JakeP50 wrote:I still like the CAA if we cant move up to FBS, same travel distances as the Big South,maybe closer, more TV exposure and conference basketball tournament in a major city. With LFSN and their connection with MASN and the CAA signing a 10 year contract with CSN Baltimore that's only in its first year we get HUGE TV exposure in the football and basketball talent loaded Baltimore/DC area. If the Sun Belt doesn't invite us and the CAA will take us I really like this move.
I like the CAA if we stay FCS, but they won't take us. If the majority of Sun Belt posters are any indication of the reservations the Sun Belt Presidents have about us, it's clearly that the Presidents are not too keen on LU joining, if not we would have been invited to the SunBelt now.
JMU has a better academic profile than us for many reasons, whether we like it or not its true. Therefore they are in conference with similar demographics, missions, and academic profiles, meaning they are in a conference that are their academic peers, meaning the CAA.
If the Sun Belt hasn't taken us, and they have an academic profile that is perceived inferior to the CAA's, the CAA is sure as heck not going to invite us. They will invite coastal before us. And Coastal would love to be in the CAA, who's knows what is going to happen. CAA is not going to invite us.
The Sun Belt is waiting on JMU,if and when JMU denies the Sun Belt, the Sun Belt is going to be looking at everyone else but Liberty. Until the Sun Belt exhaust all of their options, they might consider taking us. They will stay pat at 11 football schools until there is a like minded viable option for the Sun Belt, or until Liberty changes some issues the belt schools feel they would not want to support by merely being associated with us in the same conference.
In my honest opinion, either we change our practices, issues, and stances that are perceived to be offensive by other public institutions such as public state universities, we will never get invited openly to an FBS comference. We all know they university supporters, donors, students, and administration would rather not change anythig that makes seems to be bending to the will of of others just so were accepted, it may make our institution look like we are not a true Christian university. We would rather stay out than change our stances.
I feel that we won't be able to change our image as a caustic, discriminatory, and hateful institution for a long time because of the PR blunders that JF senior has stated. This will continue to haunt us for years to come and it still has had it's effects but the general population, not just the liberal media. We need to have more open admissions standards and be more welcoming of other creed, religions, and other minorities regardless of what makes them a minority. We need a more loving approach, open and inclusive stance. Not focused on myopic political and religious issues, but issues that pertain to students and education, since Liberty is a university.
Not getting invited and our rejection by the general public goes deeper than most people notice or would like to admit. It is years of mistake are difficult to undo. I say this as an alum that as an alum that would lie to see Liberty's university prestige and academic profile be lifted not just university for Christians or proselytizing religious organization, but as a university that open welcomes others, and makes us feel like they are welcome to attend our university. It's one to to say that we welcome e other, it's another to make others feel like they are welcome to attend here regardless whether they are catholic, Muslim, Protestant, Buddhist, or openly gay.
I say this as an alum who want the best for the university, I want FBS just as bad the next person. It just won't happen with the current perception and state of affairs that Liberty is currently is viewed under. Let the vitriol and negative statements come my way for being honest, if I can't be honest with my fellow alums, than its unfortunate
Off my soapbox now, speak to you guys later.