[logic]

Sly, of those bold teams, what do you think is the probability they form their own conference? Do you have any inside info with those schools or the LU? athletic department? You seem to know quite a bit about the situation. Fill us in!

[Cider Jim]

Liberty
JMU
ODU
Villanova
Delaware (though they'd deny it publicly)
UMass
Appalachian St.
Charlotte
Georgia Southern
Georgia State
Jacksonville State
South Alabama
Youngstown State

It looks like LU is almost in the geographical center of many of these schools, if they were to move up and form their own conference: 3 Virginia schools, 2 in the greater Philly area, 2 Carolina schools, and 2 Georgia schools--I like it!

[jbock13]

I have to be honest, I don't see anything like this happening.

[Purple Haize]

I have to be honest, I don't see anything like this happening.

Then you are a small thinking, non Bible beleiving, self loathing Philistine!

[Cider Jim]

I like the name Doc would have most likely given it:

"Super Conference"

[jbock13]

I have to be honest, I don't see anything like this happening.

Then you are a small thinking, non Bible beleiving, self loathing Philistine!

Well, what I meant is the "super conference" coming from the CAA teams breaking away. But yes Haize, very funny.

[LUconn]

I just don't even really see it happening any other way. You've got that giant list posted of teams that are looking into moving up. Not all of them will of course but how many slots are open in existing conferences? A couple maybe? They all realize this and they'll band together. It's the obvious solution.

[Sly Fox]

Frankly barring an opening in C-USA, I don't see Appy stepping up without us as a partner.

And while Villanova would not be stepping up unless they accepted the Big East invite, Delaware will go where they see their interests best suited and that would be with JMU & ODU in light of traditional rival 'Nova stepping away. The Hens are a likely LU partner in many different scenarios. The 2nd Philly school I would see as a possible league cohort would be Temple.

At this point, all we can do is speculate because we have no idea what will become of Conference USA, WAC & the Sunbelt in the coming year. They could all go to 16-team leagues or the C-USA could even split in two or go through with the proposed MWC alliance.

Frankly the uncertainty to everything plays into our hands. We are ready & waiting and have some flexibility.

[jbock13]

Frankly barring an opening in C-USA, I don't see Appy stepping up without us as a partner.

And while Villanova would not be stepping up unless they accepted the Big East invite, Delaware will go where they see their interests best suited and that would be with JMU & ODU in light of traditional rival 'Nova stepping away. The Hens are a likely LU partner in many different scenarios. The 2nd Philly school I would see as a possible league cohort would be Temple.

At this point, all we can do is speculate because we have no idea what will become of Conference USA, WAC & the Sunbelt in the coming year. They could all go to 16-team leagues or the C-USA could even split in two or go through with the proposed MWC alliance.

Frankly the uncertainty to everything plays into our hands. We are ready & waiting and have some flexibility.

No offense but nothing is going to happen to the C-USA and probably not the Sun Belt either. Most conferences are just happy with 12 teams. There's one opening in the MAC if anyone wants it. That's all I can see at this point.

[From the class of 09]

No offense but nothing is going to happen to the C-USA and probably not the Sun Belt either. Most conferences are just happy with 12 teams. There's one opening in the MAC if anyone wants it. That's all I can see at this point.

If/when one of the big boys moves up to 16 no one will be happy at 12 it could happen tommorrow or in a few years. Regardless it will be a mad house when it does.

[jbock13]

Maybe we should have joined the WAC

[logic]

http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=24567

Watch the entire video as it is a good one but pay careful attention to 12:16.

Can we all now do the following -

1. Put to rest any talk of not moving up and instead find a place for us in FBS.
2. Get a lot of people to the games as the Chancelor made it very clear that phase 2 will not happen until there is a need.

I agree with him, no need for more seats when students do not even stay the whole game and we cannot fill what we have.

[jbock13]

http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=24567

Watch the entire video as it is a good one but pay careful attention to 12:16.

Can we all now do the following -

1. Put to rest any talk of not moving up and instead find a place for us in FBS.
2. Get a lot of people to the games as the Chancelor made it very clear that phase 2 will not happen until there is a need.

I agree with him, no need for more seats when students do not even stay the whole game and we cannot fill what we have.

Agree with number 2, but I disagree with number 1. As I mentioned before, there is 1 spot in the MAC. I don't see anything else unless the Sun Belt takes us, which is doubtful.

[Sly Fox]

Free your mind, jbock13. You can't limit your possibilities to present paradigms.

[jbock13]

Free your mind, jbock13. You can't limit your possibilities to present paradigms.

And so I say that Liberty's Men's Basketball team will be the 2011 NCAA Champions

[Sly Fox]

I wouldn't expect THAT much of a paradigm shift. But I certainly appreciate the optimistic outlook.

[LUGrad2000]

If this summer there is a lot of conferences going to 16 teams, and assuming we get an invite, how ready are we to make the move?

Do we have lobbyists ready for that?

