New law signed by the Governor of Virginia sets a cap on the percentage of athletic budgets that can be funded through student fees.

Any state supported school wishing to add a major sport (ie football) or wishing to move to a Division with more scholarships (ie FCS to FBS) will have to to receive approval from a board made up seven members. The board will have four members from the House and three from the Senate.

If JMU wishes to move up they can file their paperwork with the NCAA prior to July 1, 2016 and will be exempt from the approval requirement. After that date, they most have approval from the legislative board.

No idea if that will prompt JMU to make a dash or not. I know when Arkansas tried to put the screws to us with financial limits we announced our move within weeks.

http://hamptonroads.com/2015/03/mcauliff...udent-fees

(03-31-2015 03:57 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  New law signed by the Governor of Virginia sets a cap on the percentage of athletic budgets that can be funded through student fees.

Any state supported school wishing to add a major sport (ie football) or wishing to move to a Division with more scholarships (ie FCS to FBS) will have to to receive approval from a board made up seven members. The board will have four members from the House and three from the Senate.

If JMU wishes to move up they can file their paperwork with the NCAA prior to July 1, 2016 and will be exempt from the approval requirement. After that date, they most have approval from the legislative board.

No idea if that will prompt JMU to make a dash or not. I know when Arkansas tried to put the screws to us with financial limits we announced our move within weeks.

http://hamptonroads.com/2015/03/mcauliff...udent-fees

Apparently a JMU grad wrote the bill. Not that JMU listens to its alumni in this matter, but one would think that he would be less likely to torch his own school

At the very least this should reopen the internal dialogue at James Madison.

(03-31-2015 04:06 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 03:57 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  New law signed by the Governor of Virginia sets a cap on the percentage of athletic budgets that can be funded through student fees.

Any state supported school wishing to add a major sport (ie football) or wishing to move to a Division with more scholarships (ie FCS to FBS) will have to to receive approval from a board made up seven members. The board will have four members from the House and three from the Senate.

If JMU wishes to move up they can file their paperwork with the NCAA prior to July 1, 2016 and will be exempt from the approval requirement. After that date, they most have approval from the legislative board.

No idea if that will prompt JMU to make a dash or not. I know when Arkansas tried to put the screws to us with financial limits we announced our move within weeks.

http://hamptonroads.com/2015/03/mcauliff...udent-fees

Apparently a JMU grad wrote the bill. Not that JMU listens to its alumni in this matter, but one would think that he would be less likely to torch his own school

Regardless of the sponsor of the legislation, if it is law now then you are putting any decisions after July 1 in the hands of 7 legislators. A lot can chance in a legislature in a short period. Seems like a S#@* or get off the pot moment.

(03-31-2015 04:06 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 03:57 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  New law signed by the Governor of Virginia sets a cap on the percentage of athletic budgets that can be funded through student fees.

Any state supported school wishing to add a major sport (ie football) or wishing to move to a Division with more scholarships (ie FCS to FBS) will have to to receive approval from a board made up seven members. The board will have four members from the House and three from the Senate.

If JMU wishes to move up they can file their paperwork with the NCAA prior to July 1, 2016 and will be exempt from the approval requirement. After that date, they most have approval from the legislative board.

No idea if that will prompt JMU to make a dash or not. I know when Arkansas tried to put the screws to us with financial limits we announced our move within weeks.

http://hamptonroads.com/2015/03/mcauliff...udent-fees

Apparently a JMU grad wrote the bill. Not that JMU listens to its alumni in this matter, but one would think that he would be less likely to torch his own school

Well we all have our alums who think it is more fun to root for the "name" team and find that it is more comfortable to do so when the alma mater isn't playing in the big time.

Maybe, but you know they are gunning for the UAB spot. If they were "forced" to take a Sun Belt bid, that announcement press conference would probably seem like a funeral.

