[cruzan_flame13]

Is it just me or does this give us a clue of LU not being a part of the Big South not much longer? This isn't any proof that LU is excluded but it's just strange that we are not in any position of the BS board (I could be wrong). I just found this a bit strange from the video on the CEO letting:

http://bigsouthnetwork.com/news/2017/6/ ... aspx?path=

[olldflame]

Is it just me or does this give us a clue of LU not being a part of the Big South not much longer? This isn't any proof that LU is excluded but it's just strange that we are not in any position of the BS board (I could be wrong). I just found this a bit strange from the video on the CEO letting:

http://bigsouthnetwork.com/news/2017/6/ ... aspx?path=

Since this is a board consisting of Presidents and Chancellors, in our case that would be JLFJR. It could be his peers would rather not deal with the headaches that could be associated with having a relatively controversial figure in a leadership role. It's also very possible Jerry made it known he didn't wish to be considered for a position at this time.

[jbock13]

Is it just me or does this give us a clue of LU not being a part of the Big South not much longer? This isn't any proof that LU is excluded but it's just strange that we are not in any position of the BS board (I could be wrong). I just found this a bit strange from the video on the CEO letting:

http://bigsouthnetwork.com/news/2017/6/ ... aspx?path=

Read the post above your original.

[Cider Jim]

The new BSC president from UNCA said she wants to make "the Big South the strongest Division 1 athletic conference."

[olldflame]

Nothing that we know right now means anything except fuel for speculation. There are 10 member schools and only 3 board officers, which means besides Liberty there are 6 other schools who were "excluded". In other words, in and of itself it means nothing. You could argue that if a vote were taken to retain Liberty as a non-football member, there would be no reason not to announce it, while if we got the boot, a period of time for us to get our ducks in a row and make our own announcement would seem to be a small enough favor for a long time member. I will say however that as strongly as some in the academic community feel about LU, if we are out, it would be a major accomplishment for all those CEOs to resist the temptation to gloat for long.

[Class of 20Something]

Nothing that we know right now means anything except fuel for speculation. There are 10 member schools and only 3 board officers, which means besides Liberty there are 6 other schools who were "excluded". In other words, in and of itself it means nothing. You could argue that if a vote were taken to retain Liberty as a non-football member, there would be no reason not to announce it, while if we got the boot, a period of time for us to get our ducks in a row and make our own announcement would seem to be a small enough favor for a long time member. I will say however that as strongly as some in the academic community feel about LU, if we are out, it would be a major accomplishment for all those CEOs to resist the temptation to gloat for long.

I agree with you. I think we are getting a deal done in the silence though. What would LU have to offer to make the Big East a realistic destination? I don't think it's likely, but I'd be shocked if that isn't what IM would try and accomplish here.

[olldflame]

The new BSC president from UNCA said she wants to make "the Big South the strongest NCCA Division 1 athletic conference."

As a mental health professional, I learned first hand that a person's level of academic achievement bears no relevance to whether or not they have a firm grasp on reality.

[olldflame]

I want to quickly add that Cider certainly seems to have a firm grasp.

[olldflame]

Nothing that we know right now means anything except fuel for speculation. There are 10 member schools and only 3 board officers, which means besides Liberty there are 6 other schools who were "excluded". In other words, in and of itself it means nothing. You could argue that if a vote were taken to retain Liberty as a non-football member, there would be no reason not to announce it, while if we got the boot, a period of time for us to get our ducks in a row and make our own announcement would seem to be a small enough favor for a long time member. I will say however that as strongly as some in the academic community feel about LU, if we are out, it would be a major accomplishment for all those CEOs to resist the temptation to gloat for long.

I agree with you. I think we are getting a deal done in the silence though. What would LU have to offer to make the Big East a realistic destination? I don't think it's likely, but I'd be shocked if that isn't what IM would try and accomplish here.

While it is hard to imagine the Big East is a possibility at this point (or the A-10 for that matter) there is little doubt that we are playing in a different league (pun intended) with McCaw at the helm.

[Cider Jim]

With all due respect, I wonder if the female president at UNCA even knows what P5 stands for. Maybe with her at the helm, it will soon become the P6.

[Ewglenn]

What about the Metro Atlantic (MAAC)?

[Class of 20Something]

With all due respect, I wonder if the female president at UNCA even knows what P5 stands for. Maybe with her at the helm, it will soon become the P6.

Did you hear about the AAC trying to force their way into a P6?

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/g00/spor ... gle.com%2F

[olldflame]

A-10 would truly be the perfect destination. I just don't see it happening right now.

