- November 9th, 2021, 3:27 pm
#635222
Since we now stand at nine conference member sheading into the Fall of 2023, it certainly creates some discussion about which school might make the best #10. Here are the most likely candidates all of which as public institutions:
All-Sport Options:
University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Current Conference: Southern
Market: Chattanooga MSA #101
Miles from Lynchburg: 423
Stadium Size: 20,412
Chatty has frequently been targeted by leagues like the Sun Belt for a potential rise to FBS. In fact, the university has conducted studies to pursue the option. The remain in the SoCon surrounded primarily by smaller private schools. Being on the same level with MTSU just up I-24 has to be intriguing. Jacksonville State is also reasonably close by. Traditionally strong FCS program and hoops has traditionally been excellent.
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky
Current Conference: ASUN
Market: Lexington/Fayetteville MSA #109
Miles from Lynchburg: 403
Stadium Size: 20,000
EKU joined the ASUN alongside Jax State for this academic year after leaving behind the OVC. They just missed getting an invitation to the Sun Belt when Coastal got the call. The Colonels have historically been a strong FCS program and will likely challenge the Flames for the hoops title this season. Kidd Stadium is old and out of date. But the university has promised to upgrade if they get the call up.
Missouri State University
Springfield, Missouri
Current Conference: Missouri Valley
Market: Springfield, MO MSA #117
Miles from Lynchburg: 919
Stadium Size: 17,337
Perhaps the most attracive option for CUSA if they need to add at least one more FCS team. They have awesome facilities and a terrific basketball history in both men and women. Football has never lived up to its potential. But they would be just the second FBS team in a rather populous state. Springfield is also not far out of the projected CUSA footprint. But they appear to have less enthusiasm about giving up their Mo Valley hoops even if it means missing what could be the last FBS Golden Ticket for another decade.
Football-Only Options:
North Dakota State University
Fargo, North Dakota
Current Conference: Missouri Valley
Market: Fargo MSA #192
Miles from Lynchburg: 1362
Stadium Size: 18,700
The longtime dominant FCS school has been trapped in a quandry. There is no natural FBS league for them to join no matter how strong their program might be. The MWC to the west and MAC to the east have no interest in expanding their footprints. Bison fans realize this might be a rare opportunity to move up. The Fargodome is a bit undersized for an FBS stadium. But there have been proposals to expand if need arises. They would love to get a football-only invite from CUSA and keep their other sports parked in Mo Valley. But that may not be possible.
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Current Conference: FBS Indy/A10
Market: Springfield, MA MSA #84
Miles from Lynchburg: 571
Stadium Size: 17,000
UMass continues to be in quandry of their own. They want to keep their olympics in the A10 where they have historic membership. But that is keeping their football team from getting in a league where they can gain any momentum. And frankly a football-only invitation would be gaining CUSA the worst program that UMass has to offer. The on campus stadium is undersized and inadequate. I suspect they'll remain indy until they are willing to move all sports. And that is something they refused to do with the MAC.
Non-Football Options:
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Current Conference: Sun Belt
Market: Dallas-Fort Worth MSA #4
Miles from Lynchburg: 1174
UTA has been strongly encourgaed by their fellow Belt mebers to move on along. They have been in contact with the Missouri Valley and likely have had feelers out to the ASUN as well. They have no interest in football and in Texas that is an odd place to be. They have historically had relatively strong hoops. But it has been awhile. Having a member in the DFW Metroplex might be appealing to Judy MCleod as the league office currently sits in Dallas where the hoops tourneys are held.
University of Arkansas-Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Current Conference: Sun Belt
Market: Little Rock/Conway MSA #80
Miles from Lynchburg: 834
UALR is the other unwelcome Belt program that has been looking for cover. They have reportedly been in negotaions with the ASUN. UCA is now a member and just a half hour away from Little Rock. The only way they are getting in is likely tied to a non-football addition.
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, Florida
Current Conference: ASUN
Market: Cape Coral/Fort Myers MSA #78
Miles from Lynchburg: 886
The reason why FGCU is being mentioned is that they are the only viable travel partner for FIU. The Dunk City days are distant memories but in general FGCU is strong in most fo the olympics.