(03-31-2015 04:53 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  Maybe, but you know they are gunning for the UAB spot. If they were "forced" to take a Sun Belt bid, that announcement press conference would probably seem like a funeral.

They can gun for it but unless CUSA is interested in going to 16 that spot isn't going to JMU.

(03-31-2015 04:58 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:53 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  Maybe, but you know they are gunning for the UAB spot. If they were "forced" to take a Sun Belt bid, that announcement press conference would probably seem like a funeral.

They can gun for it but unless CUSA is interested in going to 16 that spot isn't going to JMU.

The fact that MTSU publicly supported Liberty makes you wonder what is really going on behind the scenes. The conventional wisdom is that MTSU and WKU wanted a western team so neither of them had to move to the western division. Obviously something doesn't add up.

Still nothing out of JMU that says in the least way that they are considering the Sun Belt.

(03-31-2015 05:38 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:58 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:53 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  Maybe, but you know they are gunning for the UAB spot. If they were "forced" to take a Sun Belt bid, that announcement press conference would probably seem like a funeral.

They can gun for it but unless CUSA is interested in going to 16 that spot isn't going to JMU.

The fact that MTSU publicly supported Liberty makes you wonder what is really going on behind the scenes. The conventional wisdom is that MTSU and WKU wanted a western team so neither of them had to move to the western division. Obviously something doesn't add up.

I have no inside information but I believe Liberty would gladly take a spot in the western division of C-USA to regularly play in Texas where we have a strong online presence.

(03-31-2015 05:38 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:58 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:53 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  Maybe, but you know they are gunning for the UAB spot. If they were "forced" to take a Sun Belt bid, that announcement press conference would probably seem like a funeral.

They can gun for it but unless CUSA is interested in going to 16 that spot isn't going to JMU.

The fact that MTSU publicly supported Liberty makes you wonder what is really going on behind the scenes. The conventional wisdom is that MTSU and WKU wanted a western team so neither of them had to move to the western division. Obviously something doesn't add up.

Sure it does. Everyone in the East is trying to force JMU down MTSU, WKU and USM's throats; so Middle endorsed an eastern school that they KNOW can't get the votes. This way they can say "What's your problem? We named an Eastern school we would support."

(03-31-2015 05:38 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:58 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:53 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  Maybe, but you know they are gunning for the UAB spot. If they were "forced" to take a Sun Belt bid, that announcement press conference would probably seem like a funeral.

They can gun for it but unless CUSA is interested in going to 16 that spot isn't going to JMU.

The fact that MTSU publicly supported Liberty makes you wonder what is really going on behind the scenes. The conventional wisdom is that MTSU and WKU wanted a western team so neither of them had to move to the western division. Obviously something doesn't add up.

Its really simple, the western schools can't find the support amongst each other for a single western replacement. They will have the votes of the 2 Florida schools and both MTSU and WKU.

So the rest of the eastern schools are really pushing for an eastern add. They are at a stalemate. This may lead to a 16 team league by adding 2 in the west and 1 in the east.

If I were JMU I'd make a move to FBS now while I still have full authority to do it. You never know how things might work under a new layer of state control. Take the FBS invite that's on the table, move to FBS and build your program. If your good enough, other opportunities will come your way. In fact, if they don't move by the end of this year, it tells me the JMU administration really isn't all that interested in FBS.

(03-31-2015 06:20 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  If I were JMU I'd make a move to FBS now while I still have full authority to do it. You never know how things might work under a new layer of state control. Take the FBS invite that's on the table, move to FBS and build your program. If your good enough, other opportunities will come your way. In fact, if they don't move by the end of this year, it tells me the JMU administration really isn't all that interested in FBS.

Agee totally.

CORRECT-JMU-not interested!!!

(03-31-2015 06:20 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  If I were JMU I'd make a move to FBS now while I still have full authority to do it. You never know how things might work under a new layer of state control. Take the FBS invite that's on the table, move to FBS and build your program. If your good enough, other opportunities will come your way. In fact, if they don't move by the end of this year, it tells me the JMU administration really isn't all that interested in FBS.

