Benson says JMU staying in the CAA, so the Sunbelt will be moving on to look elsewhere for #12.

(04-17-2014 09:03 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  Benson says JMU staying in the CAA, so the Sunbelt will be moving on to look elsewhere for #12.

McF - I know you know this, but just to clarify, it's only Benson (the SBC Commish) saying "it appears JMU has decided..." In other words, it's not JMU saying they're staying anywhere.

(04-17-2014 09:03 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  Benson says JMU staying in the CAA, so the Sunbelt will be moving on to look elsewhere for #12.

UMASS your on the clock - make your best sales pitch for a new home in the Sunbelt until the AAC comes calling.

(04-18-2014 09:59 AM)PurpleStreamers Wrote:  

(04-17-2014 09:03 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  Benson says JMU staying in the CAA, so the Sunbelt will be moving on to look elsewhere for #12.

McF - I know you know this, but just to clarify, it's only Benson (the SBC Commish) saying "it appears JMU has decided..." In other words, it's not JMU saying they're staying anywhere.

Yes, this is (1) Benson informing us that JMU is not coming to the Sunbelt and (2) Benson speculating that JMU is not coming to CUSA or the MAC, either.

(04-18-2014 10:20 AM)carolinaknights Wrote:  UMASS your on the clock - make your best sales pitch for a new home in the Sunbelt until the AAC comes calling.

And remember that part of making your best pitch is to not be obvious about preferring the America ... go into it like you want to make it a permanent deal.

(04-18-2014 01:13 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 09:59 AM)PurpleStreamers Wrote:  

(04-17-2014 09:03 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  Benson says JMU staying in the CAA, so the Sunbelt will be moving on to look elsewhere for #12.

McF - I know you know this, but just to clarify, it's only Benson (the SBC Commish) saying "it appears JMU has decided..." In other words, it's not JMU saying they're staying anywhere.

Yes, this is (1) Benson informing us that JMU is not coming to the Sunbelt and (2) Benson speculating that JMU is not coming to CUSA or the MAC, either.

(04-18-2014 10:20 AM)carolinaknights Wrote:  UMASS your on the clock - make your best sales pitch for a new home in the Sunbelt until the AAC comes calling.

And remember that part of making your best pitch is to not be obvious about preferring the America ... go into it like you want to make it a permanent deal.

Remember we were all happy with the indefinite contract with Temple and the MAC. So first Temple left and then the MAC issued the ultimatum.

If we end up in the Sunbelt, pray in 2015 we become Bowl Eligible and defeat a MAC team. Poetic justice

http://www.ubbullrun.com/2014/4/18/56280...kidding-me

Karl Benson, who would play the part of Jack Kevorkian ina play about the demise of the Western Athletic Conference let loose with the news that the Sun Belt may have asked, and then been rebuffed by both JMU. JMU is one the stronger FCS candidates out there based on Geography, Institutional profile, facilities, and performance.

There has been a lot of waffling as to whether or not an invite ever went out but that's all nuance at this point. The key point is that you don't publicly say anything which can be construed as "Our conference was not good enough for ** INSERT FCS TEAM **".The G5 conferences don't have enough trouble getting good press, they don't need league officials going around with a neon sign which says "Bottom of the Barrel".

It was a foolish thing to say by Benson. He would have been better off just shutting up about the whole thing. The school presidents need to send him a deck of queue cards which contain different ways to say "no comment".

If Benson stuck one foot in his mouth regarding the Sun Belt he used the other to kick JMU in the head. In an interview the commissioner said "It appears they (JMU) made a decision to stay FCS".

No, JMU decided not to join the Sun Belt.

(04-18-2014 02:47 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  http://www.ubbullrun.com/2014/4/18/56280...kidding-me

Karl Benson, who would play the part of Jack Kevorkian ina play about the demise of the Western Athletic Conference let loose with the news that the Sun Belt may have asked, and then been rebuffed by both JMU. JMU is one the stronger FCS candidates out there based on Geography, Institutional profile, facilities, and performance.

There has been a lot of waffling as to whether or not an invite ever went out but that's all nuance at this point. The key point is that you don't publicly say anything which can be construed as "Our conference was not good enough for ** INSERT FCS TEAM **".The G5 conferences don't have enough trouble getting good press, they don't need league officials going around with a neon sign which says "Bottom of the Barrel".