All-Sport Options:
University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Current Conference: Southern
Market: Chattanooga MSA #101
Miles from Lynchburg: 423
Stadium Size: 20,412
Chatty has frequently been targeted by leagues like the Sun Belt for a potential rise to FBS. In fact, the university has conducted studies to pursue the option. The remain in the SoCon surrounded primarily by smaller private schools. Being on the same level with MTSU just up I-24 has to be intriguing. Jacksonville State is also reasonably close by. Traditionally strong FCS program and hoops has traditionally been excellent.
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky
Current Conference: ASUN
Market: Lexington/Fayetteville MSA #109
Miles from Lynchburg: 403
Stadium Size: 20,000
EKU joined the ASUN alongside Jax State for this academic year after leaving behind the OVC. They just missed getting an invitation to the Sun Belt when Coastal got the call. The Colonels have historically been a strong FCS program and will likely challenge the Flames for the hoops title this season. Kidd Stadium is old and out of date. But the university has promised to upgrade if they get the call up.
Missouri State University
Springfield, Missouri
Current Conference: Missouri Valley
Market: Springfield, MO MSA #117
Miles from Lynchburg: 919
Stadium Size: 17,337
Perhaps the most attracive option for CUSA if they need to add at least one more FCS team. They have awesome facilities and a terrific basketball history in both men and women. Football has never lived up to its potential. But they would be just the second FBS team in a rather populous state. Springfield is also not far out of the projected CUSA footprint. But they appear to have less enthusiasm about giving up their Mo Valley hoops even if it means missing what could be the last FBS Golden Ticket for another decade.
Football-Only Options:
North Dakota State University
Fargo, North Dakota
Current Conference: Missouri Valley
Market: Fargo MSA #192
Miles from Lynchburg: 1362
Stadium Size: 18,700
The longtime dominant FCS school has been trapped in a quandry. There is no natural FBS league for them to join no matter how strong their program might be. The MWC to the west and MAC to the east have no interest in expanding their footprints. Bison fans realize this might be a rare opportunity to move up. The Fargodome is a bit undersized for an FBS stadium. But there have been proposals to expand if need arises. They would love to get a football-only invite from CUSA and keep their other sports parked in Mo Valley. But that may not be possible.
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Current Conference: FBS Indy/A10
Market: Springfield, MA MSA #84
Miles from Lynchburg: 571
Stadium Size: 17,000
UMass continues to be in quandry of their own. They want to keep their olympics in the A10 where they have historic membership. But that is keeping their football team from getting in a league where they can gain any momentum. And frankly a football-only invitation would be gaining CUSA the worst program that UMass has to offer. The on campus stadium is undersized and inadequate. I suspect they'll remain indy until they are willing to move all sports. And that is something they refused to do with the MAC.
Non-Football Options:
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Current Conference: Sun Belt
Market: Dallas-Fort Worth MSA #4
Miles from Lynchburg: 1174
UTA has been strongly encourgaed by their fellow Belt mebers to move on along. They have been in contact with the Missouri Valley and likely have had feelers out to the ASUN as well. They have no interest in football and in Texas that is an odd place to be. They have historically had relatively strong hoops. But it has been awhile. Having a member in the DFW Metroplex might be appealing to Judy MCleod as the league office currently sits in Dallas where the hoops tourneys are held.
University of Arkansas-Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Current Conference: Sun Belt
Market: Little Rock/Conway MSA #80
Miles from Lynchburg: 834
UALR is the other unwelcome Belt program that has been looking for cover. They have reportedly been in negotaions with the ASUN. UCA is now a member and just a half hour away from Little Rock. The only way they are getting in is likely tied to a non-football addition.
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, Florida
Current Conference: ASUN
Market: Cape Coral/Fort Myers MSA #78
Miles from Lynchburg: 886
The reason why FGCU is being mentioned is that they are the only viable travel partner for FIU. The Dunk City days are distant memories but in general FGCU is strong in most fo the olympics.