[Sly Fox]

And the prior visit did not include the people who vote. Several of the major objections of those presidents have been remedied. But sadly they appear to have moved on in spite of those facts.

[Purple Haize]

And the prior visit did not include the people who vote. Several of the major objections of those presidents have been remedied. But sadly they appear to have moved on in spite of those facts.

I say Good Bye Good Riddance and Get Over it. The SBC is a dead end Conference and was never a good fit for us. They don't want us and e shouldn't have acted desperate to want them.

The has spoke

[flamesfilmguy]

I think we actually dodged a bullet with this one. I've always said lets stay fcs. Which is why I am so beloved by the dark side I really think that we should enjoy the FCS while we have it. the format is awesome. Lets not forget how awesome last year was and the anticipation of playoffs. While bowl games sound cool and all. they really mean nothing. we don't need the bowl money. lets become a powerhouse FCS school and let the cards fall where they may on the off chance realignment kicks back up years down the road.

[Wilberforce91]

I really think that we should enjoy the FCS while we have it. the format is awesome. Lets not forget how awesome last year was and the anticipation of playoffs. While bowl games sound cool and all. they really mean nothing. we don't need the bowl money. lets become a powerhouse FCS school and let the cards fall where they may on the off chance realignment kicks back up years down the road.

I was in the any-FBS-works camp for a while, but I must say the has always had a point.

While the Beach Chickens receiving an invite to the Sun Belt would be the most 'Typical Liberty' thing to happen since the Richmond game last year, I say let them go.

I was in high school in central NC when Appalachian three-peated as National Champions, and the excitement that that run generated exceeded whatever low-or-mid-level bowl game ECU was invited to, much less one of the Big 4.

If we're invited by C-USA or the MAC, hey, let's go. Better opponents at the Bill, bigger TV exposure, and the momentum to continue Doc's dream to compete at the highest level.

But while we have the Big South, an auto-bid to the playoffs, and a shot at a National Championship in football every single year, let's use it to our advantage! College GameDay has visited Fargo twice now, and is rumored to be heading back this year. Why not compete consistently at a level where they visit Lynchburg? I'd love to see a National Championship banner at the Bill, and FCS can deliver that.

So if we get a FBS invite, great, let's go. But if we're here in FCS for the next few years, let's enjoy it and use it to our advantage. Either way, #JustWin and #BeatEverybody. Go Flames!

[alabama24]

From a fan perspective, seeing LU succeed at the FCS level would be better than struggling at the FBS level... Playing in the toilet bowl is meaningless. On the other hand, seeing Liberty play <good> teams from the power 5 is more fun and beneficial from a PR standpoint (VT & WV don't count). Liberty could win the title for 5 years in a row at the FCS level and no one would notice or care. Beat Michigan once (ala App State) and everyone would be talking about you.

[Purple Haize]

From a fan perspective, seeing LU succeed at the FCS level would be better than struggling at the FBS level... Playing in the toilet bowl is meaningless. On the other hand, seeing Liberty play <good> teams from the power 5 is more fun and beneficial from a PR standpoint (VT & WV don't count). Liberty could win the title for 5 years in a row at the FCS level and no one would notice or care. Beat Michigan once (ala App State) and everyone would be talking about you.

If we have the talent to win the FCS championship 5 years. In a row, we will get noticed. We will also have a better chance of winning those FBS games consistently instead of a Ball St here and there

[ATrain]

We also need a decent men's bball program, since that was apparently a hang-up with some of the SBC folks.

A run to the Elite Eight (ala Davidson) or Final Four (George Mason/VCU) could get us interest from a league that may not necessarily be football focused.

[Cider Jim]

We also need a decent men's bball program, since that was apparently a hang-up with some of the SBC folks.

In McKay we trust.

[alabama24]

If we have the talent to win the FCS championship 5 years. In a row, we will get noticed.

No we won't, because no one cares or notices ANY team in the FCS. No one cares about the JV team, except the kid's mom and <maybe> girlfriend.

I am NOT saying that I don't love the Flames and enjoy going to games. I do more and more... but we would all fall into the "mom" category. lol

We will also have a better chance of winning those FBS games consistently instead of a Ball St here and there

Sure. The better team we field, the more likely we could become an App State.

[flameshaw]

The problem with staying at the FCS level is that we are in a terrible conference, especially if CCU leaves. Our automatic-bid status could change very quickly with a couple of small hiccups. I have never had a problem with staying FCS, but if we do, we need to find a new home, maybe the CAA. The downside to that is, if we could change conferences, they would always wonder when we were going to take the step to FBS. Right now, I think we are in a lose/lose situation. Hopefully, we can find a way out of this predicament .............................. soon.

