[rogers3]

I'm sure conference presidents gauge support for a program by looking at these numbers .... as well as the "many other things" we have discussed. Everybody that supports a FBS move should as least be a member. Member, Eagle or Flame is within everyone's reach!!!! GO Flames!!!!

No excuse not to be, for sure.

[adam42381]

How about this one: I live 900 or so miles away from Lynchburg and don't feel like forking over $60 or more for benefits I'll never see. Remember, the school has more money than they can spend. Seems like a good enough reason for me.

[SuperJon]

We also know the school president doesn't like boosters either. I love the Flames Club and used to think there was no reason not to join, but being five hours away I realize there are much better things I should be using that money for. Knowing our administration doesn't appreciate donors makes it hard to want to give from so far away. If I was closer and could partake in benefits I'd give with no second thought.

[Purple Haize]

We also know the school president doesn't like boosters either. I love the Flames Club and used to think there was no reason not to join, but being five hours away I realize there are much better things I should be using that money for. Knowing our administration doesn't appreciate donors makes it hard to want to give from so far away. If I was closer and could partake in benefits I'd give with no second thought.

They like donors. But only the ones who put a lot more 000 at the end of their checks! Just like other schools

[adam42381]

We also know the school president doesn't like boosters either. I love the Flames Club and used to think there was no reason not to join, but being five hours away I realize there are much better things I should be using that money for. Knowing our administration doesn't appreciate donors makes it hard to want to give from so far away. If I was closer and could partake in benefits I'd give with no second thought.

Exactly. They've apparently made it pretty clear that donors aren't wanted.

[Purple Haize]

I thought about joining this year since my winter schedule should be a little more free But I need to make sure my 9-5 schedule is full first!

[rmiller1959]

I haven't been at Liberty long enough, so I've never heard the meme that "Jerry doesn't like donors" but I think what they don't like is being beholden to donors who make their donations conditional on the school's adherence to some wish or request that's inconsistent with the school's values.

At this year's faculty meeting, the chancellor described how many formerly faith-based schools became more secular over the years because of donors who offered their support in exchange for changes to the school's original charter. He believes that having financial independence means not compromising on the school's mission of training champions for Christ. Is that what everyone is talking about?

[Purple Haize]

I haven't been at Liberty long enough, so I've never heard the meme that "Jerry doesn't like donors" but I think what they don't like is being beholden to donors who make their donations conditional on the school's adherence to some wish or request that's inconsistent with the school's values.

At this year's faculty meeting, the chancellor described how many formerly faith-based schools became more secular over the years because of donors who offered their support in exchange for changes to the school's original charter. He believes that having financial independence means not compromising on the school's mission of training champions for Christ. Is that what everyone is talking about?

No

[TH Spangler]

Donations or prayers .... the latter may be more valuable.

[TH Spangler]

I haven't been at Liberty long enough, so I've never heard the meme that "Jerry doesn't like donors" but I think what they don't like is being beholden to donors who make their donations conditional on the school's adherence to some wish or request that's inconsistent with the school's values.

At this year's faculty meeting, the chancellor described how many formerly faith-based schools became more secular over the years because of donors who offered their support in exchange for changes to the school's original charter. He believes that having financial independence means not compromising on the school's mission of training champions for Christ. Is that what everyone is talking about?

No

But chancellor is 100% correct

[olldflame]

I haven't been at Liberty long enough, so I've never heard the meme that "Jerry doesn't like donors" but I think what they don't like is being beholden to donors who make their donations conditional on the school's adherence to some wish or request that's inconsistent with the school's values.

At this year's faculty meeting, the chancellor described how many formerly faith-based schools became more secular over the years because of donors who offered their support in exchange for changes to the school's original charter. He believes that having financial independence means not compromising on the school's mission of training champions for Christ. Is that what everyone is talking about?

No

But chancellor is 100% correct

I believe this is exactly what people are talking about when saying that JLFJR ¨doesn´t like donors¨. I don´t think he has anything against the concept of people giving to support the school, he just doesn´t want to put the school in a position where it could be financially dependent and thus öbligated to someone who might then try to pressure them to change their mission. You don´t get that problem with small fry like most of us giving a few, a few hundred, or even a few thousand bucks a year to the Flames Club. It´s actually major donations he wants to avoid if posible by paying our way through the other revenue streams we now have in place.

[ATrain]

And back to the topic at hand: More smoke of VMI to the Southern Conference

http://www.timesdispatch.com/sports/col ... affa4.html

The Southern Conference has its eye on VMI and hopes to send a fact-finding committee to the school’s Lexington campus on Wednesday for a site visit, commissioner John Iamarino said Monday.

“Obviously, there’s great tradition there,” Iamarino said. “It’s the kind of institution our presidents and chancellors want an affiliation with.”

[Purple Haize]

So, for instance taking a bunch of money from a cult leader and then putting one of his followers in one of the highest positions at the university? Is that the kind of thing we are trying to avoid?

Ouch.

[LUnpretty11]

I completely disagree with the argument "I'm too far away to join". I'm sorry but, that doesn't fly as an excuse. Remember, if you don't receive any of the "benefits" from joining the Flames Club then your donation is tax deductible. If the excuse is that you can't afford it, then that's fine, but distance should never be an issue. It's your school, so represent it. As stated earlier, $60 bucks is a drop in the bucket for most on here, so finances is (in most cases a non-issue). Don't sit back and not give just because you're "too far away to receive benefits". If you're proud of Liberty Athletics, then show it by supporting it.

