These types of articles seem to be all the rage. Since the NBA Finals are over here is some argument starting material to stave off summer boredom.
The criteria used in selecting these teams was actually quite simple. Which teams that don't hail from major conferences have achieved major success in the three major sports?
During the first consideration, points were awarded based on pinnacles of success—championships, BCS Bowl appearances, Final Fours, etc... And lesser achievements: top 10 rankings and professional placement.
Extra weight was given to teams that have been able to maintain their success for a long period of time, or, won stunning upsets. Extra points were also awarded to schools with really small enrollment.
No teams that have been a member of a major conference—sorry Houston and Rice-SWC—or the small teams that are now members of a major conference (St. Johns, Marquette, Louisville).
#1: Cal State Fullerton
This may be my college baseball bias, but it is hard to achieve the long term success that the Titans have achieved in any sport. Much less from a mid-major.
CSF has four College World Series Championships. They have made the trip to Omaha 11 times in the past 20 years—winning twice. All of this despite undergoing a loss that decimates most successful mid-major programs, the loss of a charismatic head coach.
Since losing coach Augie Garrido to Texas, the Titans have been Top 25 nearly every year, winning one title since he has been gone.
In other sports, the Titans basketball team made an NCAA tournament appearance this year and the Football team (discontinued in 1992) has produced the Canadian Football League's all-time leading rusher.
#2: Boise State
The Broncos got everyone's attention when they defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl to finish the season undefeated and ranked fifth in the nation.
The season was not an aberration. Since the 1999 Humanitarian Bowl victory over Louisville, the Broncos have gone 93-17.
While the Broncos were not the first mid-major team to win a BCS Bowl Game, their victory over Oklahoma was far superior to Utah's victory over Pitt (Pitt lost to a 5-6 Nebraska team that season).
The team with the blue field also has been able to maintain their success, going 23-3 the past two seasons without coach Dan Hawkins who built the program and then left for Colorado.
#3: Gonzaga
No surprises here. Many teams from mid-major conferences strike fear in the hearts of top-tier programs when they see them on the schedule. But no mid-major has gained respect rather than fear the way that Gonzaga has.
The Bulldogs have been one of the most successful college basketball teams of the past 10 years. They now begin every season ranked in the Top 25 and successfully recruit athletes at the McDonald's All-American level.
While other mid-majors have made deeper runs into the NCAA Tournament lately, none have been able to equal the tournament and regular season success of Gonzaga.
#4: UNLV
In the late 80s/early 90s no team in America was hotter than the Runnin' Rebels. This team had name brand athletes: Stacey Augmon, Greg Anthony, Larry "Grandmama" Johnson, and a name, towel chewing coach: Jerry Tarkanian.
This team won the NCAA Championship in 1990 and lost the next year to eventual champion Duke.
While they flared brightly, they also flared very briefly. Like most mid-majors the program took a giant step backward after Tark left. Of course, he probably had a lot to do with the NCAA violations that helped to sink the program after he left.
The team has stepped it up as of late, making it to the big dance the last two years.
The football team has had two bowl appearances lately, both in the Las Vegas Bowl.
#5: Memphis
Memphis is a larger school with a long history of athletic success. Nevertheless, Conference USA is a mid-major. Recently, with coach John Calipari, the Tigers have been to a couple of elite eights and a national championship game.
They were a last second Kansas three-pointer from taking it all this spring. Their basketball past also carries a lot of weight. Anfernee Hardaway took a team to the elite eight in the mid 90s and several professionals are alumni.
The football team has also had a good run of late. The Tigers regularly have promise, but have not been able to capitalize. Players like DeAngelo Williams have helped the Tigers to four bowl games in the last five years, but they are still looking for a breakthrough win.
#6: UMass
This team seemed poised to become a regular in the college basketball elite. Then, their charismatic coach John Calipari left to coach the New Jersey Nets.
Since then they have completely dropped off the map. Good guard play and center Marcus Camby made this team the underdog everyone was rooting for in the mid 90s.
The team made a final four appearance in 1996 and had several other deep runs with Calipari at the helm.
#7: Wichita State
The Shockers have a national championship baseball team and a basketball team with recent success. Despite this, they always seem to get overlooked.
The baseball team won the CWS in '89 and was the runner up in '91 and '93. In basketball the team reached the sweet sixteen in 2006.
#8: Creighton
The BlueJays are another mid-major with major victories in two sports, basketball and baseball. Recently, Dana Altman's Jays have been a regular at the top of the Missouri Valley Conference. NCAA appearances have come in nine of the past 20 years.
In 2002 they upset Florida in the first round and have also produced NBA talent like Kyle Korver.
Not that many people know this, but Creighton's baseball team also hangs with the big guys, going to the CWS in 1991 and making seven other appearances in the field of 64.
#9: George Mason
Probably the greatest Cinderella story of our time, this final four appearance came out of nowhere in 2006. The Patriots had their best regular season, yet failed to win their conference tournament. The selection committee was rewarded when their pick went crazy and made it to the Final Four.
They haven't equalled their success in any way since then. A first round loss followed on the heels of 2007's disappointment. Even if they never eclipse 2006, it was still one of the greatest runs ever.
#10: Appalachian State
Without going into their dominance at the 1-AA level, you have to understand that football is the toughest sport to break into dominance. The same teams from major conferences regularly dominate and have a stranglehold on the money, recruits, facilities, and TV time.
For the Mountaineers to defeat the mighty Michigan Wolverines from the Big 10 Conference was an amazing feat. Period.
Honorable Mention:
Cincinnati
Xavier
St. Joseph
Utah
BYU
Southern Miss
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