[VAGolf]

Yeah. This thread has lost a lot of steam. A year ago someone would have been out in front of that news and people would be saying we were a lock for the Sun Belt.

Maybe we as fans have given up on the idea, or we think our recent return to the news pages (Trump, concealed carry, VHSL boycotts, et al.) has ruined our chances of being considered. I can assure you that the decision makers at Liberty University are still committed to the move.

Personally, I really don't think Trump, concealed carry...etc is influencing anyone. The talk in this thread has died down but so has movement across all of FBS. If this were a story concerning 1 or 2 C-USA schools, my interest would peak. However, we're talking about a situation that most of us expected to happen that doesn't have any real effect on the Sun-Belt expanding. And even if the Sun-Belt invited us tomorrow, several of us on the board would rather stay in the Big South and hold out for something better. My point is that I don't think fans have given up on the idea, I think there is just much less excitement because there isn't the same amount of urgency from either party.

[Humble_Opinion]

And even if the Sun-Belt invited us tomorrow, several of us on the board would rather stay in the Big South and hold out for something better. My point is that I don't think fans have given up on the idea, I think there is just much less excitement because there isn't the same amount of urgency from either party.

I don't know if you are in the "us" there, but I assure you that anyone in that camp is essentially advocating the BSC 4ever. Having the CUSA or MAC reach into the BSC to pluck us away is a pipe dream.

[VAGolf]

And even if the Sun-Belt invited us tomorrow, several of us on the board would rather stay in the Big South and hold out for something better. My point is that I don't think fans have given up on the idea, I think there is just much less excitement because there isn't the same amount of urgency from either party.

I don't know if you are in the "us" there, but I assure you that anyone in that camp is essentially advocating the BSC 4ever. Having the CUSA or MAC reach into the BSC to pluck us away is a pipe dream.

I would argue that your mentality is rampant through our athletic department and is part of the reason why we're in this predicament. We have become beggars, not choosers. The only reason the C-USA may be a pipe dream is because the conference believes we would be using them as a stepping stone. If you went to the homecoming dance and loudly announced that you are #girlfriendready and gave a full presentation of why your family is the richest in the school, you would seem desperate and no one would dance with you.

[LUinPA]

Oh boy, here we go...

Said Girl / Said Dance / Said Scenario...

[flameshaw]

And even if the Sun-Belt invited us tomorrow, several of us on the board would rather stay in the Big South and hold out for something better. My point is that I don't think fans have given up on the idea, I think there is just much less excitement because there isn't the same amount of urgency from either party.

I don't know if you are in the "us" there, but I assure you that anyone in that camp is essentially advocating the BSC 4ever. Having the CUSA or MAC reach into the BSC to pluck us away is a pipe dream.

I would argue that your mentality is rampant through our athletic department and is part of the reason why we're in this predicament. We have become beggars, not choosers. The only reason the C-USA may be a pipe dream is because the conference believes we would be using them as a stepping stone. If you went to the homecoming dance and loudly announced that you are #girlfriendready and gave a full presentation of why your family is the richest in the school, you would seem desperate and no one would dance with you.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

[flamesfilmguy]

Do SJ and I get royalties for the use of that analogy?

[rmiller1959]

I think the dominoes would start to fall if the Big 12 decides to be the Big 12 in number as well as in name :

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... for-league

[TH Spangler]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... d/25576548

[ATrain]

Conference USA commish not confined the Big 12 is going to expand:
http://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o ... a97ed.html

[rmiller1959]

Conference USA commish not confined the Big 12 is going to expand:
http://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o ... a97ed.html

It's probably because they're one school short of a vote to expand, and Texas doesn't want it, and they have Texas Tech (my alma mater) and TCU in their hip pocket, apparently:

It's believed seven of the 10 schools favor expansion. But Big 12 bylaws call for a super majority vote of 75 percent (so at least eight schools) to make a major change. Texas is believed to be influencing Texas Tech's and Texas Christian's decisions to also be reluctant to expansion.

Texas Tech has long fallen in line with Texas. Both are public universities that have been in the same league together since 1956, when they were in the Southwest Conference. Texas and Texas Tech were founding members of the Big 12 in 1996.

TCU is believed to be following Texas' lead because the conference's power broker reportedly helped the Horned Frogs get into the Big 12 four years ago.

http://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2016/5/3/ ... cu-memphis

[rmiller1959]

Expansion would improve Big 12's playoff chances by 10-15 percent

PHOENIX -- Big 12 athletic directors and coaches will be presented with data Wednesday that shows a significant increase in the likelihood the league would reach the College Football Playoff if it expands to 12 or more teams.

Analytics from Navigate Research are expected to show the Big 12 has at least a 10-15 percent better chance of reaching the CFP in any given year if it expands as opposed to staying in its 10-team configuration.

