[logic]

Some good points Haize. I think this is round 12 for us?

I think the main point of Kricket's post should be summarized as this, While no, LUO students may not contribute directly to national LU success, they certainly can't hurt. Never a bad thing to have a national alumni base, regardless of online/resident status. Cannot hurt, can only help. Following some bigtime FBS wins those LUO students will be proud to be Liberty grads.

[Purple Haize]

Some good points Haize. I think this is round 12 for us?

I think the main point of Kricket's post should be summarized as this, While no, LUO students may not contribute directly to national LU success, they certainly can't hurt. Never a bad thing to have a national alumni base, regardless of online/resident status. Cannot hurt, can only help. Following some bigtime FBS wins those LUO students will be proud to be Liberty grads.

And you are still 0fer! J/k

But that IS the point. There is a difference between 'can't hurt" and " be an asset". No one is arguing they can't hurt, but they don't necessarily help either.
Now, more wins like today, will ONLY help.

[From the class of 09]

Some good points Haize. I think this is round 12 for us?

I think the main point of Kricket's post should be summarized as this, While no, LUO students may not contribute directly to national LU success, they certainly can't hurt. Never a bad thing to have a national alumni base, regardless of online/resident status. Cannot hurt, can only help. Following some bigtime FBS wins those LUO students will be proud to be Liberty grads.

And you are still 0fer! J/k

But that IS the point. There is a difference between 'can't hurt" and " be an asset". No one is arguing they can't hurt, but they don't necessarily help either.
Now, more wins like today, will ONLY help.

It's really hard to say anything absolutely as no one has done what LU is doing.

[olldflame]

I think it's almost certain that if we achieve FBS status and start showing up regularly on Sportscenter, the LUO alumni base will start to take more pride in associating themselves with our athletic program and contribute more in the financial and recruiting areas. They are potentially a terrific asset.

[Kricket]

Purple, you act like I haven't pointed out that on campus students matter more than DLP students. I'm aware of everything you stated, because I have to read the discussion boards when everyone introduces themselves and I'm generally the youngest person there.

I actually agree with all your points but when you have 60,000 students that means a lot of grads and a lot of current students. You take 1 out of 5 of those students following the program and that equals 100% of on campus students following the program.

Conferences are always looking to gain television markets, and you don't think having 60,000 students nationally would maybe peak a conference looking to grow it's tv market's interest?

You can tell me I'm wrong, but once LU is FBS I'll still be a DLP student watching and attending games I can get to and doing my best to support the program and LU. I know a few other DLP students who will be doing the same when they move FBS, because I'm going to be holding them to it.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Many more would be watching if they had ever heard of who we were playing each week.

Guys, this CUSA-MWC alliance could really be a bad thing for us by providing some stability to the landscape. We need upheaval.

Conference USA also has one of the largest exit fees in the NCAA. Doubt many if any were to leave even before that.

[Purple Haize]

Purple, you act like I haven't pointed out that on campus students matter more than DLP students. I'm aware of everything you stated, because I have to read the discussion boards when everyone introduces themselves and I'm generally the youngest person there.

I actually agree with all your points but when you have 60,000 students that means a lot of grads and a lot of current students. You take 1 out of 5 of those students following the program and that equals 100% of on campus students following the program.

Conferences are always looking to gain television markets, and you don't think having 60,000 students nationally would maybe peak a conference looking to grow it's tv market's interest?

You can tell me I'm wrong, but once LU is FBS I'll still be a DLP student watching and attending games I can get to and doing my best to support the program and LU. I know a few other DLP students who will be doing the same when they move FBS, because I'm going to be holding them to it.

This is the point I was trying to make. How many of your 60k are actually going to matriculate? The vast number are just taking a class or two, or maybe getting enough credits for a certification or even an AA. If you were talking 60k full time matriculating students the number would be more valid. But again, the father of 2 taking a DLP class or 2 isn't going to become emotionally attached to LU or it's athletic programs. This is not to downplay the importance of DLP in the framework of the University just it's role in athletic support.

[Kricket]

I guess I agree mostly. I may be slightly delusional on how many DLP students get into LU athletics since I do. I'm not sure how to really tell how DLP students will react to Liberty in the FBS besides the 5 students I know up here in Wisconsin. We'll wait and see I guess.

