[Sly Fox]

That was just to make 2013. We could be invited and be transitional until 2014. I think we'd be OK with that scenario if it presented itself.

By the way, have you ever heard of Jeff Hurd?



Now that Karl Benson has finally left his gig as WAC commish and started with the Sun Belt as of this past weekend, Hurd is now the guy running the show in the WAC.

In all like likelihood, this gig for Hurd is very similar to the one Kyle K had as he rode the Southwest Conference into the ground.

[LUGrad2000]

Sun Belt votes to add Georgia State

By Brett McMurphy | College Football Insider

Georgia State is expected to join the Sun Belt Conference and accept an invitiation from the league as early as Thursday, college football industry sources told CBSSports.com.

Georgia State, which has been in the Colonial Athletic Association since 2005, would join the Sun Belt beginning in the 2013 season.

On Monday, the Sun Belt's presidents voted via teleconference to extend an invitation to Georgia State, a source told CBSSports.com. Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson is scheduled to visit Georgia State on Thursday, where he is expected to officially extend an invitation to the school.

Last week, CBSSports.com reported the Panthers were a “leading candidate” to join the Sun Belt in the “coming weeks.”

However, that timeline has been accelerated because the Colonial Athletic Association has discussed increasing its exit fees from $250,000 to an amount “significantly higher” CAA commissioner Tom Yeager told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Georgia State's Olympic sports have been a member of the CAA since 2005, while this fall will be Georgia State's first to play as a CAA football member. The Panthers have been playing football for only two seasons but could move from the smaller Football Championship Subdivision ranks, which the CAA competes, to the Football Bowl Subdivision, which the Sun Belt is a member, in 2014.

The Panthers have a June 1 deadline to declare to the NCAA if they are going to make the move from FCS to FBS. If so, Georgia State's football program could compete in the Sun Belt as a “transitional” league member in 2013, meaning the Panthers would play a full Sun Belt schedule but would not be eligible for the league title or play in a bowl until 2014.

South Alabama, which is making the move from FCS to FBS, is in a similar situation. The Jaguars will compete as a “transitional” league member in the Sun Belt this fall and will be ineligible to compete for the league title or play in a bowl until 2013.

Georgia State will be the first addition for the Sun Belt since Benson came from the Western Athletic Conference, where he was commissioner for 18 years, to replace retiring Sun Belt commissioner Wright Waters on March 15. The Sun Belt also has had informal discussions with other schools, including Charlotte and Texas-San Antonio, to join the league.

While the Sun Belt looks to add Georgia State and other schools, the league also could lose some members. The Mountain West and Conference USA are considering a merger, combining their current 16 schools into a new league of up to 24 members. A number of schools the new C-USA/MWC league is considering are current Sun Belt members, including Florida International and North Texas.

Last week C-USA commissioner Britton Banowsky and Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson told CBSSports.com that they expect the membership of their new league to be completed by early June.

[Sly Fox]

No surprise here. If you are wondering why a school that just started up a football program would be such a hot commodity in realignment, check here.

It may take them 4-5 years to be contending for a bowl bid, but they have what nearly everyone else lacks ... size and location.

Hopefully this speeds up the process for everything else. The interesting note was the reference to the CAA trying to institute higher exit fees. That gives credence to the concerns of VCU & Mason considering the A-10. Or it could be that they are giving more thought to moving football up to FBS and they want to make it tougher for schools like JMU & ODU to bolt before they could pull it off.

[LUGrad2000]

BREAKING NEWS!!! C-USA & MWC meet w/UTSA
IRS gives you the scoop on MWC/CUSA talk for UTSA... By InsideRunnerSports Staff April 6, 2012 Posted 6 hours ago

IRS has confirmed that Conference USA and Mountain West officials were on campus as of Thursday evaluating and reviewing what UTSA had to offer as a possible school for expansion/realignment.
At the forefront were discussions and evaluations of facilities and financial numbers.

There has not been any confirmation on the extension of an invite to UTSA, but where there is smoke, there is fire.

