This is a mistake. The wisest choice would be La Tech and UTSA. Say Temple and FIU are the only teams taken by MUSA that leaves the sun belt with 9, we add UTSA/LT then whoever would be the best out of GSU, TSU & App. State. I would choose App personally, no matter what we think of our programs that win over Michigan was pretty huge and something 98% of college football fans remember. The Cajuns thrilling bowl game was a great night for the belt and for UL, but the average fan doesn't know about it. Even though ASU would be outside of the footprint, I think they would be a wise choice.

The alignment below would allow me to travel to 3 away games a year in football and 5 or 6 away games in basketball, I've only been able to make it to Hot Springs in the past, so this would be huge. I always dreamed of a TX-AR-LA conference including North Texas that was something like UNT, Rice, UTEP, TCU, SMU, Houston, LT, Ark. State and UL, but that will never happen.

UNT
UL
LT
stAte
UTSA
ULM
UALR*
UTA*

Troy
MT
WKU
ASU
FAU
USA
Two olympic school sports in the southeast coast who could move up to FBS in football if there are more defections*

(02-21-2012 09:26 PM)ntmeangreen11 Wrote:  This is a mistake. The wisest choice would be La Tech and UTSA. Say Temple and FIU are the only teams taken by MUSA that leaves the sun belt with 9, we add UTSA/LT then whoever would be the best out of GSU, TSU & App. State. I would choose App personally, no matter what we think of our programs that win over Michigan was pretty huge and something 98% of college football fans remember. The Cajuns thrilling bowl game was a great night for the belt and for UL, but the average fan doesn't know about it. Even though ASU would be outside of the footprint, I think they would be a wise choice.

The alignment below would allow me to travel to 3 away games a year in football and 5 or 6 away games in basketball, I've only been able to make it to Hot Springs in the past, so this would be huge. I always dreamed of a TX-AR-LA conference including North Texas that was something like UNT, Rice, UTEP, TCU, SMU, Houston, LT, Ark. State and UL, but that will never happen.

UNT
UL
LT
stAte
UTSA
ULM
UALR*
UTA*

Troy
MT
WKU
ASU
FAU
USA
Two olympic school sports in the southeast coast who could move up to FBS in football if there are more defections*

We don't need to expand just for the heck of it or just because a team is close. This conference is not as weak as conference USA officials want us to believe so they can come in and raid when they want.

First fcs/DII expansion further into Florida, Alabama, Mississippi does nothing but hurt current members because the population supply already is a fine line of not meeting the demand. Say if Jax State was moved up then every year Troy and South Recruit good Jax would be loaded with 1 star recruits and if Jax even pulled 8 3 star recruits then all four of us including UAB would have some of the worst recruiting classes in football. People need to realize that we already have to go to junior colleges and other states just to fill our rosters with competitive players.

Even if West Florida got a football team it would hurt FIU, FAU, South Alabama, Troy, and probably a few conference USA teams. It's logically viable for Georgia and Texas teams to move up because lots of talent in Texas and Georgia not seen and sent to junior colleges every year. I'm not in favor of expanding to be regional if it means dooming ourselves to mediocrity.

UNT fans don't want to hear it but UTSA, UTA, and TxST will NOT hurt anyone's recruiting or steal fans because there is enough population and growth to support more teams. Those teams should be our primary targets and I'm really in favor of UNMS instead of La Tech. Grabbing rusty Tech does nothing for market and just inserts a group of fans who don't want to be here at all. It's one thing to want to move up but those guys seriously do not want to be associated with us.

I only say add FCS teams if we lose schools which is seeming more unlikely by the day. If we don't lose teams and add more Texas schools and UNMS we will finally have leverage needed for a decent TV deal and low travel cost.

How is App States Basketball and Baseball?

(02-22-2012 12:08 AM)panama Wrote:  How is App States Basketball and Baseball?

We're a football school, average in B ball, and in baseball, only 15 behind Ga State in the rpi, improving yearly, with great brand spanking new facilities.

App basketball has its runs with 20+ win teams. And we beat sec schools on occasion. And schools like Davidson and Charleston Southern in the Socon. We play in a nice 8350 seat arena. IMO we'll be searching for a new BBall coach soon, 2 years has been about enough of this guy.

We do have the added issue of having to compete in a state with 3-4 national powers in basketball. Having three different national champions straight down highway 421, is something Ga State doesnt really have to deal with.

I think they play less basketball in GA then we do in Alabama.