It was a foolish thing to say by Benson. He would have been better off just shutting up about the whole thing. The school presidents need to send him a deck of queue cards which contain different ways to say "no comment".

If Benson stuck one foot in his mouth regarding the Sun Belt he used the other to kick JMU in the head. In an interview the commissioner said "It appears they (JMU) made a decision to stay FCS".

No, JMU decided not to join the Sun Belt.

CORRECT. Benson seems to think SBC is the only option.

Here is JMU's statement:

"Consistent with these values and principles and the ongoing issue of conference alignment, JMU will not pursue or accept an invitation from a conference that does not meet our criteria. If we do receive an offer consistent with our established values, we are prepared to review it and make a recommendation to the Board of Visitors. "

A local reporter (Matthew Stoss) also said he has been told there are " ongoing dialogues"

(04-18-2014 02:35 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 01:13 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 09:59 AM)PurpleStreamers Wrote:  

(04-17-2014 09:03 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  Benson says JMU staying in the CAA, so the Sunbelt will be moving on to look elsewhere for #12.

McF - I know you know this, but just to clarify, it's only Benson (the SBC Commish) saying "it appears JMU has decided..." In other words, it's not JMU saying they're staying anywhere.

Yes, this is (1) Benson informing us that JMU is not coming to the Sunbelt and (2) Benson speculating that JMU is not coming to CUSA or the MAC, either.

(04-18-2014 10:20 AM)carolinaknights Wrote:  UMASS your on the clock - make your best sales pitch for a new home in the Sunbelt until the AAC comes calling.

And remember that part of making your best pitch is to not be obvious about preferring the America ... go into it like you want to make it a permanent deal.

Remember we were all happy with the indefinite contract with Temple and the MAC. So first Temple left and then the MAC issued the ultimatum.

If we end up in the Sunbelt, pray in 2015 we become Bowl Eligible and defeat a MAC team. Poetic justice

As a Toledo guy and a ANTI MAC guy, the way UMass got treated, I think that would be great. (as long as it's not my Rockets.....)

(04-18-2014 04:24 PM)Terry Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 02:35 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 01:13 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 09:59 AM)PurpleStreamers Wrote:  

(04-17-2014 09:03 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  Benson says JMU staying in the CAA, so the Sunbelt will be moving on to look elsewhere for #12.

McF - I know you know this, but just to clarify, it's only Benson (the SBC Commish) saying "it appears JMU has decided..." In other words, it's not JMU saying they're staying anywhere.

Yes, this is (1) Benson informing us that JMU is not coming to the Sunbelt and (2) Benson speculating that JMU is not coming to CUSA or the MAC, either.

(04-18-2014 10:20 AM)carolinaknights Wrote:  UMASS your on the clock - make your best sales pitch for a new home in the Sunbelt until the AAC comes calling.

And remember that part of making your best pitch is to not be obvious about preferring the America ... go into it like you want to make it a permanent deal.

Remember we were all happy with the indefinite contract with Temple and the MAC. So first Temple left and then the MAC issued the ultimatum.

If we end up in the Sunbelt, pray in 2015 we become Bowl Eligible and defeat a MAC team. Poetic justice

As a Toledo guy and a ANTI MAC guy, the way UMass got treated, I think that would be great. (as long as it's not my Rockets.....)

Except for the way the UMass fans have been treated by some MAC fans on this message board lately (which I don't like), how was UMass treated poorly?

(04-18-2014 02:47 PM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  If Benson stuck one foot in his mouth regarding the Sun Belt he used the other to kick JMU in the head. In an interview the commissioner said "It appears they (JMU) made a decision to stay FCS".

No, JMU decided not to join the Sun Belt.

If, as some people are now saying, the decision by the BOV was to reject a motion to allow the JMU administration to negotiate regarding a move to FBS, then, yes, JMU has made a decision to stay FCS, for this transition time window at least.

(04-18-2014 02:35 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Remember we were all happy with the indefinite contract with Temple and the MAC. So first Temple left and then the MAC issued the ultimatum.

