Although things have improved YSU is one of the all-time worst mens programs in D1 the last 30+ years. The players the last two years came here for a pay day. How sustainable is that moving forward?
Very good question. I think that the answer is: nobody really knows!
Supposedly, we formed an organized NIL, the Penguin Collective, before any other school in the league. From comments scattered across the internet, we offer the most NIL money. The big question: is that true? If so, will we remain the Horizon League leader?
Maybe we will. Think about this. The vast majority of the schools in the Horizon League are afterthoughts in the large cities in which they are located. Outside of alumni, few sports fans care about Robert Morris in Pittsburgh, or Oakland/Detroit in the Motor City. IUPUI has no fans at all. Northern Kentucky must compete with Cincinnati right across the river, and UK is 90 miles to the south. Wright State is the perpetual little brother to Dayton. And Cleveland State is irrelevant within metro Cleveland.
Conversely, we are the central attraction in the Mahoning Valley. Our wealthy individuals and corporations sell out the football loges and, I assume, fill the coffers of the Penguin Collective. As long as we can pay out more than our Horizon League rivals, maybe we can "buy" more talent every year. But all bets are off if Calhoun leaves.