[bradyfan]

If he isn't going to mention names of future institutions, Liberty won't be in the Big East. So, I wouldn't be excited about that.

[From the class of 09]

If he isn't going to mention names of future institutions, Liberty won't be in the Big East. So, I wouldn't be excited about that.

fun hater

[ALUmnus]

Navy to the Big East, football-only, 2015.

Disclaimer: saw this on espn, so take it for what it's worth.

[thepostman]

Navy to the Big East, football-only, 2015.

Disclaimer: saw this on espn, so take it for what it's worth.

Good thinking with that disclaimer. You wouldn't want BJ getting ticked at you!!

EDIT: I still think its lame p issed gets changed to ticked...ok carry on

[jcmanson]

How does Longwood to the Big South not get a mention here?!

[Sly Fox]

Call me a fuddy duddy if you like.

[TDDance234]

Call me a fuddy duddy if you like.

Fuddy duddy.

[Sly Fox]

I thought it might be therapeutic.

[TH Spangler]

After the Tebow phenomenon ... I wonder how the FBS conferences feel that have been saying, inviting a bunch of Evangelicals in to thiers would not work and would hurt them ..... . He drew some of the largest TV audiences the NFL has seen in years.

Hopefully he opened some FBS eyes for us!

[TDDance234]

After the Tebow phenomenon ... I wonder how the FBS conferences feel that have been saying, inviting a bunch of Evangelicals in would not work and would hurt them ..... . He drew some of the largest TV audiences the NFL has seen in years.

Hopefully he opened some FBS eyes for us!

Interesting thought. I don't know if it would truly open any doors for us but the Tebow effect would be an interesting draw.

[bradyfan]

I honestly doubt that us being evangelical is going to be a deciding factor in whether or not we receive an invite. It could have an impact for sure, but I don't think that it's going to be a big enough impact to render us moving up.

[TH Spangler]

I honestly doubt that us being evangelical is going to be a deciding factor in whether or not we receive an invite. It could have an impact for sure, but I don't think that it's going to be a big enough impact to render us moving up.

I remember reading a link posted here, were someone wrote that LU and it's "Liberty Way" are to controversial to fit in with a FBS conference. I don't buy it myself. If ND and BYU can fit in so can LU. Tebow is as outspoken about his faith as Liberty U and it didn't hurt the NFL. In fact he put up TV numbers like they haven't seen in while.

[ballcoach15]

The "Liberty Way" should not have anything to do with any other conference. I have seen teams come into Williams Stadium and get beat, then get in huddle with LU for a prayer. That is a beautiful scene, no matter how you look at it.

[thepostman]

The difference is, pro football is just that. Pro football. They don't care, they just want butts in the seats and eyes on tv's. Colleges and universities are (at least supposed to be) primarily academic institutions. Like it or not, Biblical Christianity is seen as quite antithetical to academic excellence in the world of academia. The world of academia is full of cliques, politics, and snooty elitism. So while I believe we will land in FBS soon, our reputation and status as a conservative Christian university does matter. Schools look at conference affiliation as a sort of baseline endorsement of the other institutions they partner with. Therefore, academics, the visual appeal of our campus, the cost of attendance, selectivity in admissions, quality of athletics and facilities, as well as our religious views and politics ALL will matter.

sad, but true.

[bradyfan]

The difference is, pro football is just that. Pro football. They don't care, they just want butts in the seats and eyes on tv's. Colleges and universities are (at least supposed to be) primarily academic institutions. Like it or not, Biblical Christianity is seen as quite antithetical to academic excellence in the world of academia. The world of academia is full of cliques, politics, and snooty elitism. So while I believe we will land in FBS soon, our reputation and status as a conservative Christian university does matter. Schools look at conference affiliation as a sort of baseline endorsement of the other institutions they partner with. Therefore, academics, the visual appeal of our campus, the cost of attendance, selectivity in admissions, quality of athletics and facilities, as well as our religious views and politics ALL will matter.

sad, but true.

