Yes.  It was apparent last week when their men’s lacrosse team joined the NEC.   The other team that left was Bryant but they just moved to CAA. 

I think that means they will let Merrimack and Sacred Heart stay as well.  Both are going to MAAC which doesn’t have football.

Last edited by DuqBlue (11/30/2023 2:55 pm)

DuqBlue wrote:

I take that back. This is from the RMU press release:

“NEC football sponsorship will include seven competing programs next season, as core members Central Connecticut, LIU, Saint Francis U, Stonehill and Wagner will be joined by associate members Duquesne and Robert Morris.”

The NEC is plain stupid. No Merrimack or Sacred Heart.

This situation is so bizarre. There doesn't seem to be any urgency on anyone's part. I just don't get it. A nine team conference seems like a win/win for the NEC. Are they going to play as independents? If so the Dukes and other NEC teams should schedule them anyway. 

Face wrote:

Independent would be such an L for Merrimack’s program, but who knows how much football even does for them. Probably a bigger L for SHU.

We know the Dukes have done well with buy games from a financial perspective. And without a conference, at this end of FCS, what do your players have to play for?

Maybe they could hook up with the remaining 4 teams in the Pac12. (just kidding) 

MikeR wrote:

Face wrote:

Independent would be such an L for Merrimack’s program, but who knows how much football even does for them. Probably a bigger L for SHU.

We know the Dukes have done well with buy games from a financial perspective. And without a conference, at this end of FCS, what do your players have to play for?

Maybe they could hook up with the remaining 4 teams in the Pac12. (just kidding) 

Face you mean the TWO teams in the PAC 12!!!!!   As a side note today they announced Oregon State & Washington State will play teams from the Mountain West.  Would HATE to be a MATH Teacher explaining how the PAC 12 has TWO teams -  OR a GEOGRAPHY teacher explaining how California is in the ATLANTIC Coast Conference!!
 

Last edited by SkepticAl (12/01/2023 11:18 pm)

scduke wrote:

According to a website "Fear the FCS," Sacred Heart and Merrimack are looking at their options for football and understand staying in the NEC for football is one. Also it says a league needs 6 eligible teams for an automatic playoff bid but is given a 2-year grace period to get back to 6. Stonehill won't be eligible until 2026.

Also a statement by the NEC suggests they are looking for more schools.

Finally Sports Business Journal says these schools have to pay exit fees of $1 million each.

Hey, thanks for that. 

So there were rumors of the football City Game in 2025. Then rumors of Duquesne-RMU at Acrisure the same year. Obviously the Dukes and Bobby Mo will be playing in 2025 now. Are we playing at Heinz twice in the same year? Or did RMU replace Pitt?

scduke wrote:

DuqBlue wrote:

Fear the FCS said that the exclusion of Merrimack & Sacred Heart from the RMU announcement means they are out as members in all likelihood.


https://x.com/fearthefcs/status/1729589379696316889?s=46&t=GP7EjtudGDDC1i1puMC4hg

RMU joining gives them 6 and wiggle room.

That is plausible. My information is 6 weeks old. If Merrimack and Sacred Heart wanted to stay in the NEC and it is an option as they say, then it would seem we should know by now.

I wonder if there is some negotiating going on in regard to the hefty exit fees.

I’m guessing no one responded because no one knows, but there were other topics being discussed. So I’ll ask again to see if anyone knows. Did Dukes -RMU replace the Pitt game in 2025? Or are we going to play at Heinz twice in 2025?

https://triblive.com/sports/pitt-duquesne-involved-in-talks-to-play-football-game-at-acrisure-stadium/

https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2023/10/08/duquesne-robert-morris-football-rivalry-nearing-return/

There’s the articles on both possible games. The Pitt one makes sense and I’d like to see it happen. While I’d happy the RMU series is resuming, I don’t think it makes much sense to play it at Heinz Field. Even in a best case scenario, could we even fill the lower bowl? I am curious about whether the stories are related at all though. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Was looking at some articles that remarked how incoming NEC school Chicago State’s fundraising to expand their D1 programs, with the thought that football could be among them.

https://x.com/fearthefcs/status/1752376615227494836?s=46&t=GP7EjtudGDDC1i1puMC4hg

NEC schedules. And no Sacred Heart or Merrimack

Last edited by DuqBlue (1/30/2024 12:49 pm)