Just read on Twitter from a buddy, I will work on getting something more substantial. But apparently they missed out by one vote. He also had on his Twitter that they were denied for two reasons: 1)NKU didn't have a football team. 2)The Bank of Kentucky Center provided an unfair advantage to NKU.

 

Apparently it looks like some of the school were afraid that NKU would come in and dominate the conference. Those schools do not include: Eastern, Murray, and Morehead.

Over the past year, we have had conversations with each of these leagues. Those conversations have not proceeded at the same pace, and our explorations have gone further with some than others. Over a year ago, several Ohio Valley Conference presidents contacted me, encouraging NKU to consider the OVC. After extensive conversations with the OVC, we have learned that while a significant majority of the league's presidents - including the presidents from Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University and Murray State University - have voted to extend an invitation to NKU, the requisite 75 percent has not been met. Concerns of competitive balance were cited as the reason, with some institutions feeling that NKU's facilities, geographic recruiting advantages and competitive funding model could result in our dominating the conference. We were excited about much of what the OVC had to offer - especially the possibility for exciting in-state rivalries - but we will not be joining the OVC at this time.

 

http://www.nku.edu/display_news.php?ID=4667

Maybe they ought to have not beaten WVU. I really hate that they are not given this chance .

Was just getting on to post this....All 3 Kentucky schools were in favor of inviting NKU.

Another article...

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20111117/NEWS0102/311170035/Ohio-Valley-Conference-rejects-NKU

Was just getting on to post this....All 3 Kentucky schools were in favor of inviting NKU.

 

Apparently 8 out of 11 Presidents voted in favor, but they were one vote shy. And you are correct, Eastern, Morehead, and Murray all voted in favor.

So which conference can they be expected to apply to next? The Sun Belt and the Horizon league seem like they'd be the best fits geographically, but I don't know much about either.

I have a hard time believing this because the OVC just admitted Belmont last year, and Belmont doesn't have a football program.

I have a hard time believing this because the OVC just admitted Belmont last year, and Belmont doesn't have a football program.

 

Which could potentially mean that they didn't want to invite another "non-football" school.

 

And gives me even more reason to believe that it is really because they are worried about being dominated by the newcomer.

So which conference can they be expected to apply to next? The Sun Belt and the Horizon league seem like they'd be the best fits geographically, but I don't know much about either.

 

I believe that the Horizon told NKU that they are not interested in expanding their conference at this time. They will probably look at the Summit League and Atlantic Sun league, from the article posted above...

 

A consultant last year recommended that NKU talk to the Horizon League, the OVC, the Atlantic Sun and the Summit League about membership.

 

The Horizon, which includes Butler University in Indianapolis, has said it is not interested in expanding now.

 

The Summit League includes Oakland, Oral Roberts, IUPUI and Fort Wayne. Its current members average about 12,300 total students, about 3,000 less than NKU's current enrollment.

 

The Atlantic Sun includes Belmont, East Tennessee State and Jacksonville. NKU would rank third in total enrollment.

I have a hard time believing this because the OVC just admitted Belmont last year, and Belmont doesn't have a football program.

 

I'd say the football team reason was just a secondary excuse to try to deflect some attention away from the real reason which is an unfair competitive advantage.

I'd say the football team reason was just a secondary excuse to try to deflect some attention away from the real reason which is an unfair competitive advantage.

 

Completely agree!

 

I'm biased obviously, but this decision sort of frustrates me.

Edited November 17, 201114 yr by MJAlltheWay24

So … NKU has a competitive advantage because of its location, but Belmont doesn't? Makes perfect sense.

So … NKU has a competitive advantage because of its location, but Belmont doesn't? Makes perfect sense.

 

I think it has to do more with the facilities. The Bank of Kentucky Center and the Soccer stadium at NKU are top notch.

NKU is in a tough spot, they're growing rapidly, the athletic programs are doing well. They don't want to get in a league that's too big, but are in a situation in which some leagues may feel they're already to large for the league they may be interested in.