Just got a text from McMurphy from Espn that says UMass will no longer be football member fo the MAC after 2015. Anyone know where they are going/what they are doing? Are they leaving the MAC, or did the MAC ask them to leave?

Nevermind I guess, just got a subsequent text from him that said UMass offered full membership to MAC last month & declined, so now must exit after 2 more years. Interesting stuff.

They probably wanna go back to I-AA

Thank gawd! Although I would have preferred full membership, their decision makes sense

(03-26-2014 01:55 PM)forphase1 Wrote:  Nevermind I guess, just got a subsequent text from him that said UMass offered full membership to MAC last month & declined, so now must exit after 2 more years. Interesting stuff.

The full ESPN article, the much speculated scenario came to pass.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/stor...er-sources

Now, does the MAC stay at 12?

http://www.mac-sports.com/News/tabid/969...tball.aspx

(03-26-2014 02:04 PM)uakronkid Wrote:  http://www.mac-sports.com/News/tabid/969...tball.aspx

Its what needed to be done...


"The agreement between the MAC and UMass contained a contractual clause that offered UMass a choice of becoming a full member for all sports or to remain a football-only member for two more years. The MAC Council of Presidents exercised this clause on February 17, 2014 and UMass was offered full membership. UMass elected to use the 2014 and 2015 seasons to conclude its football-only membership with the MAC."

The MAC wants to expand. Otherwise they wouldn't have invited UMass for all sports. I don't see Umass declining changing the minds of the MAC. If we didn't want to expand, why invite them in for all sports? Now we can move on to other schools.

(03-26-2014 02:08 PM)uakronkid Wrote:  The MAC wants to expand. Otherwise they wouldn't have invited UMass for all sports. I don't see Umass declining changing the minds of the MAC. If we didn't want to expand, why invite them in for all sports? Now we can move on to other schools.

Or, UMass' refusal makes no further expansion the easier decision?

It's one or the other, that is for sure.

I understand UMass' reasoning. I assume travel and basketball were the main drivers behind the choice, although I don't know what they'll do now. Do they become an independent in the FBS and pray they get an AAC bid? Or will they just move down back to FCS and start playing all games on-campus? I don't see them taking the second option, once they move down they may never get the chance to go up again.

Memo to MAC officials: stay at twelve. I would've wanted JMU as our 14th member if UMass stayed (and would be happy adding those two as full members), but at this point there's no realistic option out there that fits our geographic footprint and improves our conference. More members will just divide our money even more, especially with a new TV contract on the horizon. Wait a few years for that to play out, then evaluate Missouri State to see if their football is ready to compete. By that point WKU may begin to tire of the C-USA, the two of those schools would be a good combination for us to look at.

Interesting. Seems like the MAC did not want to expand anyway, but looks
like you guys would invite JMU.

I bet they'll join the Sun Belt football-only. SBC needs a 12th football team.

I am curious to see how the Sun Belt responds to this. Might be some radical realignment coming up on our end.

(03-26-2014 02:14 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  Interesting. Seems like the MAC did not want to expand anyway, but looks
like you guys would invite JMU.

If we didn't want to expand, why did we just invite UMass?

(03-26-2014 02:14 PM)uakronkid Wrote:  I bet they'll join the Sun Belt football-only. SBC needs a 12th football team.

Lot of strange rumors on this. I am pretty confident UMass has called, however the recent speculation from this area still continues to be East Division all sports and Missouri State and New Mexico State all sports.

Question would be whether or not Umass would have the votes.

(03-26-2014 02:08 PM)uakronkid Wrote:  The MAC wants to expand. Otherwise they wouldn't have invited UMass for all sports. I don't see Umass declining changing the minds of the MAC. If we didn't want to expand, why invite them in for all sports? Now we can move on to other schools.

This is NOT an indication that the MAC is looking to expand. All they did was resolve their stance regarding UMass, and using the contract in this manner was the easiest way of bringing this to a head. It's probably a condition of finalizing their TV deal, also.

I'm sure they knew going in what the answer to a full sports ultimatum would be.

(03-26-2014 02:16 PM)uakronkid Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 02:14 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  Interesting. Seems like the MAC did not want to expand anyway, but looks
like you guys would invite JMU.

If we didn't want to expand, why did we just invite UMass?

That was what about three years ago, and only seemed to be to have an even number and someone near Temple.

(03-26-2014 02:16 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 02:14 PM)uakronkid Wrote:  I bet they'll join the Sun Belt football-only. SBC needs a 12th football team.

Question would be whether or not Umass would have the votes.

Has to be more palatable to invite a current FBS team and a member of the AAU.

The UMass basketball scheduling thing has been terminated immediately. They will no longer play MAC schools.