[RVAparks]

Nothing against Longwood, I have stated that it's a good move for the Lancers, but it is bad for Big South because they do not have football

Everyone keeps stating this but has yet to come up with a solution. Who should have the Big South pursued instead?

[jcmanson]

Nothing against Longwood, I have stated that it's a good move for the Lancers, but it is bad for Big South because they do not have football

Everyone keeps stating this but has yet to come up with a solution. Who should have the Big South pursued instead?

UNC Charlotte as football only
Kennessaw St
S Car St
Campbell football
any division 2 team w/football

You don't have to expand just for the sake of expanding

[RVAparks]

UNC Charlotte: Why would they want to be in the Big South? CAA seems a lot more logical.

Kennessaw St: I've said this before and I'll say it again... The CAA wants to stay in the ATL market and with Ga State possibly leaving for FBS in the next 5 or so years, Kennesaw State likely gets the call.

S Car St: Charter MEAC member, they've been in the conference for 40+ years. They aren't going anywhere.

Campbell football: Absolutely no interest in scholarship football.

any division 2 team w/football: Who would be looking to move up that has football and would make sense? Most schools looking to move up seem to be more in the geographic footprint of the Southland and OVC.

[PAmedic]

Interesting perspective in this post from the WU board: will admit it had me reconsider my initial impression on this...
(sorry for length)
http://winthropfans.com/viewtopic.php?f ... 4ee#p12011

Re: New addition to Big South?
by gaffer.com » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:24 pm

... Through the 1980’s they were nationally ranked in soccer, baseball, basketball, and women’s golf at the NCAA Div. II level. Played in the old Mason-Dixon Conference with Liberty, UMBC, Mt. St. Mary’s and one or two others that I can’t remember before they all went Div.I. I think they will figure out how to be successful on the Div. I level as well, especially when they find a conference. Enough of the history.

There have been some excellent coaches come through Longwood and their coaching staff now is very good. Also have some young hard working support staff that do a great job and a progressive athletic director. True, it is in the middle of nowhere, in a small town and an hour from everywhere (Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Richmond). It has a very nice campus and good athletic facilities that are always changing and being upgraded. I would not be surprised if they build a new arena in the near future. Because there is not much to do in Farmville, events are usually well attended. It is my opinion that they will put up whatever money is needed to compete and be competitive.

They would have an impact on the women’s side and would challenge for championships immediately in many programs. They are very good in women’s soccer (former player of mine), softball and golf (having two players play on the LPGA Tour). The women’s tennis is also strong. Women’s basketball was very good a few years back and has slipped recently with coaching changes. They now have a new coach that I am sure he will get the program turned around again. I would assume they would also be good in lacrosse, since they have had the program for the past 30 plus years with success. On the men’s side their soccer team was good enough to have won the BSC this past season. Baseball has always been strong over the years. Great coach, who will be retiring in the near future. He started the proggram. They had many players drafted over the years (Michael Tucker, being the most notable played in the majors for 10 plus years). Basketball continues to improve and would be somewhere in the middle of the league I would think. (Best known is Jermone Kersey, played 10 years with Portland and finished his career with several other NBA teams). Also had many others that played over seas and other leagues). Good in golf and tennis.

As for facilities, they have some better than many in the BSC. Soccer facility is very good. Field Hockey and Lacrosse have a turf facility and would be the best or one of the best. The baseball facility is also very nice. As for the gym, it is bleacher style seating but they keep it in very good shape and have drawn well in the past. Tennis facility is well kept but very simple. Softball facility is nicer than most. Academically, better than many of the schools in the BSC. Should they get invited to join the BSC, I think you would be surprised how competitive they would be...

[ballah09]

UNCC: CAA won't invite them unless they move all sports. They want to stay in the A10.

Kennesaw State: CAA is looking for more northern teams, hence Stony Brook would get an invite before them.

SCSTATE: The president and AD already criticized the MEAC. So they would leave for better opportunities.

Campbell: I agree

Valdosta State would be a great addition D2 powerhouse (football). Adds travel partner to Kennesaw State and they have better facilities then some Big South schools

Kallander acknowledged the conference still has interest in adding an eighth football-playing member and could be in line for further growth in the future.
“As we have evaluated Longwood and others, that’s been an issue that we’ve talked a lot about and clearly we still have a desire to expand our football membership,” Kallander said. “We will continue to consider both full and associate members in football, so it’s very possible we could even grow beyond where we are currently.”

[ballcoach15]

As much as I love Liberty University, the Big South Conference is viewed by many as a very weak conference, especially in football. Only way this will improve, is for current teams to get better, and to bring in a couple other "good football schools". Stony Brook ain;t helping because of their location and being in conference only for football.

Therefore hopefully LU will leave Big South in very near future. I still recall Dr. Falwell's dream of one day beating Notre Dame........... in Lynchburg. As long as we are in Big South we'll never play ND.