Will those be brought into a conversation among the conference officials? Absolutely. However, when you look at all of the advantages that we bring, our Christian reputation will not matter. Very few schools and I mean very few schools have their own t.v. network or have students world wide. Additionally, we are much more financially stable than many current FBS schools. You add these things plus the following that we're getting, it's going to be really hard for any conference to say no to us.

Also, our academics are going to get better and you better believe that Jr. lays this on the table. The reason why our academics have been sub-par since our founding is so that we could reel in a great number of students. We're at 12,000 resident students now, something like 80,000 online. Soon, the campus will hold 20,000 resident students and we should exceed 90,000 online in the near future. Once LU reaches 20,000 students, there will be a cap on enrollment and that's when Liberty can start denying students based on SAT/ACT scores along with HS GPA's. VT really started growing about 15 years ago and it's gone from a traditional state party school, to one of the most prestigious state schools in the country. You add the brand new library with our future cap on enrollment, LU will start reversing their academic reputation.

Outside of all these things, because we are in a time of major conference realignment, most conferences are just simply looking for schools that can compete. If the Sun-Belt, MAC or C-USA add any teams, the first thing they're looking at is how fast can you become competitive. With our head coach, finances and will, the potential is most definitely there.

We're much more attractive than you'd imagine.

[ballcoach15]

LU is growing where as most schools have peaked. The future of LU is unlimited. I go to campus every week, 2 or 3 times most weeks. It seems that every week there is a new porject starting somewhere on Liberty Mountian. Wish I has a house of top of the mountain where I could sit on the porch or look out the window and admire the progress being made.
I had a date with a lady a while back who had never been near LU. I carried her on a tour one evening. She said Liberty looked like a city within itself.

[thepostman]

there are plenty of positives we could bring to a conference but there is no way our political and religious affiliations won't come up and possibly hurt us. We shouldn't back away from most of those affiliations (Newt would be one to start cutting ties with, just sayin), but I am sure the school completely understands and expects that to be the largest hurdle we will have to get over with our move up.

[ballcoach15]

I cannot see why our views should affect us going to another conference. (granted they could), but LU is a better school than most, if not, all when it comes to morals, ethics, conduct, behavior.
There are schools playing at the highest level of NCAA that have little morals, ethics, etc. I could name them but i will remain silent

[Purple Haize]

I cannot see why our views should affect us going to another conference. (granted they could), but LU is a better school than most, if not, all when it comes to morals, ethics, conduct, behavior.
There are schools playing at the highest level of NCAA that have little morals, ethics, etc. I could name them but i will remain silent

Ask the SoCon. They have stated that we will never get in because of our religiosity.

[Sly Fox]

Baylor & BYU were never considered by Pac-10 because of their religious ties during realignment the past couple of years.

It will likely be a factor to some degree as we move forward. But it is no longer the major impediment that it wad 15-20 years ago.

And for the record, those so-called Baptists across town from BJU can have their SoCon.

[Chris Lang]

Louisiana Tech to Conference USA and UTEP to the Mountain West are a couple of moves that make a ton of sense. I know LT has expressed an interest in joining CUSA.

Kind of funny how the Mountain West jettisoned Hawaii and UTEP when the old WAC broke up, but both could end up being there for football once again.

[ballah09]

i think the religious aspect would have a little effect. Politics tho....alot of schools don't wanna be associated with school that's so politically active and has ties with Newt, Beck, Stein, the Liberty Counsel, etc.

Reverse roles if a school had a Staver/Liberty Counsel that spewed BS, not realigning with Liberty's view or has Nancy Pelosi making ads, would you want to be associated with them? no! you would probably think they're crazy.

[Sly Fox]

The only thing holding up the UTEP-La Tech swap is CUSA & MWC making up their minds about their alliance/merger. UTEP always wanted CUSA membership for ties to fellow Texas schools. That list has drpped precipitously the past few months.

[Cider Jim]

And for the record, those so-called Baptists across town from BJU can have their SoCon.

Sly is slamming little ole Furman? I like it!

Marshall couldn't leave the SoConn fast enough when their football team suddenly went IA and began winning bowl games right off the bat. I'm hoping the thing will happen to LU.

[ballcoach15]

Is SoCon D1 or 1-AA ?