This will create buzz, but won't it further alienate Liberty from those programs that already complaint that they don't want to bring them in because of their unlimited resources and educational issues?

If they are paying full COA as a member of the Big South, why would I want them coming into the Sun Belt figuring out other ways to outspend my program? And everybody knows where this money is coming from so this only underscores the issues that some people have with their online programs.

I'm all for Liberty moving up (after we do, of course) but this just seems like it would further widen the gap between those that want Liberty and those that don't...

(04-15-2015 03:55 PM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  This will create buzz, but won't it further alienate Liberty from those programs that already complaint that they don't want to bring them in because of their unlimited resources and educational issues?

If they are paying full COA as a member of the Big South, why would I want them coming into the Sun Belt figuring out other ways to outspend my program? And everybody knows where this money is coming from so this only underscores the issues that some people have with their online programs.

I'm all for Liberty moving up (after we do, of course) but this just seems like it would further widen the gap between those that want Liberty and those that don't...

My thought as well. Liberty didn't get the SBC invite because of profile and $$$, not religion. CUSA and MAC and not likely to invite them for similar reasons.

I think this is a shot across the NCAA bow so they can move up as an indy. They'll be able to get home games because they'll pay crazy guarantees. With the unlimited federal dollars rolling in, they can do whatever they damn well please.

(04-15-2015 03:55 PM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  This will create buzz, but won't it further alienate Liberty from those programs that already complaint that they don't want to bring them in because of their unlimited resources and educational issues?

If they are paying full COA as a member of the Big South, why would I want them coming into the Sun Belt figuring out other ways to outspend my program? And everybody knows where this money is coming from so this only underscores the issues that some people have with their online programs.

I'm all for Liberty moving up (after we do, of course) but this just seems like it would further widen the gap between those that want Liberty and those that don't...

I've got a feeling that even the die-hard Liberty athletic fans would agree with you.

(04-15-2015 04:01 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 03:55 PM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  This will create buzz, but won't it further alienate Liberty from those programs that already complaint that they don't want to bring them in because of their unlimited resources and educational issues?

If they are paying full COA as a member of the Big South, why would I want them coming into the Sun Belt figuring out other ways to outspend my program? And everybody knows where this money is coming from so this only underscores the issues that some people have with their online programs.

I'm all for Liberty moving up (after we do, of course) but this just seems like it would further widen the gap between those that want Liberty and those that don't...

My thought as well. Liberty didn't get the SBC invite because of profile and $$$, not religion. CUSA and MAC and not likely to invite them for similar reasons.

I think this is a shot across the bow so they can move up as an indy. They'll be able to get home games because they'll pay crazy guarantees. With the unlimited federal dollars rolling in, they can do whatever they damn well please.

Oh, good point. It definitely sets up an argument that they are ready and willing to provide benefits at that level and failure to get an invite shouldn't preclude them from competing at that level.

3 Lynchburg women charged with student loan fraud - guess which school? http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/V/V...TE=DEFAULT

(04-15-2015 04:01 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 03:55 PM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  This will create buzz, but won't it further alienate Liberty from those programs that already complaint that they don't want to bring them in because of their unlimited resources and educational issues?

If they are paying full COA as a member of the Big South, why would I want them coming into the Sun Belt figuring out other ways to outspend my program? And everybody knows where this money is coming from so this only underscores the issues that some people have with their online programs.

I'm all for Liberty moving up (after we do, of course) but this just seems like it would further widen the gap between those that want Liberty and those that don't...

My thought as well. Liberty didn't get the SBC invite because of profile and $$$, not religion. CUSA and MAC and not likely to invite them for similar reasons.

I think this is a shot across the NCAA bow so they can move up as an indy. They'll be able to get home games because they'll pay crazy guarantees. With the unlimited federal dollars rolling in, they can do whatever they damn well please.

I have never heard anyone connected to a Sun Belt school raise money as a negative when it pertains to Liberty.

The lack of FCS significant football, middling hoops results, brand awareness, and concerns of faculty and governing boards regarding whether they are someone we desire to affiliate with.

