[jcmanson]

BYD has said the exact same thing to me on multiple occasions over the past several months. His statement has nothing to do with the UAB decision.

[thepostman]

I think the point is if UAB had not reinstated football then there was a belief by some on the board that it could possibly begin a chain reaction that could include us. I think that was far fetched as well and still believe the best course of action is performing well consistently in football and men's basketball and it will work itself out.

I may be naive but I still find it hard to believe that if we have good football and basketball programs that we would still be left out in the cold simply because of our religious affiliation. I do think there should be an option to go independent if you have the finances to make it work but suing to get there seems like a bad PR move.

[Humble_Opinion]

I think the point is if UAB had not reinstated football then there was a belief by some on the board that it could possibly begin a chain reaction that could include us. I think that was far fetched as well and still believe the best course of action is performing well consistently in football and men's basketball and it will work itself out.

I may be naive but I still find it hard to believe that if we have good football and basketball programs that we would still be left out in the cold simply because of our religious affiliation. I do think there should be an option to go independent if you have the finances to make it work but suing to get there seems like a bad PR move.

I think those that were hoping for the chain-reaction from UAB, recognize that without some sort of shuffling in the leagues above us, you have no way of getting an invite, regardless of on-field success. You guys on the dark side can clamor for more on-field success all you want, but at the end of the day, if the SBC doesn't decide to move to 12, or there isn't more realignment at the top, it will all be for not. That's the bottom line. I think the thought amongst the non-dark side group is that right now the field of potential candidates in FCS that are willing and able to make a move is pretty slim... giving us hope given the breakthrough we had on the football field this year, coupled with all the coaching changes, growth in facilities and the ability to meet any COA requirements.

[Sly Fox]

Conference Championship Game deregulation remains the primary factor in our candidacy moving forward. If NCAA legislation passes allowing leagues to have a game with less than 12 teams then we are dead in the water for the foreseeable future. The UAB deal COULD have led to some moves that might make it easier for us if deregulation fails. But that was far from a certainty.

[thepostman]

Let the record show I am not on any side other then the side that wants to see Liberty grow.

[Humble_Opinion]

Conference Championship Game deregulation remains the primary factor in our candidacy moving forward. If NCAA legislation passes allowing leagues to have a game with less than 12 teams then we are dead in the water for the foreseeable future. The UAB deal COULD have led to some moves that might make it easier for us if deregulation fails. But that was far from a certainty.

Knowing what I know about college and university financials, I'd say the move towards paying full cost of attendance could be a potential factor moving forward should deregulation fail. But you are right, as of now the only thing playing a role in the present is deregulation with UAB bringing football back.

One thing I believe we might have going for us in regards to deregulation is that a number of the conferences made the moves they did, helping to kickstart the whole realignment process, BECAUSE of the fact that they needed 12 teams to hold a conference championship. Those conferences that did that had to split up the revenue they had amongst additional members, so that fact alone may make them less inclined to support any sort of deregulation that allows the other conferences that didn't make the move to 12, to hold a championship game.

[VAGolf]

BYD has said the exact same thing to me on multiple occasions over the past several months. His statement has nothing to do with the UAB decision.

If he has mentioned that to you in person then great, but I haven't seen anything on the board. Three people have made similar comments directly after UAB reinstated football, I call that an irrational reaction.

And for what it's worth, UAB will be in this spot again in two years when people go back to not caring about UAB football.

[bluejacket]

I may be naive but I still find it hard to believe that if we have good football and basketball programs that we would still be left out in the cold simply because of our religious affiliation. I do think there should be an option to go independent if you have the finances to make it work but suing to get there seems like a bad PR move.

Suing for independence has negatives. However, we have limited options. There is no chance that we can move from the Big South to another FCS conference. Our options are FBS or Big South.

Because we are effectively trapped in the Big South for the time being, we are very vulnerable. In the current landscape, Coastal would leave for another FCS conference if an opportunity presented itself. I don't think that they will go FBS soon, but I do think that they will keep pushing for the CAA or Southern (very unlikely). It is hard to read Kennesaw St., but I think that they will try for the CAA sooner than later unless something changes. While we are working toward FBS, we need to stabilize and build the Big South. With those goals in mind, West Georgia and North Alabama would be excellent additions.

[Humble_Opinion]

I may be naive but I still find it hard to believe that if we have good football and basketball programs that we would still be left out in the cold simply because of our religious affiliation. I do think there should be an option to go independent if you have the finances to make it work but suing to get there seems like a bad PR move.

