(06-02-2015 06:45 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  I have become convinced that our leadership does not desire G5 FBS. They would rather be FCS. They aren't concerned that they're missing the last shot because they don't want to move.

We need new blood if we want a move to FBS. Alger kept the entire prior administration around....unheard of in higher education. Alger is just a figure head. He isn't a leader. He is a lawyer who tries to "fit the middle" in everything he does. Dynamic and transformational leadership will never come from him, athletically or academically. In 3 years as president, what has he REALLY done? Listening tours and a strategic plan that needs dentures.

+1000, concise and well stated.

(06-02-2015 09:33 AM)rknj8993 Wrote:  If you truly want FBS, do something absolutely insane and go hard in the paint. UAB did it and they got what they wanted. It may not work for you guys, but it's worth a try at this point.

I'm confused as to what specifically you're suggesting we do.

(06-02-2015 08:42 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  http://www.breezejmu.org/news/jon-alger-...0f31a.html

"Alger’s contract expires June 30, 2017. He’s eligible to renew his contract with approval from the BOV in June 2016."

Next summer looms large.

Living for free in a university home, driving a free car, and picking up 420k in base/year. Sign me up.

Yep. The bov kicking him out of his position is the only good thing that could happen moving forward. 3 years and nothing substantial accomplished academically or athletically. Just time wasted.

(06-02-2015 09:53 AM)Potomac Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 08:42 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  http://www.breezejmu.org/news/jon-alger-...0f31a.html

"Alger’s contract expires June 30, 2017. He’s eligible to renew his contract with approval from the BOV in June 2016."

Next summer looms large.

Living for free in a university home, driving a free car, and picking up 420k in base/year. Sign me up.

Yep. The bov kicking him out of his position is the only good thing that could happen moving forward. 3 years and nothing substantial accomplished academically or athletically. Just time wasted.

Problem is, our BoV has shown to be nearly as impotent as those who they appoint. They haven't held anybody's feet to the fire in the past.

It all seems to be an "ole boys network". You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

(06-02-2015 09:53 AM)Potomac Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 08:42 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  http://www.breezejmu.org/news/jon-alger-...0f31a.html

"Alger’s contract expires June 30, 2017. He’s eligible to renew his contract with approval from the BOV in June 2016."

Next summer looms large.

Living for free in a university home, driving a free car, and picking up 420k in base/year. Sign me up.

Yep. The bov kicking him out of his position is the only good thing that could happen moving forward. 3 years and nothing substantial accomplished academically or athletically. Just time wasted.

I don't think it's as easy as bringing in a new Prez, snapping your fingers, and moving to FBS. if the BOV wants to move at all costs (meaning, "we'll take ANY FBS conference"), we'll move (assuming SBC is still interested). people always blame Rose, but I have trouble believing he was the only one opposed. Rose said "not on my watch", but he never said "not on my watch, despite what the BOV thinks." I'm sure he had his supporters.

To the initial question, I hope the answer is yes, assuming all other doors are closed - which it appears they are.

I have been generally supportive of the admin and have noted on here my increases in giving, but for me, put up or shut up time is with the "national branding" strategy that is coming out. If we somehow think we can create national branding in the CAA, I'm done. I can no longer be "all in" on JMU. We want our donors to continue to support a G5 athletic budget and build G5 facilities, all to support some kind of national branding idea in a good FCS conference. I'll still give some and go to games, but the support will be minimal.

After building the new arena - which will happen eventually - we will have fulfilled every contingency in the Carr Report. Any strategy that doesn't at least recognize our ability and (hopefully) desire to be in a more "national" conference misses the mark. And if we don't have a strategy to be in the MAC or CUSA, let's go to the Sun Belt. We can all juke and jive around what is is, but I know that if we wanted to be in the Sun Belt we would be by now.

Saying "Oh, we can create a national brand in the CAA with a great NCAA tournament run in basketball, baseball, etc." is not a strategy, it's a hope. VCU and GMU never really strategized around those runs before they happened, they just got hot. Hope is not a strategy, despite what recent politics have conveyed.

(06-02-2015 10:46 AM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  To the initial question, I hope the answer is yes, assuming all other doors are closed - which it appears they are.

