[olldflame]

While I don´t see myself ever identifying with the ¨dark side¨ per se, I have always agreed with one of it´s basic tenants, which is that our primary focus should always be to achieve excellence where we are. While I have faith that the coaches who lead our various programs have always had that focus, it does seem that at the admistrative level the energy which has been expended on getting into the SBC was pretty much sand down a rat hole and could have been redirected to something more useful.

I hope we can put that to rest now and devote 100% toward the tremendous opportunity of challenging for a national championship in FCS and multiple NCAA bids in other sports

[Humble_Opinion]

LU isn't the Ivy League by any stretch of the imagination. But to say that CCU is far superior to us Academically is laughable at best. I'm not even sure they ARE better Academically. Party school? They beat us hands down. It shows the quality of people involved in the conference sooooo many of you are desperate to be a part of

As I said in the last post of pg. 203 (crazy it's that long a thread now), to say that we are a step below academically is just pure ignorance of the facts.

PH- because of our little back-and-forth, let me clarify that I am not desperate to be a part of the SBC. In the research I've done, I've always maintained that the CUSA would be the best fit for us in terms of a long-term solution. It's more in our footprint, contains schools that have an affinity for our model of higher education and the brand of athletics is more to our liking. I'm only advocating for the SBC because I believe the CUSA will not be interested in bringing up any additional FCS squads, unless they are forced to by circumstances similar to those they faced in 2012-13. I think if we were to make the move to the SBC, we could make a name for ourselves in a few years and very likely be high on the CUSA's radar when the ball drops for additional expansion.

[Purple Haize]

While I don´t see myself ever identifying with the ¨dark side¨ per se, I have always agreed with one of it´s basic tenants, which is that our primary focus should always be to achieve excellence where we are. While I have faith that the coaches who lead our various programs have always had that focus, it does seem that at the admistrative level the energy which has been expended on getting into the SBC was pretty much sand down a rat hole and could have been redirected to something more useful.

I hope we can put that to rest now and devote 100% toward the tremendous opportunity of challenging for a national championship in FCS and multiple NCAA bids in other sports

It only starts with one point of agreement. Soon you will see the Power and Wisdom of

[flamesfilmguy]

LU isn't the Ivy League by any stretch of the imagination. But to say that CCU is far superior to us Academically is laughable at best. I'm not even sure they ARE better Academically. Party school? They beat us hands down. It shows the quality of people involved in the conference sooooo many of you are desperate to be a part of

As I said in the last post of pg. 203 (crazy it's that long a thread now), to say that we are a step below academically is just pure ignorance of the facts.

PH- because of our little back-and-forth, let me clarify that I am not desperate to be a part of the SBC. In the research I've done, I've always maintained that the CUSA would be the best fit for us in terms of a long-term solution. It's more in our footprint, contains schools that have an affinity for our model of higher education and the brand of athletics is more to our liking. I'm only advocating for the SBC because I believe the CUSA will not be interested in bringing up any additional FCS squads, unless they are forced to by circumstances similar to those they faced in 2012-13. I think if we were to make the move to the SBC, we could make a name for ourselves in a few years and very likely be high on the CUSA's radar when the ball drops for additional expansion.

[flamesfilmguy]

And...........now i have my new avatar. lol

[SuperJon]

Because they know we will leave as soon as FBS calls. A lot of other schools either aren't interested in FBS or aren't advertising a "first FBS conference available" attitude.

The risk in establishing a relationship with us is that they would know that our desire as a school is to not be in it for the long term.

Its worth having us for as much or as little time as they get us because we'll happily pay a hefty exit fee and they'll gleefully accept it. We bring any FCS conference either a stable partner or a quick payday. If they were smart they would take either.

I still don't know if they'd go for that. We are not liked in most circles. For political and not political reasons.

[olldflame]

Another factor which will probably work against us as far as being accepted by the CAA or any other FCS conference we might deem as a step up from the BSC is FCOA. It may be a hard sell to convince schools to take a new member with such a significant built in competitive advantage.

[SuperJon]

We've really dug ourselves into a decently deep hole at this point. When/if Coastal leaves, the Big South is down to six football schools, two of which are affiliates. We lose one of those and our autobid is toast.

[ATrain]

We've really dug ourselves into a decently deep hole at this point. When/if Coastal leaves, the Big South is down to six football schools, two of which are affiliates. We lose one of those and our autobid is toast.