Their spending is a positive.

(04-15-2015 05:10 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 04:01 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 03:55 PM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  This will create buzz, but won't it further alienate Liberty from those programs that already complaint that they don't want to bring them in because of their unlimited resources and educational issues?

If they are paying full COA as a member of the Big South, why would I want them coming into the Sun Belt figuring out other ways to outspend my program? And everybody knows where this money is coming from so this only underscores the issues that some people have with their online programs.

I'm all for Liberty moving up (after we do, of course) but this just seems like it would further widen the gap between those that want Liberty and those that don't...

My thought as well. Liberty didn't get the SBC invite because of profile and $$$, not religion. CUSA and MAC and not likely to invite them for similar reasons.

I think this is a shot across the NCAA bow so they can move up as an indy. They'll be able to get home games because they'll pay crazy guarantees. With the unlimited federal dollars rolling in, they can do whatever they damn well please.

I have never heard anyone connected to a Sun Belt school raise money as a negative when it pertains to Liberty.

The lack of FCS significant football, middling hoops results, brand awareness, and concerns of faculty and governing boards regarding whether they are someone we desire to affiliate with.

Their spending is a positive.

Funny. I have heard that some SBC schools were worried that Liberty would have a major advantage as a private school that can mint money.

(04-15-2015 04:11 PM)jmusuperfan Wrote:  3 Lynchburg women charged with student loan fraud - guess which school? http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/V/V...TE=DEFAULT

Nothing really there, I cannot hold the school accountable for what these criminals have been doing.

I find it difficult to believe that Liberty thinks this is a good decision especially since they are still in FCS. I am sure that schools in the Big South feel they are being out maneuvered while being forced to compete at a disadvantage. Whether this decision gives Liberty the recruiting advantage they seek, it will make non-conference opponents think twice about scheduling contests.

Good read USA Today article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/col.../25825491/

Quote:But one way or another, Liberty's announcement this week that it will offer full cost of attendance scholarships for all 20 sports including football — the first Football Championship Subdivision program to do so — is a potential game-changer for the school and maybe even all of Division I.

"We're certainly trying to operate our program at the highest level possible," athletics director Jeff Barber told USA TODAY Sports in a phone interview Wednesday.

Quote:Barber declined to reveal the budget impact of adding cost of attendance across the board, but Liberty fully funds its maximum 237.5 scholarships. According to numbers reported to the U.S. Department of Education, Liberty's full cost of attendance gap is $3,312 for 2013-14, which would in theory mean an additional $786,600 per year investment.

Quote:For all of Liberty's ambition, in reality there has been resistance to add the Flames to a league at the presidential level. There are plenty of theories for that. Part of it could be the school's Evangelical bent and some politically-charged controversies in its past. Another element is the school's massive online enrollment, which could be off-putting to presidents of more traditional universities. There's also a financial element: Some schools, particularly in a league like the Sun Belt, don't want a competitor coming in with a budget that blows everybody out of the water. In that respect, Liberty may be too financially sound.

(04-15-2015 06:48 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 05:10 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 04:01 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 03:55 PM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  This will create buzz, but won't it further alienate Liberty from those programs that already complaint that they don't want to bring them in because of their unlimited resources and educational issues?

If they are paying full COA as a member of the Big South, why would I want them coming into the Sun Belt figuring out other ways to outspend my program? And everybody knows where this money is coming from so this only underscores the issues that some people have with their online programs.

I'm all for Liberty moving up (after we do, of course) but this just seems like it would further widen the gap between those that want Liberty and those that don't...

My thought as well. Liberty didn't get the SBC invite because of profile and $$$, not religion. CUSA and MAC and not likely to invite them for similar reasons.

I think this is a shot across the NCAA bow so they can move up as an indy. They'll be able to get home games because they'll pay crazy guarantees. With the unlimited federal dollars rolling in, they can do whatever they damn well please.

I have never heard anyone connected to a Sun Belt school raise money as a negative when it pertains to Liberty.