[RVAparks]

To build on the facilities paragraph from the Winthrop post PA... We are putting up all new scoreboards this summer at every, single athletic facility. The mock up of the boards look awesome! The ones being installed at the baseball, softball, and basketball facilities will feature video boards.

Just as a public service announcement to FlamesFans, Longwood has a fansite up at www.LancersBlog.com, the site is in its infancy but will be adding a message board and upgrading very soon.

[ballcoach15]

With all the new video boards, I hope they can do a better job with them than they do with football video board. They do a terrible job with football board, in that they show more students in stands on it than they do action on the field. It's OK to show fans once every so often, but do not keep a camera zeroed in on fans every play. Main purpose of video boards are replays.

And while I am at it, I will say we need to reduce the amount of music played at games. Currently the speakers will start blaring 60 minutes before a game, and continue until after the game. Also during every time out they will play music or the PA guy will make announcements. It appears there is some NCAA rule that outlaws any "quiet time" at any point of a game.

[Cider Jim]

Academically, better than many of the schools in the BSC.

I just hope Longwood gets a QUIZ BOWL ready for 2013.

[ballcoach15]

as for scheduling, everyone in conference should play same schedule. it's unfair to schools that have to play tougher teams, where as other teams play cupcakes. As for football, when there are non football schools in a conference, it's not good as a whole. High Point is planning to add football, but I forget how many years away they are. I talked with their AD last year.

[Sly Fox]

Football is a long-term goal at High Point.

[RVAparks]

as for scheduling, everyone in conference should play same schedule. it's unfair to schools that have to play tougher teams, where as other teams play cupcakes.

If you figure out a way to do that then let us know.

[ballcoach15]

High Point isn't as far away from football as most probably thinks. I wish I could recall what the AD told me. We were having a good conservation and I think he didn't care for a suggestion I made to him on what type coach to hire. Then he went away.

[Purple Haize]

as for scheduling, everyone in conference should play same schedule. it's unfair to schools that have to play tougher teams, where as other teams play cupcakes.

They do it in other conferences. Schedules are imbalances at most conferences

[ballcoach15]

Very true, most conference schedules are not balanced properly. Too many conferences take the easy way out when making schedules. when EVERY school is fighting for SAME championship, then they should all play SAME schedule. It's important theat the playing field be as level as humanly possible.

[ToTheLeft]

HPU was looking at adding D3 football 4ish years ago and bailed on the plans. They have a really nice soccer facility, just not sure they can use it for both sports, so it's all about figuring how and where to play, and if it's worth it. But with the leadership at HPU, you figure it's going to happen eventually.

[lynchburgwildcats]

HPU was looking at adding D3 football 4ish years ago and bailed on the plans. They have a really nice soccer facility, just not sure they can use it for both sports, so it's all about figuring how and where to play, and if it's worth it. But with the leadership at HPU, you figure it's going to happen eventually.

It's a good thing they did bail on the plans since they wouldn't have been allowed to do it to begin with...

[Sly Fox]

By D3 he means DI non-scholarship like our Big South friends at Campbell.

[ballcoach15]

When I talked with HP AD, he told me their timeline towards adding football, but I cannot recall what he said. But I think HP is closer than most think they may be

[PAmedic]

One week and I'm already getting confused when reading threads.

I have, therefore, reached a decision.

Liberty, as the senior member of the conf, may choose to retain rights to the "LU" brand- or opt for LbU, LIB, etc. My pref: LU

Longwood must choose an alternate. here are several ideas: LoU, LwU, LGW, or several that shall not be posted on this forum.

Poll to follow...

EDIT: find it here http://www.flamefans.com/forums/viewtop ... 12&t=18682

[ballcoach15]

Longwood should be called LW, or anything other than LU. I hope the conference gurus addressed this issue, prior to extending the invitation.

[Cider Jim]

Longwood should be called LW, or anything other than LU. I hope the conference gurus addressed this issue, prior to extending the invitation.

Conference guru? Are we talking about Kyle Kallander?

[Chris Lang]

Between being out of town on the Monday of the Longwood presser and having to travel all over the Southeast for Liberty basketball last week, I didn't get to write anything about the move until yesterday. Here it is, with some details about the conference tournament change for next year:

http://www2.newsadvance.com/sports/2012 ... r-1655398/

Schedule for the tourney will look like this:

Men -- First round Monday (campus site), QF Wednesday, SF Thursday, Championship Saturday
Women -- First round Tuesday (campus site), QF Friday, SF Saturday, Championship Sunday

[RVAparks]

That's pretty cool, I wonder who will submit bids?

[ATrain]

That's pretty cool, I wonder who will submit bids?

Hopefully teams that have sizeable arenas...Liberty, Winthrop, VMI, etc...unless CSU and UNC-A want to play in their respective cities civic centers.