[SuperJon]

You're comparing apples and oranges.

Those schools didn't need to win because they didn't have the baggage we have. Had we had the success of App, Georgia Southern, or Coastal (aka the last three schools invited into the league), our religious beliefs wouldn't have been a problem.

[flameshaw]

They focused on winning.

We focused on telling people we were great.

At the end of the day, winning matters.

Georgia State was 6-5, 3-8 and 1-10 before they were accepted into the Sun Belt.

Texas State was 4-7, 6-6, and 4-8 before they were accepted into the Sun Belt.

New Mexico State was 10-40 from 2009 to 2012, and in their last season before being admitted to the Sun Belt as a football-only member, they were 2-10.

Liberty hasn't had a losing season since Danny Rocco took over as head coach.

Winning doesn't matter to them.

Tend to agree with you. We would have been more attractive if we had better football/basketball teams, but I don't see that as the #1 or #2 reasons we were not invited. After football..... baseball and softball seem to be big interest in the SBC. We have some success in baseball and one of the best softball stadiums in the country with a bright future for that program. At the end of the day, it is what it is.
I trust JB and the leaders to make the right decisions for our athletic future. They have done a very, very good job so far, especially for such a young university. We are light years ahead of where we were 10 years ago.

[jimflamesfan]

They focused on winning.

We focused on telling people we were great.

At the end of the day, winning matters.

Georgia State was 6-5, 3-8 and 1-10 before they were accepted into the Sun Belt.

Texas State was 4-7, 6-6, and 4-8 before they were accepted into the Sun Belt.

New Mexico State was 10-40 from 2009 to 2012, and in their last season before being admitted to the Sun Belt as a football-only member, they were 2-10.

Liberty hasn't had a losing season since Danny Rocco took over as head coach.

Winning doesn't matter to them.

+1

[jimflamesfan]

I will feel better if we beat Georgia State and Coastal this year.

[Liberty22]

My only question is what happened to the rule you had to average 15,000 before you could be invited? Their stadium only seats 9,000 so so much for that.

[Purple Haize]

Had we been to the playoffs four times, gotten to the quarterfinals twice, been to the NCAA tourney in basketball 2-3 times, and made the super regionals a couple times in baseball, the Sun Belt wouldn't have cared if we were a school of radical Muslims. They would've seen a winner who could help them.

I'd take that team. let's Go Fighting Jihadi's!

[LUinPA]

The Sun Belt was full of Universities that I didn't even know existed until we were hoping for an invite. In fact, I had to research some schools just to find out where in the world and who in the world they were. It didn't really matter to me where we ended up and I do believe we have a home somewhere in FBS, although it may be awhile till we find our new house.

Either way, I would like for someone to educate me on how CCU changes the SBC conference for the better? I do wish them the best but I simply don't understand this move.

Seasons come and go, wins and loses mount up, so it cannot be all about winning. Therefore, someone please clue me in on what the presidents believe CCU will do for the overall sake of the conference. Is MB that large of a market? Do they have some national footprint that I haven't seen? Is there some record breaking historic game that will live in infamy? Do they have a rocken campus? Please someone explain the madness...

[rmiller1959]

You're comparing apples and oranges.

Those schools didn't need to win because they didn't have the baggage we have. Had we had the success of App, Georgia Southern, or Coastal (aka the last three schools invited into the league), our religious beliefs wouldn't have been a problem.

I don't disagree with you. I only addressed winning because that was the criteria you mentioned, and for all the success of the programs you mentioned, they let in a good number of clunkers, too.

Well, it's water under the bridge, and it's time to enjoy the season and prepare for the next opportunity should it come. The Coastal game will have some added intensity to it, that's for sure.

[SuperJon]

for all the success of the programs you mentioned, they let in a good number of clunkers, too.

There's a difference in survival mode and growth mode. When you're trying to survive, you'll take whatever fits. When you're trying to grow, you look for people already growing.

[soccer7]

Had we been to the playoffs four times, gotten to the quarterfinals twice, been to the NCAA tourney in basketball 2-3 times, and made the super regionals a couple times in baseball, the Sun Belt wouldn't have cared if we were a school of radical Muslims. They would've seen a winner who could help them.

They were considering EKU!!!!! That should tell you what everyone with clear eyes can see. It was either about our mission or they were scared of the athletic budget. Inviting CCU says the budget wasn't an issue. I would go international detail but I'm trying to be more stoic these days:)

[flameshaw]

It would be nice to get some idea of what is going on from an administrative view. I know they can't be too specific, but an update would be good.

[flameshaw]

It's in some folks DNA to blame ourselves some how some way. If folks want to believe that had we just won a few more games things would be different, well...okay.

+1

[thepostman]

It's in some folks DNA to blame ourselves some how some way. If folks want to believe that had we just won a few more games things would be different, well...okay.

I use to roll my eyes at posts like this but I really am tried of the attitude of some that feel like they are some how better then the rest of us.

I don't agree with the way liberty went about this whole fbs ready campaign but no amount of spin will make me believe coastal is ready.

