TheOtherView
Opinions from around the country

We will miss the MAC.

It is undeniable that the recent move for Marshall to Conference USA will be a good one for athletics from a few standpoints.

If everything goes wrong for Marshall in C-USA, the university will still earn $100,000 more than being in the MAC. That's if everything goes wrong.

Marcum said that C-USA’s television package alone could be worth more than $500,000 for Marshall.

The move to C-USA also means much more exposure for Marshall athletics and the university as a whole.

As the MAC is only considered a mid-major conference, C-USA is considered a major conference. Many of its schools are prestigious academic institutions. Good company for Marshall, as university president Dan Angel insists it will help direct Marshall toward national prominence.

Apart from more national television time and better company, by playing in bigger markets like Houston, New Orleans and Memphis, Marshall will gain media attention in areas it would not have in the MAC. The number of people aware of Marshall will only increase.

Marshall now becomes the northern most school in a southern conference. The national travel will help with athletic recruiting.

This wasn’t possible when Marshall’s travel was limited to Ohio and Michigan, along with one school in each Indiana, Illinois and New York.

So why would we miss the MAC?

Because the travel was limited to Ohio, Michigan and the others. Traveling to away games was a possible day trip for those wanting to support Marshall athletics.

Now, the Thundering Herd's closest competitor is East Carolina, more than 400 miles away as opposed to the 80 miles it takes to get to Ohio University.

And with the move, what geographic, in-conference rival does that leave Marshall with? Having a rivalry with Alabama-Birmingham or Southern Methodist doesn't seem as fun as one with schools in a state just across the Ohio River.

But as the move to C-USA means both athletic and academic progress for Marshall, we’ll deal. The school will develop new rivalries and supporters will make the longer trips.

Good bye, MAC. It's been a pleasure.

This is a staff editorial from The Parthenon at Marshall University.
This editorial was distributed by U-Wire.