With the potential Big 12 break up over the summer, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association’s (MIAA) prosperity was overlooked. As the Big 12 lost two teams, the MIAA – the conference that Emporia State University competes in – gained another official school, Lincoln University. With The University of Nebraska at Omaha added last school year, the conference now stands at 12 teams.

The MIAA has four more applicants that are being strongly considered, including The University of Central Oklahoma, Northeastern State University, The University of Nebraska at Kearny and Lindenwood University. These additions, if accepted, will bring the total conference teams up to 16.

According to Emporia State Athletic Director Ken Weiser, there are several reasons for expanding the conference.

“Division I schools look to increase revenue, (Division II) is looking to expand to decrease spending,” Weiser said.

Although not making big television contract deals as Division I schools are vying for, the MIAA universities benefit by having closer schools to compete against and cutting traveling costs saving teams traveling budgets.

As an added convenience, planning non-conference games can be difficult, and with a larger conference, there will be more conference games, which in turn will make scheduling easier.

The MIAA is also looking to prevent potential collapses, similar to what almost befell the Big 12 this summer. Having a larger conference creates a buffer. If a team decides to leave, then the conference can remain viable and competitive without reeling for more teams.

Increased conference size means increased competition for all sports. Oklahoma Central will enter as one of the most winning football teams in Division II, and Lincoln’s track team will bring their national successes to the MIAA. Many teams will also have seasons of facing entirely conference teams, football being one of those teams.

“We will play the schedule,” said Head Football Coach Garin Higgins. “We will treat every game the same as any other.”

Furthermore, the greater depth of competition will only serve to bring more popularity and attention to the MIAA and ideally bring more recruits to MIAA schools. The MIAA as a conference has had multiple national championship appearances in the last couple of years, including Emporia State’s Women’s Basketball DII National Champions.

“The toughest league in the country just got tougher,” says Assistant Athletic Director of Media Relations Don Weast. “(The MIAA) is the toughest top to bottom conference in the nation.”

Chris Dvorak/The Bulletin

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