[Purple Haize]

The problem with staying at the FCS level is that we are in a terrible conference, especially if CCU leaves. Our automatic-bid status could change very quickly with a couple of small hiccups. I have never had a problem with staying FCS, but if we do, we need to find a new home, maybe the CAA. The downside to that is, if we could change conferences, they would always wonder when we were going to take the step to FBS. Right now, I think we are in a lose/lose situation. Hopefully, we can find a way out of this predicament .............................. soon.

Which goes back to the earlier discussion about how the whole process has been handled

[JK37]

Success in basketball, or lack thereof, had nothing to do with the SBC's decision concerning Liberty.

[CinciFlame]

I can't understand why anyone would want to stay at the FCS level. Home games against Presbyterian, Gardner-Webb, Charleston Southern and the new add Kennesaw state couldn't be any worse. You can put down the SB all you want, but imagine having App State and Georgia Southern coming to Williams stadium. Plus adding out of conf home games with ODU and other FBS schools.

[ATrain]

Success in basketball, or lack thereof, had nothing to do with the SBC's decision concerning Liberty.

Maybe, but I thought someone had mentioned on this board that our men's bball program was a concern for one conference. Either way, a terrible men's bball program hasn't helped. If we had built more success following the 2004 Big South Championship and made a run similar to Butler, Davidson, George Mason and VCU, we could at least be in the Atlantic 10 by now.

[JK37]

That is fair.

[flameshaw]

The problem with staying at the FCS level is that we are in a terrible conference, especially if CCU leaves. Our automatic-bid status could change very quickly with a couple of small hiccups. I have never had a problem with staying FCS, but if we do, we need to find a new home, maybe the CAA. The downside to that is, if we could change conferences, they would always wonder when we were going to take the step to FBS. Right now, I think we are in a lose/lose situation. Hopefully, we can find a way out of this predicament .............................. soon.

Which goes back to the earlier discussion about how the whole process has been handled

We will just have to agree to disagree on that one. Hindsight is 20/20. I am not sure that anyone could have predicted that such a tolerant/inclusive group of great universities that comprise the SBC, would be so intolerant/exclusive when it came to allowing LU into the group because of our mission and/or money, growth projectory. (FWIW, I believe strongly, it was the money and growth potential).

[Purple Haize]

The problem with staying at the FCS level is that we are in a terrible conference, especially if CCU leaves. Our automatic-bid status could change very quickly with a couple of small hiccups. I have never had a problem with staying FCS, but if we do, we need to find a new home, maybe the CAA. The downside to that is, if we could change conferences, they would always wonder when we were going to take the step to FBS. Right now, I think we are in a lose/lose situation. Hopefully, we can find a way out of this predicament .............................. soon.

Which goes back to the earlier discussion about how the whole process has been handled

We will just have to agree to disagree on that one. Hindsight is 20/20. I am not sure that anyone could have predicted that such a tolerant/inclusive group of great universities that comprise the SBC, would be so intolerant/exclusive when it came to allowing LU into the group because of our mission and/or money, growth projectory. (FWIW, I believe strongly, it was the money and growth potential).[/quote
What is there to disagree with? The approach we used didn't work. We are not in the SBC Coastal will be. Would another approach have worked? We don't know. But we do know what DIDN'T work. On the bright side maybe the Powers That Be learned from this and try a different approach, if it's even possible now, next time

[Humble_Opinion]

I say Good Bye Good Riddance and Get Over it. The SBC is a dead end Conference and was never a good fit for us. They don't want us and e shouldn't have acted desperate to want them.

The has spoke

From a fan perspective, seeing LU succeed at the FCS level would be better than struggling at the FBS level... Playing in the toilet bowl is meaningless. On the other hand, seeing Liberty play <good> teams from the power 5 is more fun and beneficial from a PR standpoint (VT & WV don't count). Liberty could win the title for 5 years in a row at the FCS level and no one would notice or care. Beat Michigan once (ala App State) and everyone would be talking about you.

If we have the talent to win the FCS championship 5 years. In a row, we will get noticed. We will also have a better chance of winning those FBS games consistently instead of a Ball St here and there

See, in my opinion, the "Dark Side" is hypocritical. The model you want us to follow is the be as good as we can be model in the FCS. Develop a winning tradition in the post-season, win a national championship, etc. Then you say the SBC is a crap conference and we shouldn't bother with it. I'm sorry, but I can't help but notice that the two programs that have moved up in recent years (App St and Ga Southern) that fit the mold of the model you want LU to follow, both received invites to the SBC.