I hope we end up with TXState and UTSA. Those two schools just seem to have the most upside. App. State has the Michigan win..but what else. The Texas schools locations are more attractive to me.

(02-22-2012 12:29 AM)Glassonion Wrote:  

(02-22-2012 12:08 AM)panama Wrote:  How is App States Basketball and Baseball?

We're a football school, average in B ball, and in baseball, only 15 behind Ga State in the rpi, improving yearly, with great brand spanking new facilities.

App basketball has its runs with 20+ win teams. And we beat sec schools on occasion. And schools like Davidson and Charleston Southern in the Socon. We play in a nice 8350 seat arena. IMO we'll be searching for a new BBall coach soon, 2 years has been about enough of this guy.

We do have the added issue of having to compete in a state with 3-4 national powers in basketball. Having three different national champions straight down highway 421, is something Ga State doesnt really have to deal with.

(02-22-2012 12:33 AM)Usajags Wrote:  I think they play less basketball in GA then we do in Alabama.

App States RPI is in the 240's. You need a new coach and that is far from 15 behind GSU (130). How is baseball? Last NCAA regional? 50 games won?

USAJAGS, don't understand your comment.

(02-22-2012 07:53 AM)panama Wrote:  

(02-22-2012 12:29 AM)Glassonion Wrote:  

(02-22-2012 12:08 AM)panama Wrote:  How is App States Basketball and Baseball?

We're a football school, average in B ball, and in baseball, only 15 behind Ga State in the rpi, improving yearly, with great brand spanking new facilities.

App basketball has its runs with 20+ win teams. And we beat sec schools on occasion. And schools like Davidson and Charleston Southern in the Socon. We play in a nice 8350 seat arena. IMO we'll be searching for a new BBall coach soon, 2 years has been about enough of this guy.

We do have the added issue of having to compete in a state with 3-4 national powers in basketball. Having three different national champions straight down highway 421, is something Ga State doesnt really have to deal with.

(02-22-2012 12:33 AM)Usajags Wrote:  I think they play less basketball in GA then we do in Alabama.

App States RPI is in the 240's. You need a new coach and that is far from 15 behind GSU (130). How is baseball? Last NCAA regional? 50 games won?

USAJAGS, don't understand your comment.

The 15 behind is baseball.

We've been down for two years now in Basketball, but we are usually top 4 in the Socon. We usually finish around 13-4 in conference. Again, App is a football school, but App still won 31 of the past 34 years' Commissioners' Cups, for the Socon's best overall athletics program, awarded on a point system. We also offer 19 different sports. But that doesnt really matter considering that football is by far the most profitable program, and actually operates in the black, which is a rare thing nowadays.

With respect to the Sun Belt's reputation it is imperative that we only invite FBS members. We can not afford to be looked at as incubator for 1AA schools. I see no need to expand membership past 12 and if we do lose a few schools to the alliance than they need to be replaced with D1 schools if at all possible La Tech, New Mexico State, UAB, etc.. 1AA schools should be a last resort option only.

(02-22-2012 08:31 AM)MT FAN Wrote:  With respect to the Sun Belt's reputation it is imperative that we only invite FBS members. We can not afford to be looked at as incubator for 1AA schools. I see no need to expand membership past 12 and if we do lose a few schools to the alliance than they need to be replaced with D1 schools if at all possible La Tech, New Mexico State, UAB, etc.. 1AA schools should be a last resort option only.

In all reality that view point is misguided. App State had 3 players go in the draft last year. Two more will go this year. There are 4 guys from our 2007 team in the NFL, and two defensive ends from our 2005 team. There are many FBS teams that dont produce that kind of talent. With a full scholarship allotment, App football would only improve. We'd already be top two in attendence, and Appalachian State name is well known in college football. It all depends on which team you pick.

(02-22-2012 12:08 AM)panama Wrote:  How is App States Basketball and Baseball?

Not great or poor in either, hovering around average to slightly above average. Football is our main selling point but here is some basic info on both programs:

Baseball
Facility: Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium
2011: 33-27
2010: 38-18-1
2009: 33-21
2008: 32-27
2007: 33-26

Basketball
Facility: Holmes Convocation Center
2012: 13-15
2011: 16-15
2010: 24-13
2009: 13-18
2008: 18-13

(02-22-2012 08:31 AM)MT FAN Wrote:  With respect to the Sun Belt's reputation it is imperative that we only invite FBS members. We can not afford to be looked at as incubator for 1AA schools. I see no need to expand membership past 12 and if we do lose a few schools to the alliance than they need to be replaced with D1 schools if at all possible La Tech, New Mexico State, UAB, etc.. 1AA schools should be a last resort option only.

