[Chris Lang]

Here's that Big South notebook ...

Call it a love affair, but don’t call it a marriage just yet. Big South Conference commissioner Kyle Kallander said Thursday that Presbyterian College is not the league’s sixth football playing member. At least not yet.
“There have been no oaths taken,” Kallander said.

The State of Columbia, S.C., reported Thursday that Division II Presbyterian is expected to approve a move to Division I and that the school will begin playing I-AA football in the Big South in 2007. Kallander said Thursday that no membership offer has been proferred to the Clinton, S.C., school, mainly because the school hasn’t yet voted to move to Division I. The school’s board of trustees is expected to vote Tuesday.

Because no vote on Division I status has been taken at PC, the school hasn’t even officially applied for league membership.
The presidents of the Big South schools will meet in Hilton Head, S.C., May 17-20, but a potential vote on Presbyterian could take place before then. Asked if a Presbyterian invite was imminent, Kallander said: “No. 1, I couldn’t comment on something like that. No. 2, I don’t like to speculate on those kinds of things.”

In a phone interview Thursday, Presbyterian athletics director Bee Carlton said reports of PC’s inclusion in the Big South are premature. “We feel like, if the board makes the decision, the Big South is the best fit for us,” Carlton said. “We would hope they would favorably consider an application. But there has been no application made. There’s been no guarantee made. There have been no decisions made.”

The mutual interest between the Big South and Presbyterian is well documented. The conference needs a sixth team to qualify for consideration for an automatic berth to the I-AA playoffs. “There has been conversation with them; that’s been public knowledge,” Kallander said. “They’re a great institution and I think they’re really doing a lot to ensure that if they do make the move, they’re prepared to do that. They’re very impressive.”

Even if Presbyterian joins, there’s no guarantee the Big South would get the automatic football berth. The Blue Hose wouldn’t be eligible for Big South championships until the 2011-12 season. For a conference to be eligible for an automatic bid, it has to have six members who have been Division I for at least eight years play together for two years. So if PC joins and begins play in 2007, the Big South wouldn’t be eligible for automatic consideration until 2015.

Presbyterian is a 1,200-student, private liberal arts school located roughly halfway between Greenville and Columbia that would be a logical geographical fit for the conference.

The Blue Hose, who went 10-2 in the South Atlantic Conference last season, have found success against one Big South member, beating Charleston Southern 12 straight times. They whipped the league co-champs 42-0 last season.
“We are impressed with the caliber of schools in the Big South,” Carlton said. “It would be a challenge for us day-in and day-out. It’s one thing to have one game and be successful, and it’s another thing to have a season of success.”

Baseball showdown
Liberty and VMI will open a key three-game Big South series at Worthington Stadium this afternoon.
The Flames bounced back from a tough weekend at Win-throp with an 11-2 rout of George Mason on Wednesday. Michael Just hit a grand slam in a nine-run second inning as the Flames (18-8, 0-3 Big South) broke a four-game losing streak.
The Keydets (20-6, 2-1) have won seven of eight games and are playing their first road games since Feb. 28.
Liberty will throw Michael Solbach (4-1, 3.00) today. VMI will counter with Trey Barham (4-1, 4.38 ). First pitch is at 3 p.m.

Football
Redshirt freshman quarterback Joey Robinson ran for 104 yards and scored on a four-yard run during VMI’s second spring scrimmage Thursday.
Running back Ryan Mingus broke a 44-yard run and Jonathan Wilson hit Nat Jackson with a 35-yard touchdown pass as the first-team offense scored on its first possession.
Wilson completed 10 passes for 129 yards and also scored on a four-yard touchdown run. Receiver Willie Bell led the wide-outs with three catches for 74 yards. Linebacker Jacob Rochester recovered two fumbles and forced another.
— Chris Lang

[PAmedic]

another excellent article CHRIS- thats how the original one on Presby SHOULD have been written- had the writer gone for journalistic integrity rather than a scoop.

And my other post wasn't a shot at CHRIS at ALL. we all know how it works- the guy could pump out 100 articles a day and all of them get canned by the editor. I simply remain amazed that the only D1 game in town gets ignored- though the coverage is much better w/ a certain new reporter in town (and, I might add- it is evenhanded- pros AND cons get put out there)

[Guest]

Chris - do you have plans to see if Campbell and the Big South have had any talks since all indications are that the Camels will announce Friday that they will field a iAA football team?