If we end up in the Sunbelt, pray in 2015 we become Bowl Eligible and defeat a MAC team. Poetic justice

Just pointing out that UMass shouldn't color negotiations regarding a realistic option with wishful thinking regarding an opening that may be there in a decade, if ever.

Just as the JMU BOV probably should have voted authority to the JMU administration to make the move to the Sunbelt which the JMU administration likely understood was in the best interest of JMU. Its not like being in the Sunbelt is an obstacle to moving to a different FBS conference if an opening should arise.

(04-18-2014 04:40 PM)Campbell4President Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 04:24 PM)Terry Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 02:35 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 01:13 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 09:59 AM)PurpleStreamers Wrote:  McF - I know you know this, but just to clarify, it's only Benson (the SBC Commish) saying "it appears JMU has decided..." In other words, it's not JMU saying they're staying anywhere.

Yes, this is (1) Benson informing us that JMU is not coming to the Sunbelt and (2) Benson speculating that JMU is not coming to CUSA or the MAC, either.

(04-18-2014 10:20 AM)carolinaknights Wrote:  UMASS your on the clock - make your best sales pitch for a new home in the Sunbelt until the AAC comes calling.

And remember that part of making your best pitch is to not be obvious about preferring the America ... go into it like you want to make it a permanent deal.

Remember we were all happy with the indefinite contract with Temple and the MAC. So first Temple left and then the MAC issued the ultimatum.

If we end up in the Sunbelt, pray in 2015 we become Bowl Eligible and defeat a MAC team. Poetic justice

As a Toledo guy and a ANTI MAC guy, the way UMass got treated, I think that would be great. (as long as it's not my Rockets.....)

Except for the way the UMass fans have been treated by some MAC fans on this message board lately (which I don't like), how was UMass treated poorly?

The MAC could have easily delayed issuing an ultimatum and brought JMU in this year. Then when the next suitable 14th team is ready, issue the ultimatum.

Anyhow, spilled milk at this point.
This video is before the Spring Game Wednesday. The plays got a preview of the new facilities, which are scheduled to open in July. The Press and Sky Box will be completed in August.

Currently not uploaded to Youtube.
Video link to New Football Facilities

(04-18-2014 05:09 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 04:40 PM)Campbell4President Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 04:24 PM)Terry Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 02:35 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 01:13 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  Yes, this is (1) Benson informing us that JMU is not coming to the Sunbelt and (2) Benson speculating that JMU is not coming to CUSA or the MAC, either.

And remember that part of making your best pitch is to not be obvious about preferring the America ... go into it like you want to make it a permanent deal.

Remember we were all happy with the indefinite contract with Temple and the MAC. So first Temple left and then the MAC issued the ultimatum.

If we end up in the Sunbelt, pray in 2015 we become Bowl Eligible and defeat a MAC team. Poetic justice

As a Toledo guy and a ANTI MAC guy, the way UMass got treated, I think that would be great. (as long as it's not my Rockets.....)

Except for the way the UMass fans have been treated by some MAC fans on this message board lately (which I don't like), how was UMass treated poorly?

The MAC could have easily delayed issuing an ultimatum and brought JMU in this year. Then when the next suitable 14th team is ready, issue the ultimatum.

Anyhow, spilled milk at this point.
This video is before the Spring Game Wednesday. The plays got a preview of the new facilities, which are scheduled to open in July. The Press and Sky Box will be completed in August.

Currently not uploaded to Youtube.
Video link to New Football Facilities

Congrats on the new digs, nothing over-the-top impressive there though... hope you new conference is easily impressed.

(04-18-2014 05:09 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  The MAC could have easily delayed issuing an ultimatum and brought JMU in this year. Then when the next suitable 14th team is ready, issue the ultimatum.

Though the MAC would prefer balanced BBall and FB ... they were willing to go 14/12 to get Temple FB and another east coast FB team in MAC FB ...

... but that's not the same thing as willing to go 14/13 to get JMU FB.

(04-18-2014 07:08 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 05:09 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  The MAC could have easily delayed issuing an ultimatum and brought JMU in this year. Then when the next suitable 14th team is ready, issue the ultimatum.

Though the MAC would prefer balanced BBall and FB ... they were willing to go 14/12 to get Temple FB and another east coast FB team in MAC FB ...

... but that's not the same thing as willing to go 14/13 to get JMU FB.

