[JakeP50]

If UMass is on the table I don't think it will take the SBC long to throw them out if they have any sense at all. Their best sport is hockey and they don't want to take their hoops out of the A-10, and there's NO WAY the Eastern teams would vote to let them in as a football only member.

[BCXtreme]

If UMass is on the table I don't think it will take the SBC long to throw them out if they have any sense at all. Their best sport is hockey and they don't want to take their hoops out of the A-10, and there's NO WAY the Eastern teams would vote to let them in as a football only member.

I really do hope you are right. IMHO if there turns out to be simply no circumstance under which SBC West will agree to add Liberty, then SBC East should definitely hold out until next year and hope there are more FBS-ready options (e.g., EKU) by then. The likelihood of CCG deregulation allows them to do so without upsetting the apple cart. UMass as a football-only associate adds no permanent value; they would just be kicking the can down the road, and SBC East would probably lose the bargaining chip (NMSU for all sports) in the process.

[Purple Haize]

Yes...of course I dont have an iPhone...Samsung actually. anyway this isnt a cellphone discussion...graduation probaby is the best time to do it since we will have our largest audience in town and watching on tv

If you are posting from your phone,you can copy and paste. Results, not excuses!

Plus, there will be nothing formal until the SBC's next meeting, which I believe is after graduation. Plus, the vast majority of people at graduation aren't there to hear about athletics. And a simple majority don't even care about athletics at all.

[JakeP50]

I really do hope you are right. IMHO if there turns out to be simply no circumstance under which SBC West will agree to add Liberty, then SBC East should definitely hold out until next year and hope there are more FBS-ready options (e.g., EKU) by then. The likelihood of CCG deregulation allows them to do so without upsetting the apple cart. UMass as a football-only associate adds no permanent value; they would just be kicking the can down the road, and SBC East would probably lose the bargaining chip (NMSU for all sports) in the process.

If UMASS didn't want to go to the MAC in all sports, they aren't going to want to do the same in the Sun Belt, their hoops program is improving and the A-10 is a great RPI booster. And like BC and BU hockey is their #1 team which the Sun Belt doesn't sponsor. UMASS would be a bad move for both parties, they are only a viable option in the minds of the LU haters on the Sun Belt boards.

[BCXtreme]

If UMASS didn't want to go to the MAC in all sports, they aren't going to want to do the same in the Sun Belt, their hoops program is improving and the A-10 is a great RPI booster. And like BC and BU hockey is their #1 team which the Sun Belt doesn't sponsor. UMASS would be a bad move for both parties, they are only a viable option in the minds of the LU haters on the Sun Belt boards.

Agreed, I would be beyond shocked if they announce UMass as an all-sports addition. They are so far outside the Sun Belt's geography and culture, it would be almost comical, and it would reek of anti-Liberty desperation. Honestly, UMass as football-only wouldn't be much better, which is why I hope you will end up being right. Last we heard, IIRC, the SBC East schools were all ready to support Liberty's bid and are committed to adding an all-sports member in the East. With CCG deregulation on the table, I don't believe there's any significant reason for them to add UMass, or any possible football-only prospect, out of desperation. Hopefully on Wednesday night, Two Cents Radio can give us a slightly clearer picture of what the Sun Belt is thinking.

[NG33]

If UMASS didn't want to go to the MAC in all sports, they aren't going to want to do the same in the Sun Belt, their hoops program is improving and the A-10 is a great RPI booster. And like BC and BU hockey is their #1 team which the Sun Belt doesn't sponsor. UMASS would be a bad move for both parties, they are only a viable option in the minds of the LU haters on the Sun Belt boards.

While I agree that UMass is definitely not joining the Sunbelt any time soon, to say that UMass is a hockey school is 100% false. Same with BC, but that's another topic all together. Also, hockey wouldn't hinder UMass from joining the Sunbelt anyways since they are a part of a hockey-only conference. That being said, UMass is still a part of MAC football until 2015. What happens to the their football team after the 2014-15 season is anyone's guess.

