[jcmanson]

Looking good from an LU perspective. At the very minimum, we should be in the CAA in no time.

I heard some rumblings of the CAA looking to add Richmond as an all sports member and the Atlantic 10 was looking at VCU and George Mason.

[jbock13]

I was thinking, what are the chances Liberty could join the WAC? I mean they are down to 7 or 8 footbal teams now. They're gonna have to fill those.

[kuntryboimike]

I cant paste the link with my phone but theres an article about the caa having discussions with some schools about joining the caa. I found it on cs.com. mentioned charlotte and some others but no mention of liberty.

[From the class of 09]

I cant paste the link with my phone but theres an article about the caa having discussions with some schools about joining the caa. I found it on cs.com. mentioned charlotte and some others but no mention of liberty.

If 3-4 teams get picked off from USA, I'll be upset if we don't get into an FBS league.

[LUGrad2000]

Has Barber hinted anything?

[jbock13]

I know that debating with people who think LU should move up already is a loss cause, but against my better judgment, give my 5 reasons our athletics is ready to move up. And base them on what we've done on the field (or court), not what we "will do".

[adam42381]

I know that debating with people who think LU should move up already is a loss cause, but against my better judgment, give my 5 reasons our athletics is ready to move up. And base them on what we've done on the field (or court), not what we "will do".

This.

[logic]

The only numbers that matter with regards to moving up are not stats nor won loss records.

200 + million
20,000

200 million of course being revenue minus expenses, and 20,000 the eventual enrollment goal. When you have that kind of funding and that many students, FBS success is a logical and natural next step.

That is why we're more than ready to move up.

[Innocent Bystander]

I know that debating with people who think LU should move up already is a loss cause, but against my better judgment, give my 5 reasons our athletics is ready to move up. And base them on what we've done on the field (or court), not what we "will do".

The problem with this argument is that success at the FBS level does not guaranty success at the FCS level (see Idaho, Western Kentucky, Louisiana-Monroe), nor does lack of success at the FBS level preclude success at the FCS level (see South Florida, Connecticut).

The reality is that the move to FCS is an uphill battle regardless of your FBS resume. What matters is whether the university will commit the necessary resources to succeed at the FBS level or not.

[jbock13]

I debunked this myth that the size of a university's enrollees has anything to do with going FBS, or success of athletic programs for that matter. Please see the football thread if you're interested in that.

North Texas, UT-Arlington are perfect examples.

[From the class of 09]

I debunked this myth that the size of a university's enrollees has anything to do with going FBS, or success of athletic programs for that matter. Please see the football thread if you're interested in that.

North Texas, UT-Arlington are perfect examples.

We aren't saying you need FBS to be a large school. We are saying having a large school makes FBS football success easier. As opposed to wake or a tulsa size schools. USC, UT, BAMA, LSU, OSU, OU and pretty much every other good program is a larger school. Just because I pointed it out before you doesn't mean you have to disagree

[LUconn]

I know that debating with people who think LU should move up already is a loss cause, but against my better judgment, give my 5 reasons our athletics is ready to move up. And base them on what we've done on the field (or court), not what we "will do".

The problem with this argument is that success at the FBS level does not guaranty success at the FCS level (see Idaho, Western Kentucky, Louisiana-Monroe), nor does lack of success at the FBS level preclude success at the FCS level (see South Florida, Connecticut).

The reality is that the move to FCS is an uphill battle regardless of your FBS resume. What matters is whether the university will commit the necessary resources to succeed at the FBS level or not.

I don't know how many times I or other posters here can say this before the question stops getting asked. It's all about conference, resources, and coaching/recruiting. All of that changes from one level to the next and would at most affect your transition period (basically because you'd still have a lot of FCS talent on your roster). Uconn didn't do jack in FCS consistantly. All of the sudden the state pumps a ton of cash into the program for the move to FBS, they're in the BIG EAST, got a half decent coach and they're in a BCS bowl within 10 years. Obviously if you're in a junk conference it's that much harder, but it still shows that FCS success or lack of had zero affect on the program in FBS.

[kuntryboimike]

I really want updates and news of anything that has to do with conference realignment specifically to come to my phone. Anyone know how I can do that?

[From the class of 09]

I really want updates and news of anything that has to do with conference realignment specifically to come to my phone. Anyone know how I can do that?

We need an app. I heard we have someone on this board with app making experiance. Make it happen.

[logic]

Great post, LUconn. I wish more posters here understood your logic and reasoning. It's all about cash (facilities, full number of schollies, etc), coaching, and conference for FBS success. All we need is a home and we're ready to rock and roll. We even come stock with our own TV network. How many other FCS programs can say that?

[kuntryboimike]

I really want updates and news of anything that has to do with conference realignment specifically to come to my phone. Anyone know how I can do that?

http://Www.collegefootballtalk.com covers the madness pretty decently. They are willing to print rumors, so it's not like a hard news site, but that makes it interesting.

