04-05-2014, 09:46 PM
04-05-2014, 10:06 PM
And then there was this:
Liberty:
Another Virginia based school that's been mentioned by some.This move has an almost zero percent chance of happening. First off, not only is Liberty a complete clash with the rest of the MAC in terms of the type of institution it is (private, religious) it's also pretty much locked in as the Sun Belt's newest member. A source close to the Flames' athletic director tells me the deal is pretty much done between the two parties, meaning Liberty could be off the market very soon.
Liberty:
Another Virginia based school that's been mentioned by some.This move has an almost zero percent chance of happening. First off, not only is Liberty a complete clash with the rest of the MAC in terms of the type of institution it is (private, religious) it's also pretty much locked in as the Sun Belt's newest member. A source close to the Flames' athletic director tells me the deal is pretty much done between the two parties, meaning Liberty could be off the market very soon.
04-05-2014, 10:28 PM
I've heard that some MAC schools aren't too excited about JMU entering their precious li'l conference.
04-05-2014, 10:37 PM
(04-05-2014 09:46 PM)ARSTATEFAN1986 Wrote: [ -> ]http://www.hustlebelt.com/2014/4/2/55397...on-options
JMU doesn't want into the belt!
Will they balk on latest Sun Belt expansion offer?
What on earth is Hustle Belt?
04-05-2014, 10:45 PM
In regard to JMU either waiting or not waiting on a MAC invite? Who cares. They prefer not to be in the Belt. Humor them.
04-05-2014, 10:45 PM
I believe this article was put in the Liberty thread several days ago. I think the consensus was it is a new fan blog that just threw something up there to get page views (particularly from JMU fans).
This thread should probably join that one.
Again, a few people are taking it personally that JMU hasn't publicly begged for an SBC invitation. It's probably a good idea to remember that they are currently in a conference that it notoriously hard on defectors and they could very possibly be waiting until the spring sports tournaments are through to make any announcements.
This thread should probably join that one.
Again, a few people are taking it personally that JMU hasn't publicly begged for an SBC invitation. It's probably a good idea to remember that they are currently in a conference that it notoriously hard on defectors and they could very possibly be waiting until the spring sports tournaments are through to make any announcements.
04-05-2014, 10:45 PM
I think the main reason the MAC pushed UMass out was to get to even number teams because they knew UMass wouldn't bring their basketball
04-05-2014, 10:46 PM
This is the same thing the Liberty folks were posting earlier this week... The author of the article has no insider information, he's merely parroting what he thinks Benson is saying.
Benson mentions Liberty a bunch, therefore they are practically in! So no Sun Belt for you, JMU. Also, he noted that JMU was DEFINITELY going FBS, when the president of JMU hasn't said anything. Given that most of the JMU posters are actually a bit worried he's going to wait and do nothing, that doesn't sound like DEFINITELY going FBS.
Benson mentions Liberty a bunch, therefore they are practically in! So no Sun Belt for you, JMU. Also, he noted that JMU was DEFINITELY going FBS, when the president of JMU hasn't said anything. Given that most of the JMU posters are actually a bit worried he's going to wait and do nothing, that doesn't sound like DEFINITELY going FBS.
04-05-2014, 10:47 PM
(04-05-2014 10:45 PM)techdawg88 Wrote: [ -> ]I think the main reason the MAC pushed UMass out was to get to even number teams because they knew UMass wouldn't bring their basketball
I'm certain that's correct.
04-05-2014, 10:47 PM
Belt don't need no stinkin' new members.
04-05-2014, 11:19 PM
(04-05-2014 10:46 PM)TheRevSWT Wrote: [ -> ]This is the same thing the Liberty folks were posting earlier this week... The author of the article has no insider information, he's merely parroting what he thinks Benson is saying.
Benson mentions Liberty a bunch, therefore they are practically in! So no Sun Belt for you, JMU. Also, he noted that JMU was DEFINITELY going FBS, when the president of JMU hasn't said anything. Given that most of the JMU posters are actually a bit worried he's going to wait and do nothing, that doesn't sound like DEFINITELY going FBS.
And you have insider information?
04-06-2014, 12:39 AM
(04-05-2014 11:19 PM)ARSTATEFAN1986 Wrote: [ -> ](04-05-2014 10:46 PM)TheRevSWT Wrote: [ -> ]This is the same thing the Liberty folks were posting earlier this week... The author of the article has no insider information, he's merely parroting what he thinks Benson is saying.