UMass was offered a moronic football only deal when the MAC should have offered them an all sports deal from the beginning like CUSA did with Charlotte to leave the A10. UMass probably would have said no, and that would have been OK instead of all this crap. same with Temple. Had that happened, everybody would have moved on. No big deal. MAC front office is slow learners. It took UCF, Temple, and UMass for them to finally come to their senses. Steinbrecher now gets it (shouldn't have taken so long) and hence his statements about the MAC only dealing with all sports invites and "groups" of school in the future if at all.

MAC fans shouldn't be mad at UMass, they should be mad at the MAC front office for a terrible decision.

UMass fans shouldn't be mad at the MAC, they agreed to the clause and should be either mad at themselves for agreeing to it or mad at Temple.

UMass really shouldn't be concerned at all, worst case scenario is they end up back in the CAA. No harm, no foul as that is where they were to begin with. This time they would have a stadium that they should have had to begin with just to try and compete with JMU and UDel. UMass needed to make that small upgrade and spend that money anyway as their stadium was a dump even for the CAA.

(04-18-2014 10:37 PM)Miami (Oh) Yeah ! Wrote:  UMass was offered a moronic football only deal when the MAC should have offered them an all sports deal from the beginning like CUSA did with Charlotte to leave the A10. UMass probably would have said no, and that would have been OK instead of all this crap.

Nobody knew that Temple was leaving when the offer was made to UMass ... not even Temple, since the speed with which the Big East collapsed took a lot of people by surprise.

In for a dime, in for a dollar, once the Temple opportunity was taken, that left the MAC looking for a FB-only #14 somewhere along the east coast.

(04-18-2014 04:24 PM)Terry Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 02:35 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 01:13 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 09:59 AM)PurpleStreamers Wrote:  

(04-17-2014 09:03 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  Benson says JMU staying in the CAA, so the Sunbelt will be moving on to look elsewhere for #12.

McF - I know you know this, but just to clarify, it's only Benson (the SBC Commish) saying "it appears JMU has decided..." In other words, it's not JMU saying they're staying anywhere.

Yes, this is (1) Benson informing us that JMU is not coming to the Sunbelt and (2) Benson speculating that JMU is not coming to CUSA or the MAC, either.

(04-18-2014 10:20 AM)carolinaknights Wrote:  UMASS your on the clock - make your best sales pitch for a new home in the Sunbelt until the AAC comes calling.

And remember that part of making your best pitch is to not be obvious about preferring the America ... go into it like you want to make it a permanent deal.

Remember we were all happy with the indefinite contract with Temple and the MAC. So first Temple left and then the MAC issued the ultimatum.

If we end up in the Sunbelt, pray in 2015 we become Bowl Eligible and defeat a MAC team. Poetic justice

As a Toledo guy and a ANTI MAC guy, the way UMass got treated, I think that would be great. (as long as it's not my Rockets.....)

As a Toledo guy and a PRO MAC guy, I hope MAC teams blow out UMASS in 2014, and the MAC does the same on every OOC team on their schedules...
Terry does not realize that a strong MAC is good for Toledo...

@JMUDukeBlawg tweets: We've got a source saying flight flying from UB to JMU today

(04-22-2014 09:39 AM)jmu-fan-1981 Wrote:  @JMUDukeBlawg tweets: We've got a source saying flight flying from UB to JMU today

You mean the Buffalo international airport? why is that meaningful, it's not like the MAC offices are in western New York. It could be that Quinn is doing some va recruiting..

(04-22-2014 10:57 AM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(04-22-2014 09:39 AM)jmu-fan-1981 Wrote:  @JMUDukeBlawg tweets: We've got a source saying flight flying from UB to JMU today

You mean the Buffalo international airport? why is that meaningful, it's not like the MAC offices are in western New York. It could be that Quinn is doing some va recruiting..

One of the things JMU fans have done the past few months is look at flight data into the Harrisonburg airport. Its basically desperation that something is happening. I've seen Buffalo arrivals a number of times in thoes months. So unless his "source" specifically knew it was a UB representative, this is likely nothing.

The MAC offices are in Cleveland. If you're watching flights, then both Cleveland Hopkins and the Akron/Canton International airports are the ones to look for.