Cue Mutt: MUW finally gets smart. Realizes dropping athletics did have a effect

615dawg

All-Conference
Jun 4, 2007
6,617
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MUW dropped intercollegiate athletics about 10 years back. They were NCAA Division II and a member of the Gulf South Conference. They hired an anti-athletics president from up north and dropped their program. (They were the first ever women's basketball national champion, so they had a little bit of positive history)

Over the last 10 years, when college enrollment across the state and nation has boomed. MUW's has actually declined.

They are in talks now to restart their athletics program, at the NCAA Division III level. Here's where it gets really interesting.

They will have men's sports. Soccer, Lacrosse and basketball to start.

Here's the question: How many of you would play men's collegiate sports if it meant wearing Mississippi University for Women on your jersey?

They already went through the possible name change and it is a no go.
 

Dawghouse

Senior
Sep 14, 2011
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For free tuition I'd wear Mississippi University for LGBT on my jersey.

--Not that there's anything wrong with that.
 

Maroonthirteen

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
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Being from Columbus

I know a few W grads. Of which a couple are guys. I have always wondered the questions one guy (he moved off) got in interviews after the employer read the education portion of his resume.

At some point, when the baby boomers all die off, they will change the name. But for now, they will be scraping the bottom of the barrel for coaches and players with that name.
 

MaroonOldCrow

Senior
Aug 22, 2012
563
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Used to date a DTC volleyball player.

She was mad as hell when they dropped athletics, and I think has refused to donate to them since then.
 

sleepy dawg

Redshirt
Dec 6, 2009
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Is this because of Title 9? Does that rule apply to men too? If so, take that equal opportunity!
 

HammerOfTheDogs

All-Conference
Jun 20, 2001
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My daughter goes to Miss. School for Math and Science, which is on the W campus

I think having men's sports would be a good recruiting tool.
 

QuaoarsKing

All-Conference
Mar 11, 2008
5,864
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Yes, it does. The male-to-female ratio of athletic scholarships has to approximately match the male-to-female ratio of the student body.
 

patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
56,548
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Very smart to have men's soccer. They will have the only men's soccer program in the state.
 

esplanade91

Redshirt
Dec 9, 2010
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Whether it be next year or 20... Maybe 50 years from now, it will become part of MSU's satellite campus system. MSU-Welty Campus or whatever, could attract some stud soccer players.
 

GhostOfJackie

Senior
Apr 20, 2009
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Whether it be next year or 20... Maybe 50 years from now, it will become part of MSU's satellite campus system. MSU-Welty Campus or whatever, could attract some stud soccer players.


Weren't there rumblings about this a few years ago? I know the legislature was talking about merging some of the black schools and making the W (MSU Columbus). It would be a huge win for MSU to gain a nursing school out of the deal. Plus, MSU Meridian is not enough of a satellite campus to make much of an impact.
 

esplanade91

Redshirt
Dec 9, 2010
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Weren't there rumblings about this a few years ago? I know the legislature was talking about merging some of the black schools and making the W (MSU Columbus). It would be a huge win for MSU to gain a nursing school out of the deal. Plus, MSU Meridian is not enough of a satellite campus to make much of an impact.

Haley Barbour wanted to consolidate the libraries, presidents, deans, and provosts, but as you can imagine it was controversial.

I'm spitballing here, but I think Alcorn and MVSU would have joined forces and Ole Miss would have shared its resources with Jackson State. HBCU are very proud institutions, and while it would have benefitted every school involved there is a "hey your school is now part of your rival school, F U" aspect.

MSU would have become a juggernaut. It was going to get MUW and DSU. MUW's nursing and culinary schools would have put us on the map for every other demographic we don't already get instate, and DSU is in the heart of the greatest natural agricultural resource in the USA and doesn't currently have an ag program. It would have allowed us to shift a lot of our research and things there.

There are 8 public universities in a state that has a problem funding just one. No point in paying the salaries for redundant positions and funding the libraries and redundant research projects we already do. It'll happen eventually, but not any time soon.
 

BiscuitEater

Redshirt
Aug 29, 2009
4,178
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36
I have a nephew on my wife's side that attended ...

Vassar on a men's basketball scholarship. Vasser was a women's college until like '69. Gradually, the number of men has grown over the years until I think it is rougly 55/45 women to men. Fantastic free education and the Men's basketball team is probably the most followed team on campus.

MUW is exploring .... "Members of the audience agreed with Velek’s proposal for men’s and women’s soccer team, and added softball, volleyball, tennis, golf, and basketball as possible sports for the campus."

Sports has a way of getting alumni involved with the schooll along with the students. It was a huge mistake to drop it when they did and will make it harder to bring back.

Anyone have an idea of 'how many men attend MUW?' More than anything else, the name 'MUW' is holding them back.
 

patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
56,548
25,825
113
Damn. I even knew about the Belhaven team (not Delta St. though). They've had a real good men's soccer program for years.
 

mstateglfr

All-American
Feb 24, 2008
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Ha, I happened to read about Vasser's history just yesterday.
They are D3...no scholly.