[bradyfan]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/m ... index.html

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The Charlotte 49ers are heading back to Conference USA.

Two people familiar with the situation say the 49ers are leaving the Atlantic 10 and rejoining Conference USA for the 2013-14 season.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because an announcement has not yet been made. The university has scheduled a Friday news conference.


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/m ... z1tqJqWeZc

http://espn.go.com/dallas/ncf/story/_/i ... erence-usa

According to that article by ESPN, Charlotte can't move up until 2015 because of attendance requirements. That's been a standard set by the NCAA since Idaho moved up.

[skywalker5291]

Things are being set in motion. But really a big factor for us comes down to our tv market. We are 64th in the nation i believe. That doesnt help us but its also nothing we can control. We are the ONLY FCS team that is ready to go FBS tomorrow. I can guarantee you that.

[Blessed1]

Things are being set in motion. But really a big factor for us comes down to our tv market. We are 64th in the nation i believe. That doesnt help us but its also nothing we can control. We are the ONLY FCS team that is ready to go FBS tomorrow. I can guarantee you that.

+1

[Blessed1]

Someone posted this about an hour ago. He is asking the question whether Liberty and Coastal are moving into the CAA. I'm not sure how legit this news is. If this is true, it would allow Liberty to improve its athletics while waiting on a FBS invite.

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=568366

[Cider Jim]

Being in the same conference as Richmond would be pretty sweet.

[bradyfan]

TCU accepted an invite to the Big East and never played a game before being invited to the Big 12.

[bradyfan]

Maybe this is stupid but I'm tired of sitting around and watching conference realignment happen without being able to do something. I found the email for the Executive Associate Commissioner for C-USA. What if everyone on here sent him an email about us joining their conference? Maybe it adds up to nothing but I don't see how it could hurt anything. I highly doubt any other school gets 100 plus fans to email their commissioner. If you guys want to do it, let me know and I'll post the email.

[jbock13]

We can form the Liberty Legion and harass all FBS commissioners like the liberals do to radio advertisers!

I wouldn't do it but if you want do what you want.

[ATrain]

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/five-sa ... erence-usa

Texas-San Antonio's move was approved Thursday by University of Texas System regents. People familiar with the league's plans said North Texas, Charlotte, Louisiana Tech and Florida International also would be joining...

It was unclear Thursday how long C-USA's offer might remain on the table. A source within the conference said conference officials are likely to say today that they would like to add a 14th member but won't identify whom they are considering or how long it might take.

Timing could be tricky for ODU, which had begun thinking in general terms about a move from the Colonial Athletic Association and the Football Championship Subdivision to FBS down the road but hasn't had time to complete a detailed analysis of the pros and cons when the offer was tendered, sources said.

ODU hasn't done it's homework yet, so if they reject or aren't done in time...maybe Liberty instead???? I can hope and dream, right.

[bradyfan]

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/five-sa ... erence-usa

Texas-San Antonio's move was approved Thursday by University of Texas System regents. People familiar with the league's plans said North Texas, Charlotte, Louisiana Tech and Florida International also would be joining...

It was unclear Thursday how long C-USA's offer might remain on the table. A source within the conference said conference officials are likely to say today that they would like to add a 14th member but won't identify whom they are considering or how long it might take.

Timing could be tricky for ODU, which had begun thinking in general terms about a move from the Colonial Athletic Association and the Football Championship Subdivision to FBS down the road but hasn't had time to complete a detailed analysis of the pros and cons when the offer was tendered, sources said.

ODU hasn't done it's homework yet, so if they reject or aren't done in time...maybe Liberty instead???? I can hope and dream, right.

I've been on the same page. C-USA is obviously interested in having a Virginia team, let's just hope that isn't JMU. It's really no surprise that they targeted Old Dominion before us or JMU. They would get the Richmond T.V. market, Richmond recruits and maybe dip into some of those tidewater recruits. ODU is going to be a beast once they move up. It definitely seems like they're looking for another Carolina/Virginia team. Personally, I think we're in a better situation to move up than JMU and we're obviously more ready. Even if we don't get an invite to the C-USA, I think the fact that they're going after a Virginia team is good for us because it should push the MAC, Sun-Belt or whatever the WAC becomes to do the same.