I have been generally supportive of the admin and have noted on here my increases in giving, but for me, put up or shut up time is with the "national branding" strategy that is coming out. If we somehow think we can create national branding in the CAA, I'm done. I can no longer be "all in" on JMU. We want our donors to continue to support a G5 athletic budget and build G5 facilities, all to support some kind of national branding idea in a good FCS conference. I'll still give some and go to games, but the support will be minimal.

After building the new arena - which will happen eventually - we will have fulfilled every contingency in the Carr Report. Any strategy that doesn't at least recognize our ability and (hopefully) desire to be in a more "national" conference misses the mark. And if we don't have a strategy to be in the MAC or CUSA, let's go to the Sun Belt. We can all juke and jive around what is is, but I know that if we wanted to be in the Sun Belt we would be by now.

Saying "Oh, we can create a national brand in the CAA with a great NCAA tournament run in basketball, baseball, etc." is not a strategy, it's a hope. VCU and GMU never really strategized around those runs before they happened, they just got hot. Hope is not a strategy, despite what recent politics have conveyed.

The national branding thing has NOTHING to do with FBS or conference moves. That comes from Duke Club reps and JB himself. They're hiring a Director of Athletics Marketing (for under $45k, mind you).

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I specifically asked this exact question and got that answer.

https://joblink.jmu.edu/applicants/jsp/s...3260048609

Ha, does not surprise me one bit. I never expected a damn thing of substance from the branding strategy. These people are caught in a vortex tucked away in the valley in the middle of Virginia and really see this type of stuff that is going to give JMU a more recognizable name. Mercy.

(06-02-2015 10:50 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 10:46 AM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  To the initial question, I hope the answer is yes, assuming all other doors are closed - which it appears they are.

I have been generally supportive of the admin and have noted on here my increases in giving, but for me, put up or shut up time is with the "national branding" strategy that is coming out. If we somehow think we can create national branding in the CAA, I'm done. I can no longer be "all in" on JMU. We want our donors to continue to support a G5 athletic budget and build G5 facilities, all to support some kind of national branding idea in a good FCS conference. I'll still give some and go to games, but the support will be minimal.

After building the new arena - which will happen eventually - we will have fulfilled every contingency in the Carr Report. Any strategy that doesn't at least recognize our ability and (hopefully) desire to be in a more "national" conference misses the mark. And if we don't have a strategy to be in the MAC or CUSA, let's go to the Sun Belt. We can all juke and jive around what is is, but I know that if we wanted to be in the Sun Belt we would be by now.

Saying "Oh, we can create a national brand in the CAA with a great NCAA tournament run in basketball, baseball, etc." is not a strategy, it's a hope. VCU and GMU never really strategized around those runs before they happened, they just got hot. Hope is not a strategy, despite what recent politics have conveyed.

The national branding thing has NOTHING to do with FBS or conference moves. That comes from Duke Club reps and JB himself. They're hiring a Director of Athletics Marketing (for under $45k, mind you).

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I specifically asked this exact question and got that answer.

https://joblink.jmu.edu/applicants/jsp/s...3260048609

Wow, that is disheartening to hear, though not the least bit surprising.

(06-02-2015 10:50 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 10:46 AM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  To the initial question, I hope the answer is yes, assuming all other doors are closed - which it appears they are.

I have been generally supportive of the admin and have noted on here my increases in giving, but for me, put up or shut up time is with the "national branding" strategy that is coming out. If we somehow think we can create national branding in the CAA, I'm done. I can no longer be "all in" on JMU. We want our donors to continue to support a G5 athletic budget and build G5 facilities, all to support some kind of national branding idea in a good FCS conference. I'll still give some and go to games, but the support will be minimal.

After building the new arena - which will happen eventually - we will have fulfilled every contingency in the Carr Report. Any strategy that doesn't at least recognize our ability and (hopefully) desire to be in a more "national" conference misses the mark. And if we don't have a strategy to be in the MAC or CUSA, let's go to the Sun Belt. We can all juke and jive around what is is, but I know that if we wanted to be in the Sun Belt we would be by now.

Saying "Oh, we can create a national brand in the CAA with a great NCAA tournament run in basketball, baseball, etc." is not a strategy, it's a hope. VCU and GMU never really strategized around those runs before they happened, they just got hot. Hope is not a strategy, despite what recent politics have conveyed.

