[Blessed1]

What's surprising me is the fact that some of these conferences are consider 16 teams. This definitely works in our favor. My logic as to why C-USA and possibly the Sun Belt are considering 16 schools is to deal with potential raids from larger conferences. You know the story: ACC raids the Big East, Big East raids C-USA, C-USA raids the Sun Belt, etc... If all this continues to happen, we should be in the Big East by 2020.

[Purple Haize]

This article echoes one of my major concerns. Writers like this guy aren't even mentioning the fact that we want to move up, let alone us having an invite. Perhaps this feasibility study and subsequent media report is coming two weeks too late?

Why report on a non issue. Yes we want to move up. Weare not being mentioned in the articles because the Conference sources aren't mentioning us. They obviously don't have your vision!

[jcmanson]

We need to release the findings of our feasibility study ASAP. The more we have our name out there regarding realignment the better.

[Blessed1]

Would the "MAC-aholics" on this board approve of this set-up?

MAC - EAST
UMass (FB-only)
Buffalo
Kent State
Akron
Ohio
Liberty (2013)
James Madison (2013)
Appalachian St (2013)

MAC - WEST
Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan
Western Michigan
Northern Illinois
Ball State
Toledo
Bowling Green
Miami

[jcmanson]

I'm down for ANYTHING besides:

Big South
Charleston Southern
VMI
Presby
Liberty
Gardner Webb

[bradyfan]

Would the "MAC-aholics" on this board approve of this set-up?

MAC - EAST
UMass (FB-only)
Buffalo
Kent State
Akron
Ohio
Liberty (2013)
James Madison (2013)
Appalachian St (2013)

MAC - WEST
Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan
Western Michigan
Northern Illinois
Ball State
Toledo
Bowling Green
Miami

Pretty positive that UMass is headed to the BigEast now, could be wrong about that though. Also, I don't see Appy accepting an invite to the MAC. Other than that, those divisions look good. The real reason I like the MAC is because of their contract with ESPN. Being seen nationally like that would have huge recruiting advantages against ODU, and that will be a concern once we move up.

[jbock13]

This article echoes one of my major concerns. Writers like this guy aren't even mentioning the fact that we want to move up, let alone us having an invite. Perhaps this feasibility study and subsequent media report is coming two weeks too late?

Why report on a non issue. Yes we want to move up. Weare not being mentioned in the articles because the Conference sources aren't mentioning us. They obviously don't have your vision!

And to think Haize and I are flogged for using common sense around here.

You can desire to move up all you want. If nobody wants us, it really doesn't matter.

They probably don't like us for all the typical reasons. But the typical reasons, unfair and unjust as they might be, still keep us out.

There's three words keeping us out: Lynchburg, Falwell, and Republican.

Lynchburg being in a small TV market plays into the hands of the myth that a bigger market means more fans. This often used by people who have no common sense. West Virginia isnt a big TV market... but you see their fans everywhere. Pitt is in a large market... but has no fans. There's a reason why Root Sports Pittsburgh shows WVU games, and not Pitt games.


I loved Jerry Falwell but as we all know the liberals will never cease to take him out of context. College presidents are scared of folks like the Falwell family.

Lastly, there's no doubt we are Republican majority. We aren't "progressive" like all the other schools.

Religion really doesn't matter much. It does however when we refuse to cave into political correctness or academic fads. Most universities hate us because we are a threat to their agenda. They don't want to see us succeed. And that's why they're keeping us down. Everything is ready to go, all our facilities are ready to move up to higher competition. But because we are threat, they pretend not to notice, we spit in the face of their so called "higher thinking" and "tolerance".

Hopefully, I said something halfway reasonable in that rant.

[bradyfan]

This article echoes one of my major concerns. Writers like this guy aren't even mentioning the fact that we want to move up, let alone us having an invite. Perhaps this feasibility study and subsequent media report is coming two weeks too late?

Why report on a non issue. Yes we want to move up. Weare not being mentioned in the articles because the Conference sources aren't mentioning us. They obviously don't have your vision!

And to think Haize and I are flogged for using common sense around here.

You can desire to move up all you want. If nobody wants us, it really doesn't matter.

They probably don't like us for all the typical reasons. But the typical reasons, unfair and unjust as they might be, still keep us out.

There's three words keeping us out: Lynchburg, Falwell, and Republican.

Lynchburg being in a small TV market plays into the hands of the myth that a bigger market means more fans. This often used by people who have no common sense. West Virginia isnt a big TV market... but you see their fans everywhere. Pitt is in a large market... but has no fans. There's a reason why Root Sports Pittsburgh shows WVU games, and not Pitt games.


I loved Jerry Falwell but as we all know the liberals will never cease to take him out of context. College presidents are scared of folks like the Falwell family.

Lastly, there's no doubt we are Republican majority. We aren't "progressive" like all the other schools.