[bradyfan]

Also, Charlotte has Charleston Southern, Coastal, Presbyterian, and Gardner Webb on their schedule for 2013. If we aren't in a conference by then and one of their games fall through, we need to schedule them. Or schedule them for 2014, if we still aren't an FBS team. Being able to bring them into Williams or beating them in Charlotte could only help our chances of moving up. They can't move up until the 2015 season, according to NCAA rules, so we need to do whatever we can to schedule them IMO.

[Humble_Opinion]

Someone posted this about an hour ago. He is asking the question whether Liberty and Coastal are moving into the CAA. I'm not sure how legit this news is. If this is true, it would allow Liberty to improve its athletics while waiting on a FBS invite.

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=568366

While we might end up having to do this in the end because the Big South might fall apart - we also don't need to "improve" our athletics in any way for the following reasons: 1) We have won the Big South Conference Cup (can't remember the exact name) for a few years in a row now... 2) We already have the facilities and spending in place and 3) The fact that Charlotte is getting an invite from a pretty major conference without even having an active football program should tell you that "strength" of program in the form of winning is not a requirement. It's all about 1) T.V. Market 2) Title IX 3) Strength of School and 4) T.V. Market - yes I mentioned it twice. That's all.

[Blessed1]

Someone posted this about an hour ago. He is asking the question whether Liberty and Coastal are moving into the CAA. I'm not sure how legit this news is. If this is true, it would allow Liberty to improve its athletics while waiting on a FBS invite.

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=568366

While we might end up having to do this in the end because the Big South might fall apart - we also don't need to "improve" our athletics in any way for the following reasons: 1) We have won the Big South Conference Cup (can't remember the exact name) for a few years in a row now... 2) We already have the facilities and spending in place and 3) The fact that Charlotte is getting an invite from a pretty major conference without even having an active football program should tell you that "strength" of program in the form of winning is not a requirement. It's all about 1) T.V. Market 2) Title IX 3) Strength of School and 4) T.V. Market - yes I mentioned it twice. That's all.

Humble, when I said Liberty can improve their athletic programs, I meant that playing against CAA would make Liberty's athletic programs better (due to playing against better competition) and upgrade Liberty's "athletic resume". I would not have a problem waiting 2-3 years in the CAA while waiting for a FBS invite.

[jbock13]

sweat, I know I'm just nitpicking but just so you know, ODU is in the Norfolk market, not Richmond. Norfolk's is even bigger.

[bradyfan]

Not sure why I was thinking Richmond. Thanks for the correction and Norfolk is bigger, plus it's closer to VA Beach. It's also only 2.5 hours from ECU (I'm assuming their still in the C-USA) which would make ODU really attractive. If we can get ODU and Charlotte on some future schedules, maybe that throws a hint.

[NotAJerry]

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/five-sa ... erence-usa

Texas-San Antonio's move was approved Thursday by University of Texas System regents. People familiar with the league's plans said North Texas, Charlotte, Louisiana Tech and Florida International also would be joining...

It was unclear Thursday how long C-USA's offer might remain on the table. A source within the conference said conference officials are likely to say today that they would like to add a 14th member but won't identify whom they are considering or how long it might take.

Timing could be tricky for ODU, which had begun thinking in general terms about a move from the Colonial Athletic Association and the Football Championship Subdivision to FBS down the road but hasn't had time to complete a detailed analysis of the pros and cons when the offer was tendered, sources said.

ODU hasn't done it's homework yet, so if they reject or aren't done in time...maybe Liberty instead???? I can hope and dream, right.

I've been on the same page. C-USA is obviously interested in having a Virginia team, let's just hope that isn't JMU. It's really no surprise that they targeted Old Dominion before us or JMU. They would get the Richmond T.V. market, Richmond recruits and maybe dip into some of those tidewater recruits. ODU is going to be a beast once they move up. It definitely seems like they're looking for another Carolina/Virginia team. Personally, I think we're in a better situation to move up than JMU and we're obviously more ready. Even if we don't get an invite to the C-USA, I think the fact that they're going after a Virginia team is good for us because it should push the MAC, Sun-Belt or whatever the WAC becomes to do the same.

Norfolk, not Richmond, but ODU is a speculative play by any conference due to both the TV market AND the wealth of talent that has come out of the 757 in recent years. I have a feeling it will end up being JMU, or another poached team from the Sun Belt, instead.