That percentage at least doubles than the “4-5 percent” improvement commissioner Bob Bowlsby spoke about in Phoenix on Monday. That smaller figure discussed by Bowlsby only included the addition of a conference championship game, CBS Sports has learned.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... 15-percent

[rmiller1959]

As we are attempting to move up to the FBS, it might be instructive to hear why a school that's already there is moving down:

Some UI alumni and supporters do not agree that the FCS is our best option. Many passionate Vandals view our place in FBS as a mark of our institution’s “prestige” and “relevance.” The University of Idaho is our state’s land-grant university, the unquestioned statewide leader in higher education.

Success on the football field should complement the prestige and relevance of our academic institution. But football affiliation or performance should not define prestige and relevance. The impact of our institution should define us, as measured by the entire experience for our student body, including our athletes; by academic excellence across the university; by sustained research, scholarly activity and creative success; and by deep engagement with communities and partnerships with industry.

Why should my university's decision about what conference to play in matter to anybody outside our institution? Because I think our situation has potential implications for dozens of universities that play big-time college football and says a lot about the state of college athletics.

I support our move to FBS, but this university president has some compelling thoughts to ponder.

https://www.insidehighered.com/views/20 ... race-essay

[Liberty22]

South Carolina continues to reject coastal Carolinas stadium expansion project which is needed to complete sun belt move stating, Coastal Carolina’s financial projections do not thoroughly anticipate the cost of making this move to the FBS and Sun Belt.

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports ... 45117.html

[Purple Haize]

South Carolina continues to reject coastal Carolinas stadium expansion project which is needed to complete sun belt move stating, Coastal Carolina’s financial projections do not thoroughly anticipate the cost of making this move to the FBS and Sun Belt.

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports ... 45117.html

Yep Even Helen Keller could see this is going to end badly....

[flameshaw]

If you think they have problems now..............wait until they try to fill that stadium with transient, transplanted, old, retired. yankees. Going to be REAL ugly. Gotta wonder where they might come up with a big chuck of "private money"? Especially since Joe said he wouldn't be contributing to the building fund. Yeah right.

[LUGrad2000]

Somewhat surprising that they do not have more private funding. I would have assumed that they would have secured enough donations through excitement about the Sun Belt and FBS. I do hope they get approval for the expansion, but if they had chosen us we would most certainly not be struggling with any approval from our board. I don't think they will struggle with attendance once the stadium is expanded. They will average 15 k.

[Purple Haize]

So the Big XII and ACC are considering a 'Trade'. I'm very hopeful it works out

[LUGrad2000]

Who for who?

[Cider Jim]

So the Big XII and ACC are considering a 'Trade'. I'm very hopeful it works out

WVU for _____???



Louisville!

[rmiller1959]

Coastal Carolina remains committed to making the move to the Sun Belt:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports ... 68517.html

[olldflame]

Coastal Carolina remains committed to making the move to the Sun Belt:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports ... 68517.html

Of course. What are they going to say......... "My bad, never mind"?

Their board can be as commited as suicide bombers. What they need is commitment from some private donors, and so far they are using the copout that they are waiting to see something underway before giving. Ironicly, the guy who could easily write a check that would green light the whole project is their football coach, who has consistantly and appropriately maintained that he will not donate his own funds as long as he is an employee. It has been suggested Moglia could ask some of his wealthy friends to donate, but why would they? People who are going to donate that kind of money generally give it to causes they believe in.

If CCU cannot raise a few million from their alumni and fan base for this, it will be clear evidence they had no business making the move and the SBC had no business accepting them. We shall see.

[Purple Haize]

And clear evidence that the Sun Belt is a 2 Bit possr league LU should steer clear of

[TH Spangler]

As part of Coastal Carolina’s upcoming move to the Sun Belt and FBS, which was announced in September, the Chanticleers need to expand the 9,214-seat capacity of Brooks Stadium as the NCAA requires all FBS programs to average 15,000 in attendance.

How long can they get away with less than 10,000 seats. To get by my guess is they add 6,000 temporary bleacher seats for far less money than originally plan.

[rmiller1959]

Ironicly, the guy who could easily write a check that would green light the whole project is their football coach, who has consistantly and appropriately maintained that he will not donate his own funds as long as he is an employee. It has been suggested Moglia could ask some of his wealthy friends to donate, but why would they? People who are going to donate that kind of money generally give it to causes they believe in.

If CCU cannot raise a few million from their alumni and fan base for this, it will be clear evidence they had no business making the move and the SBC had no business accepting them. We shall see.

Oldflame, if the situation gets dire, do you think Coach Moglia will feel any public pressure to reverse his stance? I agree that it is an appropriate position for him to take, but fans are not the most rational beings on the planet, and they may not understand. I welcome your thoughts!

[flameshaw]

My guess is that CCU will get the money they need from the state to proceed, however it will not be to the scale of the original plans. If they have to get more private money, which they obviously do, Joe will be able to find an intermediary to funnel cash through if they need to. Not saying that he will, but it can happen, pretty easily. Who knows, maybe they will be able to come up with the money without Joe kicking in.
The big problem remains the 15000 average attendance "required". I do not believe they will ever get there. However, we know that it is not a requirement that is enforced. I continue to think that CCU will regret the day they decided to make this jump. They would have been ready in a few years, but this premature move may doom them. It should be fun to watch.