This is a story continuing to develop since IRS first reported back in mid-February through a high level C-USA source that UTSA was in fact being seriously considered for a bid, referring to UTSA as having "definite strengths and strong conversations," that were ongoing.

Be sure to check back for updates as more details surface.

[Sly Fox]

UTSA to Alliance is nothing but good news for us under nearly every scenario.

[Blessed1]

UTSA to Alliance is nothing but good news for us under nearly every scenario.

I agree. UTSA to the Alliance gives the Sun Belt one less option to choose from. Some people (e.g., Murphy from CBS) seem to think the next teams in line for the Sun Belt are La Tech and Texas St. I think some La Tech fans would rather stay in a depleted WAC than 'stepping down' into the Sun Belt. Texas St. may be next considering that 1) N. Texas and UTSA may be gone to the Alliance and 2) Benson truly desires keeping the Sun Belt's footprint in Texas (and in Florida).

I have no first-hand info on ODU, JMU, and App St., but it will be interesting to see who is trying to move up in this round. I've heard some fans on message boards wishing ODU and JMU join the MAC together, if they can join the Alliance. I don't know what the leaders (and decision makers) of those schools will do. As for App St., I think they prefer to join a "regional" conference if they can't get into the Alliance.

[LUGrad2000]

UTSA to Alliance is nothing but good news for us under nearly every scenario.

I agree. Hopefully, the Alliance will take Texas St. as well as UTSA, since UNT seems to be a lock.

Looks like GA st. will be official tomorrow.

[Sly Fox]

If UTSA goes to the Alliance, it means they are looking to go to at least 24 teams and believe it or not, the rumor is that they are even looking at 32. Either one opens up more FBS vacancies to fill. CUSA & MWC leadership were both on the record just a few months ago stating that they thought UTSA might be a few years away from being ready. With no games played and little movement in realignment since then, suddenly they are getting formal site visits. That tells me that either the Alliance is hearing they need better TV markets from the television execs or they are seriously contemplating that 4-division, 24-or-32 team alignment.

And as mentioned before, if both UTSA & Texas State are off the table for the Sun Belt, they have to turn their attention east. If the Sun Belt has both UTSA & Texas state available as a pair, it spreads the geographical footprint further southwest. If North Texas is gone to the Alliance as nearly everyone is assuming, then the Sun Belt would be much more likely to look at schools from Virginia & the Carolinas.

It would also help our cause if some of the preemptive moves by the Sun Belt and the Alliance decisions would speed up so we would have a shot to move up to before June 1st so we could have a shot at FBS in 2013. But beggars can't be choosers. We'll take an invitation whenever it is available even if it means the move doesn't occur until 2014.

With all of the commissioners apparently enamored with the larger markets, I think it is safe to say that not only with Georgia State be in the Sun Belt in the next few days but we could see Charlotte following suit immediately thereafter.

And all indications are that Louisiana Tech is holding out for an Alliance invitation. They won't join the Sun Belt unless the Alliance turns them down. Frankly I don't see why the Sun Belt would want La Tech. They bring nothing to the table other than already being a full FBS member and longtime rival of nearby Louisiana-Monroe who really shouldn't be in the league either. If the Sun Belt could swing UTSA and/or Texas State, they'd leave Louisiana Tech to wither in the WAC IMHO.

[Sly Fox]

Nothing of any significance here but it is something as we wait out the process ...

Commissioner Karl Benson likes Sun Belt's position, potential

Published: Saturday, April 07, 2012, 3:01 AM
By Ted Lewis, The Times-Picayune

Karl Benson likes to make to-do lists.

And on this morning in his otherwise unadorned office on the 23rd floor of the Pan-American Life Building, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for the newly installed commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference deal with just one subject -- realignment.

The pending merger of Conference USA and the Mountain West Conference with those leagues' stated intention to grow from their 16-school rosters to as many as 24 has Benson hustling to hold on as many of the current Sun Belt schools who are the prime objects of the C-USA/MWC desires while rounding up replacements as well.