It really comes down to whether the JMU President is an athletics or academics President. If he is an all academics President, it doesn't matter what the FBS opportunity is. He just doesn't care about it.

(03-31-2015 06:50 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 06:20 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  If I were JMU I'd make a move to FBS now while I still have full authority to do it. You never know how things might work under a new layer of state control. Take the FBS invite that's on the table, move to FBS and build your program. If your good enough, other opportunities will come your way. In fact, if they don't move by the end of this year, it tells me the JMU administration really isn't all that interested in FBS.

It really comes down to whether the JMU President is an athletics or academics President. If he is an all academics President, it doesn't matter what the FBS opportunity is. He just doesn't care about it.

If he is an academics kind-of guy, then CUSA should be further down the list than the Sun Belt. CUSA has 0 JMU academic peers in it, while the Sun Belt has 1 in Appalachian State, and 3 in MAC, with Ohio, Illinois State, and Miami.

The thing is, MAC is going to come calling anytime soon. They have publicly stated that they are sticking to 12 members once UMass is gone, so why would they suddenly change that for JMU?

If I could make a prediction on what CUSA does, it's one of two options: drop UAB and stick with 12 (more money in the pocket) or let UAB stay as a non-football team and possibly bring in UMass until UAB can get their football program up and running again.

(03-31-2015 06:00 PM)Vobserver Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 05:38 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:58 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:53 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  Maybe, but you know they are gunning for the UAB spot. If they were "forced" to take a Sun Belt bid, that announcement press conference would probably seem like a funeral.

They can gun for it but unless CUSA is interested in going to 16 that spot isn't going to JMU.

The fact that MTSU publicly supported Liberty makes you wonder what is really going on behind the scenes. The conventional wisdom is that MTSU and WKU wanted a western team so neither of them had to move to the western division. Obviously something doesn't add up.

Sure it does. Everyone in the East is trying to force JMU down MTSU, WKU and USM's throats; so Middle endorsed an eastern school that they KNOW can't get the votes. This way they can say "What's your problem? We named an Eastern school we would support."

Or they have no desire to spend their time traveling to the Texas schools and figure a mostly bus trip eastern division of 8 makes better sense for them and lays the foundation to split the league at a future date.

(03-31-2015 05:58 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 05:38 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:58 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:53 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  Maybe, but you know they are gunning for the UAB spot. If they were "forced" to take a Sun Belt bid, that announcement press conference would probably seem like a funeral.

They can gun for it but unless CUSA is interested in going to 16 that spot isn't going to JMU.

The fact that MTSU publicly supported Liberty makes you wonder what is really going on behind the scenes. The conventional wisdom is that MTSU and WKU wanted a western team so neither of them had to move to the western division. Obviously something doesn't add up.

I have no inside information but I believe Liberty would gladly take a spot in the western division of C-USA to regularly play in Texas where we have a strong online presence.

Doubt the Texas schools see that as good deal.

(03-31-2015 07:50 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 05:58 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 05:38 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:58 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-31-2015 04:53 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  Maybe, but you know they are gunning for the UAB spot. If they were "forced" to take a Sun Belt bid, that announcement press conference would probably seem like a funeral.

They can gun for it but unless CUSA is interested in going to 16 that spot isn't going to JMU.

The fact that MTSU publicly supported Liberty makes you wonder what is really going on behind the scenes. The conventional wisdom is that MTSU and WKU wanted a western team so neither of them had to move to the western division. Obviously something doesn't add up.

I have no inside information but I believe Liberty would gladly take a spot in the western division of C-USA to regularly play in Texas where we have a strong online presence.

Doubt the Texas schools see that as good deal.

Probably not but they'll at least get a decent shot at a good road team attendance from Liberty fans. Very long odds of Liberty getting the #14 slot in C-USA in the current situation in my opinion.