Some comments on what I am reading:
Yes the MAC issue comes up very regularly. Usually not during FB or the heart of basketball seasons though. Lets go team ...get our minds back in the game!!!
Academics vs. other schools in the MAC means nothing. If it does, it would be not in scores, but rather in program certifications. There have always been two reason that YSU has not been in the MAC:
1. Location
2. Facilities
We cannot change our location, but we have normalized relationships with Kent and Akron. Also, you can complain about him all you want, but Strollo has done a great job on facilities. Our non-football sports are performing at their highest-level since YSU's OVC or DII days. We are fully title-IX compliant. Believe me, that soccer field drew more eyes from FBS conferences than even WATTS. Let's face it ... the MAC has become all about soccer and baseball in recent years ...with basketball always being more revenue than football. Strollo has created a very appealing institution & given us options for internal and external (expansion) growth.
Also, why would you think the MAC would be more interested in YSU as an FCS football power? Do you think they enjoyed Marshall coming in and ruling the conference? We are far more more appealing as a stable middle-ranking FCS conference member. Why do you think were rejected the year they took Marshall? The MAC had no choice but to take Marshall, a former conference member. Marshall did not want any competition & we were certainly, at least, their equal. So it was Marshall that did not want us back then, and it was easy to get Akron and Kent to vote "no".
If the newspapers want to make demands on Strollo, forget investigating a move to the MAC. Besides if $$$ would come to us, we could probably do better & then we would be in the same boat we are now ...no rivals... only spending 3-times the money each year. Instead, Strollo should work on engaging the MAC to allow an exception to their policy on not allowing away MAC vs. FCS games. If the MAC was smart, they would require participation in the sports that are hard to find opposition for (like golf or softball tournaments, hockey, etc) as a prerequisite to allowing a team to travel for an FCS opponent ...that is a win/win.