am EDT

re: Hmmm.....

Hmmm..... wrote:
No way. The power 5 schools need the rest of the Div 1, just like the elite runners need back of pack marathoners.

Why?

Reply Replying to

Username

Password

Leave the password field blank to post anonymously.

Post Preview

By posting you acknowledge that you have read and abide by our Terms and Conditions.

Remember me on this device.

How long will the NAIA even survive?

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

You have been subscribed.

How long will the NAIA even survive?

Follow kvothe

Block kvothe

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

Reply Replying to

You have been subscribed.