[ATrain]

Not sure why I was thinking Richmond. Thanks for the correction and Norfolk is bigger, plus it's closer to VA Beach. It's also only 2.5 hours from ECU (I'm assuming their still in the C-USA) which would make ODU really attractive. If we can get ODU and Charlotte on some future schedules, maybe that throws a hint.

Yes, Norfolk is RIGHT NEXT TO Virginia Beach, unlike Richmond.

[Humble_Opinion]

Not sure why I was thinking Richmond. Thanks for the correction and Norfolk is bigger, plus it's closer to VA Beach. It's also only 2.5 hours from ECU (I'm assuming their still in the C-USA) which would make ODU really attractive. If we can get ODU and Charlotte on some future schedules, maybe that throws a hint.

Yes, Norfolk is RIGHT NEXT TO Virginia Beach, unlike Richmond.

Yes - there is about 1.7 million people within a 30 min drive of Norfolk. It's crazy how much it's grown.

[bradyfan]

http://www.charlotte49ers.com/ViewArtic ... =205423610

Charlotte officially accepts an invitation to the C-USA, will start football in 2013 as an FCS independent and become an FBS team in the C-USA in 2015. Nothing that we didn't know but now it's official. Hopefully the announcement pushes some conferences and schools to make some moves before the June 1st deadline.

[Blessed1]

I wonder if ODU will go the same route and join C-USA in 2015 as well. ODU established their football program, but may need some time to get everything else in order.

[flamesfan30]

i wonder if that's the case then we could join in 2013 and then just get dropped in 2015 when Charlotte joins but stay an FBS independant?

[PatrickKelly]

What worries me is besides what Benson has mentioned in regards to liberty, no other leaks are out there. If you look at the history of conference expansion there are always some scuttlebutt about this team and that conference. Missouri and A&M to the SEC was hardly news at all when it was announced. Pitt and syracuse to the ACC had Bern rumored for Weeks when it happened. Even smaller programs like those going to the Sun Belt had been leaked. I've not heard or read the first thing that would make me think Liberty is a serious player in a new conference. Anyone know or raff anything different?

[Liberty22]

Big 12 Expanding? ....

http://www.cemetery-hill.com/2012-artic ... merge.html

[From the class of 09]

CUSA announces new memebers. It seems they are missing one...

Here is a quick look at the five new members of Conference USA:
Charlotte has an enrollment of 25,063 and sponsors 16 sports, with football beginning competition in 2013. In 2015, the team will play a full conference schedule in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The 49ers are making a return to C-USA, where they were members from 1995-2005. During that time, Charlotte went to eight NCAA Tournaments in men's basketball, winning the C-USA Championship in 1999 and 2001. Charlotte is the No. 25 media market, reaching more than 1.1 million households.

Florida International has an enrollment of 48,000 and sponsors 18 sports. It is one of the fastest growing universities in the United States. The football team has been to bowl games the past two seasons, including a win in the 2010 Little Ceasars Pizza Bowl. The men's soccer team has been an affiliate member of C-USA since 2005. FIU is located in Miami and the No. 16 media market.

Louisiana Tech has an enrollment of 11,743 and sponsors 16 sports. In 2011, the Bulldog football team won the WAC Championship and participated in the Poinsettia Bowl. The women's basketball program has participated in 27 NCAA Tournaments, including 25 straight, advancing to 13 Final Fours, playing in eight national championship games and winning three national titles.

North Texas has an enrollment of 35,694 and sponsors 16 sports. Since 2003, North Texas has developed more than 12 new athletics facilities as part of a 200-acre Mean Green Village. Competition venues, training facilities and meeting space have been upgraded for all 16 sports since then, including the crown jewel - brand new $78 million state-of-the-art Apogee Stadium that opened in 2011. UNT has approximately 336,000 living alumni, with 216,000 living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area - the No. 5 media market in the nation.

UTSA is a rapidly growing university and has an enrollment of 30,968 and sponsors 17 sports. In their first season of football in 2011, the Roadrunners averaged 35,521 for their games at the Alamodome. UTSA is the only NCAA Division I program in San Antonio, a market that reaches more than 880,000 television households.
(More info on UTSA)

http://www.conferenceusa.com/genrel/050412aab.html

[Kricket]

Big 12 Expanding? ....

http://www.cemetery-hill.com/2012-artic ... merge.html

Well, that could be good news if the ACC looks to replace FSU and Clemson.