The national branding thing has NOTHING to do with FBS or conference moves. That comes from Duke Club reps and JB himself. They're hiring a Director of Athletics Marketing (for under $45k, mind you).

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I specifically asked this exact question and got that answer.

https://joblink.jmu.edu/applicants/jsp/s...3260048609

WTF? I managed projects where I had to hire marketing folks and that is a joke. I guess for that pay they're going to get who they want, a new grad that's good with Photoshop to create collateral that espouses what the admin tells them to print. There's no way they're going to get a person experienced in market analysis and establishing programs and campaigns.

I see the College of Business posted a marketing position that pays $70k. That's still stretching it but they at least understand the business and marketing world enough to put an effort into bringing in a qualified resource.

(06-02-2015 10:58 AM)PurpleStreamers Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 10:50 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 10:46 AM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  To the initial question, I hope the answer is yes, assuming all other doors are closed - which it appears they are.

I have been generally supportive of the admin and have noted on here my increases in giving, but for me, put up or shut up time is with the "national branding" strategy that is coming out. If we somehow think we can create national branding in the CAA, I'm done. I can no longer be "all in" on JMU. We want our donors to continue to support a G5 athletic budget and build G5 facilities, all to support some kind of national branding idea in a good FCS conference. I'll still give some and go to games, but the support will be minimal.

After building the new arena - which will happen eventually - we will have fulfilled every contingency in the Carr Report. Any strategy that doesn't at least recognize our ability and (hopefully) desire to be in a more "national" conference misses the mark. And if we don't have a strategy to be in the MAC or CUSA, let's go to the Sun Belt. We can all juke and jive around what is is, but I know that if we wanted to be in the Sun Belt we would be by now.

Saying "Oh, we can create a national brand in the CAA with a great NCAA tournament run in basketball, baseball, etc." is not a strategy, it's a hope. VCU and GMU never really strategized around those runs before they happened, they just got hot. Hope is not a strategy, despite what recent politics have conveyed.

The national branding thing has NOTHING to do with FBS or conference moves. That comes from Duke Club reps and JB himself. They're hiring a Director of Athletics Marketing (for under $45k, mind you).

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I specifically asked this exact question and got that answer.

https://joblink.jmu.edu/applicants/jsp/s...3260048609

Wow, that is disheartening to hear, though not the least bit surprising.

I asked the same thing of my DC rep and got a slightly different answer. Was told the person they are hiring will play a significant part in finalizing the plan, and there were other details that couldn't be shared at the time. Who knows what that means, but that's why I'm still mildly hopeful...

You've already seen the branding, IMO.

"Engaged In Excellence"

(06-02-2015 11:15 AM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 10:58 AM)PurpleStreamers Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 10:50 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 10:46 AM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  To the initial question, I hope the answer is yes, assuming all other doors are closed - which it appears they are.

I have been generally supportive of the admin and have noted on here my increases in giving, but for me, put up or shut up time is with the "national branding" strategy that is coming out. If we somehow think we can create national branding in the CAA, I'm done. I can no longer be "all in" on JMU. We want our donors to continue to support a G5 athletic budget and build G5 facilities, all to support some kind of national branding idea in a good FCS conference. I'll still give some and go to games, but the support will be minimal.

After building the new arena - which will happen eventually - we will have fulfilled every contingency in the Carr Report. Any strategy that doesn't at least recognize our ability and (hopefully) desire to be in a more "national" conference misses the mark. And if we don't have a strategy to be in the MAC or CUSA, let's go to the Sun Belt. We can all juke and jive around what is is, but I know that if we wanted to be in the Sun Belt we would be by now.

Saying "Oh, we can create a national brand in the CAA with a great NCAA tournament run in basketball, baseball, etc." is not a strategy, it's a hope. VCU and GMU never really strategized around those runs before they happened, they just got hot. Hope is not a strategy, despite what recent politics have conveyed.

The national branding thing has NOTHING to do with FBS or conference moves. That comes from Duke Club reps and JB himself. They're hiring a Director of Athletics Marketing (for under $45k, mind you).

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I specifically asked this exact question and got that answer.

https://joblink.jmu.edu/applicants/jsp/s...3260048609

Wow, that is disheartening to hear, though not the least bit surprising.