Suing for independence has negatives. However, we have limited options. There is no chance that we can move from the Big South to another FCS conference. Our options are FBS or Big South.

Because we are effectively trapped in the Big South for the time being, we are very vulnerable. In the current landscape, Coastal would leave for another FCS conference if an opportunity presented itself. I don't think that they will go FBS soon, but I do think that they will keep pushing for the CAA or Southern (very unlikely). It is hard to read Kennesaw St., but I think that they will try for the CAA sooner than later unless something changes. While we are working toward FBS, we need to stabilize and build the Big South. With those goals in mind, West Georgia and North Alabama would be excellent additions.

I might have been inclined to agree with you a few months ago, but I don't know if Coastal sees it that way anymore. The Big South's position has improved in football strength relative to the other conferences like the CAA and Southern. Granted, it has not surpassed the CAA, but the Big South is becoming more prominent in the realms of FCS. On top of that, the Big South is one of the better baseball leagues in the FCS. I think CCU might see a move as counter-productive. I think there might be some relevance to them attempting to go FBS though...

[Purple Haize]

It would be far better for us to stay where we are than sue to become an FCS Indepemdent
As for the shuffle above us, year, that is true. However, I submit that had we had a decade plus of consistent excellence in our major sports, our palatability to the SBC or other conference would be better. As it is, our LACK of success just buttresses the arguments of the detractors. To paraphrase from another situation: Being a Christian University is already a strike against us. There is no need for us to give ten any more strikes (lack of on field success). I can sell you all the benefits of our budget and facilities but I can not over come the argument of 'That's great. But what has that gotten you?'

[Yacht Rock]

Just like anything in life this can be measured by what what may hurt us and what may help us.

Being consistently successful on the court/field/etc will only be a positive.

I think everyone understands that success isn't the only measure by which a conference move is judged, if nothing else, success in tournament/playoff/regionals/etc bolsters the image of the school and at the end of the day, that is a huge factor.

So whatever it is that bolsters our image and gathers us positive attention is good for us.

Now, to what degree would being successful in the big 3 sports help us? Who knows.

I just hope that we win while waiting for whatever happens next. It will only help us as we market ourselves to another conference and make the argument that we would add value to that conference.

[bluejacket]

I might have been inclined to agree with you a few months ago, but I don't know if Coastal sees it that way anymore. The Big South's position has improved in football strength relative to the other conferences like the CAA and Southern. Granted, it has not surpassed the CAA, but the Big South is becoming more prominent in the realms of FCS. On top of that, the Big South is one of the better baseball leagues in the FCS. I think CCU might see a move as counter-productive. I think there might be some relevance to them attempting to go FBS though...

If Coastal received a membership invitation from the SoCon or CAA, they would accept it immediately.

[bluejacket]

It would be far better for us to stay where we are than sue to become an FCS Indepemdent
As for the shuffle above us, year, that is true. However, I submit that had we had a decade plus of consistent excellence in our major sports, our palatability to the SBC or other conference would be better. As it is, our LACK of success just buttresses the arguments of the detractors. To paraphrase from another situation: Being a Christian University is already a strike against us. There is no need for us to give ten any more strikes (lack of on field success). I can sell you all the benefits of our budget and facilities but I can not over come the argument of 'That's great. But what has that gotten you?'

I agree that the lack of on field success is a major weakness. I'm not sure that that there are many who would deny that. Domination of our conference only helps us.

However, I think that stabilizing and raising the profile of the conference is a more critical factor right now. Other than an moving to FBS, we are not leaving the Big South. If Coastal and/or Kennesaw St. leave, the repercussions for us would be immense. A big part of "consistent excellence" is tied to the Big South. That argument becomes less convincing if the bottom drops out of our conference because we destabilized it.

[PAmedic]

BYD has said the exact same thing to me on multiple occasions over the past several months. His statement has nothing to do with the UAB decision.

If he has mentioned that to you in person then great, but I haven't seen anything on the board. Three people have made similar comments directly after UAB reinstated football, I call that an irrational reaction.

And for what it's worth, UAB will be in this spot again in two years when people go back to not caring about UAB football.

specifically re: my quote...

Yeah you read WAAAAYYYYY too much into that. At least as far as any correlation to UAB. I couldnt care less @ UAB. My guess is that program STILL folds after a couple more years of futility.

