Hi-Line Lax wrote:but I do think it's interesting that the same people that thought we should move down two seasons ago are now advocating for us to move up...this league cracks me up sometimes.
Since I made the comment suggesting Montana consider moving up to the A Division, I'll assume this quote above is directed at me. Let me respond.
In 2003, the Grizzlies were a much different club than they are today. UW played UM on a neutral field at Gonzaga that year. The Grizz showed up about 15 minutes before faceoff, with no coach or adult to oversee their actions. They brought only 11 players to that game, and these guys were not dressed according to rule. The following day Montana arrived for its conference game at Whitman with only 9 players, causing a forfeit.
In truth, you guys were barely holding on as a PNCLL club just a few years ago, and dropping the Grizz down to the lower conference with other struggling programs seemed an obvious move at that time. The team had dropped out of the PNCLL entirely the season before, and certainly showed little resemblance to the other teams it was competing against. The suggested move down to the lower division at that time was made in the interest in helping prevent your club from folding again. None of the A Division teams wanted to waste the time making the long trip to Missoula to play a team that couldn't compete and seemed less than serious about doing so.
But times and situations have surely changed, and Montana Lacrosse has evolved and grown into a premier program. I know for a fact that the Grizz are getting two new (and really talented!) incoming players for next season. The club has now demonstrated its commitment to excellence by attracting experienced high school players, adding a competent coaching staff and upgrading the club administration and organization. Montana Lacrosse has clearly been embraced by the school and the local community, also.
And, finally, it was one of your own members who posted here suggesting a game against Oregon, the PNCLL's dominant team and a highly-ranked MDIA A Division program. Montana is now ready for this challenge, and as the largest public university in the State would seem to me to have more in common with the rest of the A Division schools than it does with the smaller private colleges which make up the bulk of the B Division. MDIA rules allow the Grizz to compete in the B Division -- no debate about that. But likewise so may Simon Fraser and Gonzaga -- but these teams have made the commitment to play at the higher competitive level. So could Montana, which would clearly be accepted as an A Division club should it petition to move up. I am NOT stating that this must be done, and the rules allow UM to stay where it is. But it is certainly worth consideration now, is it not?
