[TH Spangler]

Some talk about Liberty on the NC State forum.

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=178&f=2515&t=8989882

I agree with you re: App State. In fact, most of my App friends prefer to stay in FCS, where they win a ton and play out old rivalries, than make the jump to FBS and end up like Troy or Marshall.

But Liberty is a different animal. Liberty is a private, religious-based school. For them, moving up to FBS is less about dollars and more about prestige and marketing. You may think "little ole Liberty?", but there is money behind that school. A quick example is that their baseball coach, Jim Toman - a State alum, is often mentioned as a possible replacement for Avent (usually corresponding with a bad loss/season). However, those close to baseball always say that Toman makes more at Liberty than Avent makes at State.

If Liberty wants to move up to FBS and incur all the costs associated, they'll find the money. While they're not Notre Dame or BYU, they are setting themselves up to be the college associated with evangelical conservative Christians. This move is likely just another step in that process.

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=178&f=2515&t=8989882

[Liberty22]

ODU press conference at 2:30 today in football stadium to accept CUSA offer.

[jcmanson]

Can't wait to see what the CAA does.

Current basketball teams(9):
Northeastern
Drexel
Hofstra
Delaware
Towson
George Mason
JMU
W&M
UNCWilmington


Current football teams(9):
Maine
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Villanova
Delaware
Towson
JMU
W&M
Richmond

[jcmanson]

Does JMU even want to move up? I haven't heard their name mentioned since last football season.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Fans everywhere are saying yes, but they can never give me any admin quotes.

[jcmanson]

http://weblogs.dailypress.com/sports/et ... times.html

Though a sizeable blow, the CAA can withstand VCU’s loss. If VCU and Old Dominion bail, CAA basketball suddenly slides into Southern Conference territory, and those big crowds at the Richmond Coliseum every March evaporate.
This leads us to the intertwined pillars of membership, geography and desirability.
Yeager and his crew are undoubtedly working behind the scenes to replace VCU and Sun Belt-bound Georgia State. There are several intriguing possibilities — no whispers or hints from CAA World Headquarters, but yeah, we’re looking at you, Davidson, College of Charleston and LIU Brooklyn.

[BJWilliams]

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/odu-lea ... ceusa-2013

[jcmanson]

So how many schools does the CUSA want to get to? They're at 14 right now. Are they stopping there? 16? Who are their next 2 targets?

[ATrain]

So how many schools does the CUSA want to get to? They're at 14 right now. Are they stopping there? 16? Who are their next 2 targets?

IF they keep going, my guesses would be JMU and MTSU. Possibly New Mexico State instead of JMU. I would've said FAU, but they've already indicated they're happy in the Sunbelt.

[Liberty22]

So how many schools does the CUSA want to get to? They're at 14 right now. Are they stopping there? 16? Who are their next 2 targets?

IF they keep going, my guesses would be JMU and MTSU. Possibly New Mexico State instead of JMU. I would've said FAU, but they've already indicated they're happy in the Sunbelt.

I could be way wrong but I just don't think JMU is going anywhere... I don't think they want to, their admin has been very quite. I feel like if they wanted to go somewhere, they would have made it public. The fans though, they want a move like yesterday!

[jcmanson]

Yeah, I highly doubt JMU jumps to CUSA. MTSU I do believe is at the top of CUSA's radar, but who is the 2nd team? They won't add only 1 if they add anymore.

[Blessed1]

If C-USA goes to 16, I think they would go with Middle Tennessee (in the east) and Arkansas St (in the west). I see New Mexico St probably going to the MWC.

[jcmanson]

Not sure how reliable this is, it was posted on another message board:

The ODU AD said yesterday on the air that there are still a lot of things being discussed. The WAC (NM St and Idaho) is talking to the FCS powers on both sides of the country to form an FBS league with east and west divisions.

If this happens, we'll definitely be a part of it. I'm beginning to think this will happen. And will be our new home.

[Blessed1]

Not sure how reliable this is, it was posted on another message board:

The ODU AD said yesterday on the air that there are still a lot of things being discussed. The WAC (NM St and Idaho) is talking to the FCS powers on both sides of the country to form an FBS league with east and west divisions.

If this happens, we'll definitely be a part of it. I'm beginning to think this will happen. And will be our new home.

If this is the case, I could see a line-up like this....

WAC - Eastern

Liberty
James Madison
Delaware
Youngstown St
Appalachian St
Georgia Southern
Jacksonville St

WAC – Western

Idaho
New Mexico St
Lamar
Sam Houston St
Stephen F. Austin
Denver (non-FB)
Seattle (non-FB)

[Rooster Cogburn]

What i heard on Monday in the presser combined with all of this makes me feel rather certain this is where we are headed as well as I suggested Monday. I think this is the best of both worlds if you ask me. We can move up and garner all that goes with that, adn still grow with and play with managable competition.

[jcmanson]

Don't leave out Montana and Montana St. I know they've turned it down in the past, but if there's no one relevant left at the FCS level, I'm sure they'll change their mind.

[TH Spangler]

Old Dominion Makes it Official – Will Join CUSA

Marshall, ECU, ODU, and Charlotte will all be in the same division, likely with Florida International, UAB, and USM

http://collegesportsinfo.com/2012/05/17 ... join-cusa/

[jcmanson]

What i heard on Monday in the presser combined with all of this makes me feel rather certain this is where we are headed as well as I suggested Monday. I think this is the best of both worlds if you ask me. We can move up and garner all that goes with that, adn still grow with and play with managable competition.

I agree. Looks like this will happen. I wouldn't mind being in the same conference with JMU and App State

[bradyfan]

What i heard on Monday in the presser combined with all of this makes me feel rather certain this is where we are headed as well as I suggested Monday. I think this is the best of both worlds if you ask me. We can move up and garner all that goes with that, adn still grow with and play with managable competition.

I agree. Looks like this will happen. I wouldn't mind being in the same conference with JMU and App State

It's definitely gaining attention but there is exactly two weeks to get this to work. June 1st deadline.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Paging Lang! Paging Lang! is that June 1st deadline real? I've heard both ways!

[jcmanson]

I think the 6/1 deadline is to do it in time for the 2013-14 season. After 6/1, it would be for the 2014-15 season.

[ballah09]

Don't leave out Montana and Montana St. I know they've turned it down in the past, but if there's no one relevant left at the FCS level, I'm sure they'll change their mind.

this. montana state would join and when montana sees this they will want to follow.

fwiw i helped a friend (deals with coaches and recruits) set up a football camp up here in philly and he told me through the grapevine that the WAC-East/West has serious legs.

Sun Belt will still lose teams so i wouldn't rule them out either.

[bradyfan]

Don't leave out Montana and Montana St. I know they've turned it down in the past, but if there's no one relevant left at the FCS level, I'm sure they'll change their mind.

Sun Belt will still lose teams so i wouldn't rule them out either.

+1. Has Troy been added yet? I honestly don't see them or FIU sticking around much longer, and if FIU goes, they'll require that FAU goes too. Daaz three rit dere *spits tobacco in cup*

[jcmanson]

FIU is already gone to the CUSA. FAU is staying in the belt for now

[bradyfan]

FIU is already gone to the CUSA. FAU is staying in the belt for now

Must have missed that. Would be surprised if FAU isn't in CUSA by two years.