Not so sure about "ridiculous" travel costs. They were slated to go to the GLVC which, for football, contains programs in Illinois, Missouri and Indiana. For non-football sports, add Kentucky as the only other state with a conference member (Bellarmine in Louisville).
Relative to travel, there's not much difference difference between Benedictine playing at Franklin College this year or University of Indy next year in football. Agree that Benedictine to Rockhurst in KC would be a ***** of a bus ride, but if neighboring Lewis U can do it, why can't Benedictine?