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Date Posted: Mon, January 19 2026, 12:45:19
Author: Spartan73
Subject: What Is The Real Reason For The Niagara & Canisius Decline ?

As a Michigan State grad, you might say good for you re: college basketball, but that doesn't mean that I like what's going on at the high major or low and mid major levels; and I don't !

As for CU and NU specifically, the excuses are that those two programs don't or can't recruit the talent necessary to win because of location. That's BS because both Universities have proximity to a two airports, including the major Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. In addition, both schools have the advantage of having major roadways, including the NYS Thruway. Many schools do not have those resources. If we keep this conversation more locally oriented, look at St. Bona. Bonaventure is out in the boondocks with no major highways as well as, no airport service to speak of. Yet, for decades, Bona has been able to recruit some of the best talent ever to come to WNY., then, and now in the portal, NIL era.



So what is/are the real reason(s) for the decline at NU and CU ? Is it the administrations at both schools ? Is it the financial and endowment question ? Is it the lack of boosters and independent financial supporters ? Is it overall lack of interest due to the conference opponents and OOC games scheduled ? Is it the lower socio-economic status of the communities the two programs are situated in ? Is it the quality of the AD offices ? Is it the lack of good coaching and staffs ? Is it now the Portal/NIL ? Even before the Portal and NIL, both programs have been bad in the last decade or so.

Just what is the reason(s) for the decline of the two programs ? Is it all of the above ? Some of the above ?

I just want you guys to know that I love the NU-Canisius Rivalry. I react to it just like I do with my alma mater vs Michigan. I actually like you guys way more than I like the Wolverines. I don't want to lose the RIVALRY, and I don't want to see it go to D-3. And yeah, I respect you Griff, you do a great job with this forum. But I am a Niagara fanatic as I grew up as a kid rooting for them, and I also taught full-time at NU. So when you guys BOO me, I love it. WHY? Because never forget the rivalry, right ? It may not be the same as it was, but its still fun, and we love it !

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Replies:

[> Re: What Is The Real Reason For The Niagara & Canisius Decline ? -- Griff, Mon, January 19 2026, 14:23:01

Lack of boosters and independent financial supporters.

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[> [> Re: What Is The Real Reason For The Niagara & Canisius Decline ? -- Faithful Fan, Mon, January 19 2026, 16:11:46

Maybe that’s the main reason Griff. But the school never wanted to ask the big givers to donate towards athletics they want it to go to the general fund. If the president doesn’t prioritize funding for Basketball it won’t happen. We need an AD that understands Basketball has a pulse and a personality and will reach out to the community aggressively. Just shuffling along without taking risks just to keep your job will continue to kill us. Alumni themselves need to reach out to rich Alums and get them to give to basketball . Andy Shavel for example was the head of C Block in the day and made Millions with ACV auctions. Need someone like him to step upASAP. Anyone know Andy?The roads and Airports are a big incentive?🤣😂

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[> [> [> Re: What Is The Real Reason For The Niagara & Canisius Decline ? -- PFM, Tue, January 20 2026, 6:26:43

Some who post on this site are simply delusional! D1 MBB will do nothing to insure the survival of CU. To tap a potential major donor to support the program will not help. Nothing will change until there is a leveling of the NIL playing field, not even winning the MAAC once every 15 years and losing to some Big 10 school by 50 points.
Bona, (and I might add nearby Mercyhurst & Gannon) have some degree of success "because" they are the only game in town. You don't need an airport to excel at the D1 level.
If major doners want to contribute, then build a $500m or $1
billion endowment, reduce tuition and focus on a liberal arts/career focused education. Schools are closing at the rate of 10 to 15 per year...I don't want CU to be one of them. Don't believe me, see https://www.thecollegefix.com/up-to-25-percent-of-u-s-colleges-may-close-soon-brandeis-president-warns/

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[> Re: What Is The Real Reason For The Niagara & Canisius Decline ? -- MIA, Mon, January 19 2026, 17:50:59

I think that may be some of it but Bona makes basketball part of their brand identity. NU & CU make no effort to make basketball part of their brand or tradition. Bona is always asking for money. They have a strong alumni network & relish the fact that they’re the Goliath slayer. Canisius has lots of loyal alums but little to no effort has been made to cultivate an athletic vision to our brand. Super disappointing! What could be. Go Griffs!

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[> [> Re: What Is The Real Reason For The Niagara & Canisius Decline ? -- Faithful Fan, Tue, January 20 2026, 8:27:49

Don’t give up don’t ever give up! You never know. Let’s keep the program alive just in case things change for the better somehow. Long shot but some form of Revenue Sharing. Don’t tell me it will never happen just look around at all the stupid shit going on in our country people told me would never happen. Indiana doesn’t win the National Championship without his big money contributions. We could do this at a lower level win the MAAC and get some fans in WNY. People here support anyone that wins. Bandwagon fans. Some are loyal but most just come out when teams win. Look at the bandits . No one really loves BOX lacrosse . They love saying we are “Champions” Let’s try and hang around as long as we can just in case . If we give up we have NO chance . Have some toughness. Don’t be wimps! Never Give up!

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[> [> [> Re: What Is The Real Reason For The Niagara & Canisius Decline ? -- Faithfull fan, Tue, January 20 2026, 9:45:43

Sorry Mark Cuban donated Millions to Indiana.

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[> Re: What Is The Real Reason For The Niagara & Canisius Decline ? -- Go Griffs Go, Thu, January 22 2026, 1:09:29

It's money. Had either school invested deeply in better facilities, operations and coaching / basketball ops staff 20 years ago, they'd be in a way better spot today. Unfortunately the landscape has changed so dramatically that I don't think the majority of small schools in similar positions will be downgrading to D3 in the near future.

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