The lack of FCS significant football, middling hoops results, brand awareness, and concerns of faculty and governing boards regarding whether they are someone we desire to affiliate with.

Their spending is a positive.

Funny. I have heard that some SBC schools were worried that Liberty would have a major advantage as a private school that can mint money.

This is a head scratcher. Wouldn't they want Liberty and all their $ to bring exposure, a successful program, and a well paying bowl (which they would share in).

Cant't lose weight? Hang around more fat people I guess......

(04-15-2015 06:48 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 05:10 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 04:01 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 03:55 PM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  This will create buzz, but won't it further alienate Liberty from those programs that already complaint that they don't want to bring them in because of their unlimited resources and educational issues?

If they are paying full COA as a member of the Big South, why would I want them coming into the Sun Belt figuring out other ways to outspend my program? And everybody knows where this money is coming from so this only underscores the issues that some people have with their online programs.

I'm all for Liberty moving up (after we do, of course) but this just seems like it would further widen the gap between those that want Liberty and those that don't...

My thought as well. Liberty didn't get the SBC invite because of profile and $$$, not religion. CUSA and MAC and not likely to invite them for similar reasons.

I think this is a shot across the NCAA bow so they can move up as an indy. They'll be able to get home games because they'll pay crazy guarantees. With the unlimited federal dollars rolling in, they can do whatever they damn well please.

I have never heard anyone connected to a Sun Belt school raise money as a negative when it pertains to Liberty.

The lack of FCS significant football, middling hoops results, brand awareness, and concerns of faculty and governing boards regarding whether they are someone we desire to affiliate with.

Their spending is a positive.

Funny. I have heard that some SBC schools were worried that Liberty would have a major advantage as a private school that can mint money.

I've never heard anyone complain that someones bringing too much money to these things. It is, after all, what drives all this.

That said, easy enough for Liberty to get that invite- simply offer to pay the COA for the entire Sun Belt and they're a shoo-in.

(04-16-2015 12:02 PM)JMUDunk Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 06:48 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 05:10 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 04:01 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 03:55 PM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  This will create buzz, but won't it further alienate Liberty from those programs that already complaint that they don't want to bring them in because of their unlimited resources and educational issues?

If they are paying full COA as a member of the Big South, why would I want them coming into the Sun Belt figuring out other ways to outspend my program? And everybody knows where this money is coming from so this only underscores the issues that some people have with their online programs.

I'm all for Liberty moving up (after we do, of course) but this just seems like it would further widen the gap between those that want Liberty and those that don't...

My thought as well. Liberty didn't get the SBC invite because of profile and $$$, not religion. CUSA and MAC and not likely to invite them for similar reasons.

I think this is a shot across the NCAA bow so they can move up as an indy. They'll be able to get home games because they'll pay crazy guarantees. With the unlimited federal dollars rolling in, they can do whatever they damn well please.

I have never heard anyone connected to a Sun Belt school raise money as a negative when it pertains to Liberty.

The lack of FCS significant football, middling hoops results, brand awareness, and concerns of faculty and governing boards regarding whether they are someone we desire to affiliate with.

Their spending is a positive.

Funny. I have heard that some SBC schools were worried that Liberty would have a major advantage as a private school that can mint money.

I've never heard anyone complain that someones bringing too much money to these things. It is, after all, what's driving this entire thing.

That said, easy enough for Liberty to get that invite- simply offer to pay the COA for the entire Sun Belt and they're a shoo-in.

Well hey, don't take it from me then....

" There's also a financial element: Some schools, particularly in a league like the Sun Belt, don't want a competitor coming in with a budget that blows everybody out of the water. In that respect, Liberty may be too financially sound."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/col...yrrTyGT4Jg

(04-15-2015 06:48 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 05:10 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 04:01 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 03:55 PM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  This will create buzz, but won't it further alienate Liberty from those programs that already complaint that they don't want to bring them in because of their unlimited resources and educational issues?

If they are paying full COA as a member of the Big South, why would I want them coming into the Sun Belt figuring out other ways to outspend my program? And everybody knows where this money is coming from so this only underscores the issues that some people have with their online programs.

