Seriously, I wonder if they'd take a response from an alumni? It's hard to debate his point about salaries without doing a ton of research, but the basic point that Duke Club giving increases at the rate he forecasts are not a given (see attendance) without changes and/or a renewed emphasis, and that the Other category is almost assuredly for debt service on the Bridgeforth expansion, meaning that its increase at a steady rate can be forecast, should be easy to put into a short letter to the editor?

(11-18-2013 03:32 PM)jmu@uva Wrote:  In all seriousness, Pitz, what is your position on JMU's future? Do you support a move to any FBS conference, only certain FBS conferences, or do you support JMU staying FCS? If you just like to come on and make fun of other posters' for being so crazy about the issue, that's cool too. Just curious.

I think he's like me, in that moving for the sake of moving is not the answer... and the reason that we haven't gone anywhere already. We have some options, none of them are really that awesome. Actually we don't have options because we have 0 invites to other conferences. But we're ready to make a move when the right option comes along. It's a matter of when, not if. Until then, mocking people who think the sky is falling is more enjoyable.

(11-18-2013 04:14 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 03:32 PM)jmu@uva Wrote:  In all seriousness, Pitz, what is your position on JMU's future? Do you support a move to any FBS conference, only certain FBS conferences, or do you support JMU staying FCS? If you just like to come on and make fun of other posters' for being so crazy about the issue, that's cool too. Just curious.

I think he's like me, in that moving for the sake of moving is not the answer... and the reason that we haven't gone anywhere already. We have some options, none of them are really that awesome. Actually we don't have options because we have 0 invites to other conferences. But we're ready to make a move when the right option comes along. It's a matter of when, not if. Until then, mocking people who think the sky is falling is more enjoyable.

If you think we have no unofficial invites, you haven't been paying attention.

(11-18-2013 04:14 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 03:32 PM)jmu@uva Wrote:  In all seriousness, Pitz, what is your position on JMU's future? Do you support a move to any FBS conference, only certain FBS conferences, or do you support JMU staying FCS? If you just like to come on and make fun of other posters' for being so crazy about the issue, that's cool too. Just curious.

I think he's like me, in that moving for the sake of moving is not the answer... and the reason that we haven't gone anywhere already. We have some options, none of them are really that awesome. Actually we don't have options because we have 0 invites to other conferences. But we're ready to make a move when the right option comes along. It's a matter of when, not if. Until then, mocking people who think the sky is falling is more enjoyable.

+1 Deez. You echo my thoughts and the friends that I attend JMU games with.

The biggest issue at the moment is do we enjoy the mediocrity we've experienced since 2008 while spending more on the product. If we do, let Mickey come back and let him keep the same staff. If we don't and desire a change, make the change on the 24th or 25th and lets begin planning for the invite with a new HC who has a fresh perspective about where to take the program.

(11-18-2013 04:14 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 03:32 PM)jmu@uva Wrote:  In all seriousness, Pitz, what is your position on JMU's future? Do you support a move to any FBS conference, only certain FBS conferences, or do you support JMU staying FCS? If you just like to come on and make fun of other posters' for being so crazy about the issue, that's cool too. Just curious.

I think he's like me, in that moving for the sake of moving is not the answer... and the reason that we haven't gone anywhere already. We have some options, none of them are really that awesome. Actually we don't have options because we have 0 invites to other conferences. But we're ready to make a move when the right option comes along. It's a matter of when, not if. Until then, mocking people who think the sky is falling is more enjoyable.

We may not have an official SBC offer, but I think all we have to do is ask. The MAC is really the only other option at this time.

If they are the only options, are you in favor of staying in the CAA? And hoping that something shakes out above us that gives JMU a shot at CUSA?

"A bird in hand is better than" type scenario...

(11-18-2013 04:20 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 04:14 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 03:32 PM)jmu@uva Wrote:  In all seriousness, Pitz, what is your position on JMU's future? Do you support a move to any FBS conference, only certain FBS conferences, or do you support JMU staying FCS? If you just like to come on and make fun of other posters' for being so crazy about the issue, that's cool too. Just curious.

I think he's like me, in that moving for the sake of moving is not the answer... and the reason that we haven't gone anywhere already. We have some options, none of them are really that awesome. Actually we don't have options because we have 0 invites to other conferences. But we're ready to make a move when the right option comes along. It's a matter of when, not if. Until then, mocking people who think the sky is falling is more enjoyable.

We may not have an official SBC offer, but I think all we have to do is ask. The MAC is really the only other option at this time.

If they are the only options, are you in favor of staying in the CAA?

NO. At this point I see any move as a better option than remaining in the CAA.

(11-18-2013 04:14 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 03:32 PM)jmu@uva Wrote:  In all seriousness, Pitz, what is your position on JMU's future? Do you support a move to any FBS conference, only certain FBS conferences, or do you support JMU staying FCS? If you just like to come on and make fun of other posters' for being so crazy about the issue, that's cool too. Just curious.

I think he's like me, in that moving for the sake of moving is not the answer... and the reason that we haven't gone anywhere already. We have some options, none of them are really that awesome. Actually we don't have options because we have 0 invites to other conferences. But we're ready to make a move when the right option comes along. It's a matter of when, not if. Until then, mocking people who think the sky is falling is more enjoyable.

Not trying to be sarcastic, just asking an honest question.

In what scenario would staying in the CAA be better than and FBS conference, even if it is the Sun Belt?

And furthermore, if we stay in the CAA because we don't get an invite, how the heck did we not get an invite? With our budget, facilities, support, geographic footprint, etc etc, we should be much more desirable than the bottom 1/3 of the teams in FBS.

Schools that were far below JMU as athletic departments (VCU, Mason, ODU, Liberty, App State) have blown past us and schools that were never even considered to be in our league (Elon, Stony Brook, Albany, Towson, North Dakota State) are now considered our peers athletically.

To some degree, I don't think the sky is falling, I think it already fell. At this point, I am hoping we can pick up the pieces and put something together.

(11-18-2013 04:18 PM)Potomac Wrote:  If you think we have no unofficial invites, you haven't been paying attention.

Unofficial invites don't count. We've had no official invites. So that cart is going nowhere.

(11-18-2013 04:20 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  We may not have an official SBC offer, but I think all we have to do is ask. The MAC is really the only other option at this time. If they are the only options, are you in favor of staying in the CAA? And hoping that something shakes out above us that gives JMU a shot at CUSA?

I really just don't like any of the options. They're just not attractive any way you look at it. SBC sucks. If anything happens there I hope it's football-only. MAC is mediocre to me. same to CUSA. Hang me if you want to but the CAA offers more than those do in the grand scheme of JMU athletics (read, not football). Football-only invites to me are the best case there, I think. And I don't need a 9-page thread to tell me why I'm wrong - so there's my opinion since you asked.

I talk with folks in Athletics every day. I talk with administrative folks rather often. I talked with Prez Alger on Saturday. Whatever happens, the decision will be made in the best interest of the University and that much I'm confident about so it's good enough for me. I don't get worked up about it.

(11-18-2013 04:24 PM)DolleyMadison Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 04:14 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 03:32 PM)jmu@uva Wrote:  In all seriousness, Pitz, what is your position on JMU's future? Do you support a move to any FBS conference, only certain FBS conferences, or do you support JMU staying FCS? If you just like to come on and make fun of other posters' for being so crazy about the issue, that's cool too. Just curious.

I think he's like me, in that moving for the sake of moving is not the answer... and the reason that we haven't gone anywhere already. We have some options, none of them are really that awesome. Actually we don't have options because we have 0 invites to other conferences. But we're ready to make a move when the right option comes along. It's a matter of when, not if. Until then, mocking people who think the sky is falling is more enjoyable.

Not trying to be sarcastic, just asking an honest question.

In what scenario would staying in the CAA be better than and FBS conference, even if it is the Sun Belt?

And furthermore, if we stay in the CAA because we don't get an invite, how the heck did we not get an invite? With our budget, facilities, support, geographic footprint, etc etc, we should be much more desirable than the bottom 1/3 of the teams in FBS.

