[LUOrange]

Any further expansion by the Big 12 at least helps us by opening spots in other conferences. We’re not going directly to a P5, best to disabuse that notion now.

For Liberty's sake I hope the AAC adds us, UAB and another solid team and then doesn't lose anyone else for a little while and weaken the conference further. If we can consistently finish towards the top of this new AAC in football and basketball it could set us up nicely to eventually get added to a P5 league down the road. We really need to get our attendance above 15,000 in the meantime though.

I agree with both of you. We're not going from the ASUN directly to the B12 or ACC. The AAC or the mythical G5 Eastern Conference would be the best we can hope for right now. Then who knows 10 years down the road, some of these too-large P5 Conferences may implode or expand and create an opportunity for us.

As far as attendance goes, it's a 3-pronged answer IMO. Consistent winning, marketing, and more time between us and the Jr. type arrogance and hypocrisy (while also remaining true to our Biblical and conservative principles).

The Rona hurt our attendance drastically in football and MBB. Last year's football success speaks for itself with what could've been Then after the sustained MBB success and the 4-6 near sell-out Vines Center crowds we had in 2019-20, I think we would've doubled that if we were still in the Vines last year. Selling out the Little Arena year without the Rona was probably a no-brainer. I think we have a strong argument that the Rona and the media hampered our Campbell crowd. Hopefully our crowd gets better as the season goes on. But I wouldn't be surprised to see it hamper us all season, especially because of our politicians and media. But I watched a bunch of games last week, and most weren't close to capacity. I'm guessing we were probably close to many other schools proportionally.

As far as marketing, I'm not sure what the Athletic Department does outside of social media (where they do an excellent job), as I don't get the paper or watch tv. But hopefully, they're doing more than ads and billboards. I'd love for them to reach out to the VA, American Legion, VFW, etc. for the Army game.

[BlueBlood]

Not really the right thread, but you mentioned attendance and it reminded me of something.

I don’t know if it’s been mentioned already or not - but the students miss the last two home games this year. Thanksgiving break starts on 11/19, so both the 11/20 ULL game and the 11/27 Army game are being played while students are on break. That makes the 10/30 UMass game the last home game for most students. Unfortunate scheduling!

[ballcoach15]

Liberty has been snake bit with scheduling and weather the past few seasons, and it has had big impact on attendance.
I'd love to see a game where all the stars are aligned in Liberty's favor, with no outside influence effecting attendance.

[stokesjokes]

Not really the right thread, but you mentioned attendance and it reminded me of something.

I don’t know if it’s been mentioned already or not - but the students miss the last two home games this year. Thanksgiving break starts on 11/19, so both the 11/20 ULL game and the 11/27 Army game are being played while students are on break. That makes the 10/30 UMass game the last home game for most students. Unfortunate scheduling!

Brutal. Our two biggest home games. As a Lynchburg local, I’ll do my part. I like going to the thanksgiving games, easy to get a t-shirt

[TH Spangler]

The AAC plans to expand in the wake of the Big 12's expansion plans:

https://www.si.com/.amp/college/2021/09 ... ssion=true

The AAC will still be a good conference but they have no right to be considered a power conference after this.

USF and Memphis are still P5 caliber schools imo with temple and SMU being close but it thins out dramatically after that.

Big 12 might not be finished with them.

https://pistolsfiringblog.com/texas-tec ... he-future/

[cruzan_flame13]

If only Ian would give some hints of what we are doing on our end. Imagine if we get invited to start in the AAC by the 2023 season. We continue to thrive in all sports and fan support increase along with it. Then by 2025 Ian convince the Big 12 to add us along with another school. Ball coach would be right and many will have to eat crow .

[LUOrange]

If only Ian would give some hints of what we are doing on our end. Imagine if we get invited to start in the AAC by the 2023 season. We continue to thrive in all sports and fan support increase along with it. Then by 2025 Ian convince the Big 12 to add us along with another school. Ball coach would be right and many will have to eat crow .