I hope you have Karl's phone number

App State is the only FCS program we could add that would trump any FBS program we are considering in national attention and perception. They would be a homerun.

(02-22-2012 09:30 AM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  App State is the only FCS program we could add that would trump any FBS program we are considering in national attention and perception. They would be a homerun.

Meh. That day in Ann Arbor is LONG gone.

Not belittling what happened, but the media, nor general population, today cares about Appy over Mich any more than they do ULM over Bama.

(02-22-2012 09:38 AM)RaiderATO Wrote:  Meh. That day in Ann Arbor is LONG gone.

Not belittling what happened, but the media, nor general population, today cares about Appy over Mich any more than they do ULM over Bama.

I don't disagree with any of that. The '07 Michigan win is five years old and certainly not front page news by any means. However, it did put us on the map and our 2014 re-match in the Big House would be great exposure for a potential conference.

Being recognized by the casual college football fan for that win is great and all, but not our top selling point in my opinion. I really think that SBC fans would be pleasantly surprised by our quality of on-field product, facilities and fan support.

(02-22-2012 09:38 AM)RaiderATO Wrote:  

(02-22-2012 09:30 AM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  App State is the only FCS program we could add that would trump any FBS program we are considering in national attention and perception. They would be a homerun.

Meh. That day in Ann Arbor is LONG gone.

Not belittling what happened, but the media, nor general population, today cares about Appy over Mich any more than they do ULM over Bama.

Yeah I am not so sure that nationally saying App State would make people drop what they are doing and do the happy dance. App will be fine but selling that Michigan win is not how they will move up as most people do not even recall it.

This will all be interesting. Lots of questions being asked in the sobering reality of The Day After. Questions about basketball which has now re-surged. What happens to basketball recruiting when we no longer have the CAA and VCU/George Mason/Drexel to sell? What do we do with soccer now. Our soccer team made the NCAAs and I just found out the SBC doesnt play soccer. I imagine all candidates will have to ask similar questions and make some tough decisions.

(02-22-2012 09:55 AM)panama Wrote:  This will all be interesting. Lots of questions being asked in the sobering reality of The Day After. Questions about basketball which has now re-surged. What happens to basketball recruiting when we no longer have the CAA and VCU/George Mason/Drexel to sell? What do we do with soccer now. Our soccer team made the NCAAs and I just found out the SBC doesnt play soccer.

As far as Mens Soccer is concerned, you can be an affiliate in another confrence if your confrence doesnt sponsor the sport. FAU plays in the MAC for mens soccer, and I believe that FIU plays in CUSA.

Speaking of which I wonder how FIU's Soccer program will be accomodated in the "Alliance"?

If worse comes to worse, you can see how competative we are when we open this season with ECU. We opened 2009 with them and lost 29-24, playing without our 4 time All-American QB. They won CUSA that year under Skip Holtz. We dont get many non-BCS types willing to play us.

(02-22-2012 08:57 AM)Glassonion Wrote:  In all reality that view point is misguided. App State had 3 players go in the draft last year. Two more will go this year. There are 4 guys from our 2007 team in the NFL, and two defensive ends from our 2005 team. There are many FBS teams that dont produce that kind of talent. With a full scholarship allotment, App football would only improve. We'd already be top two in attendence, and Appalachian State name is well known in college football. It all depends on which team you pick.

You are FCS. FBS talent gets in trouble or just doesnt like the institution they are currently enrolled in. Transfer to a FBS school? You have to sit out a year. So what do you do? You transfer to a FCS school and play immediately. Which school do you want to go to? Probably the best (national perception wise) football program in FCS- App St.

Don't get me wrong- Troy has gotten plenty of Big 6 transfers... but it is a lot harder sell because you have to sit out a year.

It is like saying UNA/Jacksonville St. put out big time athletes. They do, but it is because they were top recruits coming out of highschool and got in trouble and wanted to play immediately.

Once you begin to transition to FBS those transfers will dry up very quickly. Ask USA...

Now I am all for App St... but lets look at it realistically. Once your turn FBS you are going to have to recruit straight up against other FBS programs in your region.

I might be way off on my assessment of all the guys you have in the NFL/going to the NFL... how many of them were at App St from signing day as a senior in highschool?