GRLC Div A Alignment 2008

[Arklax]

We are being asked to submit budgets for the 07-08 school year, and I'm trying to get an idea as to where we'll travel and who we'll play.

Assuming Arkansas, Nebraska, and Memphis all move up to Div. A, what ideas do any of you have for the realignment? I'm assuming we would drop the "everyone in Div. A would have to play everyone else in Div. A" policy adopted this year. Would there be 2 Divisions (East/West, South/North? Not sure how the "Big XII/Big Ten" split would work anymore)? Or 3(NE, NW, and S)? Will WashU be back in Div. A? How many mandatory conference games would there be? Any suggestions/ideas would be helpful. Thanks.

[Matt_Gardiner]

I would always budget heavy. I would assume the worst and budget from that. Never, ever lie or make up fictitious trips that you do know would not happen, but put together a reasonable schedule and budget accordingly. Make sure you have the fluff you need to account for unforeseen costs. Do not forget silly things like hotels will charge 10% and up tax rates. I would assume a 6% escalation on bus costs, and that may be overly conservative. When you budget, especially early on, always budget high. Then as more information and better information comes in you can refine your budget. It is better to find your costs are lower than first expected than to find out your costs are higher. As time goes on, you can build in a small buffer that should carry over from year to year.

If you would like, I can send you a copy of the sheet that I use to budget yearly costs. Of the top of my head, I would assume you will make a trip to Iowa and Illinois on separate weekends. I would also assume you will make a trip to Texas/Oklahoma. I would assume you will make the conference tournament and it will be located in St. Louis. I would assume that you will host five or six games. If you stay in division B or something changes and you are not going to Iowa or Illinois, but you are going to Harding and Memphis you are covered. If you assume you are playing Harding and Memphis, but get Illinois and Iowa, you are not covered and you are stuck scrambling. That is just my opinion, but it seems the most reasonable to me. Hope that helps.

[beckner11]

Here's how I think they'd be aligned if all 3 teams were to move up: Ark, MSU, KU, KSU, Nebraska and Memphis in one subdivision and LU, Wash. U.?, Illinois, Ill. State, Mizzou and Iowa in the other. The geographical problem comes with travel for Memphis. They'd either be going to Kansas State or to Iowa and either way that's a hike.

[A.J. Stevens]

Ark, MSU, KU, KSU, Nebraska and Memphis in one subdivision and LU, Wash. U.?, Illinois, Ill. State, Mizzou and Iowa in the other.

I can almost promise that an uneven subdivision split like this will not happen anytime in the next few years.

[Arklax]

I can almost promise that an uneven subdivision split like this will not happen anytime in the next few years.

Agreed, there's quite a...uh...performance gap between those two divisions. So then a North/South with Lindenwood, WashU and/or Mizzou in the South? That keeps Ill. and Ill. St. in a separate division, although I'm not sure how much Nebraska or either Kansas team would like being in the North, although the scenery during the drive across Iowa is breathtaking.

[bste_lax]

although the scenery during the drive across Iowa is breathtaking.

I-80 across Iowa is a lot more enjoyable than I-80 across Nebraska......although that is like asking whether you want to tear your ACL or MCL.

[romo8]

I don't know about that, between north platte and scottsbluff is totally worth the gas...

[NELAX21]

Assuming everyone moves up and Wash U will go to B. I think either 3 divisions, NE, KU, KSU, Mizzou in one, Arkansas, Memph and Missouri State in another, and Ill, I'll St, Iowa, Lindenwood in another. That would be the easiest for travel. The other which is probably the more likely i think would be more like last years with NE, KU, KSU, Mizzou, Missouri State in one and Ill, Ill St, Iowa, Lindenwood, Arkansas, Memphis. Or have Ark in the other one, im not real sure where in Arkansas they are or who they would be closer to. But then you have to play everyone in your division and the divison with 5 teams in it plays 4 of the other divison and the division with 6 plays 3 of the other teams so everyone plays 8 conference games. just my $.02

[beckner11]

Arkansas is much closer to the north west corner of their state (1 1/2 southwest of Missouri State) so putting them with Ill. and ISU would be ludicrous.

[NELAX21]

ok, i just wasnt sure were they actually were.

[Jolly Roger]

im not real sure where in Arkansas they are or who they would be closer to.

Ask Kyle to draw you a map sometime.