(07-24-2015 01:34 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 01:16 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  Would the Big South just let Coastal keep their football team in the conference while everything else moves to the Sun Belt?

They'd have no choice. Without Coastal, they'd be down to six football members—four full-time, two affiliate—with Liberty an ever-present flight risk. There aren't any easy options, which is why they had to invite Monmouth when Stony Brook left for the CAA.

Also, the Big South has 11 schools for non-fb. So if Coastal move to the Sunbelt then the Big South would have it easier to schedule with 10 members.

(07-24-2015 01:22 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 01:15 PM)stever20 Wrote:  it'll be interesting to see if either of these happen what goes on with the WAC. NMSU looks pretty much like locked in.

NMSU may be locked in but that doesn't mean the WAC is safe. As long as nobody wants to join, it will continue to be shaky. A non-football playing conference which stretches from Seattle to Edinburg, TX. A one bid league in basketball. How long can everyone continue to afford all those annual travel miles in all sports?

Well using UMKC as an example, the travel costs wasn't as significant as before. But the one thing about the WAC schools is they do have the students time on the road in mind and they spend quite a bit of less time on the road in the WAC flying from 1 metro city to another.

I think now with NMSU locked in the WAC, they'll be able to bring a school or 2 in. Knowing that NMSU won't be going anywhere for a while will give stability to the WAC even when NMSU moves on later down the road.

Portland St is investing in a new on-campus basketball arena and have it funded. I think (ok..well more hope than think) they may have plans to move to a different conference that fits their profile and the WAC fits that profile pretty darn well. [Pondering on this more, when PSU made the jump to D1, the Big Sky was the only option. The Big West played 1-A fb, WAC was 1-A, the WCC is private religious schools and had Univ. of Portland already. The Big West after dropping football only wanted to be in the LA area (and still does unless you pay your way in). Until the WAC lost FBS status, did another conference beside the Big Sky became an option for western schools that don't play football or FCS football]

(07-24-2015 02:10 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  Portland St is investing in a new on-campus basketball arena and have it funded. I think (ok..well more hope than think) they may have plans to move to a different conference that fits their profile and the WAC fits that profile pretty darn well.

???

Portland State has an FCS football team. The WAC doesn't sponsor football.

Also, sending your teams from Portland, Oregon to Chicago and to Edinburg, Texas doesn't fit anyone's profile, as long as they have other alternatives. Even if Portland State wanted to leave the Big Sky and could somehow find a way to keep playing FCS football, they'd be trying to get into the Big West.

(07-24-2015 01:50 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 01:28 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 01:22 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 01:15 PM)stever20 Wrote:  it'll be interesting to see if either of these happen what goes on with the WAC. NMSU looks pretty much like locked in.

NMSU may be locked in but that doesn't mean the WAC is safe. As long as nobody wants to join, it will continue to be shaky. A non-football playing conference which stretches from Seattle to Edinburg, TX. A one bid league in basketball. How long can everyone continue to afford all those annual travel miles in all sports?

part of it is they have pretty good travel partners...
Chicago St/UMKC
UT Pan American/New Mexico St
Grand Canyon/Utah Valley
CS Bakersfield/Seattle

Those help out quite a bit.

If the GNAC and Big Sky do merge? WAC could take some schools like the southern schools to form an FBS football league. Big Sky can take the northern schools. Some RMAC could be brought a board, and some Texas schools.

Stop with the idiocy. The Big Sky is not merging with a flipping D2 conference. It is more likely that the GNAC schools would drop athletics.

This is a stupid as saying the SEC is going to merge with the Gulf South conference.

(07-24-2015 02:10 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 01:22 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 01:15 PM)stever20 Wrote:  it'll be interesting to see if either of these happen what goes on with the WAC. NMSU looks pretty much like locked in.

NMSU may be locked in but that doesn't mean the WAC is safe. As long as nobody wants to join, it will continue to be shaky. A non-football playing conference which stretches from Seattle to Edinburg, TX. A one bid league in basketball. How long can everyone continue to afford all those annual travel miles in all sports?

Well using UMKC as an example, the travel costs wasn't as significant as before. But the one thing about the WAC schools is they do have the students time on the road in mind and they spend quite a bit of less time on the road in the WAC flying from 1 metro city to another.

I think now with NMSU locked in the WAC, they'll be able to bring a school or 2 in. Knowing that NMSU won't be going anywhere for a while will give stability to the WAC even when NMSU moves on later down the road.

The current WAC membership:

in the west we've got Cal State Bakersfield, Grand Canyon, Seattle and Utah Valley

in the east we have Chicago State, UT-Rio Grande Valley, UMKC and New Mexico State

The names I have read on the WAC board as potential targets are Texas A&M-Corpus Christii and D2 call-ups like Metro State (Denver), Western Washington and Alaska-Anchorage potentially to be paired up with Alaska-Fairbanks. It would really help bridge the gap if the WAC was able to convince Metro State to move up and join, or even Dixie State. UC San Diego will not entertain a thought of joining.

The Alaska pair would be imo, the ultimate sign of desperation - similar to the Big West reaching for North Texas in 1996 as a full member and Arkansas State, ULL and Northern Illinois as football-onlies in the 90s.

(07-24-2015 02:10 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  The Big West after dropping football only wanted to be in the LA area (and still does unless you pay your way in).

UC Davis isn't exactly in the LA area and they certainly did not pay their way in.

(07-24-2015 02:25 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 02:10 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  Portland St is investing in a new on-campus basketball arena and have it funded. I think (ok..well more hope than think) they may have plans to move to a different conference that fits their profile and the WAC fits that profile pretty darn well.

???

Portland State has an FCS football team. The WAC doesn't sponsor football.

Also, sending your teams from Portland, Oregon to Chicago and to Edinburg, Texas doesn't fit anyone's profile, as long as they have other alternatives. Even if Portland State wanted to leave the Big Sky and could somehow find a way to keep playing FCS football, they'd be trying to get into the Big West.

Yes, I know they have a FCS team. But that doesn't stop them to be a football only addition.
The only reason why the Big West isn't an option is because they have to pay $$ to be in the conference. Until the Big West drops that then it could be good option. However, the WAC has the city-state urban schools that PSU profile does fit.
Flying to the Big Sky locations already takes you to the hubs where the WAC has a school there. It is easier travel for PSU in the WAC than the Big Sky and probably less cost.

(07-24-2015 02:25 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 02:10 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  Portland St is investing in a new on-campus basketball arena and have it funded. I think (ok..well more hope than think) they may have plans to move to a different conference that fits their profile and the WAC fits that profile pretty darn well.

???

Portland State has an FCS football team. The WAC doesn't sponsor football.

Also, sending your teams from Portland, Oregon to Chicago and to Edinburg, Texas doesn't fit anyone's profile, as long as they have other alternatives. Even if Portland State wanted to leave the Big Sky and could somehow find a way to keep playing FCS football, they'd be trying to get into the Big West.

The premise of Portland State leaving the Big Sky is that the school drops football, which has been on shaky financial ground for years and has minimal fan support.

However if that happened, the WAC might not be Portland State's only alternative. The Big West might consider inviting both Portland State and Seattle; while that would increase travel expense for the California members, it would raise the conference's profile to gain footholds in the largest metro areas in Oregon and Washington.

(07-24-2015 12:55 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 12:49 PM)bullitt_60 Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 12:37 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  I wonder what happened to a Florida market?
If they add both? Could that mean an FCS team getting close enough to make 14 football members?

Missouri State and Lamar are the two. If I were the Sun Belt? I would let Lamar and Missouri State wait by the phones for an invite. If the Big 12 expands from 2 to 6? