Lets see now, the ol' CUSA did this:

(1) Took in upstarts UCF and USF back in the day--I repeat...upstarts...

(2) CUSA took in SMU who came into the league with an 18 football season losing streak while limping into the league post-Death Penalty;

(3) CUSA took in Southwest Conference refugee UH who did not want any association with its former "non Big 12" SWC mates who had all gone to the WAC--The Coog's won 2 CUSA football championships in 18 years of CUSA membership.

(4) UAB began NCAA FBS level play first time ever in 1996; not an upstart but not far from being one as in the modern era of the NCAA

(5) Marshall had been playing at another NCAA level most of its past history and then was added to CUSA--a good choice most would say;

Seems to me CUSA's old history is not too much different than what its new history will be except some of you CUSA veterans have been saying that you see more upside with this newer version of Conference-USA. Just sayin'...

(01-08-2013 05:42 PM)BkGold Wrote:  I remember not so long ago when the new additions to CUSA came to this board and spoke of being happy to be here. Then immediately the "we are left behind" crowd made it know how the conference now sucked. Me, college is about education, and 'sports" provides entertainment. I think too many of us are hung up on "our football image" by not moving on with the schools we played for 8, 10 +yrs. We run the table now and we have a shot at a major $$ bowl and I'm OK with that. I'd like to hear more from our new conference mates. I don't know much about most of you, except La.Tech.(We played a lot when I was in school). I hope we have not soured you new guys for speaking out about the value you bring to the table. Happy New Year and go CUSA!:joecool:

CUSA, Aresco Conf, MWC, Sun Belt, MAC, and if the WAC somehow survives will all have equal access to the BCS bowls. Right now that's better than the current setup and after a few years of teams getting screwed over and left out of a 4 team playoff it will expand I promise you. A bigger playoff only makes it easier to say a 13-0 / 12-1 school from our side "belongs". I personally think all confernce champs deserve a playoff spot but right now 4 teams is as good as it gets.

As far as CUSA as it is to me is a great setup. Will I miss some of the schools? Of course and while losing Memphis hoops is a killer as it would be for any confernce, the football side isn't that big of a hit. We lose a solid program in ECU but CUSA is resilient and while ECU is solid they were hardly Memphis hoops solid so to recover from their departure is nothing more than message board fodder.

Personally, I'm just thrilled to be able to watch my alma mater play football.

(01-09-2013 10:26 AM)mturn017 Wrote:  Personally, I'm just thrilled to be able to watch my alma mater play football.

This.



The fact the we get to travel to some larger schools now is just icing on the cake. Looking forward to ODU being our longest running opponent also

I am happy with most of our additions .....I would like WKU and Ark St

(01-09-2013 09:37 AM)WeatherfordMeanGreen Wrote:  Lets see now, the ol' CUSA did this:

(1) Took in upstarts UCF and USF back in the day--I repeat...upstarts...

(2) CUSA took in SMU who came into the league with an 18 football season losing streak while limping into the league post-Death Penalty;

(3) CUSA took in Southwest Conference refugee UH who did not want any association with its former "non Big 12" SWC mates who had all gone to the WAC--The Coog's won 2 CUSA football championships in 18 years of CUSA membership.

(4) UAB began NCAA FBS level play first time ever in 1996; not an upstart but not far from being one as in the modern era of the NCAA

(5) Marshall had been playing at another NCAA level most of its past history and then was added to CUSA--a good choice most would say;

Seems to me CUSA's old history is not too much different than what its new history will be except some of you CUSA veterans have been saying that you see more upside with this newer version of Conference-USA. Just sayin'...

I don't disagree with your premise, C-USA has been and will continue to be a great place for a program to grow.

One factual correction, however: UCF was not a true upstart in C-USA and came to the conference along with Marshall from the MAC. UCF fits in better in point #4 as we also began FBS play in 1996.

(01-09-2013 11:00 AM)Hell_Blazer Wrote:  I am happy with most of our additions .....I would like WKU and Ark St

I think those would be the best adds if we need two. I know this might sound strange coming from a fan of a team that still has 1 1/2 feet in FCS, but I really hope that ODU and Charlotte are the final two move-ups. I have nothing at all against App. St., GSU, JMU, UD, etc., I think they are great programs with lots of tradition and great fanbases. I am just concerned that the G5 needs to protect the perception they have (as poor as it may be in some eyes) in defense against any future tier system aside from the financial one that currently exists. That said, if any of them do get an invite in the future they will receive a warm welcome from me.

* I guess Charlotte isn't a move up, but the sentiment of my post holds.

I'm bummed that ECU left. I was really looking forward to that matchup. It would have been a big draw.

Some Niner fans are also bummed that we're leaving a very good basketball conference, but after the C7 raids the A10, I'm sure they won't mind the move quite as much.

I'm excited to be in a conference with Marshall and ODU. I would have liked to see WKU added instead of FAU, but it is what it is. Maybe they'll be added at a later date. I think virtually every new school added to the conference has a lot of potential. Some will meet or exceed that potential and others won't, but I think CUSA will be fine.

