Transition in the Ohio Valley Conference

Veteran Reporters Weigh In

(St. Louis, MO) – Austin Peay is the leaving the Ohio Valley Conference. Governor athletics is the third program to pull out of the league in the last year. Transition has many wondering what’s next for this very important league?

Bob Belvin (@bobbelvinsports) and Edward Alan Marlowe (@dreamarlowe85) joined ‘Voices of the Valley’ to discuss the ramifications of the latest defection. Belvin is one of the most prominent television voices associated with the OVC and Marlowe was a long time beat writer for Murray State sports.

Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State have initially refused to pay the $1 million ‘exit fee’. Belvin tells us APSU is paying. He also believes leaving the OVC is a ‘bad business decision’ for the Clarksville, Tennessee institution.

Transition is never easy, but OVC insiders tell me there are plans in place to address these significant changes.

Transition Discussed

Belvin and Marlowe have programs they would like to see added to the league, but each admits that standing pat for one year wouldn’t be a negative. They don’t want to see the league make a knee-jerk reaction.

Commissioner Beth DeBauche released the league’s official response to APSU’s departure. DeBauche states that college athletics are in a time of transition.

“We are clearly in a time of change for intercollegiate athletics, and the Ohio Valley Conference embraces this moment, committed to the institutions and student-athletes whom we serve and confident in our future. That future is rooted in membership growth, and  we are currently in discussions with other institutions that share our philosophy and want to prosper in today’s intercollegiate athletic environment by being part of the OVC.”

The Podcast

Our entire conversation with Belvin and Marlowe can be heard at Valle Hoops Insider Podcasts.

Head to youtube, if you would like to watch the three of us talk.

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