The good news is we are at a point where we can conceivably earn an at-large bid. It isn't unreasonable to think that Kennessaw State will be extended an all-sports invite at some point, or bring in another affiliate.

Campbell upgrading their football program should have been included in the deal when we let them back in.

[flamesfilmguy]

Its so nice after 200+ pages my CAA suggestions are finally coming around. Sadly we've screwed up any chances of moving to a better FCS conference.

[flamesfilmguy]

I love you guys. I really do. but I will continue to sound the horn for a move to the CAA RIGHT NOW and for the foreseeable future. Unless the big conferences make any sort of moves, which doesn't seem likely for some time, we aren't getting a call from the sunbelt. I can almost guarantee the presidents of the Sun Belt will fight til the death to keep us out for as long as humanly possible. Accept that we have a lot of haters and go join a conference that will get us a better SOS for the playoffs.

Back in 2013. I had one even further back similar in 09... Just saying.

[bluejacket]

We've really dug ourselves into a decently deep hole at this point. When/if Coastal leaves, the Big South is down to six football schools, two of which are affiliates. We lose one of those and our autobid is toast.

The good news is we are at a point where we can conceivably earn an at-large bid. It isn't unreasonable to think that Kennessaw State will be extended an all-sports invite at some point, or bring in another affiliate.

Campbell upgrading their football program should have been included in the deal when we let them back in.

Unless the conference adds some teams, I think that Kennesaw St. will be looking at the CAA in the relatively near future.

Campbell is not what we need. We need programs that can replace Stony Brook and potentially Coastal. West Georgia and North Alabama fit those needs (UNA will accept if offered). At very best, Campbell is a stopgap measure to preserve the auto-bid that also keeps CSU and GWU happy.

[bluejacket]

Its so nice after 200+ pages my CAA suggestions are finally coming around. Sadly we've screwed up any chances of moving to a better FCS conference.

We were never getting in the CAA or CAA Football.

[Sly Fox]

The CAA was always a pipe dream for us. With today's current lineup, it frankly is nothing to get excited about joining.

As for CCU's academics, I am no expert. But I do remember their poor academic reputation was one of th eprimary reasons that the SoCon never let them in their club.

[flamesfilmguy]

The CAA was always a pipe dream for us. With today's current lineup, it frankly is nothing to get excited about joining.

As for CCU's academics, I am no expert. But I do remember their poor academic reputation was one of th eprimary reasons that the SoCon never let them in their club.

That had more to do with them being a bigger public school.

[LUminary]

As for CCU's academics, I am no expert. But I do remember their poor academic reputation was one of the primary reasons that the SoCon never let them in their club.

That's exactly right.

[LUminary]

Now it seems that the discussion has been relegated to debate about which FCS conference would be best to be part of. Like that's an option, just as moving to FBS is an option. It's depressing. IMO, the goal needs to remain getting to the FBS. It doesn't matter how perceivably bad the Sun Belt is (and it's a moot point now, anyway). I'd rather be in a second-class FBS league than in a top league in a second-class division (FCS). It's getting out of where we're at and to the FBS that still matters. How that happens I have no clue. I can't fault anyone for announcing intentions and don't see the downside to having done that. In the meantime, we are where we are and I don't fault anyone for exploring ways to make the best of that situation either. I just don't think we should settle in terms of goals, and see no reasons to second-guess initiatives to move up to the highest level of college football (and that's includes any G5 league that will take us -- if there ever is one). Hopefully something shakes up again sooner than later to maybe open a door.

[flamesfilmguy]

I'd rather be in a second-class FBS league than in a top league in a second-class division (FCS). It's getting out of where we're at and to the FBS that still matters.

Why?
I get that the long term vision is to become the baptist Notre Dame but does that involve us burning bridges everywhere we go to achieve the vision? that doesn't exactly sound like the logical thing to do. We have made our bed by publicly going al out with the #FBSReady business. we've pretty much alienated ourselves from all conferences in the FCS.

Lets focus on actual success on the field where we are instead of posturing for a seat at the big kids table. App state had to start somewhere. they won multiple championships and built a pretty successful program in FBS before getting the nod. I personally like the FCS format better anyway. The playoffs are structured to be exciting. and for now we can still schedule big name teams with the chance for a big upset (see app vs UM). Do i think we would be better off in the CAA or SOCON? of course. but we've pretty much made that bed and now we have to lay in it. besides toilet bowls mean just as much as winning in the FCS playoffs.

[bluejacket]

Lets focus on actual success on the field where we are instead of posturing for a seat at thebig kids table. App state had to start somewhere. they won multiple championships and built a pretty successful program in FBS before getting the nod. I personally like the FCS format better anyway. The playoffs are structured to be exciting. and for now we can still schedule big name teams with the chance for a big upset (see app vs UM). Do i think we would be better off in the CAA or SOCON? of course. but we've pretty much made that bed and now we have to lay in it. besides toilet bowls mean just as much as winning in the FCS playoffs.

Saying that we should just focus on ourselves is part the same mentality that got us where we are right now. There are reasonable arguments for continuing to build our programs across the board in the Big South, but that is not going to be viable going forward unless dramatic steps are taken. The rest of the conference is sick of our FCOA policy and members in the conference are already openly against us. If our situation is not improved, preferably by adding members, we will be in danger of being voted out or the conference rules will be changed so that we are forced to be chained or leave membership.

The FCS is dying and we are stuck in the Big South for the time being.

[ATrain]

The CAA was always a pipe dream for us. With today's current lineup, it frankly is nothing to get excited about joining.

As for CCU's academics, I am no expert. But I do remember their poor academic reputation was one of th eprimary reasons that the SoCon never let them in their club.

Meh, I wouldn't mind playing JMU (assuming they never get an FBS invite), Richmond and W&M every year in football as opposed to Coastal, Charleston Southern and Gardern-Webb. The hoops, though, took a dive when ODU, GMU and VCU all moved on...

[LUminary]

I'd rather be in a second-class FBS league than in a top league in a second-class division (FCS). It's getting out of where we're at and to the FBS that still matters.

Why?
I get that the long term vision is to become the baptist Notre Dame but does that involve us burning bridges everywhere we go to achieve the vision? that doesn't exactly sound like the logical thing to do. We have made our bed by publicly going al out with the #FBSReady business. we've pretty much alienated ourselves from all conferences in the FCS.

Lets focus on actual success on the field where we are instead of posturing for a seat at the big kids table. App state had to start somewhere. they won multiple championships and built a pretty successful program in FBS before getting the nod. I personally like the FCS format better anyway. The playoffs are structured to be exciting. and for now we can still schedule big name teams with the chance for a big upset (see app vs UM). Do i think we would be better off in the CAA or SOCON? of course. but we've pretty much made that bed and now we have to lay in it. besides toilet bowls mean just as much as winning in the FCS playoffs.

I don't think any bridges were burned to other FCS conferences because there weren't any bridges to begin with, as far as I'm aware. I don't remember the CAA or SoCon being interested in us before the announced FBS intentions. I know the SoCon wasn't.

I'm all for success at FCS because that's where we're at. And I respect anyone that likes being at the FCS level, and I too like the format. But it is a lower level and perceptions matter. I'm all for winning an FCS championship. That wouldn't hurt toward the FBS chances, but it's not the driver. As for App, the FCS titles and win over Michigan helped the process but that wasn't the driver. There had been a move and hopes by many at App since the '70s when East Carolina, then a peer, left it behind.

I too like a playoff format more than bowls, but not at the expense of playing at a lower level. Exposure-wise, there is as much to be gained by playing in the toilet bowl as the FCS title game. Don't believe it, wait until App plays in their first bowl game. That will create as much of a buzz as when they won their first FCS title. The reasons for the move to FBS are many. It costs more, but revenue is more. I assume we can afford it regardless. The schedule upgrade will be tremendous. I would much prefer to being playing Southern Miss, Akron, Wake Forest and Wyoming than Kennesaw State, Indiana State and Brevard. Any win over a UM will yield the pleasure a big upset, regardless of where we're at, but there will be more chances against UM types as an FBS member. Competing at the top level possible should remain the goal IMO.

[Humble_Opinion]

I'd rather be in a second-class FBS league than in a top league in a second-class division (FCS). It's getting out of where we're at and to the FBS that still matters.

Why?
I get that the long term vision is to become the baptist Notre Dame but does that involve us burning bridges everywhere we go to achieve the vision? that doesn't exactly sound like the logical thing to do. We have made our bed by publicly going al out with the #FBSReady business. we've pretty much alienated ourselves from all conferences in the FCS.

