(06-12-2015 07:58 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(06-09-2015 07:12 AM)Libertygrad01 Wrote:  Sounds legit. You're right about the paid attendance thing. Cheap tickets are bought by corporate sponsors or alumni to inflate the numbers. All schools do this to some extend, but this year take a look at Ga State stadium and what the reported attendance will be.

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What I don't understand is how or why the NCAA created such a weak rule with so many loop holes built in it. We are talking about an organization whose sole purpose is to govern.

And as LU's opportunity for an invite, as per the views expressed by many on this bbs, is weakening and if it's true, give LU a much stronger position if it challenged the indy route. Not enforcing some rules and turning a blind eye to others reeks of the good ole boy network.

Patience is a virtue they say. How long will Liberty wait before they ask the NCAA to move up as an independent? I'd give it less than five years or until the Sun Belt gets #12 and all the "slots" are full. That way Liberty could argue that no conference has room for them and there is no incentive to go over 12.

(06-13-2015 06:54 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  Patience is a virtue they say. How long will Liberty wait before they ask the NCAA to move up as an independent? I'd give it less than five years or until the Sun Belt gets #12 and all the "slots" are full. That way Liberty could argue that no conference has room for them and there is no incentive to go over 12.

A safe bet would less than 3 years if all the slots are full. The SBC would be a good entry FBS league for LU. They would be a solid member there as they have been in the BSC. But the aspiration is larger. That will come with time, maturity and acceptance of the program.

LU fans should not feel that all is lost if no SBC invite comes. Unspoken reasons LU is not being considered is fear that LU will eventually dominate the league and, with it's brand, be the shinning star of the league. It's a small minded, fearful position. Simply observe how LU has been a BSC member and how the school has conducted itself. Only Coastal could be considered a rival in commitment, on field/court success. But LU is still years ahead in facilities and FB attendance.

A C-USA invite for LU would likely provide a longer membership tenure than an SBC invite. The fear factor seem less there. C-USA may take a short term dip with Charlotte evolving it's program and U-AB on/off/on again but it will be short lived. Charlotte will eventually be a great locale for FBS football.

(06-14-2015 06:39 AM)NewTimes Wrote:  C-USA may take a short term dip with Charlotte evolving it's program and U-AB on/off/on again but it will be short lived. Charlotte will eventually be a great locale for FBS football.

I'm not sure Charlotte will develop much of a football following. There's only one UNC football team in the state of North Carolina and its the Tarheels. APP State might have been a better choice for CUSA. Same thing in Alabama, one University of AL, the Tide.

(06-14-2015 08:32 AM)Liberty Fan Wrote:  

(06-14-2015 06:39 AM)NewTimes Wrote:  C-USA may take a short term dip with Charlotte evolving it's program and U-AB on/off/on again but it will be short lived. Charlotte will eventually be a great locale for FBS football.

I'm not sure Charlotte will develop much of a football following. There's only one UNC football team in the state of North Carolina and its the Tarheels. APP State might have been a better choice for CUSA. Same thing in Alabama, one University of AL, the Tide.

I agree with this. Charlotte screams pro town to me and what little they may follow college will all go to the Tar Heels with the scraps going to fellow ACC schools.

Charlotte without a FBS college FB team has not had a hometown team to develop a fan base. It was only with the Panthers it became a pro town. Prior to that it was always a second fiddle to the UNC-NCState-Duke-Wake ACC dominance and Hornets of pro BB. In time, the town will rally around a hometown team as it will be new a local, personal identity. I believe they will accomplish this quickly as UNCC develops and wins. C-USA will be a great fit for them.

The town of Miami has not embraced the Hurricanes, LA has not embraced UCLA or USC. Houston does not embrace the University of Houston. Charlotte isn't a college town in my opinion.

(06-14-2015 01:04 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  The town of Miami has not embraced the Hurricanes, LA has not embraced UCLA or USC. Houston does not embrace the University of Houston. Charlotte isn't a college town in my opinion.

For 13 years I lived in Boca Raton, FL. Well before FAU had a stadium, football team and was known outside of the region. I became a Canes fan and still follow them as noted on my profile. The Canes then were the biggest game in town. Much more popular than the pro Dolphins. Miami was playing in and winning 5 national championships and not winning I believe 5 others.

It was an exciting time to be a Canes fan. As life has cycles, so did Miami's cycle of success end. Attendance at the Orange bowl was strong and consistent. It is true that apathy and marginal success has been the standard for a decade plus. With apathy and program problems and sanctions comes waning interest.

But South Florida is a front running town. Unlike most other regions, Miami and South Florida is a true international region with most residents from other parts of the US and the world. We often referred to it as NY #2. But know that a run of a year or two of the Canes chasing national championships and the fair weather fans would return. When Miami left the Orange Bowl for Pro Player, it lost a lot of fan interest.

Charlotte is a nice southern town. Not an international city but a growing, popular town with a good geographic location between DC and Atlanta. Charlotte to Miami have far greater differences than similarities. Charlotte still has that southern feel. It's like little Atlanta.

Your points are good in that large urban areas tend to have lots more activities and schools compete for support. That's why Happy Valley, Death Valley, and Okla, Neb etc... and rural areas have tremendous fan support for their local team.

Charlotte will not compete with Penn State or Clemson and others in attendance. But Charlotte will be a force in the CUSA and draw much better than most believe. It's a town starving to mirror the appeal and success of Atlanta. It's sort of like the little brother wanting to equal and exceed the success of a bigger brother.

(06-14-2015 01:04 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  The town of Miami has not embraced the Hurricanes, LA has not embraced UCLA or USC. Houston does not embrace the University of Houston. Charlotte isn't a college town in my opinion.

Miami doesn't embrace any sports team including the Dolphins. They are the worst sports city ever. I don't know much about Houston, but Atlanta is awful as well.

While Charlotte may not get to 40K average attendance, they will get to 30K once they start doing some normal things that established teams do. For example: a major issue is having every single game at noon. They also are in need of a rival and should play Appy often.