In my mind 2 things are needed for us to make a move; an invite and funding. It seems the tightening of the funding belt is going to be more of a reason (excuse) to prevent the admin from publicly committing to FBS or making a conference move, but will it also get to the point where they balk at an invite? Will our apparent funding challenges even scare an invite away? And what about us perceived as "looking for a hand-out" from other conferences?

Regardless it's quite clear funding is going to be an issue and it's clear there is a certain amount of potential donation increase tied to a move. Only when the admin gets the balls to look past offending the CAA and upsetting the faculty, and making a commitment to establishing a school-sponsored funding campaign centered around a move will I believe a move is going to happen.

We can't sit on our hands and wait for an invite BEFORE raising the funds, especially in this climate. Build the business case. Raise the money, set it aside, and if a move never happens by "x" date give the donors the discretion to have their money returned or re-direct it. Otherwise they are wasting what may be years of squandered opportunity to proactively position ourselves for a step towards the national stage.

If the FBS move doesn't happen then this funding effort can focus on basketball and making a move to the A 10. Either way we're out of the CAA and catching up to our "peers" who have left us behind. I guess it can be looked at as the "get out of CAA" campaign...

(02-07-2015 02:06 PM)2Buck Wrote:  In my mind 2 things are needed for us to make a move; an invite and funding. It seems the tightening of the funding belt is going to be more of a reason (excuse) to prevent the admin from publicly committing to FBS or making a conference move, but will it also get to the point where they balk at an invite? Will our apparent funding challenges even scare an invite away? And what about us perceived as "looking for a hand-out" from other conferences?

Regardless it's quite clear funding is going to be an issue and it's clear there is a certain amount of potential donation increase tied to a move. Only when the admin gets the balls to look past offending the CAA and upsetting the faculty, and making a commitment to establishing a school-sponsored funding campaign centered around a move will I believe a move is going to happen.

We can't sit on our hands and wait for an invite BEFORE raising the funds, especially in this climate. Build the business case. Raise the money, set it aside, and if a move never happens by "x" date give the donors the discretion to have their money returned or re-direct it. Otherwise they are wasting what may be years of squandered opportunity to proactively position ourselves for a step towards the national stage.

If the FBS move doesn't happen then this funding effort can focus on basketball and making a move to the A 10. Either way we're out of the CAA and catching up to our "peers" who have left us behind. I guess it can be looked at as the "get out of CAA" campaign...

I would love for JMU to take this approach. At least we'd all feel a) something is being done, b) that we'd been communicated to clearly, and c) that we could believe the admin's claims about invites or the lack thereof going forward.

The obvious move is to take it one step further and tie this into the overall capital campaign (i.e. give to this, but don't forget about that). Then at least the desires and interests of alums and supporters would be clear to those skeptical of a move. In other words, if I give X to something non-athletics and 2X to the "get out of CAA" fund, the faculty, GA, etc. would see us actually showing where our priorities are. If those of us in favor don't step up, we'd have to admit it was for the best.

I just don't know how this hasn't been the play all along and I have zero confidence anyone down there has the foresight to make this happen.

Between the new convo, the possiblilty of a new basketball hire, the possibility of an FBS move, and the need to increase coach salaries if we do move to FBS, there will be a lot of pressure on us - as donors - to step up over the next several years

I'd say that the pending legislation is going to be a deterrent to getting an invite as it will require a decision in a public state forum. No conference wants that. That's why JMU needs much better representation in Richmond to let these people know that they're effectively killing our athletic program unless there is some amendment to the pending legislation. The numbers make it difficult but the review process is even worse.

(02-07-2015 02:06 PM)2Buck Wrote:  In my mind 2 things are needed for us to make a move; an invite and funding. It seems the tightening of the funding belt is going to be more of a reason (excuse) to prevent the admin from publicly committing to FBS or making a conference move, but will it also get to the point where they balk at an invite? Will our apparent funding challenges even scare an invite away? And what about us perceived as "looking for a hand-out" from other conferences?

Regardless it's quite clear funding is going to be an issue and it's clear there is a certain amount of potential donation increase tied to a move. Only when the admin gets the balls to look past offending the CAA and upsetting the faculty, and making a commitment to establishing a school-sponsored funding campaign centered around a move will I believe a move is going to happen.

We can't sit on our hands and wait for an invite BEFORE raising the funds, especially in this climate. Build the business case. Raise the money, set it aside, and if a move never happens by "x" date give the donors the discretion to have their money returned or re-direct it. Otherwise they are wasting what may be years of squandered opportunity to proactively position ourselves for a step towards the national stage.

If the FBS move doesn't happen then this funding effort can focus on basketball and making a move to the A 10. Either way we're out of the CAA and catching up to our "peers" who have left us behind. I guess it can be looked at as the "get out of CAA" campaign...