[BCXtreme]

While I agree that UMass is definitely not joining the Sunbelt any time soon, to say that UMass is a hockey school is 100% false. Same with BC, but that's another topic all together. Also, hockey wouldn't hinder UMass from joining the Sunbelt anyways since they are a part of a hockey-only conference. That being said, UMass is still a part of MAC football until 2015. What happens to the their football team after the 2014-15 season is anyone's guess.

Just FYI, the current UMass/MAC contract extends through the 2015 football season (ESPN). As things stand now, their first season outside the MAC would be 2016. It sounds like joining the Sun Belt for 2015 would require them to pay a fee to the MAC to leave early. IMO that means there is really no reason for UMass to make a desperate move at this stage either, which makes your point even more valid.

[bluedevilflame]

While I agree that UMass is definitely not joining the Sunbelt any time soon, to say that UMass is a hockey school is 100% false. Same with BC, but that's another topic all together. Also, hockey wouldn't hinder UMass from joining the Sunbelt anyways since they are a part of a hockey-only conference. That being said, UMass is still a part of MAC football until 2015. What happens to the their football team after the 2014-15 season is anyone's guess.

Just FYI, the current UMass/MAC contract extends through the 2015 football season (ESPN). As things stand now, their first season outside the MAC would be 2016. It sounds like joining the Sun Belt for 2015 would require them to pay a fee to the MAC to leave early. IMO that means there is really no reason for UMass to make a desperate move at this stage either, which makes your point even more valid.

It absolutely kills me that the sun belt could stretch from Massachusetts to Louisiana to Idaho! Are we really that unattractive?!?

[JakeP50]

We might be that unattractive to the western schools,most of the eastern schools are supportive of us and want us in. I just don't understand why the western schools are so opposed to LU joining.

[jbock13]

I just don't understand why the western schools are so opposed to LU joining.

We've talked about it quite a few times. Travel costs. They don't have the money we do.

[Liberty22]

I just don't understand why the western schools are so opposed to LU joining.

We've talked about it quite a few times. Travel costs. They don't have the money we do.

Cop out if you ask me. They are already traveling to Boone and possibly Umass, so that one doesn't fly for me.

[CinciFlame]

It seems like we could help offset the travel cost for a set number of years to help with those concerns.

[JakeP50]

Oh so you would be ok with flying to Massachusetts from Arkansas, Louisiana, or Texas but flying to Lynchburg, VA is to expensive? Seems legit

[flamesfilmguy]

Here's my 2 cents on the fear factor that comes with Liberty joining a conference. AD's aren't just scared of the $ we have they are scared of what that $ and Facilities will do for our on the field success. AD's jobs rely mostly on the success of their athletic teams. Liberty has a very high ceiling when it comes to athletics success on the field in all sports. The western AD's mainly stAte and ULL see a potential threat to their dominance in many of the major sports such as Football, basketball and Baseball. our facilites are already better in some of those sports than some sunbelt schools and with the conference affiliation we will be able to recruit even better players to compete for top spots in the conference theoretically. in their eyes they would rather bring in a school like missou state or EKU that they know they have an equal opportunity to beat on the field of play. Yes the religious aspect probably is a big part for the presidents but I think these Ad's are also in the ears of their presidents giving excuses of travel costs, religious affiliation etc because they don't want to see what success we CAN have if we were to move up. SJ said it earlier its true, our money is negated by the Big south. is that money were allowed to work in a conference with a better reputation we have the POTENTIAL to be a scary athletics department in an FBS conference. Do we deserve or have we somehow earned a right to get to that point? of course not. we aren't NDSU. we haven't seen that kind of success yet. but if the oppritunity presented itself we could be (with the right decision making, facilites, upgrades etc) a very strong program that wins conference championships on a regular basis.

[CinciFlame]

I can't agree with that film guy. Typically ad's want the strongest possible candidate's to join a conference. TX A&M is no slouch and they were approved by all the sec schools. Syracuse going to the ACC is another example. I think we would have a much easier time if it were up to the ad's alone. The president's create a much bigger issue for us.

[SuperJon]

Those are leagues where teams are established. The Sun Belt is a league full of schools with an inferiority complex.