[Chris Lang]

I do now. I was going to check into that after I get back from interviewing Dawn Jeffs for a softball feature for the Saturday paper.

[PAmedic]

we oughta get partial credit in the byline for legitmately stealing that one from the Elon and CCU boards

[Chris Lang]

It appears that Campbell is only interested in non-scholarship football at this time. They'd fit into the Pioneer before they'd go into the Big South. We'll see how that evolves.

[Sly Fox]

I had a feeling they would want to go the Davidson route when I first heard the rumblings yesterday about Campbell. And if memory serves me correct they didn't leave the Big South on great terms.

[WinthropEagleFan]

I had a feeling they would want to go the Davidson route when I first heard the rumblings yesterday about Campbell. And if memory serves me correct they didn't leave the Big South on great terms.

From what I understand, Campbell refuses to play on Sundays, and the league wasn't willing to commit to that (especially at that time when the league was just fighting to get its basketball championship games on TV at all)...I can respect why Campbell wants to do that, but I it really handcuffs a league in alot of ways to accomodate that request. So I'm not even sure whether the Big South or Campbell would even be willing to try and hash that out again...

[Sly Fox]

I didn't recall the details since its been several years back. But I believe there was more involved than games on Sunday. We used to have a similar policy once upon a time so we have sympathy for those convictions.

[Brokeback Flamer]

It appears that Campbell is only interested in non-scholarship football at this time. They'd fit into the Pioneer before they'd go into the Big South. We'll see how that evolves.

Chris, I would just like to thank you for slipping HOES pass the N and A sensors!!! I laughed all day!! This is truly a great day for me!!

No Mo Man Hoes No Mo Man Hoes No Mo Man Hoes. Why do I have to wait till 07!!

[Chris Lang]

Speaking of the Hoes I just got an e-mail from the Big South regarding a conference call Thursday afternoon to talk about Big South membership. So it appears the Presbyterian ship may have FINALLY officially sailed ...

[Guest]

It appears that Campbell is only interested in non-scholarship football at this time. They'd fit into the Pioneer before they'd go into the Big South. We'll see how that evolves.

I read that too - but one article gave a faint glimmer of hope that they may possibly look to scholarships in the future.

Is it possible for a non-scholly program to join the Big South? If I were Kallander I'd be wining and dining the campbell administration and trying to get them to do whatever they can to join the Big South. They would be a perfect fit geographically. They would fit in nicely with Charleston Souther, Presbyterian, and Gardner-Webb as well.

With the Pioneer they'd have to travel all over the country.

If they have any inclination of adding scholarships - they need to come to the Big South. If Charleston Souther, Presbyterian, and Gardner-Webb can offer scholarships so can the Presbyterian.

[Guest]

err - so can Campbell

[Sly Fox]

A non-scholarship team would be at such a competitive disadvantage that I sincerely doubt they would choose to go that route. But if they were considering a gradual step up in competition it might be something they would consider.

[A.G.]

A non-scholarship team would be at such a competitive disadvantage that I sincerely doubt they would choose to go that route. But if they were considering a gradual step up in competition it might be something they would consider.

We're fully funded and were not all that competetive.

[Sly Fox]

Touche

[givemethemic]

It's now official...

BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE ADDS PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE AS NEW LEAGUE MEMBER

