[LUconn]

And VT had half the following and national prominence that they do now

Say what? They played in the national championship game while in the Big East.

[ATrain]

When discussing moves up, lets not forget about Charlotte coming into the equation.

As far as the CAA goes, here's who I can see moving up:
ODU
JMU
Georgia State
Delaware
MAYBE UMass

No way W&M or Towson move up.

So for future a future FBS conference, we have:
ODU, JMU, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, App State, Charlotte, Delaware, Maybe UMass and Liberty (for those keeping count, w/ UMass that is 9 teams).

Also, lets not forget that Navy is still and Indy in football, and they could play a role as well.

[jcmanson]

And VT had half the following and national prominence that they do now

Say what? They played in the national championship game while in the Big East.

Yeah in 1999. That's when their national prominence started with a kid named Vick. Before Vick arrived in Blacksburg VT was 2nd in the state to UVA. When Vick arrived and post Vick is when all the bandwagon Hokie fans came out of the woodwork. 4 years later they jumped to the ACC.

[Sly Fox]

UMass doesn't have funding to step up to FBS. The State of Massachusetts is a financial disaster area. And they are a CAA affiliate anyway (A-10 for everything else besides hockey).

Charlotte would likely go back to the C-USA if it still exists. But I'd be down with teaming up with them.

[jcmanson]

Been on the phone this morning with some folks in Richmond since this stuff with Nova broke. Nobody I talk to believes CAA will be looking to move the league up any time soon. If Nova goes, which is likely, the northern division and affiliates are probably gone in fairly short order. Nothing too surprising really. Everything consistent with what I had heard last week regarding the CAA. Things are falling into position rather nicely for us. The CAA could find themselves in a position where they actually need Liberty, which could possibly force the hands of those schools who would normally resist being affiliated with us.

Yeah if those other 3 northern schools leave. Then the CAA will almost need us.

[ATrain]

Been on the phone this morning with some folks in Richmond since this stuff with Nova broke. Nobody I talk to believes CAA will be looking to move the league up any time soon. If Nova goes, which is likely, the northern division and affiliates are probably gone in fairly short order. Nothing too surprising really. Everything consistent with what I had heard last week regarding the CAA. Things are falling into position rather nicely for us. The CAA could find themselves in a position where they actually need Liberty, which could possibly force the hands of those schools who would normally resist being affiliated with us.

Yeah if those other 3 northern schools leave. Then the CAA will almost need us.

The problem then arises with the other sports. Will the CAA want a 13+ team league? Or will the most northern full time members (Northeastern and Hofstra) break off?

[ATrain]

Well, they already do the trips for non-football, so the northern football only schools leaving wouldn't really affect them. Hofstra and Northeastern don't have football...

Yes, but I'm under the impression we're talking CAA for everything. And I was more referring to the chance of NU and Hofstra breaking off from the CAA to save them money on travel costs, not the rest of the conference. If the northern football affiliates leave, the CAA still has 12 for everything and 7 football (counting Richmond).

[jcmanson]

It appears that Montana will be invited to join the WAC

[From the class of 09]

It appears that Montana will be invited to join the WAC

Is this rumor or official?

[jcmanson]

It appears that Montana will be invited to join the WAC

Is this rumor or official?

According to catgrizinsider, it came straight from the AD. http://twitter.com/catgrizinsider

[From the class of 09]

It appears that Montana will be invited to join the WAC

Is this rumor or official?

According to catgrizinsider, it came straight from the AD. http://twitter.com/catgrizinsider

It's ironic that they get the invite this year after there rough start

[JK37]

It's ironic that they get the invite this year after there rough start

Yes, it is a bit. But just further proof that on-field success only indirectly correlates to this discussion.

So, does Montana State not make a move? I thought the two were yoked?

[ToTheLeft]

It's ironic that they get the invite this year after there rough start

Yes, it is a bit. But just further proof that on-field success only indirectly correlates to this discussion.

So, does Montana State not make a move? I thought the two were yoked?

Since this wasn't an official announcement we can't really tell either way. I would assume that MSU is a candidate to move up with UM, should UM accept. Natural rivalry and MSU is a decent, well-supported program.

[Sly Fox]

Both schools would have to step up considerably financially by adding sports in addition to 22 more scholarships for football.

I still think that UTSA & Texas State are the only stone cold locks to join the WAC at this point.

[PAmedic]

of course you do. And the rest of the country has no idea those schools even exist

[ATrain]

of course you do. And the rest of the country has no idea those schools even exist

Yeah, they'll be like the other *insert state name*-*insert major city without THE flagship campus* colleges...also-rans in a lesser conference that most people still won't even know exist.

[ToTheLeft]

of course you do. And the rest of the country has no idea those schools even exist

Yeah, they'll be like the other *insert state name*-*insert major city without THE flagship campus* colleges...also-rans in a lesser conference that most people still won't even know exist.

Yeah, like UCLA, right?

[WinterIsComing]

Just a thought based more on an idea than possible reality.

How about a Virginia Athletic Conference.

Football: JMU, ODU, W&M, Richmond, Liberty, VMI

Basketball: VCU, Radford, GMU, ODU, W&M, Richmond, Liberty, VMI

Maybe we could even add some other schools in the DC/VA Beach area. Heck even UVA may join if they continue their ho-hum ways. Hampton, Norfolk State, George Washington, American, Howard, Gallaudet (jk, jk)

[ToTheLeft]

Just a thought based more on an idea than possible reality.

How about a Virginia Athletic Conference.

Football: JMU, ODU, W&M, Richmond, Liberty, VMI

Basketball: VCU, Radford, GMU, ODU, W&M, Richmond, Liberty, VMI

Maybe we could even add some other schools in the DC/VA Beach area. Heck even UVA may join if they continue their ho-hum ways. Hampton, Norfolk State, George Washington, American, Howard, Gallaudet (jk, jk)

This has been discussed before.

I think a southern CAA breakoff would be better, limiting ourself to just VA isn't that bright. That's for DIII conferences. The "Colonial Conference" with Delaware, Towson, JMU, WM, Nova, ODU, Richmond, etc. and maybe if something happens with the SoCon one of the Carolinas teams could jump in, or CCU if they desire to make a move from a Liberty-free Big South. Same with SBU if they're not a part of the northern CAA breakoff.

[Liberty4Life]

One thing that's being lost in this discussion: what's the Big South doing while every other conference is playing musical chairs? I know they're getting Campbell, but, seeing that they're one of the worst teams in FCS, that's not exactly a move that'll improve our dear conference.

[LUnpretty11]

One thing that's being lost in this discussion: what's the Big South doing while every other conference is playing musical chairs? I know they're getting Campbell, but, seeing that they're one of the worst teams in FCS, that's not exactly a move that'll improve our dear conference.

They won't?

[LUconn]

One thing that's being lost in this discussion: what's the Big South doing while every other conference is playing musical chairs? I know they're getting Campbell, but, seeing that they're one of the worst teams in FCS, that's not exactly a move that'll improve our dear conference.

They're probably making plans for what happens when we leave.

[ToTheLeft]

Campbell isn't coming for football. They're non-scholly Pioneer League and I've heard nothing of plans to change that.

[JK37]

Kennesaw State?

[PAmedic]

still intrigued by SoCar St but wonder how realistic that would be

I see the MEAC circling the wagons before they let them go