[SuperJon]

They had $17 million pledged and have collected $28,000.

[LUinPA]

Is it safe to assume that if the pledges fall flat, they may be back in the same situation of cancelling the program?

[Humble_Opinion]

Is it safe to assume that if the pledges fall flat, they may be back in the same situation of cancelling the program?

The reasons they were shutting it down in the first place were financial in nature. It might hang around as a 'comeback' a little longer, but logic would dictate that not receiving at least 60% of the pledged amount would put them back in a similar spot.

[Kiwon]

Kiwon,

Notice I said miscalculation and not mistake. It was not a mistake to make intentions known. The miscalculation was in just how ready an FBS conference was to receive LU, and it's clear that the Sun Belt (preferred landing spot of the admin, it seems) was never going to embrace a private school with unlimited resources among its group of public schools with limited resources. The same issue exists with the MAC. The admin has done everything it can to try to convince Sun Belt presidents to look at Liberty with more of an objective eye, but only a precious few have flipped their positions. Liberty was ready for FBS. Clearly FBS was not ready for Liberty. That's my point.

Chris, I am late responding but thanks for your clear explanation. Yes, there is a difference between "miscalculation" and "mistake."

To avoid being cynical, I guess since LU has always had an uphill climb then why should joining the FBS be any different?

The subjective factors working against it (private, religious-institution, revenue via online education) are obvious and won't be changing. What they can change is their performance on the field/court. Nothing generates buzz in the Sports world more than success. Take care of that and more objective minds will change as LU gets noticed for the quality institution that it is becoming.

[Purple Haize]

Kiwon,

Notice I said miscalculation and not mistake. It was not a mistake to make intentions known. The miscalculation was in just how ready an FBS conference was to receive LU, and it's clear that the Sun Belt (preferred landing spot of the admin, it seems) was never going to embrace a private school with unlimited resources among its group of public schools with limited resources. The same issue exists with the MAC. The admin has done everything it can to try to convince Sun Belt presidents to look at Liberty with more of an objective eye, but only a precious few have flipped their positions. Liberty was ready for FBS. Clearly FBS was not ready for Liberty. That's my point.

Chris, I am late responding but thanks for your clear explanation. Yes, there is a difference between "miscalculation" and "mistake."

To avoid being cynical, I guess since LU has always had an uphill climb then why should joining the FBS be any different?

The subjective factors working against it (private, religious-institution, revenue via online education) are obvious and won't be changing. What they can change is their performance on the field/court. Nothing generates buzz in the Sports world more than success. Take care of that and more objective minds will change as LU gets noticed for the quality institution that it is becoming.

Careful. With that last paragraph people may think you are being seduced by

[bluejacket]

CCU leaders share insight on talks with Sun Belt Conference

By Ryan Young
ryoung@thesunnews.com

CONWAY — Since the news spread fast and wide last week of the Sun Belt Conference’s interest in evaluating Coastal Carolina as a potential future member, the possibility of a league change and of the Chanticleers maybe making the jump to the FBS level has prevailed as the headlining topic for supporters of the university.

The related thread on popular message board CoastalFans.com has nearly 6,000 views and more than 600 responses, actually dating back to late May when preliminary rumblings emerged, and even Coastal Carolina President David DeCenzo said he’s had people send him screen shots of online commentary on the subject.

Click Here for Full Story

[rmiller1959]

A very good article, and it won't surprise me in the least if Coastal gets an offer soon. The stadium size and fan attendance will be a challenge for them, but that won't stop an offer from coming, nor will it prevent Coastal from accepting it once it is received. I think this one is in the books.

We'll have to update all those shirts to read "Beat CSU" or something like that, since they will be our primary league opponent after Coastal is gone.

[flameshaw]

After reading this article, I have changed my thinking a bit. Coastal has the resources to go into the SBC and be in the top third of the league in budget and student body size. They will have a hard time reaching the 15,000 attendance required, but suspect that will be overlooked.
Finally, I am pretty well convinced that our mission wasn't a huge negative factor in us not receiving an invite. (I never really thought that, but couldn't find a logical reason to think otherwise). It certainly looks more likely that our money and student body side is the major reason that we were rejected. We would come into the SBC with the 2nd largest on campus student body and would be the school with the largest budget, with the potential to make it even larger, very quickly. So the lack of money, that plagued us in our formative years, has now come 180 degrees the other way and our abundance of funds has hindered our ability to find a new athletic home. Clearly the SBC, sees us as a formidable threat to their status quo. Sadly we will never be able to confirm that, but it seems more than likely, this is the case.