I think he's already dropped a few hints a few weeks ago. Go back and read Damien's N&A interview with him and then listen to his interview on the WLNI Sportsline. They both were fairly close to one another and Manson reported on the WLNI interview. He's proven he knows what he's doing and I believe something's in the works. It just sucks not knowing and having to wait.

[tyndal23]

If only Ian would give some hints of what we are doing on our end. Imagine if we get invited to start in the AAC by the 2023 season. We continue to thrive in all sports and fan support increase along with it. Then by 2025 Ian convince the Big 12 to add us along with another school. Ball coach would be right and many will have to eat crow .

I think he's already dropped a few hints a few weeks ago. Go back and read Damien's N&A interview with him and then listen to his interview on the WLNI Sportsline. They both were fairly close to one another and Manson reported on the WLNI interview. He's proven he knows what he's doing and I believe something's in the works. It just sucks not knowing and having to wait.

Actually, I think Ian has more juice with the Big 12 than AAC and better chance at Presidents votes. With Big 12, we would have to write an awfully big check for them to justify and need a World Series appearance by baseball, softball and a sweet 16 by 24 to get us more in the convo ( along with 3 more 10 win football seasons ). All pretty doubtful, but 3 years ago where we are now was more a long shot than the aforementioned. I like the verbiage AAC Commish is using, and am all for it if we truly get an invite. Divine Intervention for either probably needed

[ballcoach15]

Our current resume is probably as good as the 4 schools on way to B12.

[ATrain]

The Big 12 adds BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF, gives them 14 members. Texas and OU leave, Big 12 at 12 members. Inviting Memphis and USF brings them up to 14, on par with where the SEC was before they jumped to 16, and where the B1G is currently. ACC has 14.9 members (Notre Dame is the .9). So I could see the Big 12 bringing in a couple more in addition to Memphis and USF. We just gotta make sure we're more attractive than Temple, Colorado State, Boise State, Tulsa, Tulane, UAB, East Carolina, etc... (and by more attractive, I mean athletically and academically).

[jimflamesfan]

The Sunbelt is going to add two new teams. If they offer LU amd JMU...do we take it? I think we do. I would. I know it's not ideal. The Sunbelt is getting better. I think it would be solid.

[cruzan_flame13]

The Big 12 adds BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF, gives them 14 members. Texas and OU leave, Big 12 at 12 members. Inviting Memphis and USF brings them up to 14, on par with where the SEC was before they jumped to 16, and where the B1G is currently. ACC has 14.9 members (Notre Dame is the .9). So I could see the Big 12 bringing in a couple more in addition to Memphis and USF. We just gotta make sure we're more attractive than Temple, Colorado State, Boise State, Tulsa, Tulane, UAB, East Carolina, etc... (and by more attractive, I mean athletically and academically).

I'm sure we can athletically progress at a higher level, but the academic part is going to be difficult. Based on the standards of academia, we'll have to put hundreds of millions of dollars for innovation, scholarship, and solutions which contribute to scientific progress, economic development, security, and well-being (according to AAU standards). That's a lot of money in research, but the specific issue is the "scientific progress." You see that has become scientism, which is a low key a religion which glorifies Evolutionism and Eugenics (Social Darwinism). Since we are a Christian school who teaches from the biblical perspective, that is considered psuedo-science in the world's worldview. That is not valuable to the scientific standard of modern day academia and our academics will always be less than because of it. Most of the schools received their membership before of all of the changes of academia had occurred as the idea of the one true God of the bible was removed from the picture. Now those schools are anti-God for the most part. In a way, I wouldn't want Liberty to be apart of that; AAC would be fine with me. What's a bit humorous is that LU identified their academic similarities and educational missions to UVA, Notre Dame and BYU. Talk about the foolishness amongst academic counterparts .

[cruzan_flame13]

The Sunbelt is going to add two new teams. If they offer LU amd JMU...do we take it? I think we do. I would. I know it's not ideal. The Sunbelt is getting better. I think it would be solid.

