[logic]

I don't know how C-USA would be an option seeing as they just added a few schools and some say they have WKU and NMSU lined up for the next wave of realignment.

CUSA = pipedreams for sure but it's fun to dream

[Liberty22]

I attended a business meeting in Charlotte today. An old buddy of mine was there ....he is an East Carolina booster/alumni and former Pirate offensive linemen from back in the 80's ... I ask him about LU and the Sun Belt. He said that he's hearing that Liberty and Conference USA are talking? Could that rumor, plus ODU showing up on our schedule all of a sudden mean anything?

Until that is a "rumor" somewhere other than here Im gonna go ahead and say its not a rumor

[jbock13]

Heard it from a friend who... heard it from a friend who... heard from another (we've been talking to conferences).

Of course we've been talking to conference. Question is if and when we get an invite.

[jbock13]

I'm starting to think like haize here. Maybe God isn't done with us at the FCS level yet.

Not to be "that guy", but that sounds like a huge cop out.

Its not a cop out, it SHOULD be a fundamental principle. As a purportedly Christian University, shouldn't that be the FIRST question we should ask? I'm not saying I have Devine insight but it seems that this is a question that has not been asked.

I like how you spelled that. Noel Devine

[Kricket]

I say we bribe the school presidents to get in. And before anyone gets on my back, it's a joke... sort of.

[FLAMEfromBAMA]

Just looking closer at the Sun Belt sports, and I noticed they don't have Men's Soccer, WLAX,or WFH. Any ideas on what we would do with those programs if we did get an invite? I believe us and App St. are the only two FCS schools who could take a spot in all of their sports. (We would without a doubt have a huge impact in the non-major sports- Vball/XC/Baseball/Golf)


EDIT- We do not have women's golf, which the Sun Belt does have.

[logic]

I believe us and App St. are the only two FCS schools who could take a spot in all of their sports. (We would without a doubt have a huge impact in the non-major sports- Vball/XC/Baseball/Golf)

This is something that unfortunately doesn't matter to the Presidents and few current SBC fans know anything about. We have some programs here who would come in and compete right away in the Sun Belt, much to the disbelief of fans on the CSNBBS forums.

[GillsHill2013]

Its not a cop out, it SHOULD be a fundamental principle. As a purportedly Christian University, shouldn't that be the FIRST question we should ask? I'm not saying I have Devine insight but it seems that this is a question that has not been asked.[/quote]

I like how you spelled that. Noel Devine [/quote]

Noel Devine at Wvu...i heard he had more kids in motown than touchdowns.

[FLAMEfromBAMA]

I believe us and App St. are the only two FCS schools who could take a spot in all of their sports. (We would without a doubt have a huge impact in the non-major sports- Vball/XC/Baseball/Golf)

This is something that unfortunately doesn't matter to the Presidents and few current SBC fans know anything about. We have some programs here who would come in and compete right away in the Sun Belt, much to the disbelief of fans on the CSNBBS forums.

Oh yeah, I know that those other sports play fairly minor factors in this transition compared to football, academics, market, and reputation. Just curious if we'd demote those that Sun Belt does not have to club teams, or have those sports involved in another conference, etc.

[logic]

I believe us and App St. are the only two FCS schools who could take a spot in all of their sports. (We would without a doubt have a huge impact in the non-major sports- Vball/XC/Baseball/Golf)

This is something that unfortunately doesn't matter to the Presidents and few current SBC fans know anything about. We have some programs here who would come in and compete right away in the Sun Belt, much to the disbelief of fans on the CSNBBS forums.

Oh yeah, I know that those other sports play fairly minor factors in this transition compared to football, academics, market, and reputation. Just curious if we'd demote those that Sun Belt does not have to club teams, or have those sports involved in another conference, etc.

Doubtful any sports would be dropped as we need to remain Title IX compliant. I am sure they would just stay in their current conferences (FH in NorPac for example).


In other news....a gem here from Geno...http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... -acc-plans


"Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma said he's not worried about UConn's future. He said if the Huskies just concentrate on winning games, everything else will work itself out.

"This is how I got to be where I am today," the Hall of Fame coach said. "I just wanted to be really good at what I was doing. And I knew, If I got really, really good at what I was doing, somebody would want me."


Haize I bet you will appreciate that one. As much as I hate to admit it, he does speak the truth.

[Purple Haize]

Maybe we will have to tackle FBS as a independent like notredame.....who knows what God has... "A man plans his ways but God directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Well we've been 'planning' FBS for decades......

As for Geno, that's a philosophy I wish we subscribed to. He used to be extremely arrogant and bristly but over the past few seasons I like the way he's mellowed

[bluedevilflame]

http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-sp ... ll-must-be

Sounds like the Sun Belt will be talking expansion this week

[LUalumfromnc]

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.co ... onference/

"As for future members, there are several outstanding universities that have indicated interest in joining the SBC. While we have conducted research on these universities in the past six months, we will now focus on identifying the ones that will be the best “fit” for the conference and the ones that will contribute immediately in achieving our goal of being the best of the FBS conferences that currently do not receive automatic qualification into the BCS."

