A Sea Of Red

Any ideas...

The ABH Conference. Anywhere But Here

Id say the A-10:

New Hampshire 7-1 11-2
Massachusetts 6-2 7-4
Hofstra 5-3 7-4
Maine 3-5 5-6
Rhode Island 2-6 4-7
Northeastern 2-6 2-9
SOUTH CONF. W-L OVERALL W-L
Richmond 7-1 9-4
James Madison 5-3 7-4
Delaware 3-5 6-5
Towson 3-5 6-5
William & Mary 3-5 5-6
Villanova 2-6 4-7

What would be the best? The A-10.

However, that ain't happening. They have 247 teams and wouldn't want us until we got better.

Other than that, there's not a logical one. The best I-AA, other than the A-10, would be a brand new, football only conference.

CAA

^^CAA is replacing the A10 in football...

As far as conference goes, right now the CAA/A10/whatever is ideal...but like SJ said, its not gonna happen no matter how much we all dream of it.

I say the best thing to do is wait and see what happens when realignment occurs over the next couple of years.

The CAA would be ideal due to the competitiveness and the presence of the Virginia schools. The Southern would be an excellent consolation to the CAA. Anywhere but the Big South would be okay.

Ditto what Big Stevie V said

PATRIOT LEAGUE

(I know, too easy)

If some how it would open up, the CAA provides synergy and competitiveness for all of LU Varsity sports, not just Football...and over the last couple of years we pretty much play all of those schools anyway in non-conference scheduling...so if we got in there, we could then use the non-conference openings on the schedule to schedule stiffer competition as the play should be consistently better as the regular league games would provide a higher level of play.

We have made overtures to the A-10 several times over the years but have been rebuffed each time. Try convincing a bunch of Catholic bishops to let Jerry Falwell's school into their precious league.

The CAA would obviously be the best league for us overall in all sports based on its geographic makeup and its high standing across the board. But they would have to have a number of defections for us to come into play. UNC-W allegedly is considering hopping over to the SoCon. But it would probably take a couple more schools before they would consider us.

The SoCon has made it patently clear to us since we applied to them in the Late '80s after we stepped up to Division I that they have no interest in bringing us aboard. I believe this has as much to do with our elitist (read theologically & socially to the left of us) Baptist brothers in that league who have never wanted to be lumped in with JF's school. Then you factor in the state schools not wanting any more privates in their league and you can see why it has never been a match.

I honestly believe we are going to eventually wind up being in a football league as an affiliate member and having the rest of our sports in a different conference. That full member conference might wind up being the Big South in the long run. That's why we need to make sure our conference continues to get stronger across the board (and why I am so vehemently against Longwood or Sav State being admitted).

Our open declarations that we intend to go I-A are actually inhibiting our short term goals of getting in a better league. Nobody wants to be used as a stepping stone and we'll likely have this thrown back in our face in any efforts to join a league that sponsors I-AA football.

Unless there is a major I-AA realignment shift in the next couple of years, I fully anticipate our next conference move to be when we link up with someone at the I-A level. Right now I couldn't tell you who that might be. But I honestly believe that by the time we approach making the leap, there will be some partners for us either in an existing league or building a new one. There are a bunch of I-AAs in our region right now who are giving I-A membership serious consideration in the next decade. Let's just say that three of them decide to move up together along with us and join two existing I-A schools you would have the foundation for a new conference. Think that sounds impossible? For sake of argument, let's say Delaware, JMU and William & Mary all decide to keep their tight bond and move up together and they bring us along for the ride to build a core of four. Add in geographically challenged East Carolina from C-USA and you are up to five. If this fledgling league were really fortunate they might be able to convince Navy to come onboard. If we stopped at six we would have five league game leaving plenty of room for the Midshipment ot get in all of their traditional matchups that they issues scheduling when they were in C-USA. I know this is all pie in the sky dreaming, but I;m just showing you how things could fall into place under the right circumstances.

Those are definately some good points and if we did jump to 1A it would be idea if we could pair with the teams that you mentioned in forming a new conference. The Sunbelt or the MAC would be possibilities also. Right now we just need to concentrate on playing a tough non-conference schedule after Coach Rocco's rebuilding effort is in place, hopefully can win and/or be competitive in those tough games and possibly can give us a shot at the playoffs.

I'm with you, Steve. None of us are thrilled being in the Big South. But while we are here we need to start succeeding. I'm confident Coach Rocco has us on the right path.

The ACC. Why? Because georgraphically it is a PERFECT fit for us AND the league. With our new basketball arena and football stadium we would be attractive to their efforts to include communities in their conference. The fact we have JF would do nothing but INCREASE the national exposure of this conference.
Hey if we are going to dream of being D1A then why limit our VISION!

All in due time, my friend. Al in due time.

Brokeback... I feel obligated to offer you a leadership lesson:

Two steps ahead, you're a leader.... Tweleve steps ahead, you're a martyr.


Because D1A has been proposed, discussing about it's viability is realistic and worthwhile. Bringing up one of the best Conferences in the country as a possible solution just makes you a martyr. Apparently people who have a belief in the vision and potential of LU at the next level are shunned by you on a board claiming to be fans of the University.

It's within the realm of probability to make a move to 1A... I'm sorry that some don't believe it (even after seeing where we are after just 35 years of existance.

It's called sarcasm.

No kidding SJ... so was mine... relax big guy... you don't have to try to pick a fight... breathe.... breathe...

His was blaring sarcasm, yours wasn't.

SJ... I was talking to Brokeback... the next time I start a post with "SJ" then you will know it's worth trying to be smart with me. It's obvious you've been frustrated over my support of LU's past, present and future accomplishments... so I can understand how you may want to jump the gun with me any time you can... but relax... don't get so jumpy....

If you wish to talk to me about anything, feel free to PM... Otherwise I'll assume that when I address someone on the board that they will be the one who replies.

Oh wow. That made me laugh.

Easy on my boy SJ, he's got my back and I have his!! OF COURSE I was oozing sarcasm. But we already know my feeling of being 1A anyways!! Just trying to have some fun!!! You do make a great point though TALLY - By talking 1A NOW some of us feel THAT is 12 steps AHEAD. You can join our meetings down @ the moose lodge. It is LUAA - Liberty University Athletics Anonymous "Hello My name is Brokeback F. and I am an Athletic Martyr" Not to be confused with the Flames Club meeting on Tuesdays!!!

It's a dead topic. When we're playing with the big boys you'll find reason to jump on the bandwagon. Until then you can keep putting the school down and talking about how great other schools have it...

no offense Brokeback... but I'm glad you don't have my back