[ATrain]

Speaking of the CAA...can anyone confirm that Georgia State is definitely adding football? I've seen stuff posted on AGS, but nothing definitive yet. Same thing for UNCC. And is it confirmed that ETSU is bring back football? And what is Samford's deal with the SoCon? Has an offer been made, have there even been official site visits?

[Libertine]

Speaking of the CAA...can anyone confirm that Georgia State is definitely adding football? I've seen stuff posted on AGS, but nothing definitive yet. Same thing for UNCC. And is it confirmed that ETSU is bring back football? And what is Samford's deal with the SoCon? Has an offer been made, have there even been official site visits?

Nothing official on most of that.
ETSU has stated that they want to bring back football in 2010 but that all depends on some financial goals. Samford was informally visited by SoCon officials this winter but no invitation has been made or promised. UNCC has been talking about football for several years now, but no official steps have been taken. Georgia State has done a study on starting football but they're apparently not in any hurry on the subject.

[Chantzilla]

Here's my "dream" Big South, although, it's probably not happening:

COASTAL CAROLINA
LIBERTY
VMI
GARDNER-WEBB
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
PRESBYTERIAN
East Tennessee State
SC State
Georgia State

***Eight conference games every year, with room for three non-conf opponents

I've already expressed my views on SCSt & ETSU. I really don't expect KK & the BSC to nab one of these teams. Georgia State, well, it would probably be harder to get them instead of the first two (GSU is already in the CAA).

[RagingTireFire]

In my honest opinion, Western Carolina needs to leave the SoCon and the Big South is their best option to land in. They don't have the resources down there in Cullowhee to consistently fight the wars in the SoCon and they're getting left behind. I know the alumni probably won't go for it but I see that situation breaking down a lot along the lines of VMI a few years ago.

The Western alumni would NEVER go for that.

Then again, the VMI people said the same thing.

[Fumblerooskies]

The way Western looks at UNCA as the red-headed step brother...
...there is no way they would stoop down to the Big South's level.

[SuperJon]

The Western/App rivalry means too much for them to leave the SoCon. Them = Western.

[Chantzilla]

VMI had a heated rivalry with The Citadel, and they jumped to the Big South (sorry SJ, just thought I'd throw that in there ).

But you guys are right...WCU won't leave the SoCon.

[SuperJon]

Don't be sorry, you had a valid point.

They've been able to keep that rivalry even though they're not in the same conference.

[Libertine]

The Western/App rivalry means too much for them to leave the SoCon. Them = Western.

Is that really a rivalry at this point? Wouldn't a rivalry mean that Western wins once in a while?

[Sly Fox]

Its funny how certain schools seem to think they are rivals with others. Do you think Appy considers WCU a rival these days? Hardly. But I agree that the chances of the folks in Cullowhee switching league sis next to zero. I stand by comments tht our chances of swaying El Cid and possibly Elon would be even higher.

[SuperJon]

You obviously have no connection to App. WCU won two years ago. The battle for the Jug is huge in the mountains and to App/Western alum.

[Libertine]

WCU won two years ago.

For the 2nd time in 22 years. My point stands.

[Chantzilla]

Why can't the Big South go plunder through the SoCon, the CAA, or the OVC & try to snag a couple of member institutions? If the Southern Conference can contact Samford from the OVC & try to sway them away from their league, why can't the Big South do the same thing?

[Fumblerooskies]

...because who would even want to leave those conferences for the Big South? Would you?

[Libertine]

...because who would even want to leave those conferences for the Big South? Would you?

The Big South in 2002 or the Big South now? Two different things. If we can finally step up to the plate this year and Coastal doesn't fall off too badly, I think the appeal of the Big South could be solidified. As for 'Zilla's idea of raiding other conferences, I'm certainly okay with that but I doubt that Kaptain Kallander & Kompany down in Charlotte are ready to go that route.

[Sly Fox]

Lib is absolutely correct. If we had a commish rather than someone collecting a paycheck and dreaming of DII expansion then we night stand a chance. But alas we are stuck with KK.

[SuperJon]

There's absolutely no way to get rid of him is there?

[Sly Fox]

Only the school presidents can in most conferences. Unfortunately most of the schools in our league are ecstatic to be int he situation they are in right now. There are only a handful of schools like LU showing an interest in pushing the envelope.

[Chantzilla]

...because who would even want to leave those conferences for the Big South? Would you?

I didn't mean go after Appalachian State, James Madison, etc.

I was reading your "Ask the AD" thread last night. I noticed where the Liberty AD speculated on the addition of one, maybe two, "associate" members (FB only). Maybe I'm in the minority, but I see no reason in adding Albany & Stony Brook (if those are the teams he was referring to). Those teams are way out of our geographical area. We should focus on gaining all-sports members if we really want this conference to excel....JMO. The question is, who?

[Libertine]

There's literally no reason the Big South should not be going after Samford right now. Samford fits the profile of this conference to a 'T' and, as recently as the late 90's, was interested in whatever conference plans the former independents that now comprise the Big South wanted to come up with. Nothing came of it so they had to take care of themselves and joined the OVC. If their now being courted by the SoCon, there's obviously some interest on Samford's part in getting out of that basketball conference so I don't see why they shouldn't be courted by us, too. Why are we waiting around on the Albany's, the Delaware State's and the freakin' Wingates of the world to make up their mind?

Let's Go Raiding, Kyle!! Burn and pillage!

[ATrain]

Well, technically we did go into the A-Sun and bring in GWU-but they were already members for football. We should go after El-Cid...after all, they'll never win the SoCon and do stand a much better chance of winning the Big South (and a playoff bid if we ever become eligible).

Samford would make a lotta since, especially if Birmingham-Southern were staying the league.

[Chantzilla]

Coach Bennett @ CCU was interviewed a couple of nights ago on a South Carolina state-wide radio show. He made the comment that the Big South is talking to three teams right now about expansion. He wouldn't say who the three teams were though.

If any of you guys would like to listen to the interview, there's a link on the "Big South Expansion" thread (page 6) at CoastalFans.com.

[Sly Fox]

My guess is Wingate.

But let's hope it is a proactive invitation to ETSU before they finalize their football plans and get an invite from others (i.e. OVC & SoCon).

[PAmedic]

we'd better look for at least 3, seeings as though Winthrop is looking to the ACC soon (the BSOUTH being an anchor for them, and all )

though it has no effect on us for FB. Which they don't consider a "real" sport, nor do they feel we have a "real" team.

countdown to my WU friends jumping in here with guns blazing in 3,2,1...

[Fumblerooskies]

we'd better look for at least 3, seeings as though Winthrop is looking to the ACC soon (the BSOUTH being an anchor for them, and all )

Actually, I saw an article about Marshall...
...their RPI went from 58 to like 83 after winning their first 3 conference games. Yeah, the Big South is an anchor, alright.