My comment was made in regard to news that the Sun Belt is now looking at CCU. A program nowhere near ready to move up. A program that doesn't event intend to pay full COA. A program that has done a great job at this level but never once indicated any intention to move to FBS. A program with facilities that are nice but not FBS level.

basically- we've done everything we could to prepare, yet the bar continues to be moved. Questions first about our facilities. We built first class stadiums. then wins/losses. we went to the playoffs and won. (PS: how many natty 'ships did ODU and Charlotte have before moving up?) now concerns @ selectivity or academics. Conferences at this point are looking at schools that haven't even indicated a desire to move up in order to avoid offering us.

At some point you have to face the fact that its an exclusionary mentality. I HATE the thought of litigation. It may turn out to be the worst decision ever made. But tell me what other options do we have?

[VAGolf]

BYD has said the exact same thing to me on multiple occasions over the past several months. His statement has nothing to do with the UAB decision.

If he has mentioned that to you in person then great, but I haven't seen anything on the board. Three people have made similar comments directly after UAB reinstated football, I call that an irrational reaction.

And for what it's worth, UAB will be in this spot again in two years when people go back to not caring about UAB football.

specifically re: my quote...

Yeah you read WAAAAYYYYY too much into that. At least as far as any correlation to UAB. I couldnt care less @ UAB. My guess is that program STILL folds after a couple more years of futility.

My comment was made in regard to news that the Sun Belt is now looking at CCU. A program nowhere near ready to move up. A program that doesn't event intend to pay full COA. A program that has done a great job at this level but never once indicated any intention to move to FBS. A program with facilities that are nice but not FBS level.

basically- we've done everything we could to prepare, yet the bar continues to be moved. Questions first about our facilities. We built first class stadiums. then wins/losses. we went to the playoffs and won. (PS: how many natty 'ships did ODU and Charlotte have before moving up?) now concerns @ selectivity or academics. Conferences at this point are looking at schools that haven't even indicated a desire to move up in order to avoid offering us.

At some point you have to face the fact that its an exclusionary mentality. I HATE the thought of litigation. It may turn out to be the worst decision ever made. But tell me what other options do we have?

We could make the best of the Big South and try to be competitive here before we start suing for something that was never guaranteed in the first place.


You made no mention of CCU in that post and it came just after the news of UAB was posted. A bit hard to make any other conclusion without your elaboration.

[PAmedic]

valid point. you'd have to be in my head to get me, and nobody wants to be there.

[Purple Haize]

valid point. you'd have to be in my head to get me, and nobody wants to be there.

Yes but I hear it is quite spacious......

I'm not sure the bar has been moved much. You bring to the table everything we have to offer and add consistently winning major sports and the bar wouldn't be moved at all. No one will make an exception for us but they won't be so adamantly opposed
ODU and Charlotte have a much larger market than we do. I'm talking actual warm bodies not some 200,000 online bodies. That is something you make exceptions for.
Again, we already have a couple of stiles against us that we can't control. No need to keep the ones we can fix out there

[rmiller1959]

Here's a palate cleanser for you before the next course

An interesting article in the wake of the reinstatement of the UAB football team on why it is so difficult to kill a football program once it's reached a certain level. I learned a few things from reading it...

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/201 ... e-football

[Humble_Opinion]

I still think the study by OKSR is garbage.

The article is right though... UAB has a huge hill to climb. All of the progress on the field that they made last year will essentially go down the tubes. I'm sure all of the drama surrounding the past 6 months will help them initially, but after the first season that will all go away and we will again see how the general public and alumni actually support the program.

[Cider Jim]

Over the years, there has been message board discussion about us joining the Sun Belt, C-USA, and the MAC, but why have we heard little to nothing about joining the American Conference? They're FBS, too, and are mostly on the East Coast.

[TIMSCAR20]

Over the years, there has been message board discussion about us joining the Sun Belt, C-USA, and the MAC, but why have we heard little to nothing about joining the American Conference? They're FBS, too, and are mostly on the East Coast.

Are you referring to the American Athletic Conference or America East? America East has a few football members that are mostly FCS and Football Only members of other conferences. If you are referring to American Athletic Conference (AAC) that is simply too big of a jump.

[Cider Jim]

Which ever one East Carolina is in, SCAR.

[TIMSCAR20]

Which ever one East Carolina is in, SCAR.

Yeah that is a HUGE jump in conference. American Athletic Conference (the AAC)

[JK37]

FWIW, Carr put our resources on-par with the AAC when they delivered the results of their study to the admins.

[ATrain]

http://hamptonroads.com/2015/06/cusa-no ... 1407948199

UAB's fate with Conference USA will be decided in the fall. In other words, they'll have a chance at bringing back football, but should they fail, they're out.