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Big South Conference has added Presbyterian College as a member of the League effective with the 2007-08 academic year, it was announced today by the Conference’s administrators, in conjunction with Presbyterian College’s announcement of its transition to Division I status. Presbyterian will become the Big South’s 10th member institution.
“On behalf of the entire membership of the Big South Conference -- student/athletes, coaches and presidents, we are pleased and very excited to welcome the entire community of Presbyterian College to the Conference,” said Dr. G. David Pollick, Birmingham-Southern College President and President of the Big South Conference. “Both the quality of the Big South Conference and Presbyterian College truly make this a pleasure. It is always satisfying when high quality organizations which share a common value system find one another, making each just that much stronger. Such is the case with this marriage. The Big South's commitment to the preparation of young leaders by combining high scholarly expectations with healthy athletic competition is wonderfully characterized in the addition of our newest member -- Presbyterian College.”
“The Big South is an excellent conference for Presbyterian College to join as we begin play in NCAA Division I,” said Presbyterian College President John Griffith. “The competitive opportunities for Blue Hose athletics and the opportunity to be associated with such fine institutions are important factors for us. Over the past decade, we have played several conference members and now look forward to a permanent relationship with these institutions and to establishing new relationships as a member of the Big South.”
Presbyterian sponsors 16 athletic programs: football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s lacrosse, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s golf and volleyball. Athletic highlights this past year include the Blue Hose football team finishing 10-2 overall, hosting a second round Division II playoff game and ranking 10th nationally by the AFCA. The women’s volleyball squad posted a 32-5 overall record (14-0 League mark) and was ranked No. 6 regionally. The Blue Hose men’s basketball program recorded a 25-10 mark and second round NCAA Tournament appearance this past season. Both tennis programs were regionally ranked in 2005 and advanced to the NCAA Championship as well.
During its transition to Division I, Presbyterian will play a Conference schedule beginning with the 2008-09 seasons, but will not count in the League standings nor be eligible for League Championships until receiving active Division I status. Presbyterian will become eligible for Conference and NCAA championships in the fall of 2011.
“On behalf of the Big South Membership Committee, I am pleased to welcome Presbyterian College into the Big South Conference,” added Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio, chairman of the Conference’s Membership Committee and President of Winthrop University. “As its newest member, Presbyterian College brings to the Conference a strong history of excellence in its intercollegiate athletics program. The institution is also a very good fit for the Big South in terms of its geographical location, its facilities and its dedication to the ideals of academic excellence and the true spirit of athletic competition. Everyone throughout the Big South Conference joins me in saying we look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Presbyterian.”
“Presbyterian College will be an outstanding member of the Big South Conference,” commented Big South Commissioner Kyle B. Kallander. “Its thoughtful and extensive deliberation of its move to Division I and the Big South portends a successful transition. There is no question that Presbyterian will compete successfully for Conference championships immediately upon achieving eligibility.”

[PAmedic]

something tells me the guys over at CCU are livid right now, gotta go check.

[PAmedic]

hit the nail on the head: JACKET and the boys PO'd!

http://www.coastalfans.com/forum/viewto ... 3&start=30

ccujacket
Site Admin

Joined: 22 Apr 2004
Posts: 2107

Re: Presbyterian makes the move to Division I / Big South
Big South Press Release

They don't play a Big South schedule until 08-09 and aren't eligible for Big South or NCAA championships until 2011. Hopefully we're gone before they even get in.


Posted on: Apr Thu 06, 2006 12:41 pm

[Stevev]

I am just as PO'ed as the boys from CCU are right now about this latest development.

[TallyW]

fill me in on ccu's beef with this.... is it just that they want a stronger conference,not weaker?

[SuperJon]

To be respected, you have to be from a respectable conference. Presby doesn't make the Big South any more respectable than it was. It's the same reason all of you guys want out of the Big South. It's not a great conference and Presby doesn't make it any better.

[A.G.]

Just like High Point and Elon didn't make it any better. UNCG DID help when they jumped to D-I, but they just USED US to move on to a real conference.

[BJWilliams]

Here's hoping that we can get MEAC schools if a few of them do decide to jump ship.

[bigsmooth]

you are respected by winning....beating quality opponents. but being in a good conference helps too. the big south is growing...not like we all want, and with the teams we want. we should be happy we have the minimum teams to at least have consideration for a playoff bid. if all of the league teams will play quality OOC schedules, and if schools like charleston southern and PC improve their facilities, the big south can be respected. as far as coastal is concerned they need to realize where they came from. i salute their quick rise in football, but keep in mind their schedules up till last season were a joke. if coastal continues with a schedule like they did last year and conrinues to win they will be respected. they were pretty darn close to making the playoffs last year if they had not slipped up. the selection committee will reward playing tough schedules and if our teams win. so coastal fans should relax, b/c if they were to jump to the SoCon, they will not make the playoffs. the big south schools and KK need to keep to the grindstone and get one or two more established I-AA teams and we will be OK. guys this is the card we are dealt...we just need to make the best of it.