(01-09-2013 11:17 AM)paintedblue Wrote:  

(01-09-2013 11:00 AM)Hell_Blazer Wrote:  I am happy with most of our additions .....I would like WKU and Ark St

I think those would be the best adds if we need two. I know this might sound strange coming from a fan of a team that still has 1 1/2 feet in FCS, but I really hope that ODU and Charlotte are the final two move-ups. I have nothing at all against App. St., GSU, JMU, UD, etc., I think they are great programs with lots of tradition and great fanbases. I am just concerned that the G5 needs to protect the perception they have (as poor as it may be in some eyes) in defense against any future tier system aside from the financial one that currently exists. That said, if any of them do get an invite in the future they will receive a warm welcome from me.

* I guess Charlotte isn't a move up, but the sentiment of my post holds.

It's more than about perception too. There is an actual financial incentive to prevent it. There are finite dollars for the Five and every call up to the majors is going to eat away at everyone else's slice. It's ironic we're going to have one less conference beginning next year, but we're going to have about a dozen more schools compared to five years ago.

Unfortunately, as consolidation moves forward, the conferences at or near the bottom will call up more schools to survive and thus the cannibalization will likely continue.

Would really like to see the NCAA put forth some standards for moving up that would stick. If they can do it for grades they can do it for this. No offense directed at Charlotte (or others) but heck you don't even need a football program these days to be able to be declared ready to play at the highest level. That's not a good way to do business. Schools should have to meet strict standards to make a move up to a higher division within the NCAA.

(01-09-2013 12:16 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  ...
Would really like to see the NCAA put forth some standards for moving up that would stick. If they can do it for grades they can do it for this. No offense directed at Charlotte (or others) but heck you don't even need a football program these days to be able to be declared ready to play at the highest level. That's not a good way to do business. Schools should have to meet strict standards to make a move up to a higher division within the NCAA.

Thank you.

No offense to anyone moving up, but you've stated in a much better way what I've been trying to say since this last round out realignment started. I've been referring to it as a "process" that should be adhered to in moving to a new conference, but your comments make it much more clear than how I've been trying to state it.

(01-09-2013 12:16 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  Would really like to see the NCAA put forth some standards for moving up that would stick. If they can do it for grades they can do it for this. No offense directed at Charlotte (or others) but heck you don't even need a football program these days to be able to be declared ready to play at the highest level. That's not a good way to do business. Schools should have to meet strict standards to make a move up to a higher division within the NCAA.

Not quite sure what standards you speak of....financial or performance-wise? You have to look at the overall picture of our situation.

Our athletic budget without football is right there than many schools that already play FBS football. We have a large and growing student population which fees will come from until the wheels really start moving.

We've sold nearly 4,500 FSLs at $1,000 a pop and another 500 at $2,500 a pop without even playing a down of football. Season tickets are another $380 a piece on top of that.


The school and fans have made a financial commitment to play FBS. It's crazy what we have done so far and I expect the commitments (corporate and individual donations) to be even greater once we hit the field.

(01-09-2013 11:16 AM)RobUCF Wrote:  

(01-09-2013 09:37 AM)WeatherfordMeanGreen Wrote:  Lets see now, the ol' CUSA did this:

(1) Took in upstarts UCF and USF back in the day--I repeat...upstarts...

(2) CUSA took in SMU who came into the league with an 18 football season losing streak while limping into the league post-Death Penalty;

(3) CUSA took in Southwest Conference refugee UH who did not want any association with its former "non Big 12" SWC mates who had all gone to the WAC--The Coog's won 2 CUSA football championships in 18 years of CUSA membership.

(4) UAB began NCAA FBS level play first time ever in 1996; not an upstart but not far from being one as in the modern era of the NCAA

(5) Marshall had been playing at another NCAA level most of its past history and then was added to CUSA--a good choice most would say;

Seems to me CUSA's old history is not too much different than what its new history will be except some of you CUSA veterans have been saying that you see more upside with this newer version of Conference-USA. Just sayin'...

I don't disagree with your premise, C-USA has been and will continue to be a great place for a program to grow.

One factual correction, however: UCF was not a true upstart in C-USA and came to the conference along with Marshall from the MAC. UCF fits in better in point #4 as we also began FBS play in 1996.

My bad....sorry about not doing more research on that.

GMG!

Standard 1: University must have had a football program for at least 100 years. Drives me nuts to see overgrown community colleges with no tradition get declared a "major" program overnight . . . looking at you South Florida. If the Simpsons have been on the air longer than you have had a football program, you shouldn't be FBS.

Here's how I look at it:

All the former non-AQ teams are still non-AQ teams and we are all competing against each other for that bone the former AQ teams will throw us. We may not all be in the same conference together, but are still competing against each other for that 1 spot. The best team will have access to that spot whether they are in the Big East, MWC, CUSA, MAC or Sun Belt. This year, it was Northern Illinois out of the MAC.