[SuperJon]

It's in some folks DNA to blame ourselves some how some way. If folks want to believe that had we just won a few more games things would be different, well...okay.

And it's in some folks DNA to feel like a martyr because of our religion and political views.

And it's in some folks DNA to feel like they're inherently more intelligent than others.

If that's the case, well...okay.

[SuperJon]

Had we been to the playoffs four times, gotten to the quarterfinals twice, been to the NCAA tourney in basketball 2-3 times, and made the super regionals a couple times in baseball, the Sun Belt wouldn't have cared if we were a school of radical Muslims. They would've seen a winner who could help them.

They were considering EKU!!!!! That should tell you what everyone with clear eyes can see. It was either about our mission or they were scared of the athletic budget. Inviting CCU says the budget wasn't an issue. I would go international detail but I'm trying to be more stoic these days:)

They considered EKU but chose Coastal. They were also considering NMSU. They considered us as well.

Who did they choose?

The school with sustained success.

[LUalumfromnc]

The day is darkest before the dawn. Hopefully we will get an invite in the near future.

[LUalumfromnc]

They will be still in FCS next year and I think they should have to be FCS independent to make room for a full member. I think the Big South should add Delaware State or West Georgia. Who do you think the Big South should add or will add as a full member?

[Yacht Rock]

To say that our athletes didn't focus on winning is a disservice to what they've accomplished over the last several years.

Of course winning more games in each sport would raise the profile and add value to our school's attractiveness.

That being said, if you're a critical thinker, it would be irresponsible to not consider the elephant in the room.

The main thing that separates us from the schools that the SB desires isn't winning. It isn't facilities. It's mission.

Even if we were in the post season every year for the big three sports the SB would be skeptical of adding us because they've stated they are a conference of "public" universities. By their nature and the fact that they may see that as part of their identity, they would be resistant to our mission.

[SuperJon]

They would be skeptical, yes. That's exactly why we needed the sustained success.

People will always have a problem with our mission. That's a given.

Our location will always be less than ideal.

The online school will always seem sketchy to academic elitists.

But if we become a winning brand and not just a flashy brand, we then bring something of value to the table. They still might not like us, but they would at least respect us at that point.

We talk about how "ready" we are because of stadiums and budgets. We say Coastal will struggle because they don't have the crowds we have. We neglect the idea that they're years ahead of us in actual on the field substance. Some will say I feel this way because I went to Coastal, but if you look at why we started Beat Coastal in 2007, it was because they'd had the success we knew we needed to have in order to take the next step. We've failed at that goal.

Success has not and probably will not be a huge determining factor for most schools moving to FBS. But for Liberty, with all its perceived baggage, it's something that is a must have. It can't be another negative in a slew of perceived negatives.

[SuperJon]

There's definitely a case there. I've said all along I think we'll sue for discrimination.

What I'm saying is that had we had the success of Coastal, we wouldn't have been discriminated against.

[Purple Haize]

Discrimination: the practice of unfairly treating a person or group of people differently from other people or groups of people

Sounds a lot like what you are describing to me SJ.

Discrimination isn't against the law. We do it every day. There are a lot of reasons why the SBC didn't select us.
If someone doesn't give you what you want do you go around threatening law suits because you were discriminated against? Life isn't always fair. At least in my world it isn't nor will it ever be.

[Purple Haize]

It's in some folks DNA to blame ourselves some how some way. If folks want to believe that had we just won a few more games things would be different, well...okay.

And it's in some folks DNA to feel like a martyr because of our religion and political views.

And it's in some folks DNA to feel like they're inherently more intelligent than others.

If that's the case, well...okay.

It's in some folks DNA to label 'Heretic' those who don't buy the Company line
It's in some folks DNA to throw a temper tantrum when they don't get what they want

[ATrain]

I'm happy for Coastal, they've been Division I for about 10 years longer than we have, and have had success with their football program.

Our mission plays a part in this, but lacking on field success in football didn't help and our men's bball program is attractive to NO ONE. If we had made the playoffs a couple more times, and maybe our women's bball team had had a couple more tourney runs, things would be different. At the end of the day though, the job needs to get done and historically we haven't been getting it done where we need to get it done.

[Cider Jim]

Coastal may be going to the Sun Belt, but in 10 years, they've never beaten us in Quiz Bowl. Scores from the last 2 years:

Liberty over Coastal Carolina 370-105 (2015)
Liberty over Coastal Carolina 445-65 (2014)

And, for the record, both of those wins were without 4-time Jeopardy champion Catherine Hardee, because the Big South wouldn't let us play with graduate students.

[thepostman]

There's definitely a case there. I've said all along I think we'll sue for discrimination.

What I'm saying is that had we had the success of Coastal, we wouldn't have been discriminated against.

I don't think you can say that with complete confidence. It is a hypothetical and hypotheticals are very hard to prove.

I don't completely disagree but I still have my doubts that even if we had sustained success in football and basketball we would of been chosen.