Article opining on W&M to PL

[Go Green]

Slow news day (sports wise, at least).

Missed this article from a few days ago. Don't think anyone else posted it here yet? If so, apologies.

https://richmond.com/sports/college/...fe6326302.html

[Baron Sardonicus]

Outside the Pioneer league, has any FCS team moved to a significantly weaker football conference? Having trouble seeing why W&M would switch. "Congruent" academic standards and $4.99 will get Patriot fans some beef jerky.

[The Cats]

Outside the Pioneer league, has any FCS team moved to a significantly weaker football conference? Having trouble seeing why W&M would switch. "Congruent" academic standards and $4.99 will get Patriot fans some beef jerky.

VMI moved from the SoCon to the Big South in 2003, at the time, the BS was significantly weaker (still is) conference.

[whoanellie]

Presbyterian College in SC is or has moved to the Pioneer Conference from the Big South. Campbell sort of switched with them.

- - - Updated - - -

Presbyterian College in SC is or has moved to the Pioneer Conference from the Big South. Campbell sort of switched with them.

[Anthony215]

That's a steep move down, essentially for football you're moving down from the #2 conference in the country to probably the #10 conference as the only leagues rated below the Patriot League would be the Pioneer, MEAC and NEC. All other conferences would most years rank over the PL.

[Mocs123]

I don't know much about W&M but it could be the right move for them even if it's to a weaker conference. It's not like they are really in play for the CAA Championship (or a playoff spot) most years anyways. The PL might let them be more competitive and to be fair, probably an easier road to the playoffs. The real reason would be if they felt like it would give them rivalries that would get their fan base more energized, though it sounds like they already have some rivals in the CAA.

[Go Green]

I don't know much about W&M but it could be the right move for them even if it's to a weaker conference. .

I know that it's apples and oranges, but this has occurred in basketball. Indeed, several PL teams have arguably "stepped down" a conference to challenge for PL hoops crown.

[NY Crusader 2010]

By "several teams", you mean American?

William & Mary will join the PL when Minnesota goes Republican.

[Go Green]

By "several teams", you mean American?

Navy, like American, was also in the CAA.

Other current PL basketball teams came from the MAAC and America East. I don't think many would argue that the PL was a step up for them. At best, a lateral move...

[NY Crusader 2010]

Navy, like American, was also in the CAA.

Other current PL basketball teams came from the MAAC and America East. I don't think many would argue that the PL was a step up for them. At best, a lateral move...

Loyola (MAAC) and BU (A-East) to the PL are lateral moves in Men's Basketball but significant upgrades in other sports. BU won the PL hoops title this past March (too bad no one will remember) and Loyola has not been competitive since joining in 2012.

Navy did join the PL out of the CAA but both service academies were founding members in 1991. Army and Holy Cross joined the newfound Patriot League out of the MAAC. Colgate came from the North Atlantic Conference which eventually became A-East. Not sure about Bucknell, Lehigh and Lafayette => they were all D-II in football before joining the Colonial League but I think they were D-I in basketball.