"We just want to be prepared," Benson said. "Regardless of whatever else happens around us, the Sun Belt Conference has to be in strong position."

Click Here for Full Story

[SumItUp]

hmmmm......this is intriguing

BTW, he also didn't think that Liberty was just crazy talk. They may really be considered.

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=564870

[LUGrad2000]

We would have a "Tebow effect" on the Sun Belt!

[PAmedic]

hmmmm......this is intriguing

BTW, he also didn't think that Liberty was just crazy talk. They may really be considered.

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=564870

followed quickly, of course, by:

blah blah blah "9/11"

blah blah blah "they prohibit public displays of affection"

blah blah blah "their beliefs"

blah blah blah "JF said Haitians made a pact with the devil"

blah blah blah "they don't drink and they go to church every day"

-only a matter of time until someone breaks out the Tinky-Winky comments.

***
bottom line: Evangelical Christians are bad- you shouldnt play football against them.
Catholics and Mormons are fine, you should play football against them.
Baptists in name only, Methodists, and Presbyterians are also fine and you should also play football against them.

In 2012, it's great to see how universities promote open-mindedness and diversity of thought.

[Sly Fox]

The most commonly used dismissal of our candidacy is that we are not in the Sun Belt's footprint. Frankly I don't believe this argument holds water for those who have been spouting UTSA is their favorite target. If we are out of the Sun Belt's footprint, then so are the Roadrunners. Here is the distance to their closest current member of the Sun Belt:

• San Antonio to Denton: 303 Miles

But with North Texas likely sliding over to the Alliance, the next closest current member of the Sun Belt would be the Ragin' Cajuns:

• San Antonio to Lafayette: 415 Miles

As for our location, MTSU is the closest current member of the Sun Belt:

• Lynchburg to Murfreesboro: 497 Miles

But if Georgia State is introduced as expected on Monday afternoon to the Sun Belt, we'd be even closer:

• Lynchburg to Atlanta: 446 Miles

But if Charlotte is invited as expected, then we are certainly not that far out of the footprint:

• Lynchburg to Charlotte: 208 Miles

[flamesfilmguy]

No surprise here. If you are wondering why a school that just started up a football program would be such a hot commodity in realignment, check here.

It may take them 4-5 years to be contending for a bowl bid, but they have what nearly everyone else lacks ... size and location.

Hopefully this speeds up the process for everything else. The interesting note was the reference to the CAA trying to institute higher exit fees. That gives credence to the concerns of VCU & Mason considering the A-10. Or it could be that they are giving more thought to moving football up to FBS and they want to make it tougher for schools like JMU & ODU to bolt before they could pull it off.

Official announcement monday at 2pm for Georgia State. The exit fee gets raised the next day. That is not a coincidence. VCU and GMU have kept everyone in the dark about their plans but my educated guess would say they as well as ODU and possibly UNCW will vote down the increase in exit fees. Its going to be an interesting 2 days.

As for UTSA it has been said that they where 3rd on bensons list of schools to go after. So i'm not suprised that the CUSA merger is going after them.

As for Benson's next stop. he is headed straight to charlotte. UNCC is going to be a huge addition if he can sway it. Solid basketball program and Football seems to be starting off really well as far as tickets sales (They were smart and did PSL's) and other areas. I think Liberty might be fighting for that 4th position with hope that LA tech and UTSA leave to the CUSAMWC

[Sly Fox]

Charlotte coming in would actually help our Sun Belt case. We would make a nice travel partner to the East.

Wow, it didn't take Panama long to start running smack about us and everybody else after hearing about the Monday newser.

[logic]

I really hope the SBC brass have more intelligence than the posters on that board. Hard to imagine that kind of hatred for Chrsitianity in the deep south. If we were trying to join the PAC 12 or Northeast Conference I would understand. Lesson - you can follow any religion you want - just don't follow Jesus. Can't wait to get into a conference like this and start beating these people. Sly, if you really want to make a statement you should have included total athletic budget expenses in that thread...last time I checked we spend more than most SBC schools. They may not understand Jesus but everyone knows the value of cold hard cash in relation to college athletics.

