(03-27-2014 10:11 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 08:59 AM)Afflicted Wrote:  

(03-23-2014 02:16 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  I like the approach of positioning ourselves to strive for the top 25. As long as we do that and include a solid OOC schedule, I believe we can continue to attract quality recruiting classes by marketing the UNIVERSITY.
Many of you may not see us in a position of strength - but by improving our program we can have multiple conversations with a number of (perhaps, all seven of) the conferences "above" CUSA about whether they wish to add us on our merits (not as charity).
Personally I'd likely decline an offer from any other G5 in order to "wait out" the right P5 offer. This is a point Hambone has made multiple times - our best path to that elite top 25 status is probably right where we are.

Hambone hasn't been the only one trying to make this point, as I recall making it numerous times, only to have stones thrown my way. Perhaps it's because Hambone is Hambone, or maybe it's because I don't agree it will get us into a P5, but rather top status in the G5. Both are desirable, one is realistic.

I agree that many make this point. I think I'm just more belligerent about it than most... and yes, occasional stones get thrown and that is really what I'm trying to end.

If WE can't all get on the same page, how can we expect others to?

I am using a few recognizable posters to make a point, but they aren't the ones casting stones... they just may represent 'different' opinions...

The bottom line is that if you want more women's sports or for men's swimming to return or better resources for track or for Wayne to continue to be able to be successful or for better tennis... Then football (especially) and basketball (but not without decent football) need to be nationally relevant in order to generate the interest and publicity and revenues to fund it. Whether that puts us at the top of the g5 list or in line for a p5 invite is really sort of immaterial and probably says more about each of us individually than about us collectively or certainly about college athletics.

So REGARDLESS of our opinions about what is likely or possible... NONE of it happens without nationally relevant football and basketball... and none of us are willing to sacrifice baseball to get those... so that needs to be in there as well.

THAT is what we all need to get behind and support and articulate. We can differ in our opinions, but we really need to not differ about this.

FTR, Nationally relevant is more than just one season or a ranking... but about whether or not we spark interest beyond the hedges.

Absolutely hambone. Football and men's basketball, being the most visible and financially lucrative sports, has got to be in order. We now have reason for optimism. I'm excited for both sports right now. Big things could happen.