Religion really doesn't matter much. It does however when we refuse to cave into political correctness or academic fads. Most universities hate us because we are a threat to their agenda. They don't want to see us succeed. And that's why they're keeping us down.

Hopefully, I said something halfway reasonable in that rant.

+100

[jcmanson]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but good post jbock

[4everfsu]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... 10-2013-14

[4everfsu]

U of Charlotte says no to Sun Belt

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... ource-says

[From the class of 09]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but good post jbock

I'm reminded of the saying "even a broken clock is right twice a day"

[jcmanson]

U of Charlotte says no to Sun Belt

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... ource-says

U know what that means - CUSA

[bigsmooth]

This article echoes one of my major concerns. Writers like this guy aren't even mentioning the fact that we want to move up, let alone us having an invite. Perhaps this feasibility study and subsequent media report is coming two weeks too late?

Why report on a non issue. Yes we want to move up. Weare not being mentioned in the articles because the Conference sources aren't mentioning us. They obviously don't have your vision!

And to think Haize and I are flogged for using common sense around here.

You can desire to move up all you want. If nobody wants us, it really doesn't matter.

They probably don't like us for all the typical reasons. But the typical reasons, unfair and unjust as they might be, still keep us out.

There's three words keeping us out: Lynchburg, Falwell, and Republican.

Lynchburg being in a small TV market plays into the hands of the myth that a bigger market means more fans. This often used by people who have no common sense. West Virginia isnt a big TV market... but you see their fans everywhere. Pitt is in a large market... but has no fans. There's a reason why Root Sports Pittsburgh shows WVU games, and not Pitt games.


I loved Jerry Falwell but as we all know the liberals will never cease to take him out of context. College presidents are scared of folks like the Falwell family.

Lastly, there's no doubt we are Republican majority. We aren't "progressive" like all the other schools.

Religion really doesn't matter much. It does however when we refuse to cave into political correctness or academic fads. Most universities hate us because we are a threat to their agenda. They don't want to see us succeed. And that's why they're keeping us down. Everything is ready to go, all our facilities are ready to move up to higher competition. But because we are threat, they pretend not to notice, we spit in the face of their so called "higher thinking" and "tolerance".

Hopefully, I said something halfway reasonable in that rant.

i think we already know that unless we are invited nothing happens. we also know that being a Christian school has kept us out of the SoCon in the past and i guess the CAA. Lynchburg and being Republican i do not feel has anything to do with this. It is the Falwell name and being a Christian school. But to speculate and have ideas is part of what FF.COM is all about.

[bigsmooth]

dude if we play in the eastern division its not. Plus the travel is not as far as going to texas or louisiana, and i think locals would come see LU play western or central michigan being that they do play ACC schools at times and the namesof all the schools are more well known than LA-Lafayette or LA-Monroe or some other the other sunbelt schools. Plus ESPN family of networks contract and better bowl games.

eastern
ohio u
miami, oh
toledo
bowling green
buffalo
UMass- football only
liberty

before you try and crucify me haize, im not a midwest guy so you pick the two ohio schools that would be closest to the michigan and indiana schools for the western division.

You realize I'm a Midwest guy right,? I just don't see how this fits us. Now if we were closer to Ohio, then sure. At least our State borders Tennessee. Growing up in MAC country I just don't see the advantage to them.

yeah haize, i know you are from Indiana. so you are going to tell me that being in a conference like the MAC provided we are in the eastern division is not better than having to travel to Louisiana and Texas. I know you are a smart guy so travel costs would be different plus easier for our fans from lynchburg to make a roadie, and HMO would need to research but i think our alumni base in MAC country could be bigger than in sunbelt country. im not sure but just a guess.

[LUaddict]

This article echoes one of my major concerns. Writers like this guy aren't even mentioning the fact that we want to move up, let alone us having an invite. Perhaps this feasibility study and subsequent media report is coming two weeks too late?

Why report on a non issue. Yes we want to move up. Weare not being mentioned in the articles because the Conference sources aren't mentioning us. They obviously don't have your vision!

And to think Haize and I are flogged for using common sense around here.

You can desire to move up all you want. If nobody wants us, it really doesn't matter.

They probably don't like us for all the typical reasons. But the typical reasons, unfair and unjust as they might be, still keep us out.

There's three words keeping us out: Lynchburg, Falwell, and Republican.

Lynchburg being in a small TV market plays into the hands of the myth that a bigger market means more fans. This often used by people who have no common sense. West Virginia isnt a big TV market... but you see their fans everywhere. Pitt is in a large market... but has no fans. There's a reason why Root Sports Pittsburgh shows WVU games, and not Pitt games.


I loved Jerry Falwell but as we all know the liberals will never cease to take him out of context. College presidents are scared of folks like the Falwell family.

