[Purple Haize]

ODU is lobbying C-USA to invite JMU:

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/03/western ... erence-usa

Are we actively trying to gain CUSA admission as well? I realize it is a longshot, but CUSA would be a much better fit for us. nBE / CUSA should be our eventual landing spot...

Somewhere around page 73 we talked about turning down their offer last year. We didn't think CUSA was a viable entity.

[logic]

Good one Haize. What I meant was, are we breaking down the doors to get in there or just sitting back and waiting for an invite?

Let us turn the prom/pretty girl analogy around...I never liked it anyway...let us compare ourselves to males, not high school girls...

Are we the alpha male actively picking up prospects for the dance, or the beta male that is shy in asking...or doesn't even bother asking at all?

[Purple Haize]

Good one Haize. What I meant was, are we breaking down the doors to get in there or just sitting back and waiting for an invite?

Let us turn the prom/pretty girl analogy around...I never liked it anyway...let us compare ourselves to males, not high school girls...

Are we the alpha male actively picking up prospects for the dance, or the beta male that is shy in asking...or doesn't even bother asking at all?

We even made that analogy. Compared it to roller skating parties. Also, we have already made our intentions known, we can't crash these types of parties.
Unless you really DO want us to declare ourselves FBS, go Independent and make them stop us. That would be very Alpha Male.

[Liberty22]

We are definitely being used. Sunbelt reports are saying they will take their time in replacing WKU. Smells like they want to give JMU time to conduct a study.

[Liberty22]

Vandal Nation‏@VandalNation2m
Those hoping for the Petrino v. Petrino storyline likely won't get it. Reports say Sun Belt will target James Madison to replace WKU.

[SuperJon]

Liberty people: get off the Sun Belt boards. Please.

[jbock13]

We are definitely being used. Sunbelt reports are saying they will take their time in replacing WKU. Smells like they want to give JMU time to conduct a study.

Correct.

[BJWilliams]

I think JLFJR and JB are smart enough to call any attempt to be used as a pawn and force their hand, so I doubt that we are being used. Additionally, unless JMU has some very rich supporters, an FBS move would be a money loser even with the bigger football stadium

[SuperJon]

I think JLFJR and JB are smart enough to call any attempt to be used as a pawn and force their hand, so I doubt that we are being used.

It doesn't matter how smart they are or if they know we are being used. We are being used. We are the threat the force JMU's hand.

[Purple Haize]

I think JLFJR and JB are smart enough to call any attempt to be used as a pawn and force their hand, so I doubt that we are being used. Additionally, unless JMU has some very rich supporters, an FBS move would be a money loser even with the bigger football stadium

What hand can they exactly force? Can they say take us now or never? Can they say if you don't take us we will accept the offer from CUSA? Oh wait, we don't have one of those. Unfortunately, we are at their mercy

[Purple Haize]

Liberty people: get off the Sun Belt boards. Please.

Why? It's fun to read! I'd like to see a cage match between App70 and Campaignforliberty.

[ATrain]

Conference USA, which becomes home to most of Old Dominion's athletic teams in July, has lost nine schools to the Big East, including seven that have announced their departures in the last year. Western Kentucky will replace Tulsa, which is leaving for the Big East in 2014.

ESPN also reported that James Madison University is among the candidates to replace the Hilltoppers in the Sun Belt.

JMU officials have declined comment on reports that they might leave the Colonial Athletic Association. Last week, the university announced it had hired Carr Sports Consulting to establish a long-term comprehensive plan for athletics.

ODU officials, including football coach Bobby Wilder, have made no secret of their desire that JMU follow them into C-USA. Sources said ODU is lobbying C-USA officials to offer membership if the Dukes decide to move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision.

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/03/western ... erence-usa
Looks like ODU is trying to get C-USA to invite JMU.

[Liberty22]

Statement from Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Karl Benson


Today’s announcement that Western Kentucky University has accepted an invitation to join Conference USA is not a surprise given the communication that I have had with university officials and the rampant speculation over the past several months. I have long understood the implications of the move and what it means for the Sun Belt Conference. In fact, the Sun Belt Conference has been preparing for this possibility for quite some time and with the support and guidance of the Sun Belt Conference board of directors, I will continue to make recommendations on what options the Sun Belt Conference has in terms of future members and divisional structure. I remain confident that we have numerous options and that there are universities that have a strong desire to be members of the Sun Belt Conference. Last week’s additions to the Sun Belt of Appalachian State and Georgia Southern as all sports members and Idaho and New Mexico State as football only members gives proof that there are universities that want to join the SBC and be part of its dynamic future.

Georgia Southern Fan‏@GaSouthernGuy1h
SUNBELT: Western Kentucky will announce at 12 noon cst it is moving to CUSA. Reports say SunBelt will take time to announce replacement.

BJ, we are being used. If Benson claims to have known and made preparations for WKU replacement weeks ago, why wait? Other reports claim they will wait at least a month. Beej, the answer my friend is simple...we are being used.

[NotAJerry]

So, we're now taking tweets from some random Georgia Southern fan as gospel and ignoring what has been reported by actual media outlets that are following things?

[flamesfilmguy]

Statement from Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Karl Benson


Today’s announcement that Western Kentucky University has accepted an invitation to join Conference USA is not a surprise given the communication that I have had with university officials and the rampant speculation over the past several months. I have long understood the implications of the move and what it means for the Sun Belt Conference. In fact, the Sun Belt Conference has been preparing for this possibility for quite some time and with the support and guidance of the Sun Belt Conference board of directors, I will continue to make recommendations on what options the Sun Belt Conference has in terms of future members and divisional structure. I remain confident that we have numerous options and that there are universities that have a strong desire to be members of the Sun Belt Conference. Last week’s additions to the Sun Belt of Appalachian State and Georgia Southern as all sports members and Idaho and New Mexico State as football only members gives proof that there are universities that want to join the SBC and be part of its dynamic future.