[PatrickKelly]

Sly thanks for all the effort you put into keeping us informed. I don't often post due to living in Cincinnati and having very little inside info, but I read this site daily. I also went over and read the tread welcoming Ga State into the Sun Belt. The ignorant attitude of many of the posters is the perception that Liberty is going to have a hard time overcoming. Those saying our degrees are worthless and we don't teach evolution are totally ignorant, but as I travel for work and tell people where I went to school these are the types of things I hear. I loved Doc, but it's going to take a long time for us to overcome some of the comments he made.

We just need a chance. Thanks again for keeping us all up to date.

[Sly Fox]

No problem. Next time I'm in Cincy maybe you can hook me up with some Montgomery Inn or LaRosas. I miss Cincy food more just typing this post. I could really go for some Skyline or Gold Star.

That's a good point, Logic. I'll work that angle on my next pass through that world.

What's really sad is that I have been defending the Georgia State folks, especially Panama, on multiple boards in regard to their efforts to get into the Sun Belt.

I suspect after the news conference tomorrow afternoon in Atlanta that we may start hearing some more developments from the Alliance and Benson's trip to Charlotte.

For what it is worth, the Alliance visited the campuses of Utah State & & San Jose State recently. Both look likely to receive an Alliance invitation. But they will probably be the only ones out west. Bye bye, Idaho & NM State unless the WAC can come up with a very creative solution.

[TH Spangler]

I really hope the SBC brass have more intelligence than the posters on that board.

Just remember, for every "single" loud mouth hate monger , there are a "hundred" Christians pulling for LU

What's funny is there are a lot of Christian HS athletes throughout the country headed for the NCAA, and when they read that stuff it causes them to give Liberty more consideration.

I wonder what players like these think when they read that nonsense.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3731 ... stian-team

[flamesfilmguy]

Charlotte coming in would actually help our Sun Belt case. We would make a nice travel partner to the East.

Wow, it didn't take Panama long to start running smack about us and everybody else after hearing about the Monday newser.

He along with most of the GSU fan base is super liberal. and A little to big for their britches at this point. I can't wait till i can post freely on that board when i graduate in may. its going to be very entertaining.

[PatrickKelly]

No problem. Next time I'm in Cincy maybe you can hook me up with some Montgomery Inn or LaRosas. I miss Cincy food more just typing this post. I could really go for some Skyline or Gold Star.

I just had Skyline a couple days go. What I've found is most that speak up so strongly about Liberty have very little knowledge about the current state of the univeristy and for some reason have it out for Christians. Most of the people I run into that don't share my faith are respectful of the schools mission and outreach.

Will Liberty be invited into a conference? I have my doubts because from my understanding all it takes is one president of a school to vote "no" and then it's a no go. I personally think our best way of getting into a new conference is to go the new conference route with Appy St. ODU, and several of the others that have been mentioned. I would love to be wrong.

[flamesfilmguy]

My question to people especially at GSU where i currently work is if this were BYU or some university that had a muslim or Buddhist background would you treat it the same as you do liberty? that usually throws them for a loop and they back track. Its hilarious the conversations i've been in where i mention I am a Liberty Grad and I automatically get judged for where i received my bachelors degree.

[Sly Fox]

... from my understanding all it takes is one president of a school to vote "no" and then it's a no go.

There is more involved in the process. Typically it only takes a simple majority to get voted into a league. The key is getting into position for a vote.

[TH Spangler]

... from my understanding all it takes is one president of a school to vote "no" and then it's a no go.

There is more involved in the process. Typically it only takes a simple majority to get voted into a league. The key is getting into position for a vote.

Don't pay any attention to a couple of loud internet posters . All conferences, especially the southern ones, are full of Christian administrators, coaches and athletes. They are even at the University they pull for. Be proud of who you are, play hard and win. Build the best facilities around and hire the best Christian coaches you can find. Everything will fall in place!

[ATrain]

And it's official:

GSU to the Sunbelt for 2013.

http://www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewA ... =205410587