I asked the same thing of my DC rep and got a slightly different answer. Was told the person they are hiring will play a significant part in finalizing the plan, and there were other details that couldn't be shared at the time. Who knows what that means, but that's why I'm still mildly hopeful...

Hmm...so an entry level position (at least in paygrade) will play a significant part in finalizing a plan that is due by 6.30. Mind you, they haven't even hired anybody as of 6/2/15.

Nope...not buying it. That date and benchmark are likely without substance.

(06-02-2015 10:50 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 10:46 AM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  To the initial question, I hope the answer is yes, assuming all other doors are closed - which it appears they are.

I have been generally supportive of the admin and have noted on here my increases in giving, but for me, put up or shut up time is with the "national branding" strategy that is coming out. If we somehow think we can create national branding in the CAA, I'm done. I can no longer be "all in" on JMU. We want our donors to continue to support a G5 athletic budget and build G5 facilities, all to support some kind of national branding idea in a good FCS conference. I'll still give some and go to games, but the support will be minimal.

After building the new arena - which will happen eventually - we will have fulfilled every contingency in the Carr Report. Any strategy that doesn't at least recognize our ability and (hopefully) desire to be in a more "national" conference misses the mark. And if we don't have a strategy to be in the MAC or CUSA, let's go to the Sun Belt. We can all juke and jive around what is is, but I know that if we wanted to be in the Sun Belt we would be by now.

Saying "Oh, we can create a national brand in the CAA with a great NCAA tournament run in basketball, baseball, etc." is not a strategy, it's a hope. VCU and GMU never really strategized around those runs before they happened, they just got hot. Hope is not a strategy, despite what recent politics have conveyed.

The national branding thing has NOTHING to do with FBS or conference moves. That comes from Duke Club reps and JB himself. They're hiring a Director of Athletics Marketing (for under $45k, mind you).

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I specifically asked this exact question and got that answer.

https://joblink.jmu.edu/applicants/jsp/s...3260048609

Seriously, $45K? I just had a client get turned down by a recent marketing grad (good intern experience) for $72K.

Last time I had a chance to talk to J.Bourne he told me that if any of the conferences asked JMU to the dance they would go in a second. Maybe it is true JMU is the ugly girl no one wants to dance with. Then again, maybe JMU would stink up everyone else's chance to dance and they dont want us doing that.

(06-02-2015 11:24 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 11:15 AM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 10:58 AM)PurpleStreamers Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 10:50 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 10:46 AM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  To the initial question, I hope the answer is yes, assuming all other doors are closed - which it appears they are.

I have been generally supportive of the admin and have noted on here my increases in giving, but for me, put up or shut up time is with the "national branding" strategy that is coming out. If we somehow think we can create national branding in the CAA, I'm done. I can no longer be "all in" on JMU. We want our donors to continue to support a G5 athletic budget and build G5 facilities, all to support some kind of national branding idea in a good FCS conference. I'll still give some and go to games, but the support will be minimal.

After building the new arena - which will happen eventually - we will have fulfilled every contingency in the Carr Report. Any strategy that doesn't at least recognize our ability and (hopefully) desire to be in a more "national" conference misses the mark. And if we don't have a strategy to be in the MAC or CUSA, let's go to the Sun Belt. We can all juke and jive around what is is, but I know that if we wanted to be in the Sun Belt we would be by now.

Saying "Oh, we can create a national brand in the CAA with a great NCAA tournament run in basketball, baseball, etc." is not a strategy, it's a hope. VCU and GMU never really strategized around those runs before they happened, they just got hot. Hope is not a strategy, despite what recent politics have conveyed.

The national branding thing has NOTHING to do with FBS or conference moves. That comes from Duke Club reps and JB himself. They're hiring a Director of Athletics Marketing (for under $45k, mind you).

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I specifically asked this exact question and got that answer.

https://joblink.jmu.edu/applicants/jsp/s...3260048609

Wow, that is disheartening to hear, though not the least bit surprising.

I asked the same thing of my DC rep and got a slightly different answer. Was told the person they are hiring will play a significant part in finalizing the plan, and there were other details that couldn't be shared at the time. Who knows what that means, but that's why I'm still mildly hopeful...