Schools that were far below JMU as athletic departments (VCU, Mason, ODU, Liberty, App State) have blown past us and schools that were never even considered to be in our league (Elon, Stony Brook, Albany, Towson, North Dakota State) are now considered our peers athletically.

To some degree, I don't think the sky is falling, I think it already fell. At this point, I am hoping we can pick up the pieces and put something together.

While this is depressing to read because it's somewhat true, I'm not so sure I'd say we've had a more impressive athletic department than Mason, ODU, App State or VCU in the last 15 years.

VCU, Mason both had final four runs and at one point were ranked in the Top 25 (VCU looks like they're there to stay for a bit while Mason has seriously regressed). App State was the original FCS darlings with a threepeat and ODU was a consistent NCAA men's and women's tourny participant for basketball and just started a football program that exploded like a rocket. JMU certainly has a few accolades athletically, but I wouldn't consider us superior to those schools in any way ahtletically (except we do have a football team and Mason adn VCU don't).

My issue is that it has felt like we got left behind. VCU, Mason and ODU were proactive and are all in favorable media markets while App State had to basically beg to get to FBS because they aren't. JMU probably should've been working for a few years to find a home in the FBS. It's frustrating that a change in leadership had to happen during one of the most volatile times ever for conference re-alignment.

I think Professor Doofensmirtz fails to realize that moving up to FBS would generate revenue. There's no doubt that donors are holding back because they're not excited about playing Stony Brook and St. Guido's Poor Stepsisters. But give them a chance at a bowl game?

Is FCS football too expensive for the students? Yes. Let's play at a level that excites the alumni and let them share more of the costs.

(11-18-2013 04:45 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 04:18 PM)Potomac Wrote:  If you think we have no unofficial invites, you haven't been paying attention.

Unofficial invites don't count. We've had no official invites. So that cart is going nowhere.

If we're waiting on official invites to make any decisions, then you're right, we don't and never will have anywhere to go.
If you wait for the woman to propose to you, you will never get married.

(11-18-2013 04:45 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 04:18 PM)Potomac Wrote:  If you think we have no unofficial invites, you haven't been paying attention.

Unofficial invites don't count. We've had no official invites. So that cart is going nowhere.

(11-18-2013 04:20 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  We may not have an official SBC offer, but I think all we have to do is ask. The MAC is really the only other option at this time. If they are the only options, are you in favor of staying in the CAA? And hoping that something shakes out above us that gives JMU a shot at CUSA?

I really just don't like any of the options. They're just not attractive any way you look at it. SBC sucks. If anything happens there I hope it's football-only. MAC is mediocre to me. same to CUSA. Hang me if you want to but the CAA offers more than those do in the grand scheme of JMU athletics (read, not football). Football-only invites to me are the best case there, I think. And I don't need a 9-page thread to tell me why I'm wrong - so there's my opinion since you asked.

I talk with folks in Athletics every day. I talk with administrative folks rather often. I talked with Prez Alger on Saturday. Whatever happens, the decision will be made in the best interest of the University and that much I'm confident about so it's good enough for me. I don't get worked up about it.

You make valid points. I don't love the SBC, MAC, or really CUSA.

What bothers me is that IF we stay in the CAA, I feel that we have basically locked ourselves in for the future. FCS and CAA for life....or at least for a long damn time.

That would kill a huge part of my drive to give more time/money/effort. If I am going to continue to invest, I want growth. My love for JMU doesn't drive what I currently donate....my desire to see JMU grow and improve drives me to donate thousands of dollars/year.

If we're to stay in FCS/CAA, then I will drop down and donate at the FCS/CAA level. I'll funnel the difference into the academic side.

(11-18-2013 04:55 PM)Potomac Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 04:45 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 04:18 PM)Potomac Wrote:  If you think we have no unofficial invites, you haven't been paying attention.

Unofficial invites don't count. We've had no official invites. So that cart is going nowhere.

If we're waiting on officials invites to make any decisions, then you're right, we don't and never will have anywhere to go.
If you wait for the woman to propose to you, you will never get married.

I don't know about that. My wife not only told me that we were getting married she told me what day it was going to be.