Don't let your problem with a person or persons in administration keep you from giving. It's the name on the front of the jersey that we support. Go Flames!

p.s. if you're upset about not getting benefits, then join to get a bumper sticker and put it on your car, or mailbox, or somewhere it could be seen. #1 benefit for joining the Flames Club should be because we're all proud of the University we support, which is the greatest benefit of all!

[SumItUp]

I completely disagree with the argument "I'm too far away to join". I'm sorry but, that doesn't fly as an excuse. Remember, if you don't receive any of the "benefits" from joining the Flames Club then your donation is tax deductible. If the excuse is that you can't afford it, then that's fine, but distance should never be an issue. It's your school, so represent it. As stated earlier, $60 bucks is a drop in the bucket for most on here, so finances is (in most cases a non-issue). Don't sit back and not give just because you're "too far away to receive benefits". If you're proud of Liberty Athletics, then show it by supporting it.

Don't let your problem with a person or persons in administration keep you from giving. It's the name on the front of the jersey that we support. Go Flames!

p.s. if you're upset about not getting benefits, then join to get a bumper sticker and put it on your car, or mailbox, or somewhere it could be seen. #1 benefit for joining the Flames Club should be because we're all proud of the University we support, which is the greatest benefit of all!

Well said LUnpretty11!

On the realignment front, Benson was interviewed this morning about Sun Belt realignment. Nothing new, but he stated that the conference will meet in two weeks and they will decide if there is a 12th team that can be added for the 2014 season or if they will wait for 2015 to make the addition.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013 ... domin.html

[flamesfilmguy]

Smoke from VMI is real. Will have more this afternoon.

[LUnpretty11]

Smoke from VMI is real. Will have more this afternoon.

Bye bye, VMI?

[Purple Haize]

Smoke from VMI is real. Will have more this afternoon.

I think they are just waiting for the ink to dry

They are a better institutional fit for the SoCon. They're going to get smashed athletically regardless of where they play

[TH Spangler]

Realignment continues to dominate discussions concerning Sun Belt Conference (Video)

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013 ... ource=t.co

[rmiller1959]

Realignment continues to dominate discussions concerning Sun Belt Conference (Video)

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013 ... ource=t.co

Doesn't sound like we'll be hearing anything new at graduation this weekend.

[VAGolf]

Did anyone ever determine if that tweet, about Liberty being out of discussions, held any water?

[adam42381]

I completely disagree with the argument "I'm too far away to join". I'm sorry but, that doesn't fly as an excuse. Remember, if you don't receive any of the "benefits" from joining the Flames Club then your donation is tax deductible. If the excuse is that you can't afford it, then that's fine, but distance should never be an issue. It's your school, so represent it. As stated earlier, $60 bucks is a drop in the bucket for most on here, so finances is (in most cases a non-issue). Don't sit back and not give just because you're "too far away to receive benefits". If you're proud of Liberty Athletics, then show it by supporting it.

Don't let your problem with a person or persons in administration keep you from giving. It's the name on the front of the jersey that we support. Go Flames!

p.s. if you're upset about not getting benefits, then join to get a bumper sticker and put it on your car, or mailbox, or somewhere it could be seen. #1 benefit for joining the Flames Club should be because we're all proud of the University we support, which is the greatest benefit of all!

You're entitled to your opinion. I'm entitled to keep my money.

[rogers3]

I completely disagree with the argument "I'm too far away to join". I'm sorry but, that doesn't fly as an excuse. Remember, if you don't receive any of the "benefits" from joining the Flames Club then your donation is tax deductible. If the excuse is that you can't afford it, then that's fine, but distance should never be an issue. It's your school, so represent it. As stated earlier, $60 bucks is a drop in the bucket for most on here, so finances is (in most cases a non-issue). Don't sit back and not give just because you're "too far away to receive benefits". If you're proud of Liberty Athletics, then show it by supporting it.

Don't let your problem with a person or persons in administration keep you from giving. It's the name on the front of the jersey that we support. Go Flames!

p.s. if you're upset about not getting benefits, then join to get a bumper sticker and put it on your car, or mailbox, or somewhere it could be seen. #1 benefit for joining the Flames Club should be because we're all proud of the University we support, which is the greatest benefit of all!

You're entitled to your opinion. I'm entitled to keep my money.

Yeah, most people complain... but few put their money where their mouth is. No problem by me. I add 000's to the check so that I can schmooze. Complaining has never seemed to do much good whether you pay to or not.

[Purple Haize]

You are just such a better person then the rest of us

[rmiller1959]

Did anyone ever determine if that tweet, about Liberty being out of discussions, held any water?

Not really - Damien Sordelett, the Lynchburg News and Advance beat writer, said the tweet was "wrong":

http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/2013 ... eally.html

As you can see in the article, he tweeted on 4/17, "I have something to repute (sic) report, but can't publicly say what it is."

For his part, Brent Thibodeaux, the Texas State blogger who originally tweeted that Liberty was no longer under consideration, doubled down on 4/22:

The rumor mill went silent after that. The Sun Belt asked Indiana State and Illinois State if they were interested in joining, and they both said no. That's been the only news since. Hope that helps!