[ATrain]

Article on why BYU will not be added to the Big 12 (own TV network, doesn't play on Sundays):

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleg ... aggage.ece

Also, it appears Air Force is now out of the question and that the Big 12 may look to the East of Texas to expand, IF they do expand.

[Humble_Opinion]

BYU would be a solid add in my opinion even with the baggage. Expanding to the East is better for us though so I'll hope they go that route. I still maintain that ECU/UCF/UConn would all be good additions.

[ATrain]

BYU would be a solid add in my opinion even with the baggage. Expanding to the East is better for us though so I'll hope they go that route. I still maintain that ECU/UCF/UConn would all be good additions.

Meh, I don't see the Big XII extending an invite to any of those schools anytime soon, unless one manages to make some noise on the football field this fall.

[Sly Fox]

ECU & UConn are non-starters for the Big XII. UCF on the other hand is very much on the table as a potential expansion target.

[Purple Haize]

BYU would be a solid add in my opinion even with the baggage. Expanding to the East is better for us though so I'll hope they go that route. I still maintain that ECU/UCF/UConn would all be good additions.

Meh, I don't see the Big XII extending an invite to any of those schools anytime soon, unless one manages to make some noise on the football field this fall.

BYU to me is a great addition to any Conference. Built in fan base. Financially stable. Competitive in all Sports. And, most importantly happy to have a home.

[Humble_Opinion]

ECU & UConn are non-starters for the Big XII. UCF on the other hand is very much on the table as a potential expansion target.

ECU is a quality add. I was thinking UConn specifically for basketball and decent academic prowess. ECU has had relative success in football and has been stable in performance and attendance. I think a BIG XII invite would only increase expansion of their facilities. They also have a pretty large medical school that might be of interest to other BIG XII member schools...

[LUGrad2000]

So Coastal's president has stated in the Myrtle Beach newspaper that if the SB offers they will accept. He also stated that they would immediately expand their stadium to 21-22k. Looks like they will be invited at some point. He did say that SB officials also visited EKU and plan on one more visit next week. Any chance they visit Lynchburg?

[Purple Haize]

So Coastal's president has stated in the Myrtle Beach newspaper that if the SB offers they will accept. He also stated that they would immediately expand their stadium to 21-22k. Looks like they will be invited at some point. He did say that SB officials also visited EKU and plan on one more visit next week. Any chance they visit Lynchburg?

Nope

[LUGrad2000]

Please send me an application to join the Dark Side. Not quite ready to fill it out just yet, but getting closer.

[SuperJon]

So Coastal's president has stated in the Myrtle Beach newspaper that if the SB offers they will accept. He also stated that they would immediately expand their stadium to 21-22k. Looks like they will be invited at some point. He did say that SB officials also visited EKU and plan on one more visit next week. Any chance they visit Lynchburg?

They've been to Lynchburg.

[Purple Haize]

Please send me an application to join the Dark Side. Not quite ready to fill it out just yet, but getting closer.

You don't join, you are selected....

[JakeP50]

So Coastal's president has stated in the Myrtle Beach newspaper that if the SB offers they will accept. He also stated that they would immediately expand their stadium to 21-22k. Looks like they will be invited at some point. He did say that SB officials also visited EKU and plan on one more visit next week. Any chance they visit Lynchburg?

If they do come to Lynchburg, unlikely IMVHO since like SJ said they've already been,it's just as a formality with no real intentions of an invitation coming our way.

[rmiller1959]

So Coastal's president has stated in the Myrtle Beach newspaper that if the SB offers they will accept. He also stated that they would immediately expand their stadium to 21-22k. Looks like they will be invited at some point. He did say that SB officials also visited EKU and plan on one more visit next week. Any chance they visit Lynchburg?

Does this mean they win the rivalry?

Here's the full article for what it's worth:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports ... 66269.html

[LUGrad2000]

#BEATCHARLESTONSOUTHERN ?

[jmmiii]

On the heels of a $6,000 FCOA stipend being announced, Liberty's investment in a new track and field facility is of the "have your cake and eat it too" variety. And, It's not coincidental:

(Old article, but the sentiment remains relevant.)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/co ... /20189283/

[Neo]

So Coastal's president has stated in the Myrtle Beach newspaper that if the SB offers they will accept. He also stated that they would immediately expand their stadium to 21-22k. Looks like they will be invited at some point. He did say that SB officials also visited EKU and plan on one more visit next week. Any chance they visit Lynchburg?

If they do come to Lynchburg, unlikely IMVHO since like SJ said they've already been,it's just as a formality with no real intentions of an invitation coming our way.

They haven't visited since the latest offer was made...

[SuperJon]

That's true. But the only thing that's changed between then and now is that they're not even considering us anymore.