[Sly Fox]

Our lobbyist is named Jeff Barber. He's been preparing for this time since he arrived.

We'll make the adjustments for whatever move we make. We are not as far away from this level as some would suggest. Could we improve in both competition and facilities? Sure. But we are tracking nicely toward the transition.

[Purple Haize]

LOGIC - Part 2 I think EVERYONE can agree with. Also, without Part 2 there can not be a Part 1.

The best way to achieve attendance and retention would be a move to the Colonial. It is very 'logical'' , very doable and IMO the ONLY way a jump to the 'next level' would be successful. Ask yourself, wouldn't the local/regional fan be more apt to go to home games featuring:
JMU
ODU
W and M
Richmond

OR

Toledo
Akron
W. Michigan
Bowling Green

A hint: How many JMU/ODU/WandM/ and Richmond alum are in the area?

[logic]

Purple -

Did you watch the video? Moving up is clearly a priority and will happen. CAA obviously is FCS and therefore not an option unless all move up.

[Purple Haize]

"..football just got a big thing so they are going to have to wait a little while"
"..we move to the next level in all sports"

Yep, I watched AND listened to the video. I obviously don't have a Gullum like obsession with the move to BCS level, so see a move to the CAA as a move to the 'next level'. It is the next level in terms of: rivalries, level of competition, increased attendance, increased revenue, just to name a few. I happen to take JJ's words, and he IS a lawyer, for what that are. He did not say the HIGHEST level, he just said the next, and for ALL sports. (Let the NEW VINES CENTER thread begin) So since the HIGHEST level would be a BCS AQ conference, and we are pretty much at the bottom of the athletic barrel in terms of rivalries, competition, attendance and revenue, that leaves plenty of 'next level' steps. One of which would be a move from our current conference, and judging by JJ's word, it would be for the benefit of all sports, not just football.

[Kricket]

I'll probably get mocked for saying some of this and I'm not an emotional guy so forgive me for the emotional arguments, but why are people arguing whether or not a move to the FBS should be made? It's going to happen and thank the Lord that the people who started and run the University are more optimistic than some of you here, or the university would have never existed. The reason I transferred to Liberty Online is because of the mentality of Liberty of doing big things. Big things financially, spiritually, athletically, politically, whatever else you want to add. Sure there's always got to be those people who say, "I'm just being realistic, blah blah blah". There is nothing "realistic" about what Liberty has achieved in such a short time, so forgive me if I believe that unrealistic things can and will continue to happen at Liberty and anywhere else God is present, and that includes success at the FBS level, and when it happens most of us who follow Liberty won't even have to say to the world "I told you so", because they'll just know that there is something better/different about Liberty, and I think the financial success that Jerry Falwell Jr was talking about in that press conference is just a small taste of "I told you so" moments that are in store for us in the future. If you want to move slow and not take risks that's fine, and your own personal choice, however the university is moving on quickly, so please understand why so many fans are down with moving up quickly. It's what makes it so great to be a Flame in my eyes. And now I must leave so my wife can use the computer.

[logic]

Purple -

The comment regarding football just getting their upgrade was in response to when phase two was going to happen. The comment regarding "moving up" was pinpointed directly at football moving up to FBS, not the CAA, unless the CAA is moving up too. Seeing as though football is the only sport that has two classifications there really is no other explanation. Liberty's 19 other NCAA sports are fully certified Division I and eligible for NCAA Division I titles (see T/F).

You may want us to join the CAA and that is fine, but please don't make the mistake of thinking the recent happenings around football are not geared towards FBS play. It has been said and hinted at enough times that football will be moving on up.

The CAA is still small-time with small-time rivalries. Think big! Kricket makes all good points above!

[jbock13]

FBS or not, I just want out of the Big South!!!!!

[Purple Haize]

Logic - AT first you based your argument on what was said at the press conference. Now you are basing it on 'dropped hints"? Really? In the presser, JJ said that the goal was to get all sports to the next level. He did not single out any sport BUT football and that was to say "they have had theirs so they are going to have to wait." So based on your own 'logic' if the other sports are already at the Div 1 level what is their "next level"? A new conference? New facilities? Or yes to both?
You also can't ignore the fact he said "Next Level" not "Highest Level". Words mean things, especially to lawyers.!! Try thinking of it like this:
ACC > Colonial > Big South. The Colonial would be the Next Level for reasons I have already stated. The ACC would be the Highest Level: BCS AQ, National Championships in just about every sport (MBB, WBB, W Soc, M Soc, Tennis, LaCrosse, Swimming etc) and tradition.

Kricket = Love the passion. I will caution that some of the "expect a miracle" thinking is what almost lead us to financial ruin in the 90's. Because of that there were many lost opportunities at all levels. Now that we are more 'stable" it is nice to see that the administration is thinking ahead with both feet on the ground. JJ hit the nail on the head when it comes to fund raising: People are more willing to give money that they will have something to show for it. People are less willing to give to pay off debt. Its almost as if he took a Sport Fundraising class from a former esteemed professor on campus