Hmm...so an entry level position (at least in paygrade) will play a significant part in finalizing a plan that is due by 6.30. Mind you, they haven't even hired anybody as of 6/2/15.

Nope...not buying it. That date and benchmark are likely without substance.

Are the interviewees given the opportunity to drink wine with Jeff Bourne whom drinks wine with Ron Carrier?

(06-02-2015 11:53 AM)JMUsince89 Wrote:  Last time I had a chance to tlak to J.Bourne he told me that if any of the conferences asked JMU to the dance they would go in a second. Maybe it is true JMU is the ugly girl no one wants to dance with.

If you really believe CCU, EKU, and Liberty are more attractive to the SBC, well....


We had an invite to the SBC. If Alger/Bourne picked up the phone today, we would have an invite again.

(06-02-2015 11:55 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(06-02-2015 11:53 AM)JMUsince89 Wrote:  Last time I had a chance to tlak to J.Bourne he told me that if any of the conferences asked JMU to the dance they would go in a second. Maybe it is true JMU is the ugly girl no one wants to dance with.

If you really believe CCU, EKU, and Liberty are more attractive to the SBC, well....


We had an invite to the SBC. If Alger/Bourne picked up the phone today, we would have an invite again.

Thats why I said maybe we would stink up their chance to dance (read that a bowl game) and they dont want us to dance anyway.

(06-02-2015 11:53 AM)JMUsince89 Wrote:  Last time I had a chance to talk to J.Bourne he told me that if any of the conferences asked JMU to the dance they would go in a second. Maybe it is true JMU is the ugly girl no one wants to dance with. Then again, maybe JMU would stink up everyone else's chance to dance and they dont want us doing that.

I know that you are simply throwing in a little humor. But the SB has at least four teams that are a notch above our FB program. I cannot see us being any better than mid-pack for several years. I would simply hope that we can eventually get to the level of GA Southern where we can give some of the P5 boys a game year-in-and-year-out.

(06-01-2015 09:13 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  From everything any of us has heard JMU would join the belt on a cold day in hell. We don't necessarily agree with that, but that's been the message pretty consistently from insiders to coaches to the administration. For them to reverse course would be a shocker.

Enjoy Elon, Central Conn State, Stony Brook, and Towson then...

(06-01-2015 09:15 PM)Madison 91 Forever Wrote:  What are you talking about? Why, the DNR tells me that we never had an invitation in the first place! Surely that can't possibly be wrong!

I have entirely given up on the possibility of our joining the Sun Belt, and am about 99% settled at this point that we will never go FBS. Given our rejection of the Sun Belt that's the course our fearless leaders have chosen. So be it.

You've got to publically come out and say you would accept a SB invite for an actual invite to come. The JMU admin have said just the opposite of that.

(06-01-2015 09:53 PM)POTUS#4 Wrote:  I doubt that most presidents or ADs take it that personally. In the overall scheme of things, it's not going to matter much to them who has the 12th spot in the SB. With schools like Coastal being rumored though, I wouldn't be surprised if a few of the presidents rethink their objection to Liberty.

I believe what I have said is true. no established IA conference will ever accept Liberty. Their past and practices will keep them out. The only way Liberty becomes IA is if the NCAA would allow independents move up again or allow a new conference to form.

(06-02-2015 09:33 AM)rknj8993 Wrote:  Pull a UAB and make some noise. Draw some attention to your school and to your fans.

At this point, I would say JMU to CUSA is dead. Everybody can say that CUSA is going to 16, but they were desperate to keep UAB for an even distribution, so why would they want to go at it again and go to 16? That's also more mouths to feed, which I'm sure would upset quite a few. JMU to the MAC is still viable somewhere down the line should NIU or another school leave, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. JMU to the Sun Belt is the only remaining option, but again, I don't foresee that happening.

If you truly want FBS, do something absolutely insane and go hard in the paint. UAB did it and they got what they wanted. It may not work for you guys, but it's worth a try at this point. I hope your administration turns it around and brings your programs home to the Sun Belt so the Mountaineers and Dukes can renew our rivalry.

CUSA could still go to 16 both USM and UAB want to be in the east. If that were to happen it would be 2 western schools, which would still shutout JMU. JMU had their shot at joining CUSA at the same time ODU joined.