[Cider Jim]

Guys, this CUSA-MWC alliance could really be a bad thing for us by providing some stability to the landscape.

Sly, those were my thoughts exactly: we want teams from C-USA leaving and joining better conferences like the Big East, not solidifying their conference by combining with another to form a mega-conference.

[Purple Haize]

I guess I agree mostly. I may be slightly delusional on how many DLP students get into LU athletics since I do. I'm not sure how to really tell how DLP students will react to Liberty in the FBS besides the 5 students I know up here in Wisconsin. We'll wait and see I guess.

Well can you really get excited about ANYTHING in Wisconsin? Ha!

Again, you make my point. You live in Wisconsin , how many games are you going to get to this year? Now, to your point, if we Han thousands of DLP students in Wisconsin it would behoove us to try and schedule UW. That would be more along the lines of DLP and athletics blending.

[Kricket]

I guess I agree mostly. I may be slightly delusional on how many DLP students get into LU athletics since I do. I'm not sure how to really tell how DLP students will react to Liberty in the FBS besides the 5 students I know up here in Wisconsin. We'll wait and see I guess.

Well can you really get excited about ANYTHING in Wisconsin? Ha!

Again, you make my point. You live in Wisconsin , how many games are you going to get to this year? Now, to your point, if we Han thousands of DLP students in Wisconsin it would behoove us to try and schedule UW. That would be more along the lines of DLP and athletics blending.

I'm not really sure what the being excited thing means... Wisconsin is the best offense in the nation, Packers are the best team in the NFL, and the Brewers are the farthest they've been in the playoffs since I've been alive... It's beautiful outside this time of year. What am I missing Purple?

Anyway, I'm not going to any games this year. I've watched them all, but there's never a game close to here. Me watching games up here in Wisconsin can still benefit Liberty (does ESPN3 not have to pay for Liberty games?). I can promise you that there's not too many fans watching Appalachian State games up here. TV deals are a pretty big part of the equation in this whole conference realignment mess. The Big 12, SEC, ACC, and Pac 12 have all signed TV deals in excess of a billion dollars in recent years and I'm not sure what the Big Ten gets with the Big Ten Network.

Also, if someone wants to donate from Wisconsin, they have the same opportunity as on campus students, so I'm not really sure what the huge difference is, unless you think buying tickets is the only way someone can contribute. I'm not sure that students on campus are shelling out big bucks to go to games anyway. I'm still a student so the only money I got goes to tuition right now, but my sister has donated and expect to once I'm done with school. And how would scheduling Madison benefit LU? They'd get a payout to come to Madison and get slaughtered, but outside of that how does that benefit LU?

Anyway, I guess I'm not suppose to have that feeling of pride for LU, because I live in Wisconsin where nobody is excited for anything apparently. We will have to agree to disagree Purple, because I'm going to continue to believe that students like me can contribute to Liberty's financial and athletic success. The reason I go to LU Online is because I love Jerry Falwell (what I've read, because I'm in my early 20's so I didn't get to know him, but I love his biography and what I've read) and the mission of LU and getting married, working full time, school full time and having a house in Wisconsin didn't allow me the ability to move to a more excitable place like Lynchburg. I feel good that my tuition is going there to support the mission. I feel athletics is part of that so I will continue to support the athletics as well. Who knows, maybe one day Liberty will have an athletic facility with the last name of a DLP student on it.

[soccer7]

Very good post. I am glad that you follow LU as passionately as a DLP student as some of our residential alumni. It is great to hear that there are fans of LU and the athletic program that have not been on campus (and I know you are not the only one).

[Cider Jim]

The reason I go to LU Online is because I love Jerry Falwell (what I've read, because I'm in my early 20's so I didn't get to know him, but I love his biography and what I've read) and the mission of LU and getting married, working full time, school full time and having a house in Wisconsin didn't allow me the ability to move to a more excitable place like Lynchburg.