I'm all for Liberty moving up (after we do, of course) but this just seems like it would further widen the gap between those that want Liberty and those that don't...

My thought as well. Liberty didn't get the SBC invite because of profile and $$$, not religion. CUSA and MAC and not likely to invite them for similar reasons.

I think this is a shot across the NCAA bow so they can move up as an indy. They'll be able to get home games because they'll pay crazy guarantees. With the unlimited federal dollars rolling in, they can do whatever they damn well please.

I have never heard anyone connected to a Sun Belt school raise money as a negative when it pertains to Liberty.

The lack of FCS significant football, middling hoops results, brand awareness, and concerns of faculty and governing boards regarding whether they are someone we desire to affiliate with.

Their spending is a positive.

Funny. I have heard that some SBC schools were worried that Liberty would have a major advantage as a private school that can mint money.

Look long enough and you can find most any claim on a message board.

(04-16-2015 12:57 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 06:48 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 05:10 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 04:01 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 03:55 PM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  This will create buzz, but won't it further alienate Liberty from those programs that already complaint that they don't want to bring them in because of their unlimited resources and educational issues?

If they are paying full COA as a member of the Big South, why would I want them coming into the Sun Belt figuring out other ways to outspend my program? And everybody knows where this money is coming from so this only underscores the issues that some people have with their online programs.

I'm all for Liberty moving up (after we do, of course) but this just seems like it would further widen the gap between those that want Liberty and those that don't...

My thought as well. Liberty didn't get the SBC invite because of profile and $$$, not religion. CUSA and MAC and not likely to invite them for similar reasons.

I think this is a shot across the NCAA bow so they can move up as an indy. They'll be able to get home games because they'll pay crazy guarantees. With the unlimited federal dollars rolling in, they can do whatever they damn well please.

I have never heard anyone connected to a Sun Belt school raise money as a negative when it pertains to Liberty.

The lack of FCS significant football, middling hoops results, brand awareness, and concerns of faculty and governing boards regarding whether they are someone we desire to affiliate with.

Their spending is a positive.

Funny. I have heard that some SBC schools were worried that Liberty would have a major advantage as a private school that can mint money.

Look long enough and you can find most any claim on a message board.

Or the USA Today...see above.

(04-16-2015 12:06 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 12:02 PM)JMUDunk Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 06:48 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 05:10 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 04:01 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  My thought as well. Liberty didn't get the SBC invite because of profile and $$$, not religion. CUSA and MAC and not likely to invite them for similar reasons.

I think this is a shot across the NCAA bow so they can move up as an indy. They'll be able to get home games because they'll pay crazy guarantees. With the unlimited federal dollars rolling in, they can do whatever they damn well please.

I have never heard anyone connected to a Sun Belt school raise money as a negative when it pertains to Liberty.

The lack of FCS significant football, middling hoops results, brand awareness, and concerns of faculty and governing boards regarding whether they are someone we desire to affiliate with.

Their spending is a positive.

Funny. I have heard that some SBC schools were worried that Liberty would have a major advantage as a private school that can mint money.

I've never heard anyone complain that someones bringing too much money to these things. It is, after all, what's driving this entire thing.

That said, easy enough for Liberty to get that invite- simply offer to pay the COA for the entire Sun Belt and they're a shoo-in.

Well hey, don't take it from me then....

" There's also a financial element: Some schools, particularly in a league like the Sun Belt, don't want a competitor coming in with a budget that blows everybody out of the water. In that respect, Liberty may be too financially sound."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/col...yrrTyGT4Jg

Writer speculation in an article focused on Liberty. Doesn't even go so far as to suggest some Sun Belt president or AD said that off the record.

That's like someone arguing that no one invited them to the prom because they were too pretty.

I'm watching a Chopped rerun (Drew Magary from Deadspin is on) and up comes a Liberty commercial. It made me think, I believe Liberty is the only non-profit school that has commercials outside of a sports broadcast. I might have to see what their online culinary school is ranked!