Lastly, there's no doubt we are Republican majority. We aren't "progressive" like all the other schools.

Religion really doesn't matter much. It does however when we refuse to cave into political correctness or academic fads. Most universities hate us because we are a threat to their agenda. They don't want to see us succeed. And that's why they're keeping us down. Everything is ready to go, all our facilities are ready to move up to higher competition. But because we are threat, they pretend not to notice, we spit in the face of their so called "higher thinking" and "tolerance".

Hopefully, I said something halfway reasonable in that rant.

Great post jbock,

This is something that we all have to face and unfortunately this is what is going to keep us out of FBS arena. There are many other reasons why other schools might not want us and it would be a laundry list of reasons. Hate to sound harsh but it is the truth. It is not about pessimism it is about reality. As much as our institution has positives many others would rather focus on the negatives our institutions has. I am not sure where we stand in conference realignment but it does not look good. unfortunately, I think we are out of the mix. Like Jbock said, since presidents of other universities perceive us and feel about us, I do not feel we are going to be extended an invite to any FBS conference. Especially if these higher ups at the other institutions of learning do not want to be associated with us.

[R i]

JMU doesnt have a Falwell, , and they dont have political agendas, no religeous affiliation.....

Lets stop acting like we are being held down by those things. They might be a small factor, but IMO they are not the deciding ones.

[LUaddict]

JMU doesnt have a Falwell, , and they dont have political agendas, no religeous affiliation.....

Lets stop acting like we are being held down by those things. They might be a small factor, but IMO they are not the deciding ones.

Are you kididng? A small factor? Come one RI this is exactly why people do not want to be associated with us. Trust me I would love to see Liberty playing at the highest level in all sports, especially football. Sure our academic standards are not the highest in comparison to other institutions. We do not have the greatest market potential. We are outspoken of our religious beliefs.

But when people at our institution make comments about the cause of 9/11 and Tinky Winky and openness of political affiliation (Republican). This rubs people the wrong way and people do not have short memories about these things, especially University presidents; conference commissioners, and the general public. Why do you think other posters on other boards at the Non-AQ conference boards give is so much grief about our school and the media of course. I do not think that we need to conform to what society would like us to be but when these type of comments are made, everyone views this as the view that everyone at Liberty has. Perceptions is reality and when people that do not know anything about Liberty and they hear this, they are turned off. Then why haven't we received an invite to an FBS conference? I am not the cynic as it I am be viewed as such but in order to progress as an institutions there are things that should be changes that should be implemented.

I will continue to support Liberty, LU athletics, and our mission. This is my alma mater but I am open minded and realistic. In order for someone to progress we have to be able to reflect on ourselves with an open mind look at the reality and not look at ourselves through rose colored glasses. We need to raise the bar at the institution as a whole and would love for us to be an institution where students would have rather receive a Christian education over the other alternatives. We need to model ourselves after other religious institutions like BYU so see what has made them so successful. We have made progress in the last decade but these things will continue to haunt us in conference realignment.

[jbock13]

Just to clarify, I am in no way trying to slight Falwell Sr. I had the pleasure of meeting him and seeing him just a few months before he passed away. There truly are few men like him, and God knows we need more like him.

My point is, that Falwell Sr. and JLFJR scare modern academia because they incorporate higher learning and Christianity, and plus they hate our politics. But we, Liberty, have done absolutely nothing wrong, but to dare speak out about what others desire to censor. It's not necessarily our Christianity. I know many play this card, but plenty of schools have watered down their belief systems in order to cater to secularists. It's the subculture of our politics, beliefs, morals, and lifestyle that keep us despised. And I'd much rather us remain stuck at the FCS level than EVER compromise our beliefs, just to fit other college presidents who might let us in their league.

[logic]

Just to clarify, I am in no way trying to slight Falwell Sr. I had the pleasure of meeting him and seeing him just a few months before he passed away. There truly are few men like him, and God knows we need more like him.

My point is, that Falwell Sr. and JLFJR scare modern academia because they incorporate higher learning and Christianity, and plus they hate our politics. But we, Liberty, have done absolutely nothing wrong, but to dare speak out about what others desire to censor. It's not necessarily our Christianity. I know many play this card, but plenty of schools have watered down their belief systems in order to cater to secularists. It's the subculture of our politics, beliefs, morals, and lifestyle that keep us despised. And I'd much rather us remain stuck at the FCS level than EVER compromise our beliefs, just to fit other college presidents who might let us in their league.

