[jcmanson]

http://www.projo.com/uri/content/sp_col ... eb069.html

The University of Rhode Island is exploring the possibility of reducing its expenditure on football by leaving the highly competitive Colonial Athletic Association and joining the Northeast Conference.

Thorr Bjorn, URI’s director of athletics, would not confirm that URI has received an invitation to join the NEC as a football-only member. Bjorn did say that URI “is committed to the CAA for the next two years [2010 and 2011] but is having “serious discussions with the NEC and talking about logistics of joining in 2013.” Bjorn also said that URI expects to make a formal announcement about the football program’s status in August.

This would leave only 3 teams in the former CAA North - UMass, Maine, and UNH.

[ATrain]

http://www.projo.com/uri/content/sp_col ... eb069.html

The University of Rhode Island is exploring the possibility of reducing its expenditure on football by leaving the highly competitive Colonial Athletic Association and joining the Northeast Conference.

Thorr Bjorn, URI’s director of athletics, would not confirm that URI has received an invitation to join the NEC as a football-only member. Bjorn did say that URI “is committed to the CAA for the next two years [2010 and 2011] but is having “serious discussions with the NEC and talking about logistics of joining in 2013.” Bjorn also said that URI expects to make a formal announcement about the football program’s status in August.

This would leave only 3 teams in the former CAA North - UMass, Maine, and UNH.

And it should be noted that none of those 3 teams are fulltime CAA members.

[mlschubert]

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.as ... y=obinsite

Liberty mentioned as a potential CAA add.. Do you think it will happen?

[olldflame]

Unfortunately, Stony Brook would be a better fit geographically as a replacement for Rhode Island. There is little doubt that blatent hatred for our founder has been one of the primary reasons we have never been seriously considered by the CAA, and that vitriol did not seem to be as strong toward JJ; at least until recently when he has become somewhat controversial in his own right. Who knows? I think we all agree that it is probably where we should have been the past 10 years. There was just too much opposition.

[Sly Fox]

The only way I see LU being invited into the CAA is if they decide it is time for the league to step up to FBS and they are looking for schools willing to make the jump with them.

But frankly, I don't see the CAA adding anybody right now because they don't have to. And while the three Northern affiliates would certainly prefer Stony Brook or Albany, it is far from a done deal that they would dictate any expansion.

[ATrain]

What are the chances the America East conference starts football??? Stony Brook, Albany, Maine and New Hampshire would naturally go there being members for other sports already, add UMass and Villanova and you've got yourself a new FCS football conference.

[kuntryboimike]

i think a move to the CAA would be a good move because all of these schools; Villanova, Delaware, Richmond, James Madison and William & Mary, and ODU, are in reasonable driving distance and would up our attendance at football games, which in turn COULD POSSIBLY make us more popular and more competitive. I'm not saying we SHOULD move up because I know I havn't considered everything but in THIS area I think it would be a plus for us. Just something I was thinking about.

[JK37]

The AE thought is a valid one. Wasn't word on the street not long ago that the CAA's northern schools felt second fiddle, and didn't like the travel costs? Anyway, I would think them breaking off in some form might prompt the CAA to go looking...

[ATrain]

The priority, according to Yeager and Scott, is maintaining a league that gives members eight conference games. Despite the departures of Northeastern and Hofstra, and URI's situation, at this time that eight-game league schedule does not appear to be in jeopardy.

CAA Football will have 10 members this season, 11 in 2011 and 12 in 2012. Yeager said there has been no serious discussion of league expansion, beyond the additions of ODU and Georgia State.

It's from the Richmond fishwrap:
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/20 ... ar-264933/

[jcmanson]

Yeah I'm hoping Rhode Island leaving will force Main and New Hampshire to reconsider their conference alignment. That will force UMass to make a move, and force the CAA to make a move.

[flamesfilmguy]

The way my current employer is talking we won't be in the CAA for long. so that along with URI and the northern schools possibly leaving will effect this in one way or another.

[Sly Fox]

If the CAA were to step up to FBS as a conference might sway your current employer's perspective.

As for America East football, Stony Brook essentially gave up on that dream when they joined the Big South. Most up there believe it is not close to happening. But for schools like Stony Brook & Albany, it likely remains a strong goal.

[flamesfilmguy]

If the CAA were to step up to FBS as a conference might sway your current employer's perspective.

As for America East football, Stony Brook essentially gave up on that dream when they joined the Big South. Most up there believe it is not close to happening. But for schools like Stony Brook & Albany, it likely remains a strong goal.

That would be the only way i could see us staying. otherwise Cusa or sunbelt is or first destination.

[jcmanson]

We want you SC State and FAMU in the Big South!!!

[flamesfilmguy]

We want you SC State and FAMU in the Big South!!!

I don't want to be on the opposite sideline in the Bill. Sorry it would tear me up. and there is no way my employer would leave the CAA for the big south. as for SC state that would be great. Not so much with Famu. That school has lots of baggage financially and i don't think the Big south wants any part of it.

[flamesfilmguy]

However I will send a word over to the guys over at Kennesaw state to consider the BSC once they start football.

[jcmanson]

We want you SC State and FAMU in the Big South!!!

I don't want to be on the opposite sideline in the Bill. Sorry it would tear me up. and there is no way my employer would leave the CAA for the big south. as for SC state that would be great. Not so much with Famu. That school has lots of baggage financially and i don't think the Big south wants any part of it.

Who said anything about GSU?

and as I stated in another thread, this is the Big South. FAMU would be a step up regardless of their financial troubles.

[flamesfilmguy]

We want you SC State and FAMU in the Big South!!!

I don't want to be on the opposite sideline in the Bill. Sorry it would tear me up. and there is no way my employer would leave the CAA for the big south. as for SC state that would be great. Not so much with Famu. That school has lots of baggage financially and i don't think the Big south wants any part of it.

Who said anything about GSU?

and as I stated in another thread, this is the Big South. FAMU would be a step up regardless of their financial troubles.

I thought you were implying that. I guess if SC state and Famu came as a package deal it would be a pretty sweet get for the conference.

[jcmanson]

Yep. I'd rather have SC State than FAMU but i'd be fine with either one

[Schfourteenteen]

Would FAMU need a travel partner? Jacksonville?

SC State is by far the best option.