Georgia Southern Fan‏@GaSouthernGuy1h
SUNBELT: Western Kentucky will announce at 12 noon cst it is moving to CUSA. Reports say SunBelt will take time to announce replacement.

BJ, we are being used. If Benson claims to have known and made preparations for WKU replacement weeks ago, why wait? Other reports claim they will wait at least a month. Beej, the answer my friend is simple...we are being used.

Welcome to the dark side.

[SumItUp]

We have made it clear that we can make a decision within 48 hours. It is highly likely that we have told the Sun Belt that we would accept an invite if it was offered. That is an advantage and can also be used against us. Currently, it is being used to encourage JMU to join the Sun Belt. JMU has a meeting with their board this Friday. If they choose to decline an invitation, Liberty is likely to get the spot that Western Kentucky vacated in the new eastern division of the Sun Belt. If they choose to accept the invitation, it does not end the possibility of Liberty being added this year. There are still 2 months remaining in this realignment cycle. A lot of things can happen. The disadvantage for Liberty's statement of making a decision in 48 hours is that the Sun Belt can wait until the end to offer an invitation. Some of the other Sun Belt members are making the calls to see if they have options outside of the conference. Personally, I would like to see Liberty added to a conference that has JMU & App State.

We are moving in the right direction. If you don't like the process, avoid this thread and the Sun Belt board and check back on June 1st to see if there are any changes. On the Sun Belt board, I think our posters have generally been very respectful and I encourage them to continue posting. Some of our detractors have their minds made up and it will not be changed by anything that is written. Others do not know anything about our school and it is important to provide a balanced view. As long as we do not try to win every internet argument or promote the value of our women's tennis program to the Sun Belt, it will be ok.

Take a deep breath and enjoy the process. Go Flames!

[flamesfilmguy]

So, we're now taking tweets from some random Georgia Southern fan as gospel and ignoring what has been reported by actual media outlets that are following things?

did you actually read what said media outlets have said? Its been ALL JMU then boom out of nowhere McMurphy says something about liberty being a top runner. that is ALL thats been said since then. We are a pawn. we have always been one. They are using adding us as leverage to force JMU to move up. Its quite brilliant on Benson's part actually if you think about it. Benson and the SBC presidents have no desire to add us. but if leaking to the press that we are a "top pick on their list" they are telling JMU to grow some cajones and man up for the move.

The way I see it we better just call up the CAA and go rescue it before the BSC goes to the tank in the next few weeks when the socon (most likely) steals coastal and vmi

[Blessed1]

I agree with some that Liberty is being strolled along so that JMU can gain more time. It's quite obvious in that regard.

If I'm the Sun Belt, would I really want a school that will take an offer from C-USA or the MAC within 2 years of being accepted by us? If they let JMU in, that's exactly what is going to happen. C-USA and the MAC probably are going to wait until JMU get their feet wet in FBS football and become legit before inviting them. C-USA already have a boat load of FCS call-ups next year and the MAC is already going through growing pains with UMass.

[Purple Haize]

see Liberty added to a conference that has JMU & App State.

Go Flames!

A key tenant of the Dark Side

[NotAJerry]

So, we're now taking tweets from some random Georgia Southern fan as gospel and ignoring what has been reported by actual media outlets that are following things?

did you actually read what said media outlets have said? Its been ALL JMU then boom out of nowhere McMurphy says something about liberty being a top runner. that is ALL thats been said since then. We are a pawn. we have always been one. They are using adding us as leverage to force JMU to move up. Its quite brilliant on Benson's part actually if you think about it. Benson and the SBC presidents have no desire to add us. but if leaking to the press that we are a "top pick on their list" they are telling JMU to grow some cajones and man up for the move.

The way I see it we better just call up the CAA and go rescue it before the BSC goes to the tank in the next few weeks when the socon (most likely) steals coastal and vmi

Didn't realize that things only started in the last week. I guess we'll ignore a year or more of evidence in favor of a few things in the moment. JMU got the bulk of the coverage because most thought they were holding out for the MAC, had expressed no interest in the Sun Belt, and then their beat writer said they still don't have any interest in the Sun Belt.

Maybe, if folks took everything in context, we wouldn't get the asinine woe is me nonsense every time something new surfaces and a team becomes the flavor of the week.

[SumItUp]

@BrentThibodeaux Liberty fans, looks like you aren't that far down the #SunBelt expansion depth chart as first thought. More to come on that very soon.

[SumItUp]

@BrentThibodeaux If #JMU declines or another school leaves the conference, #SunBelt will target #Liberty first with #JaxState being the fallback option.

[jbock13]

@BrentThibodeaux Liberty fans, looks like you aren't that far down the #SunBelt expansion depth chart as first thought. More to come on that very soon.

He says if JMU declines or another school leaves, Liberty is first.

[Purple Haize]

@BrentThibodeaux Liberty fans, looks like you aren't that far down the #SunBelt expansion depth chart as first thought. More to come on that very soon.

He says if JMU declines or another school leaves, Liberty is first.

But JMU won't decline.

[LUaddict]

According to Brent Thiobdeaux

If #JMU declines or another school leaves the conference, #SunBelt will target #Liberty first with #JaxState being the fallback option