JMU is not moving to the A10. Ever.

Chicken makes the egg. Invite brings the funding.
Most humans will not commit money to something that is not explicitly known and defined.

(02-07-2015 03:37 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 02:06 PM)2Buck Wrote:  In my mind 2 things are needed for us to make a move; an invite and funding. It seems the tightening of the funding belt is going to be more of a reason (excuse) to prevent the admin from publicly committing to FBS or making a conference move, but will it also get to the point where they balk at an invite? Will our apparent funding challenges even scare an invite away? And what about us perceived as "looking for a hand-out" from other conferences?

Regardless it's quite clear funding is going to be an issue and it's clear there is a certain amount of potential donation increase tied to a move. Only when the admin gets the balls to look past offending the CAA and upsetting the faculty, and making a commitment to establishing a school-sponsored funding campaign centered around a move will I believe a move is going to happen.

We can't sit on our hands and wait for an invite BEFORE raising the funds, especially in this climate. Build the business case. Raise the money, set it aside, and if a move never happens by "x" date give the donors the discretion to have their money returned or re-direct it. Otherwise they are wasting what may be years of squandered opportunity to proactively position ourselves for a step towards the national stage.

If the FBS move doesn't happen then this funding effort can focus on basketball and making a move to the A 10. Either way we're out of the CAA and catching up to our "peers" who have left us behind. I guess it can be looked at as the "get out of CAA" campaign...

JMU is not moving to the A10. Ever.

LH - Are you suggesting the A-10 would never invite JMU as a member or JMU would turn down that conference move opportunity too, maybe even deny in public an A-10 invite altogether?

(02-07-2015 04:24 PM)Potomac Wrote:  Chicken makes the egg. Invite brings the funding.
Most humans will not commit money to something that is not explicitly known and defined.

Yep. There's not a single reason for anyone to throw their money out blindly. I think when JMU contacts people and asks what they'd be willing to give (which they do) they don't really believe them. I guess I can't blame them for that as people will quote a large figure just because they want to move up so badly. I told my rep to put my money in escrow. If we move, you take it and we can write up an agreement to do it in increments of 5 years. If we don't, I get it back. There's the money on the table. But, of course they didn't understand that.

(02-07-2015 07:31 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 03:37 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 02:06 PM)2Buck Wrote:  In my mind 2 things are needed for us to make a move; an invite and funding. It seems the tightening of the funding belt is going to be more of a reason (excuse) to prevent the admin from publicly committing to FBS or making a conference move, but will it also get to the point where they balk at an invite? Will our apparent funding challenges even scare an invite away? And what about us perceived as "looking for a hand-out" from other conferences?

Regardless it's quite clear funding is going to be an issue and it's clear there is a certain amount of potential donation increase tied to a move. Only when the admin gets the balls to look past offending the CAA and upsetting the faculty, and making a commitment to establishing a school-sponsored funding campaign centered around a move will I believe a move is going to happen.

We can't sit on our hands and wait for an invite BEFORE raising the funds, especially in this climate. Build the business case. Raise the money, set it aside, and if a move never happens by "x" date give the donors the discretion to have their money returned or re-direct it. Otherwise they are wasting what may be years of squandered opportunity to proactively position ourselves for a step towards the national stage.

If the FBS move doesn't happen then this funding effort can focus on basketball and making a move to the A 10. Either way we're out of the CAA and catching up to our "peers" who have left us behind. I guess it can be looked at as the "get out of CAA" campaign...

JMU is not moving to the A10. Ever.

LH - Are you suggesting the A-10 would never invite JMU as a member or JMU would turn down that conference move opportunity too, maybe even deny in public an A-10 invite altogether?

It's neither of your scenarios. I'm saying JMU's future in sponsoring varsity athletics does not align with a basketball-centric league. That ship sailed at least 20 years ago when the A10 might have been a smart move. Football rules the roost now, and despite the presence of VCU and GMU in the A10, JMU shares little in common with the rest of the leagues's smaller, private schools. You will never, ever see JMU in the A10 because JMU's not interested in moving in that direction.

Why would someone donate money to a leadership group that they do not believe in?

The world really does not work that way.

(02-07-2015 03:06 PM)Purple Pilgrim Wrote:  Between the new convo, the possiblilty of a new basketball hire, the possibility of an FBS move, and the need to increase coach salaries if we do move to FBS, there will be a lot of pressure on us - as donors - to step up over the next several years

I would contend that we as donors are already giving at the level that an FBS school would generate. We (JMU) are pricing ourselves out of FCS product reality. 15% increase this year alone.