[PAmedic]

found this remark from JB interesting: https://twitter.com/Flames_Nation

Flames Nation ‏@Flames_Nation

The last 48 hours "we have ramped up conversations with other conferences"

[Liberty22]

found this remark from JB interesting: https://twitter.com/Flames_Nation

Flames Nation ‏@Flames_Nation

The last 48 hours "we have ramped up conversations with other conferences"

I want to know the context too. Was he asked about a specific conference ie SB? If so we can conceivably conclude that SB is no longer an option. Just reading between the lines.

[Liberty22]

Also there is a lot of leeway there. Other fbs conferences or fbs/fcs just in case? And believe me I know we are committed to fbs but gotta have plan g right?

[LUconn]

The SBC is really our only option, but it seems like the schools already in it aren't very bright. I don't really blame Benson since he seems to be doing all he has the power to do. How long did it take the CUSA to replace their teams they lost to the BE? Less than a day? SBC seems content to sit on its hands and ponder the possibilities.

[jbock13]

I know it's been discussed before but if the SBC falls apart after we MAYBE join, we could probably play as an independent. It's not the first choice but I certainly think we have the money to finance it.

As for other sports, of course they would have to find a home.

[Liberty22]

No point talking about independent status right now. Let's get in a conference first and address that if/when needed

[jbock13]

No point talking about independent status right now. Let's get in a conference first and address that if/when needed

Why not talk about it? There's no news now and there won't be for weeks according to Benson. We can't let this thread die!!!!!

[Purple Haize]

I know it's been discussed before but if the SBC falls apart after we MAYBE join, we could probably play as an independent. It's not the first choice but I certainly think we have the money to finance it.

As for other sports, of course they would have to find a home.

That IMO is the worst possible scenario and why I've always opposed of making a jump at the first offer instead of jumping at the RIGHT offer.

[Blessed1]

Here's a great article on how Louisville defied all odds and made its way into the ACC. I'm sure JB and JFJ are taking the "Louisville" approach in contacting conferences.

There's nothing magical that can be done to begin to persuade 11 schools to change their view of you in two weeks or less. The only way to get by is with a little help from your friends. Fortunately, Jurich has accumulated many of them. Working alone, he started making calls.

"Every waking hour," Jurich said. "This has been the only thing. I pulled in every marker I had in the United States. I really did. Every marker I had in 29 years as an AD, I pulled in, from TV people to other league commissioners to professional sports. Anyone who could vouch for us, I asked them. You've got to sell yourself."

Jurich started out with television. He faced two main obstacles, most believed. The first, and most serious, was that U of L's television market was too small, or at least, certainly smaller than Connecticut's. The second was that U of L's academic profile didn't match the ACC's.

Jurich went to work talking to television executives, compiling information about U of L's television performance, looking for ways to turn the conversation away from a strict count of households.

"One thing I got sick and tired of hearing about was the TV markets," Jurich said. "I got sick and tired of it. I can use school X, it's in city Y, which has 25 million people -- and there's one on both coasts -- but if nobody's watching you, what's the difference?"

On the question of academics, Ramsey knew he had a university that did not fit the ACC's profile, but he also had one that was making fast strides. His approach was to sell the ACC on the school's "trajectory," focusing as much on the direction the school is going, rather than its commuter school past.

http://www.wdrb.com/story/20216639/craw ... in-11-days

[Sly Fox]

Great article, Blessed1. Yes, we are taking a similar approach which explains multiple conference efforts.

And for the record, Benson has stated that the Sun Belt will address expansion beginning on Monday. They can't wait because current SBC members are nervous of another WAC situation occurring.

[TallyW]

Great read. While we have more hurdles to climb than U of L did... our 'trajectory' is much sharper, our history much younger and the conference we're shooting for (should be) much less competitive... these factors would appear to leave us with a great upside.

If the presidents take a long-term outlook on each school, I'd think our upside would carry more weight. To this point however, some of the presidents may not have been seeing a long term approach since we're living in a poach-or-be-poached world. Thinking long term is a pipe dream right now.

At some point in this process though I do think we'll get the right attention. To get FBS it only takes one vote. I'm not convinced that the shakeups are finished yet anyway.

[phoenix]

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
(Php 4:11 ESV)

Paul wrote this after expressing thanks to a church who helped him financially. He wasn't desperate to get out of that situation, he wasn't running around begging for bread -- he had a need, and though he was thankful when it was filled, he was content to be where God had him. Very next verse, he talks about knowing how to be made low and knowing how to abound.

Point is, while we wait for news, while we wait for an invite, we should be content to be in whatever situation God has placed us, and look for opportunities to do what He wants us to do while we're there. If we are faithful with what we've been given already, then we'll be given more. The question is NOT have we been successful in FCS, or have we been successful in planning and spending for a potential move; the question is, have we been faithful to God's call where he's put us already, to justify such an increase in our reach?