[alabama24]

See, in my opinion, the "Dark Side" is hypocritical. The model you want us to follow is the be as good as we can be model in the FCS. Develop a winning tradition in the post-season, win a national championship, etc. Then you say the SBC is a crap conference and we shouldn't bother with it. I'm sorry, but I can't help but notice that the two programs that have moved up in recent years (App St and Ga Southern) that fit the mold of the model you want LU to follow, both received invites to the SBC.

I dont agree with the Dark Side on this issue, but I fail to see how the position is "hypocritical"... at least how you have framed it. There is no incompatibility with believing that the "right path" is to become successful in the FCS, while simultaneously believing that the Sunbelt is worthless.

I believe the sunbelt is worthless in the sense that it isn't one of the "power 5." I don't think any of the other lower conferences are intrinsically that much better. I was looking forward to playing some of the SB teams.

[ballcoach15]

The Sun Belt Conference is way ahead of the Big South. The quicker we get out of BSC, the better. If BSC had everyone playing football, conference would be better. How much I not know. But High Point, Longwood, Radford, Wintrop, UNC-A and any other non football school weakens BSC.

[Purple Haize]

See, in my opinion, the "Dark Side" is hypocritical. The model you want us to follow is the be as good as we can be model in the FCS. Develop a winning tradition in the post-season, win a national championship, etc. Then you say the SBC is a crap conference and we shouldn't bother with it. I'm sorry, but I can't help but notice that the two programs that have moved up in recent years (App St and Ga Southern) that fit the mold of the model you want LU to follow, both received invites to the SBC.

I dont agree with the Dark Side on this issue, but I fail to see how the position is "hypocritical"... at least how you have framed it. There is no incompatibility with believing that the "right path" is to become successful in the FCS, while simultaneously believing that the Sunbelt is worthless.

I believe the sunbelt is worthless in the sense that it isn't one of the "power 5." I don't think any of the other lower conferences are intrinsically that much better. I was looking forward to playing some of the SB teams.

You can still be an auxiliary member of.
I'm not sure where the hypocrisy is either. Take a look at the SBC, with the exception of the newbies , everyone wants out. Having App St at the Bill would be nice but that's it.
As for the other 2 FCS schools who just joined, they did so following a path suggested. My views on the SBC might change as the landscape shifts but it's always been the 1st choice not the best choice

[ATrain]

Currently, the Sunbelt is the Big South of FBS. Everyone is just waiting for an invite out. Is it the fastest, easiest way to FBS? Most likely. Does that mean we should go? It depends...but there is nothing wrong with being successful at the level we're currently at, improving our men's bball program to the point we're at least top 100.

[Humble_Opinion]

The hypocrisy is in your statement regarding our best path forward. Let me spell out your thoughts/statements as I understand them:
1) You've said on multiple occasions that the Sun Belt is a crap conference and not worth our time 2) You've said you'd rather stay in the Big South and focus on winning than move up to the SBC
3) You've maintained from the get-go that the item we are missing from our #FBSReady Resume is that we don't have a lot of demonstrated athletic success. You've cited this as a reason to why we've been seemingly passed over, which is why I assume you believe we should stay in the FCS and focus on winning

My point is, the former FCS programs that moved up because they demonstrated athletic success in the FCS (ie. the model you are advocating we follow), made the move to the SBC. Both of these schools were in the high-quality SoCon, which was one of the best conferences in all of FCS. So the hypocrisy is that on one hand, you advocate for LU to stay in the BigSouth and focus on winning now, partially because the SBC is crap, all the while knowing that the only conference that has pulled teams up, in-part because of their winning records, was the SBC.

[Purple Haize]

Never said stay in the Big South. But we put all our cards on the table so we are now most likely stuck here. Although I hope that is not the case
Yes both Ga Southern and App St had demonstrable success at the FCS level before moving up. I would argue that having comparable success with better resources would mean a better Conference invite.
If we did land in the SBC it would only be temporary. At least I would hope so. Based on past performance I would think as soon as we had been accepted we would start saying we are ready to move on to the the next level #ACCReady. It could be used as a stepping stone but we could and more likely would be stuck and mired there for a long time.
So I'm not sure where the hypocrisy is at

[olldflame]

You are correct in saying the SoCon WAS one of the best conferences in FCS. You could make a strong argument now that the BSC is better. Of course the departure of App State and Georgia Southern has a lot to do with that, but it´s still a fact. If the BSC loses Coastal, which is looking more and more likely, it will certainly drop them down again. The SBC did also add a startup program in Georgia State.