Benson mentions Liberty a bunch, therefore they are practically in! So no Sun Belt for you, JMU. Also, he noted that JMU was DEFINITELY going FBS, when the president of JMU hasn't said anything. Given that most of the JMU posters are actually a bit worried he's going to wait and do nothing, that doesn't sound like DEFINITELY going FBS.
And you have insider information?
More than this guy.
04-06-2014, 08:50 AM
Athletically Liberty would be fine for the belt plus they bring in great facilities.
Politically not so much...
Best wishes to JMU on your MAC quest!!!
Politically not so much...
Best wishes to JMU on your MAC quest!!!
04-06-2014, 09:20 AM
To heck with JMU if they don't want us we surly don't want them.
Don't want to baby them into joining. They are big boys.
Don't want to baby them into joining. They are big boys.
04-06-2014, 09:28 AM
That JMU is definitely going FBS is far from certain; and IMO is has nothing to do with academics, as has been posited ad nauseam by JMU posters over the years.
I believe that the real issue with JMU is money.
According to the State of Virginia 2012:
16% of JMU's tuition and fees were allocated to athletics.
Athletics generated less than 26% of the actual revenue needed to cover expenses.
JMU has an endowment om the low side for a university of it's size and geographic location; 66.978 million.
Much of JMU's older alumni are women, who historically are not big athletic donors.
JMU is located in an extremely small population area, which probably precludes a large quantity of corporate donations.
JMU's location is also problematic when it comes to event attendance from locals who otherwise have no connection to the university.
JMU has lost over 8% per year in football attendance since 2011.
While none of the above issues are unique to JMU nor insurmountable, I believe that the "bean counters", and faculty and staff are very concerned about the efficacy of FBS as it relates to money.
A possible example of JMU's financial anxiety:
The proposed new JMU convo, which was approved for bonds by the Virginia legislature in 2011. This has not been acted upon, and is rapidly approaching a time when the $88 million is no longer an accurate number, which could cause the legislative process to have to be revisited. It has been reported that JMU is now looking for private donations for the convo instead.
I have otherwise no inside information, but in Virginia the "books" of all state institutions are a matter of public record, as are the reports of the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.
I believe that the real issue with JMU is money.
According to the State of Virginia 2012:
16% of JMU's tuition and fees were allocated to athletics.
Athletics generated less than 26% of the actual revenue needed to cover expenses.
JMU has an endowment om the low side for a university of it's size and geographic location; 66.978 million.
Much of JMU's older alumni are women, who historically are not big athletic donors.
JMU is located in an extremely small population area, which probably precludes a large quantity of corporate donations.
JMU's location is also problematic when it comes to event attendance from locals who otherwise have no connection to the university.
JMU has lost over 8% per year in football attendance since 2011.
While none of the above issues are unique to JMU nor insurmountable, I believe that the "bean counters", and faculty and staff are very concerned about the efficacy of FBS as it relates to money.
A possible example of JMU's financial anxiety:
The proposed new JMU convo, which was approved for bonds by the Virginia legislature in 2011. This has not been acted upon, and is rapidly approaching a time when the $88 million is no longer an accurate number, which could cause the legislative process to have to be revisited. It has been reported that JMU is now looking for private donations for the convo instead.
I have otherwise no inside information, but in Virginia the "books" of all state institutions are a matter of public record, as are the reports of the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.
04-06-2014, 09:30 AM
I have no idea if they are waiting on a MAC invite. That being said, JMU appears to be quite adept at 'waiting'.
04-06-2014, 09:59 AM
(04-05-2014 10:45 PM)techdawg88 Wrote: [ -> ]I think the main reason the MAC pushed UMass out was to get to even number teams because they knew UMass wouldn't bring their basketball
To me this makes the most sense. It became obvious that UMass would never bring its basketball to the MAC and UMass football added little to what they need since they already had enough for a championship game.
04-06-2014, 10:15 AM
Why is Liberty a complete clash with MAC schools (private, religious) but not a complete clash with the SBC schools.
04-06-2014, 10:16 AM
(04-06-2014 10:15 AM)SHWISH Wrote: [ -> ]Why is Liberty a complete clash with MAC schools (private, religious) but not a complete clash with the SBC schools.
Bingo!
04-06-2014, 10:32 AM
(04-06-2014 10:15 AM)SHWISH Wrote: [ -> ]Why is Liberty a complete clash with MAC schools (private, religious) but not a complete clash with the SBC schools.
Because the MAC isn't completely desperate. I don't think we are either.