(11-18-2013 04:14 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 03:32 PM)jmu@uva Wrote:  In all seriousness, Pitz, what is your position on JMU's future? Do you support a move to any FBS conference, only certain FBS conferences, or do you support JMU staying FCS? If you just like to come on and make fun of other posters' for being so crazy about the issue, that's cool too. Just curious.

I think he's like me, in that moving for the sake of moving is not the answer... and the reason that we haven't gone anywhere already. We have some options, none of them are really that awesome. Actually we don't have options because we have 0 invites to other conferences. [b]But we're ready to make a move when the right option comes along, It's a matter of when, not if[b] Until then, mocking people who think the sky is falling is more enjoyable.

remember the words in bold, I fear we will hear them again in June 2014. Free Beer Tomorrow. There is a spinster living nearby waiting for the right option.

(11-18-2013 02:58 PM)Pitz Wrote:  FINANCES BE DAMNED! LOUISIANA-MONROE HERE WE COME!

Or home and homes with the likes of Va Tech, ODU, Eastern Michigan with possibilities of home and homes with UVA, ECU and others.

Occasional visits by ACC schools such as NC Sate and other Mid-Atlantic FBS schools. Annual games aganist App State and Ga Southern

Look beyond conference games as the out of conference games can counter some of those bad matchups such as Louisana-Monroe

Imagine an upcoming 12 game schedule of:
1. In state FCS (UR or W&M)
2. ACC School (UNC, NC State or MD)
3. Old Dominion
4. Vanderbilt

Conference games
5-9 East: App State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, South Alabama, and Troy
10-12 that only leaves 3 games against the West: Ark/La/Texas teams with only one or two of those being at home.

Not too shaby. Look at ODU's upcoming OOC schedule:

2014:
Hampton Aug. 30
@NC State Sept. 6
Eastern Michigan Sept. 13
@ Vanderbilt Nov. 1

2015:
@ Eastern Michigan Sept. 5
Norfolk State Sept. 12
NC State Sept. 19
App. State Sept. 26

2017
Va Tech!
JMU?

(11-18-2013 03:33 PM)Potomac Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 03:32 PM)jmu@uva Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 02:58 PM)Pitz Wrote:  FINANCES BE DAMNED! LOUISIANA-MONROE HERE WE COME!

(11-18-2013 03:25 PM)Pitz Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 03:04 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote:  Schools like Ga. Southern, Appalachian and James Madison should be in FBS. It may sound arrogant but we have basically outgrown the FCS.

Nothing says FBS-ready like missing the FCS playoffs four out of the last five years!

In all seriousness, Pitz, what is your position on JMU's future? Do you support a move to any FBS conference, only certain FBS conferences, or do you support JMU staying FCS? If you just like to come on and make fun of other posters' for being so crazy about the issue, that's cool too. Just curious.

Stony brook owned us, we should just drop to d2. Screw it all, we need to join ur in the odac.

So SBU beat JMU by 3 41-38, and outgained JMU by 10 yds 485-475, yet JMU was "owned" in your book.. That was very close 3 point ballgame. Period

(11-18-2013 04:14 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 03:32 PM)jmu@uva Wrote:  In all seriousness, Pitz, what is your position on JMU's future? Do you support a move to any FBS conference, only certain FBS conferences, or do you support JMU staying FCS? If you just like to come on and make fun of other posters' for being so crazy about the issue, that's cool too. Just curious.

I think he's like me, in that moving for the sake of moving is not the answer... and the reason that we haven't gone anywhere already. We have some options, none of them are really that awesome. Actually we don't have options because we have 0 invites to other conferences. But we're ready to make a move when the right option comes along. It's a matter of when, not if. Until then, mocking people who think the sky is falling is more enjoyable.

+1

(11-18-2013 05:14 PM)ODU89 Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 02:58 PM)Pitz Wrote:  FINANCES BE DAMNED! LOUISIANA-MONROE HERE WE COME!

Or home and homes with the likes of Va Tech, ODU, Eastern Michigan with possibilities of home and homes with UVA, ECU and others.