Very well said. Some know me on here as the vision guy..no vision of FBS this and FBS that is worth compromising the fact that Jesus died for our sins. Rather we remain in FCS forever than turn our back on the mission of the university.
The question then becomes, can we have our cake and eat it too? How can we remain true to our founding vision and still excel at the FBS level in football? I don't worry too much about our other sports..Track has been a top 15 program, basketball has the facility to be a great program, and baseball will benefit tremendously from the new stadium. I have a feeling our other sports will continue to excel, even beyond the Big South level.
But how can we be so valuable to another conference that they have no choice but to take us? In the hierarchy of such things to university presidents, money comes first, and everything else falls in line after that. How can we bring SO MUCH value to a new conference that they would be absolutely foolish to not take us, even if they do not agree with our politics and/or religion? Is that possible? Haize? Sly?

[bradyfan]

Just to clarify, I am in no way trying to slight Falwell Sr. I had the pleasure of meeting him and seeing him just a few months before he passed away. There truly are few men like him, and God knows we need more like him.

My point is, that Falwell Sr. and JLFJR scare modern academia because they incorporate higher learning and Christianity, and plus they hate our politics. But we, Liberty, have done absolutely nothing wrong, but to dare speak out about what others desire to censor. It's not necessarily our Christianity. I know many play this card, but plenty of schools have watered down their belief systems in order to cater to secularists. It's the subculture of our politics, beliefs, morals, and lifestyle that keep us despised. And I'd much rather us remain stuck at the FCS level than EVER compromise our beliefs, just to fit other college presidents who might let us in their league.

Very well said. Some know me on here as the vision guy..no vision of FBS this and FBS that is worth compromising the fact that Jesus died for our sins. Rather we remain in FCS forever than turn our back on the mission of the university.
The question then becomes, can we have our cake and eat it too? How can we remain true to our founding vision and still excel at the FBS level in football? I don't worry too much about our other sports..Track has been a top 15 program, basketball has the facility to be a great program, and baseball will benefit tremendously from the new stadium. I have a feeling our other sports will continue to excel, even beyond the Big South level.
But how can we be so valuable to another conference that they have no choice but to take us? In the hierarchy of such things to university presidents, money comes first, and everything else falls in line after that. How can we bring SO MUCH value to a new conference that they would be absolutely foolish to not take us, even if they do not agree with our politics and/or religion? Is that possible? Haize? Sly?

I've argued that our competitiveness has little to do with whether or not receive an invite. In comparison to revenue, facilities...etc., that's true. However, it's no lie that Appy St's history and GA Southern's history are the reasons they are receiving invites. My point is that, we need to take Steven Furtick's advice and "dig a ditch" (convo message from last semester). If we aren't getting an invite this year, we need to take a "no crap" philosophy from our coaches. Either you make the post-season often or you get canned. I thought we kept Rocco just long enough, seeing as our program was similar to Duke's before he came here. I think we give Layer one more year to get us into the post-season or he's canned. Same with Toman. We have every reason for a conference to invite us except for postseason appearances. We fix that and I think we're C-USA quality.

[SumItUp]

SBC commish Benson mentioned today in a radio interview that they are considering 4-6 FCS teams. He mentioned Liberty by name. He also said the schools need to make their intentions known if they wish to pursue FBS. The timing of our feasibility study is in line with their timeframe. We will make our intentions known, we are ready and will make the commitment. Will we get the invite?

The interview was broadcast on espn1420.com at 5pm central.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Oh yea, nice pick up. Anywhere to hear the audio? The patient grashopper laughs at the "sky is falling" crowd.

[LUaddict]

I took this from the Sun Belt forum and it is a link of a Sun Belt President and Chancellors conference call with SBC commissioner Karl Benson.

May 22 . . SBC Presidents/Chancellors Spring Meeting
From listening to the SBC Presser Q&A session, it appears the Presidents/Chancellors will review and act upon the schools that have contacted the SBC about membership during the May 22 meeting.

The Commish said 4-6 FCS schools have contacted the SBC about membership. The Commish continues to stress that the SBC footprint is Texas to Florida.

The Commish makes it clear that he acts based upon what the SBC Presidents/Chancellors and their ADs feel is in the best interest of the current membership.

I remain confident that both Georgia Southern and App State will be invited to join the SBC soon.

http://www.sunbeltsports.org/newMediaPla...R_CONTENT=

Interesting sound clip if anybody is wondering what is going with Sun Belt expansion.

[LUaddict]

SBC commish Benson mentioned today in a radio interview that they are considering 4-6 FCS teams. He mentioned Liberty by name. He also said the schools need to make their intentions known if they wish to pursue FBS. The timing of our feasibility study is in line with their timeframe. We will make our intentions known, we are ready and will make the commitment. Will we get the invite?

The interview was broadcast on espn1420.com at 5pm central.

I heard this too, I hope that this wasn't just a name drop to cover his tracks from just putting Georgia Southern, App State, and ODU's names from being singled out. Here is hoping to receiving an invite from the Sun Belt and that the presidents and chancellors would be able to see that we have a lot to offer as a fellow conference mate. This might be an announcement at the meet and greet with coach gill in Atlanta.