IGNORE MY ABOVE POST BECAUSE I'M AN IDIOT AND FORGOT THE MINI-MEN!!! Sorry Dunlap!
While it wouldn't directly address the "upgrade" issues....I would suggest a NIC/NLC realignment is long past due...especially given the performance discrepencies in the NLC and size discrepencies in the NIC
The "Bigs". In a eight team conference, Penn, Elkhart, Warsaw, et al can schedule whatever size schools they wish. The ex-NLC schools can still scheudle non-cons against old rivals. Goshen & Adams have each other at least...
Penn
Elkhart
Warsaw
Concord
Mishawaka
New Prarie
Adams
Goshen
EDIT: I forgot the Mini-Men😜
The "Not-So-Bigs". More balanced size wise...the ex-NLC teams can still schedule non-cons vs old rivals in the other conference. I'd argue this one is more competitive from top to almost the bottom (in a variety of sports).
Northwood
Northridge
Plymouth
Wawasee
Marian
St Joe
Washington
Riley
Despite how easy it seems to split these schools up into two "new" versions (that IMHO make the situation better for pretty much all schools (except maybe Adams and Goshen)....I fully agree with Bob. Because of some of the schools involved, it will never happen.