Kricket, if you haven't read it yet, I'd really recommend Macel Falwell's book to you: his wife wrote it a few years after Dr. Falwell died. It shows you a much more personal perspective of the man who built both Thomas Road and Liberty from the ground up (twice). And it's available on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Jerry-Falwell-His ... 876&sr=1-1

[Kricket]

The reason I go to LU Online is because I love Jerry Falwell (what I've read, because I'm in my early 20's so I didn't get to know him, but I love his biography and what I've read) and the mission of LU and getting married, working full time, school full time and having a house in Wisconsin didn't allow me the ability to move to a more excitable place like Lynchburg.

Kricket, if you haven't read it yet, I'd really recommend Macel Falwell's book to you: his wife wrote it a few years after Dr. Falwell died. It shows you a much more personal perspective of the man who built both Thomas Road and Liberty from the ground up (twice). And it's available on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Jerry-Falwell-His ... 876&sr=1-1

Thanks... I read that one already. My wife and I loved it. I would encourage others to read as well.

[jbock13]

If I may try to add what Haize is saying. First of all Kricket, I'm glad you are a passionate supporter. In fact you're probably better than at least 95% of the residential students here.

Haize' point is that you probably won't be able to attend many of the games, so that would leave you to only be able to watch it through TV. Also, your involvement would be limited to giving to the athletic program, not actually on-campus donations (like buying a t-shirt from the bookstore, paying $25 for a front row seat day of game).

We're not trying to say that DLP students can't be fans. Of course they can. They just don't have the same opportunities to be involved, and, I'd argue most of them probably aren't in the stage of their lives where they care about Liberty athletics. Sure, some do, as you're one. But most I know, as Roanoke VA has a strong DLP base, don't.

I am glad that you do your best to follow us. Because as I've said before, you're better than at least 95% of the on-campus population.

[soccer7]

He can by a t-shirt or any other LU gear from the bookstore online...and I hope that he has

[Kricket]

He can by a t-shirt or any other LU gear from the bookstore online...and I hope that he has

I have purchased from the bookstore at Liberty. The wonders of the internet. Not a whole lot of places to buy liberty stuff up here.

[Kricket]

Anyway, I didn't mean to pull this thread away from it's intent. It seems that the conference realignment news has stopped a little bit as of now. I'm surprised we haven't heard that UCF has got their official invite from the Big East yet...

[Purple Haize]

If I may try to add what Haize is saying. First of all Kricket, I'm glad you are a passionate supporter. In fact you're probably better than at least 95% of the residential students here.

Haize' point is that you probably won't be able to attend many of the games, so that would leave you to only be able to watch it through TV. Also, your involvement would be limited to giving to the athletic program, not actually on-campus donations (like buying a t-shirt from the bookstore, paying $25 for a front row seat day of game).

We're not trying to say that DLP students can't be fans. Of course they can. They just don't have the same opportunities to be involved, and, I'd argue most of them probably aren't in the stage of their lives where they care about Liberty athletics. Sure, some do, as you're one. But most I know, as Roanoke VA has a strong DLP base, don't.

I am glad that you do your best to follow us. Because as I've said before, you're better than at least 95% of the on-campus population.

Pretty much sums it up. Must be a SMGT major!

[Sly Fox]

Word is Mizzou has made up their mind and they have happy feet. The next 48 hours could be fun.

[Kricket]

http://espn.go.com/college-football/sto ... c-imminent

What other moves do you see going down Sly? It seems the Big East is ready to make some additions as well. I just wish there was some more concrete info.

[LUconn]

BIG EAST upped the exit fee but it's conditional upon the addition of the service schools. I don't think that'll happen. Not that it would be a deterrent anyway.

[Sly Fox]

The Big East reportedly is inviting a slew of schools including Houston & UCF. Down here there is serious debate whether or not it is wise for UH go to a significantly devalued Big East or stick with CUSA-MWC alliance.

[Purple Haize]

BIG EAST upped the exit fee but it's conditional upon the addition of the service schools. I don't think that'll happen. Not that it would be a deterrent anyway.

I'd like to see Army and Navy in the Big East. Maybe not the athletic quality of the teams leaving but a solid addition in every other aspect.
I actually like this CUSA-MWC hybrid. Houston should stay. I can see UCF in the Big East

[jbock13]

UCF probably joined so they can play USF again.

Houston should leave for the big east. Other than boise state in the MWC, assuming ECU leaves for the BC, who would really be left for Houston to play that's any good?