You asked a girl out on a date a couple times and she denies you both times. She even goes out with someone else just to be a little spiteful. Years later you get you look more "matured" and doing good for yourself independently, and the girl who denied your ask you if you wanted to go out. Would you accept? By the way, she still goes out and promotes the other guy in an overly rated fashion :lol.

[jimflamesfan]

I guess some people just prefer a lifetime of celibacy....pineing after imaginary relationships that only exist in their heads.

[tyndal23]

The Big 12 adds BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF, gives them 14 members. Texas and OU leave, Big 12 at 12 members. Inviting Memphis and USF brings them up to 14, on par with where the SEC was before they jumped to 16, and where the B1G is currently. ACC has 14.9 members (Notre Dame is the .9). So I could see the Big 12 bringing in a couple more in addition to Memphis and USF. We just gotta make sure we're more attractive than Temple, Colorado State, Boise State, Tulsa, Tulane, UAB, East Carolina, etc... (and by more attractive, I mean athletically and academically).

Assume LU buys in, You can toss everyone out east of MS besides UAB and Memphis . ( if LU is offering $80 million plus cash to get added ) it will come down to Colorado State and SDSU if they want to go west - Tulane, SMU will have some say politically/academically ( Big 12 not too worried about academics ) USF,ECU,Temple,Boise aren’t moving any tv needles - SDSU and CSU are putting the investment in to programs, good potential tv markets, but still sketch fan base and success. Cash will be King for the new Big12 and with the rest of these programs, that is how LU can get a seat. Probably smart to buy our way in to P5 ( and Big 12 is only one we could both afford and get the votes ) IF they add 4 in 2025. Take no TV share for 4 years and pay in $20 million ( or 25 whatever the tv payout per school will be ) that same 4 years, and your getting a lot more Presidents votes that normally wouldn’t consider LU. What other schools left can do that And/OR can show future tv value better than that? BYU, Cinci,Houston,UCF - competing with them for a seat was a different animal, the rest - LU has a punchers chance. If they add 2 from East and 2 from west - Memphis in, UAB vs LU for last spot. No pressure on the upcoming game .

[Ill flame]

I guess some people just prefer a lifetime of celibacy....pineing after imaginary relationships that only exist in their heads.

Apparently I would rather just wait for the good looking girl that's coming out of a tough break up and is looking for a rebound lol

[jimflamesfan]

How long you willing to wait?

[ballcoach15]

Conferences may "talk" academics, but at the end of the day, it's about TV Rights and football scores. Fans don't buy tickets to watch science, math or English classes. And the Professors don't hold weekly press conferences to discuss grades.

[olldflame]

Conferences may "talk" academics, but at the end of the day, it's about TV Rights and football scores. Fans don't buy tickets to watch science, math or English classes. And the Professors don't hold weekly press conferences to discuss grades.

Do you not have a clue as to who makes these decisions? Hint, it's not coaches, or even ADs. It is the University Presidents, and for them, academics is NOT just "talk". They have strong opinions as to what type of schools they want to align themselves with by way of their athletic conference. If it were up to the ADs, we would probably be in the SBC right now.

[ballcoach15]

I know that as well as you do. But explain how Louisville got voted into ACC, with their academics.

[LUaddict]

It's Official, Big 12 formally extends invites to BYU, UCF, Cincy, and Houston.

[rmiller1959]

It's Official, Big 12 formally extends invites to BYU, UCF, Cincy, and Houston.

And now the dominoes will start to fall. I think LU will be in a conference by 2023, if not sooner.

[LUGrad2000]

BYU will not join Big 12 until 23/24 season. Our game next year should be safe.

[rmiller1959]

https://theathletic.com/news/sun-belt-o ... 2vsBG8JSDF

[ballcoach15]

Personally, I think Cincinnatti and Houston should not be added to B12. I'm ok with UCF and BYU.