Occasional visits by ACC schools such as NC Sate and other Mid-Atlantic FBS schools. Annual games aganist App State and Ga Southern

Look beyond conference games as the out of conference games can counter some of those bad matchups such as Louisana-Monroe

Imagine an upcoming 12 game schedule of:
1. In state FCS (UR or W&M)
2. ACC School (UNC, NC State or MD)
3. Old Dominion
4. Vanderbilt

Conference games
5-9 East: App State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, South Alabama, and Troy
10-12 that only leaves 3 games against the West: Ark/La/Texas teams with only one or two of those being at home.

Not too shaby. Look at ODU's upcoming OOC schedule:

2014:
Hampton Aug. 30
@NC State Sept. 6
Eastern Michigan Sept. 13
@ Vanderbilt Nov. 1

2015:
@ Eastern Michigan Sept. 5
Norfolk State Sept. 12
NC State Sept. 19
App. State Sept. 26

2017
Va Tech!
JMU?

VT isn't at ODU in 2017, but 2018 according to:
http://blogs.roanoke.com/andybittervirgi...s-podcast/

So ODU's home schedule in their 1st 4 seasons fully transitioned up:

2014
C-USA
Hampton
Eastern Mich

2015
C-USA
Norfolk State
NC State
APP

2016
C-USA
???
???

2017
C-USA
???
???

2018
C-USA
VT
???

Looks like the ODU home schedule will be C-USA and avg 1 marquee home OOC a season. And remember, ODU has the Tidewater market, which will be a huge benefit to them getting BCS teams to do 1 for 1 deals in a 30-35k seat stadium. That will be much more difficult for JMU.

(11-18-2013 04:56 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 04:45 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 04:18 PM)Potomac Wrote:  If you think we have no unofficial invites, you haven't been paying attention.

Unofficial invites don't count. We've had no official invites. So that cart is going nowhere.

(11-18-2013 04:20 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  We may not have an official SBC offer, but I think all we have to do is ask. The MAC is really the only other option at this time. If they are the only options, are you in favor of staying in the CAA? And hoping that something shakes out above us that gives JMU a shot at CUSA?

I really just don't like any of the options. They're just not attractive any way you look at it. SBC sucks. If anything happens there I hope it's football-only. MAC is mediocre to me. same to CUSA. Hang me if you want to but the CAA offers more than those do in the grand scheme of JMU athletics (read, not football). Football-only invites to me are the best case there, I think. And I don't need a 9-page thread to tell me why I'm wrong - so there's my opinion since you asked.

I talk with folks in Athletics every day. I talk with administrative folks rather often. I talked with Prez Alger on Saturday. Whatever happens, the decision will be made in the best interest of the University and that much I'm confident about so it's good enough for me. I don't get worked up about it.

You make valid points. I don't love the SBC, MAC, or really CUSA.

What bothers me is that IF we stay in the CAA, I feel that we have basically locked ourselves in for the future. FCS and CAA for life....or at least for a long damn time.

That would kill a huge part of my drive to give more time/money/effort. If I am going to continue to invest, I want growth. My love for JMU doesn't drive what I currently donate....my desire to see JMU grow and improve drives me to donate thousands of dollars/year.

If we're to stay in FCS/CAA, then I will drop down and donate at the FCS/CAA level. I'll funnel the difference into the academic side.

That is a complete fallacy that JMU has to move NOW or are locked into the CAA for life/very long time.

Some people on here seem to have a lot of arrogance. Like we are too good for lowly MAC/Sun Belt/CUSA teams who go to bowl games (that far outdraw FCS playoffs) and play in front of small crowds of around 20,000 (more than almost every one of the 120+ FCS teams).

I grew up going to ECU games, watching them get their butt kicked by the big schools, beating the crappy ones, and going to bowls that no one cares about. Find me one ECU fan that would trade that to dominate and be an FCS powerhouse.

I'll go one step further...find me any FBS school that would ever consider moving to FCS football in the attempt to become more competitive and play for an FCS national championship. You won't find it and you know why? Because in no scenario is FCS > FBS. Because to your average sports fan or John Doe alumni...a Tuesday night football game on ESPN2 between two MAC bottom feeders is still a notch above FCS/1AA/"Not Division 1" football.