Totally agree that if we are going to remain indy in football, the A-10 would be amazing for our other sports. As far as an FBS conference is concerned, the one that SHOULD be the best fit is the MAC, but unfortunately our chances of that at this moment are about the same as they are for the SEC. The MAC is littered with athletic programs that are struggling financially and they want no part of a new member with our resources. Having said that, if one or more of them actually succumb to their financial woes and have to drop football entirely or go to a lower division, they might look at Liberty in a different light, as a stabilizing factor.

[olldflame]

What about the Metro Atlantic (MAAC)?

Their current geographic footprint is tiny (CT, NY and NJ), and you have to believe that is no accident.

[ballcoach15]

I would like to see LU join the AAC. that would be best in my opinion.

[cruzan_flame13]

Nothing that we know right now means anything except fuel for speculation. There are 10 member schools and only 3 board officers, which means besides Liberty there are 6 other schools who were "excluded". In other words, in and of itself it means nothing. You could argue that if a vote were taken to retain Liberty as a non-football member, there would be no reason not to announce it, while if we got the boot, a period of time for us to get our ducks in a row and make our own announcement would seem to be a small enough favor for a long time member. I will say however that as strongly as some in the academic community feel about LU, if we are out, it would be a major accomplishment for all those CEOs to resist the temptation to gloat for long.

I agree with you. I think we are getting a deal done in the silence though. What would LU have to offer to make the Big East a realistic destination? I don't think it's likely, but I'd be shocked if that isn't what IM would try and accomplish here.

Don't say that! Some folks in here will think you're crazy by just suggesting such action lol

[cruzan_flame13]

I would like to see LU join the AAC. that would be best in my opinion.

That would be cool, however I don't see the presidents and commissioner would even consider that. WSU was just invited to join for next year, however money and good negotiation does make good deals. I would would be very surprise if this action occurred in the near future. I'm still hoping that the Big East will realign(eventually), add some schools from the A-10 and then that conference considers us as a member. If the Big East adds us(most likely with negotiations) then that will be a huge accomplishment (as well with getting an invite to the A-10).

[ATrain]

The Big East is essentially a bunch of Catholic institutions. Something tells me they don't want to associate with the largest Protestant lightning rod around, especially with our historically awful men's basketball program.

[flameshaw]

The Big East is essentially a bunch of Catholic institutions. Something tells me they don't want to associate with the largest Protestant lightning rod around, especially with our historically awful men's basketball program.

Women's field hockey?

[Purple Haize]

The Big East is essentially a bunch of Catholic institutions. Something tells me they don't want to associate with the largest Protestant lightning rod around, especially with our historically awful men's basketball program.

Now you're going to unleash 13's crazy!!

[cruzan_flame13]

The Big East is essentially a bunch of Catholic institutions. Something tells me they don't want to associate with the largest Protestant lightning rod around, especially with our historically awful men's basketball program.

Women's field hockey?

That's a point that I brought up before. Our field hockey teams is already in that conference. Also there's a couple of schools in the Big East that haven't been great for awhile; DePaul for example. Also, we saw how online education exploded and blessed LU quite a bit. Imagine if the Big East used their markets and include LFSN which is independent and can gain millions of viewers around the nation and even internationally(for alums overseas). This is just an idea and can definitely help recruiting for the Olympic sports.

P.S. Although the members are Catholic schools, I believe that we'll have a better or even reasonable chance than a public school (especially the fact that we're private).

[ballah09]

While the Big East might be more friendly towards Liberty. We offer nothing for them. You brought up Depaul but Liberty is one program that they would rank above of. A bad Liberty program wouldn't draw viewers. We'll talk once we make the tournament regularly and pull off some big wins. Same with the olympics sports, minus field hockey. Field hockey is a legit top 20 program.

If you are talking about a new conference, I believe we'll be in the ASUN in 2018.

[Cider Jim]

The Big East is essentially a bunch of Catholic institutions.

A conference with Catholic schools might warm up to LU better than Conference USA, which is ALL state schools.

[Class of 20Something]

Well, Rice is private, but I know what you mean.

Bottom line is that we aren't going to the Big East anytime in the near future. So we can basically put that one away. I don't think we really have any immediate options but the A-Sun.

We also didn't think half of the contracts Football has signed in the past 3 months were possible in the near future. I certainly don't expect the Big East to be our destination, but considering how we have been able to negotiate recently, I wouldn't be surprised. Two weeks ago no one here thought a P5 school would play in Lynchburg until 2022 and that is IF you consider BYU a P5 program. WF in 2025 was the first bonafide P5 at Home. Instead 2019 is just around the corner.

Point is, there is expert level negotiation going on these day. I won't underestimate them.

[ballcoach15]

I think the ASUN would be a good conference for LU, all sports considered.