Following them on twitter now thanks!

[4everfsu]

BE inviting five schools

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... e-exit-fee

[4everfsu]

MWC CUSA merges football

http://espn.go.com/college-football/sto ... y-alliance

[Purple Haize]

I know that debating with people who think LU should move up already is a loss cause, but against my better judgment, give my 5 reasons our athletics is ready to move up. And base them on what we've done on the field (or court), not what we "will do".

The only answers we have are:
1. cash
2. Facilities

Everything else is what MIGHT happen. We might get better recruits which might make us more successful which might lead to a BCS game

Can't argue with the facilities.
Might argue with the cash. How much money does the Athletic Department generate minus capital expenditures? Or if you want to account for capital expenditures, then subtract facility operating expenses minus Non athletic Vines center costs/income.
Most people seem to forget there are more teams on campus then Football. How have our Basketball teams fairing against "BCS" conference teams? Soccer had a big win against UVA. Just saying there are other considerations.

[jcmanson]

I know that debating with people who think LU should move up already is a loss cause, but against my better judgment, give my 5 reasons our athletics is ready to move up. And base them on what we've done on the field (or court), not what we "will do".

The only answers we have are:
1. cash
2. Facilities

Everything else is what MIGHT happen. We might get better recruits which might make us more successful which might lead to a BCS game

Can't argue with the facilities.
Might argue with the cash. How much money does the Athletic Department generate minus capital expenditures? Or if you want to account for capital expenditures, then subtract facility operating expenses minus Non athletic Vines center costs/income.
Most people seem to forget there are more teams on campus then Football. How have our Basketball teams fairing against "BCS" conference teams? Soccer had a big win against UVA. Just saying there are other considerations.

I'd also argue the size of the school. The total number of 70,000+ and growing can't be anything but a positive. Not that anyone would take us based on that, but it's another factor we have.

[jbock13]

70,000+, but then 56,000 are DLP, and who knows how many of them watch the games on TV. I'm sure some do, but most probably don't.

[Sly Fox]

Many more would be watching if they had ever heard of who we were playing each week.

Guys, this CUSA-MWC alliance could really be a bad thing for us by providing some stability to the landscape. We need upheaval.

[Kricket]

70,000+, but then 56,000 are DLP, and who knows how many of them watch the games on TV. I'm sure some do, but most probably don't.

Sly is right. I'm an onliner and I watch every game thanks to ESPN 3, but I know quite a few other DLP students who pretty much tell me to let them know if LU ever makes the move to FBS, and that's what I'm not sure a lot the people who say we need to win at the FCS level first understand. Even if you win every year at the FCS level, nobody cares except the people who attend FCS schools, and what does that matter for gaining a national audience? The only school I knew about in the FCS was Appy before following Liberty.

Think from an DLP student perspective (I may be different because my sister attended LU on campus), but if you flick on the TV on Saturday to watch college football and LU shows up playing FBS football, that doesn't spark your interest? Right now they have to pick up a laptop and try to find it streaming on the internet only to watch FCS football (I do it, but I'm a sports nerd, I even started a website to write about sports with my brother). I'm telling you it will make a difference to be FBS from the DLP perspective. And DLP students don't benefit the athletics as much as the on campus students, but if the general attitude is to discount them as not potential football fans is a mistake IMO. It's a largely untapped national market for LU athletics.

And I'm sure there are hundreds of other online students who would echo my sentiment, but I have a feeling that most of them won't post because they feel they aren't really a part of Liberty and have nothing to really add (that's how I was for a long time).

I'm saying, count them in the equation for the move to FBS and they will be a big part of that move.

[ATrain]

But will the merger last if 5 schools bolt for the Big East? Or if the Big East needs to add more if the Big 12 comes a calling? Plus UConn wants in the ACC.

[Purple Haize]

Kricket - very impassioned plea I must say. However, here is the fallacy of putting to much emphasis on DLP in this matter.
1. When these people who say they will only tune in once we are FBS, do they mean ANY FBS or AQ FBS? Sure visions of playing West Virginia, Alabama, VA Tech etc are exciting to think about and would draw comparatively huge numbers on TV or at home. However, our most likely route will be a non AQ Conference. Will these people be as excited and tune in to watch us play La Tech, Bowling Green and Northern Illinois? I would wager they would then say "We will tune into watch when LU joins a REAL conference.". Or they would get so discouraged by the early poundings we take at the next level they would tune out.
2. The biggest segment of DLP students are part time. The father of 2 taking Intro to Old Testament and the stay at home mom taking Developmental Psych are not likely to give two hoots, let alone $2 about the Athletic Department.
3. There is an intrinsic connection between on campus or full time students and athletics. You said it yourself that DLP students feel left out and not apart of campus activities. Again, the stay at home mom in Topeka isn't realistically going to contribute to athletics. Are there ways to exploit the DLP student absolutely, but this isn't one of them.