(02-08-2015 09:47 AM)BSKB 24 Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 03:06 PM)Purple Pilgrim Wrote:  Between the new convo, the possiblilty of a new basketball hire, the possibility of an FBS move, and the need to increase coach salaries if we do move to FBS, there will be a lot of pressure on us - as donors - to step up over the next several years

I would contend that we as donors are already giving at the level that an FBS school would generate. We (JMU) are pricing ourselves out of FCS product reality. 15% increase this year alone.

Yeah. My Duke club level is going up, tickets are going up. The product has actually declined in quality. What exactly am I paying for?
We are giving currently at many low end fbs levels. You are completely correct. We just have scared leaders who are afraid to make big choices.

(02-07-2015 10:39 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 07:31 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 03:37 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 02:06 PM)2Buck Wrote:  In my mind 2 things are needed for us to make a move; an invite and funding. It seems the tightening of the funding belt is going to be more of a reason (excuse) to prevent the admin from publicly committing to FBS or making a conference move, but will it also get to the point where they balk at an invite? Will our apparent funding challenges even scare an invite away? And what about us perceived as "looking for a hand-out" from other conferences?

Regardless it's quite clear funding is going to be an issue and it's clear there is a certain amount of potential donation increase tied to a move. Only when the admin gets the balls to look past offending the CAA and upsetting the faculty, and making a commitment to establishing a school-sponsored funding campaign centered around a move will I believe a move is going to happen.

We can't sit on our hands and wait for an invite BEFORE raising the funds, especially in this climate. Build the business case. Raise the money, set it aside, and if a move never happens by "x" date give the donors the discretion to have their money returned or re-direct it. Otherwise they are wasting what may be years of squandered opportunity to proactively position ourselves for a step towards the national stage.

If the FBS move doesn't happen then this funding effort can focus on basketball and making a move to the A 10. Either way we're out of the CAA and catching up to our "peers" who have left us behind. I guess it can be looked at as the "get out of CAA" campaign...

JMU is not moving to the A10. Ever.

LH - Are you suggesting the A-10 would never invite JMU as a member or JMU would turn down that conference move opportunity too, maybe even deny in public an A-10 invite altogether?

It's neither of your scenarios. I'm saying JMU's future in sponsoring varsity athletics does not align with a basketball-centric league. That ship sailed at least 20 years ago when the A10 might have been a smart move. Football rules the roost now, and despite the presence of VCU and GMU in the A10, JMU shares little in common with the rest of the leagues's smaller, private schools. You will never, ever see JMU in the A10 because JMU's not interested in moving in that direction.

Do you or anybody remember the A-10 approaching JMU, ODU and Richmond in the mid 90's? I think I remember this happening but I am not sure. If I remember correctly, all three said they would respond "thanks but no thanks" then Richmond pulled a Baltimore Colts and moved out at midnight...did this happen?

(02-08-2015 12:33 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 10:39 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 07:31 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 03:37 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 02:06 PM)2Buck Wrote:  In my mind 2 things are needed for us to make a move; an invite and funding. It seems the tightening of the funding belt is going to be more of a reason (excuse) to prevent the admin from publicly committing to FBS or making a conference move, but will it also get to the point where they balk at an invite? Will our apparent funding challenges even scare an invite away? And what about us perceived as "looking for a hand-out" from other conferences?

Regardless it's quite clear funding is going to be an issue and it's clear there is a certain amount of potential donation increase tied to a move. Only when the admin gets the balls to look past offending the CAA and upsetting the faculty, and making a commitment to establishing a school-sponsored funding campaign centered around a move will I believe a move is going to happen.

We can't sit on our hands and wait for an invite BEFORE raising the funds, especially in this climate. Build the business case. Raise the money, set it aside, and if a move never happens by "x" date give the donors the discretion to have their money returned or re-direct it. Otherwise they are wasting what may be years of squandered opportunity to proactively position ourselves for a step towards the national stage.

If the FBS move doesn't happen then this funding effort can focus on basketball and making a move to the A 10. Either way we're out of the CAA and catching up to our "peers" who have left us behind. I guess it can be looked at as the "get out of CAA" campaign...

JMU is not moving to the A10. Ever.

LH - Are you suggesting the A-10 would never invite JMU as a member or JMU would turn down that conference move opportunity too, maybe even deny in public an A-10 invite altogether?

It's neither of your scenarios. I'm saying JMU's future in sponsoring varsity athletics does not align with a basketball-centric league. That ship sailed at least 20 years ago when the A10 might have been a smart move. Football rules the roost now, and despite the presence of VCU and GMU in the A10, JMU shares little in common with the rest of the leagues's smaller, private schools. You will never, ever see JMU in the A10 because JMU's not interested in moving in that direction.

Do you or anybody remember the A-10 approaching JMU, ODU and Richmond in the mid 90's? I think I remember this happening but I am not sure. If I remember correctly, all three said they would respond "thanks but no thanks" then Richmond pulled a Baltimore Colts and moved out at midnight...did this happen?