Lets focus on actual success on the field where we are instead of posturing for a seat at the big kids table. App state had to start somewhere. they won multiple championships and built a pretty successful program in FBS before getting the nod. I personally like the FCS format better anyway. The playoffs are structured to be exciting. and for now we can still schedule big name teams with the chance for a big upset (see app vs UM). Do i think we would be better off in the CAA or SOCON? of course. but we've pretty much made that bed and now we have to lay in it. besides toilet bowls mean just as much as winning in the FCS playoffs.

A few items...

1) The FBSReady campaign was designed as a full-court press to get our name and our progress as a university out there. Believe it or not, outside of Lynchburg, very few people know who we are and more importantly the progress we've made in a short period of time. Growth of our type doesn't happen in the higher education industry. So everyone can play MMQB all they want... to some degree I get it and I've mentioned similar thoughts, but at the end of the day, we had a great piece of PR (The Carr ) that we had every reason to believe would make us a top candidate for any conference

2) Who says we aren't focused on success on the field now? I think this tagline from the "Dark Side" is ridiculous and has gone unchallenged long enough. Barber/Guridy and co. have done a quality job at improving the gameday environment, scheduling better, hiring bigger name and more accomplished coaches, and supporting their coaches and the program by advocating for larger budgets and building world-class facilities. There doesn't appear to be any distractions on the field at this point for the coaches... from the sound of it, they all seem focused and primed on winning right now. So where does this come from? Who is distracted at LU and what sort of proof do you have that it's having an impact on the performance of our program?

[thepostman]

I love how in 204 pages we are still having the same debate. Nothing has changed.

[flameshaw]

I'd rather be in a second-class FBS league than in a top league in a second-class division (FCS). It's getting out of where we're at and to the FBS that still matters.

Why?
I get that the long term vision is to become the baptist Notre Dame but does that involve us burning bridges everywhere we go to achieve the vision? that doesn't exactly sound like the logical thing to do. We have made our bed by publicly going al out with the #FBSReady business. we've pretty much alienated ourselves from all conferences in the FCS.

Lets focus on actual success on the field where we are instead of posturing for a seat at the big kids table. App state had to start somewhere. they won multiple championships and built a pretty successful program in FBS before getting the nod. I personally like the FCS format better anyway. The playoffs are structured to be exciting. and for now we can still schedule big name teams with the chance for a big upset (see app vs UM). Do i think we would be better off in the CAA or SOCON? of course. but we've pretty much made that bed and now we have to lay in it. besides toilet bowls mean just as much as winning in the FCS playoffs.

A few items...

1) The FBSReady campaign was designed as a full-court press to get our name and our progress as a university out there. Believe it or not, outside of Lynchburg, very few people know who we are and more importantly the progress we've made in a short period of time. Growth of our type doesn't happen in the higher education industry. So everyone can play MMQB all they want... to some degree I get it and I've mentioned similar thoughts, but at the end of the day, we had a great piece of PR (The Carr ) that we had every reason to believe would make us a top candidate for any conference

2) Who says we aren't focused on success on the field now? I think this tagline from the "Dark Side" is ridiculous and has gone unchallenged long enough. Barber/Guridy and co. have done a quality job at improving the gameday environment, scheduling better, hiring bigger name and more accomplished coaches, and supporting their coaches and the program by advocating for larger budgets and building world-class facilities. There doesn't appear to be any distractions on the field at this point for the coaches... from the sound of it, they all seem focused and primed on winning right now. So where does this come from? Who is distracted at LU and what sort of proof do you have that it's having an impact on the performance of our program?

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Purple Haize]

I'd rather be in a second-class FBS league than in a top league in a second-class division (FCS). It's getting out of where we're at and to the FBS that still matters.

Why?
I get that the long term vision is to become the baptist Notre Dame but does that involve us burning bridges everywhere we go to achieve the vision? that doesn't exactly sound like the logical thing to do. We have made our bed by publicly going al out with the #FBSReady business. we've pretty much alienated ourselves from all conferences in the FCS.

Lets focus on actual success on the field where we are instead of posturing for a seat at the big kids table. App state had to start somewhere. they won multiple championships and built a pretty successful program in FBS before getting the nod. I personally like the FCS format better anyway. The playoffs are structured to be exciting. and for now we can still schedule big name teams with the chance for a big upset (see app vs UM). Do i think we would be better off in the CAA or SOCON? of course. but we've pretty much made that bed and now we have to lay in it. besides toilet bowls mean just as much as winning in the FCS playoffs.

First the picture (and who doesn't love cookies)
Then your new avatar
Now this post?!?!

You made you Potentate very proud and made him