This Inquiring Mind wants to know...

[Brent Burns]

Though I have been sending some PMs to Gregg, I decided to survey the PCLL Discussion board to make sure I am not being redundant in any type of disucssion related to Columbia University, Fordham and/or NYU.

This may sound strange reading this guy from Texas in PCLL discussion board, but I thought it would be interesting to inquire about any reason(s) why Columbia, Fordham, and NYU would not go USL MDIA. I know they are in NCLL.

Would any of you PCLLers know of any reasons why they do not want to go USL MDIA? What are keeping them in NCLL? Finally, would these teams provide any benefit to PCLL or will PCLL benefit having them?

I know that Gregg told me that he had been trying over the years to encourage them to join USL MDIA.

[Tim Gray]

NYU was in the PCLL around 4 or 5 years ago. I believe it was on probationary terms, and they weren't organized enough to abide by all the rules of the conference and weren't in the league the next year. As far as I know about the other teams, the PCLL has been trying to get them. If we could add few of theose teams, we could slpit the league into a North(Boston area) and South(NYC/CT) area. I think both those teams and the PCLL would benfit from NYC teams.

[Daniel Morris]

Well, I think NYU may still be sore about being placed on probation. There was also some friction between the PCLL board and the NYU coaches that was blown out of proportion by both parties, but that is just my reading, so if that isn't the case please let me know. I would love for NYU to return and some of these NY teams to join the PCLL, especially on the Div. B side since our B programs are almost all in Connecticut. Now that we are developing an active Div. B, maybe this can happen in future seasons. One thing to remember is NYC doesn't have a great deal of field space, and preparing a competitive team there that can abide by the numerous field and equipment rules of the MDIA isn't easy. The relaxed rules of the NCLL suit their situation better.

But since we now have more level playing field for developing teams, maybe they would be more willing to join. I would gladly discuss membership with any of these teams.

[Gregg Pathiakis]

I have always been big on trying to recruit new teams in our league. As was said, NYU used to be a member of the league... I am going to bite my tongue and league it at that. I would love to have them back under certain circumstances.

The grand poobah of NCLL in the MDIA, Kyle Hawkins, has always kept me updated on teams we should be pursuing and those three NYC teams, NYU, Columbia, and Fordham, are top on our list. I think the only way we will get one of them, is to get all of them. Not sure how easy that will be.

[Daniel Morris]

Maybe the PCLL Board should head to NY and put together a presentation? Invite all NYC area teams and show what the MDIA has to offer. If we could win over 3 NYC area teams, that would really expand our territory and ability to recruit other NY/NJ programs.

[Gregg Pathiakis]

Yes! Yes! Yes! I have wanted to do this myself for years.. if we can a bunch of guys together, that would be perfect. Great thinking Dan!

[Chris Larson]

There are leagues (UMLL at the top of the list) that need to do better with their existing teams before pursuing additional teams. I'd like to se leagues have a couple of trouble-free years before adding new teams and their associated problems. Expansion is a great goal, but only if we can handle it.

CL

[Daniel Morris]

Very true Lars. But the PCLL is the smallest of the leagues. both in number of teams and distance covered, and 80% of our members are longstanding programs that have a pretty good handle on things. I think we need to pick up some more teams, especially on the Div. B side (we currently only have four).