Yes

(02-08-2015 09:47 AM)BSKB 24 Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 03:06 PM)Purple Pilgrim Wrote:  Between the new convo, the possiblilty of a new basketball hire, the possibility of an FBS move, and the need to increase coach salaries if we do move to FBS, there will be a lot of pressure on us - as donors - to step up over the next several years

I would contend that we as donors are already giving at the level that an FBS school would generate. We (JMU) are pricing ourselves out of FCS product reality. 15% increase this year alone.

A 15% increase is pretty significant. I think that could be sustainable over the next several years with a move up. Without a move, I expect giving to kind of hover around where it is now. But, we haven't even done anything and giving continues to increase. I don't know how the administration could act more cowardly.

(02-08-2015 01:46 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(02-08-2015 09:47 AM)BSKB 24 Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 03:06 PM)Purple Pilgrim Wrote:  Between the new convo, the possiblilty of a new basketball hire, the possibility of an FBS move, and the need to increase coach salaries if we do move to FBS, there will be a lot of pressure on us - as donors - to step up over the next several years

I would contend that we as donors are already giving at the level that an FBS school would generate. We (JMU) are pricing ourselves out of FCS product reality. 15% increase this year alone.

A 15% increase is pretty significant. I think that could be sustainable over the next several years with a move up. Without a move, I expect giving to kind of hover around where it is now. But, we haven't even done anything and giving continues to increase. I don't know how the administration could act more cowardly.

It could be a set-up. The admin raises prices and support sustains or drops, the admin then has an out, in their minds anyway, to blame the fans for no 1A conference move in the name of lacking financial support...

I have no problem with the price increases if the price increases are supported with a conference move, a better product for sale. I have no problem with the price increase if JMU stays fcs, I just won't make the trip, not b/c of price, I can't spend an entire Saturday on the CAA/fcs teams being brought to BFS. The locals, and the JMU employees, I/we lov'm them all will be the fans in BFS on Saturdays, just like pre 2004 and the 1A dream explosion that brought dukes from afar home on Saturdays.

As far as football goes, the amount of tickets sold hasn't decreased dramatically but just look at the stands. We can only conclude that it will continue to trend downward on the current path.

(02-08-2015 12:33 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 10:39 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 07:31 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 03:37 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 02:06 PM)2Buck Wrote:  In my mind 2 things are needed for us to make a move; an invite and funding. It seems the tightening of the funding belt is going to be more of a reason (excuse) to prevent the admin from publicly committing to FBS or making a conference move, but will it also get to the point where they balk at an invite? Will our apparent funding challenges even scare an invite away? And what about us perceived as "looking for a hand-out" from other conferences?

Regardless it's quite clear funding is going to be an issue and it's clear there is a certain amount of potential donation increase tied to a move. Only when the admin gets the balls to look past offending the CAA and upsetting the faculty, and making a commitment to establishing a school-sponsored funding campaign centered around a move will I believe a move is going to happen.

We can't sit on our hands and wait for an invite BEFORE raising the funds, especially in this climate. Build the business case. Raise the money, set it aside, and if a move never happens by "x" date give the donors the discretion to have their money returned or re-direct it. Otherwise they are wasting what may be years of squandered opportunity to proactively position ourselves for a step towards the national stage.

If the FBS move doesn't happen then this funding effort can focus on basketball and making a move to the A 10. Either way we're out of the CAA and catching up to our "peers" who have left us behind. I guess it can be looked at as the "get out of CAA" campaign...

JMU is not moving to the A10. Ever.

LH - Are you suggesting the A-10 would never invite JMU as a member or JMU would turn down that conference move opportunity too, maybe even deny in public an A-10 invite altogether?

It's neither of your scenarios. I'm saying JMU's future in sponsoring varsity athletics does not align with a basketball-centric league. That ship sailed at least 20 years ago when the A10 might have been a smart move. Football rules the roost now, and despite the presence of VCU and GMU in the A10, JMU shares little in common with the rest of the leagues's smaller, private schools. You will never, ever see JMU in the A10 because JMU's not interested in moving in that direction.

Do you or anybody remember the A-10 approaching JMU, ODU and Richmond in the mid 90's? I think I remember this happening but I am not sure. If I remember correctly, all three said they would respond "thanks but no thanks" then Richmond pulled a Baltimore Colts and moved out at midnight...did this happen?

Yes...over 20 years ago. And the RU a**hats that sandbagged the other members of the league should have been kicked out as a football league member as punishment. But all that's ancient history now, and football now rules the roost at JMU regarding conference affliation.

My advice is stop living in the past. Opportunities once talked about with the A10 are not valid today. Yet, if you insist, I'd gladly sell you a "brand new" Oldsmobile 88 for dealer's cost