[flamesfilmguy]

I can't agree with that film guy. Typically ad's want the strongest possible candidate's to join a conference. TX A&M is no slouch and they were approved by all the sec schools. Syracuse going to the ACC is another example. I think we would have a much easier time if it were up to the ad's alone. The president's create a much bigger issue for us.

Risk reward factor in those two instances were way more in favor of approving the schools in question. In our situation like again SJ is saying, this league is one where the schools are trying to establish themselves in the eyes of the public as schools that deserve to be in the upper echelon of Universities in the country. Cuse and A&M were already previously established. Already great money makers for their conferences i.e. NCAA appearances. The Sun Belt schools want to dominate (what the western schools like stAte and ULL) see as a inferior conference.

[BCXtreme]

Here's my 2 cents on the fear factor [...]

This. My jury's still out on A-State, some have indicated we may be able to sway their vote under the right circumstances. UL-Lafayette, however, sounds like they are already disgusted with the condition of the Sun Belt. From what I've read, including on this board, they are a dominant program that ultimately wants out (not unlike Liberty in the Big South tbh), but in the meantime they will not vote in anyone that could rise to make them look bad to a potential future conference, nor an FCS move-up that (in their view) lowers the prestige level of the Sun Belt while they're still in it. No offense to any ULL fan, but that school's attitude in this process seems very self-serving. Conferences do not exist to serve the interests of one school over all the others, they are supposed to be a cooperative effort ("a rising tide lifts all boats," if you will). At least, that's how it should be. Still paying for Adam/Eve and that stupid fruit.

Oh so you would be ok with flying to Massachusetts from Arkansas, Louisiana, or Texas but flying to Lynchburg, VA is to expensive? Seems legit

This too. Liberty is closer than UMass for football, and App State is a perfect travel partner for us in the other sports. In a 6-member SBC East, the logical travel partners are Liberty/App State, GaSo/GA State, and Troy/USA. It's beautiful. Adding UMass for football, and leaving App State without a dedicated travel partner? SBC West can't possibly think that will be significantly cheaper.

We might be that unattractive to the western schools,most of the eastern schools are supportive of us and want us in. I just don't understand why the western schools are so opposed to LU joining.

If you go back to page 163, I believe at last count, all 5 SBC East schools support us as of April 16, plus one "yes" in the West (UT-Arlington) and one that can't make up its mind (Texas State). The Arkansas and Louisiana schools, specifically, are the ones that seem to be holding things up. Someone feel free to correct me if things have changed since then.

[SumItUp]

If the Sun Belt ONLY wants 12 for football, the travel expenses will not be much different for UMASS vs. Liberty. In each case, the majority of teams will charter a flight to an away game. For the western schools, the travel expenses increase considerably for non-football sports if an eastern team is added.

[Rooster Cogburn]

I'm growing bored with the waiting and speculation, so I thought I'd try to start a fun sidebar.

IF Liberty is added by June 1 by the SBC, who would be #1, #2, and #3 on your wishlist for an FBS out of conference team to visit The Bill within 10 years?

I'm gonna say, #1 UNC, #2 Georgia and #3 Boise State.

[CinciFlame]

You said wish list, not a realistic chance so I'll go wish list. ND, Ohio St. TN. Realistically, it would be MAC and CUSA schools.

[SumItUp]

Just a wishlist??? Haha

1. Notre Dame
2. Alabama
3. Southern California

[SumItUp]

Just a wishlist??? Haha

1. Notre Dame
2. Alabama
3. Southern California

4. BYU
5. Baylor

[BCXtreme]

I'm growing bored with the waiting and speculation, so I thought I'd try to start a fun sidebar.

IF Liberty is added by June 1 by the SBC, who would be #1, #2, and #3 on your wishlist for an FBS out of conference team to visit The Bill within 10 years?

I'm gonna say, #1 UNC, #2 Georgia and #3 Boise State.

Oooh, I love sidebars!!

Within 10 years, say for one game or two-game home-and-home? #1 Notre Dame, #2 Northwestern, #3 Baylor. Central Florida is runner-up. I'd also like to see us establish an ongoing home-and-home rivalry with Old Dominion, and maybe UVA, within that timeframe.

[ATrain]

1. Virginia Tech
2. Notre Dame
3. BYU