I'm glad Tech is in a more regional conference that pays a little more money than the WAC and costs a little less in travel expenses. We will still be La Tech and Tulane will still be Tulane regardless of what conference we base out of.

(01-09-2013 01:21 PM)RougeDawg Wrote:  Standard 1: University must have had a football program for at least 100 years. Drives me nuts to see overgrown community colleges with no tradition get declared a "major" program overnight . . . looking at you South Florida. If the Simpsons have been on the air longer than you have had a football program, you shouldn't be FBS.

Well my overgrown community college has a larger endowment than your school. And more students. And more research programs. And more doctoral offerings. And more NCAA tournament appearances. And a higher athletic budget (despite not fielding a football team year).

I think we'll be fine and I'll speak for ODU fans and say they'll be just fine as well.

Can't speak for all the new commers, but by the amount of posts some usually make on the old SBC board it is a lot less now. I think most of us feel in a state of limbo, whether we move this year or next, we are not officially in the conference playing you guys. On the same level, even though we are still playing SBC, feels like we are not wanted over there, like we are already moved over.

So I know for me I check this board once or twice a day, but never really post much, hope FAU makes the decision to move over this year and avoid another year waiting. AD says we should know by the end of the month.

But it will be good when we all are finally in and playing you guys, think the dynamics of this board we change more with the new commers then too.

GO CUSA
GO OWLS

(01-09-2013 02:06 PM)NCowl Wrote:  Can't speak for all the new commers, but by the amount of posts some usually make on the old SBC board it is a lot less now. I think most of us feel in a state of limbo, whether we move this year or next, we are not officially in the conference playing you guys. On the same level, even though we are still playing SBC, feels like we are not wanted over there, like we are already moved over.

So I know for me I check this board once or twice a day, but never really post much, hope FAU makes the decision to move over this year and avoid another year waiting. AD says we should know by the end of the month.

But it will be good when we all are finally in and playing you guys, think the dynamics of this board we change more with the new commers then too.

GO CUSA
GO OWLS

Still great that CUSA will have 2 schools from the state of Florida and in good markets to boot.

FAU and FIU: Are we allowed to recruit in your state because it's a cinch that everybody and their dogs recruits in ours!

Of course, we "only" have about 160,000 kids who play Texas High School Football, too.


GMG!

(01-09-2013 12:41 PM)wh49er Wrote:  

(01-09-2013 12:16 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  Would really like to see the NCAA put forth some standards for moving up that would stick. If they can do it for grades they can do it for this. No offense directed at Charlotte (or others) but heck you don't even need a football program these days to be able to be declared ready to play at the highest level. That's not a good way to do business. Schools should have to meet strict standards to make a move up to a higher division within the NCAA.

Not quite sure what standards you speak of....financial or performance-wise? You have to look at the overall picture of our situation.

Our athletic budget without football is right there than many schools that already play FBS football. We have a large and growing student population which fees will come from until the wheels really start moving.

We've sold nearly 4,500 FSLs at $1,000 a pop and another 500 at $2,500 a pop without even playing a down of football. Season tickets are another $380 a piece on top of that.


The school and fans have made a financial commitment to play FBS. It's crazy what we have done so far and I expect the commitments (corporate and individual donations) to be even greater once we hit the field.

resources are king....period....well said....you pass us immediately and probably will on the field soon....my biggest fear to be brutally honest....we missed our chance long ago.....thanks Giannono

(01-09-2013 01:21 PM)RougeDawg Wrote:  Standard 1: University must have had a football program for at least 100 years. Drives me nuts to see overgrown community colleges with no tradition get declared a "major" program overnight . . . looking at you South Florida. If the Simpsons have been on the air longer than you have had a football program, you shouldn't be FBS.

CUSA teams (both current and future) that wouldn't make the cut:

UNT: Since 1913
UTEP: Since 1914
SMU: 1915 - 1986, Since 1989
ECU: Since 1932
Houston: Since 1946
UCF: Since 1979
UAB: Since 1991
ODU: 1930 - 1941, Since 2009
FAU: Since 2001
FIU: Since 2002
UTSA: Since 2011
Charlotte: 1948- 1949, Rebirth in 2013

(01-09-2013 02:54 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(01-09-2013 01:21 PM)RougeDawg Wrote:  Standard 1: University must have had a football program for at least 100 years. Drives me nuts to see overgrown community colleges with no tradition get declared a "major" program overnight . . . looking at you South Florida. If the Simpsons have been on the air longer than you have had a football program, you shouldn't be FBS.

CUSA teams (both current and future) that wouldn't make the cut:

UNT: Since 1913
UTEP: Since 1914
SMU: 1915 - 1986, Since 1989
ECU: Since 1932
Houston: Since 1946
UCF: Since 1979
UAB: Since 1991
ODU: 1930 - 1941, Since 2009
FAU: Since 2001
FIU: Since 2002
UTSA: Since 2011
Charlotte: 2013

Technically Charlotte had a program in 1948 and 1949. We were only a two year school back then though.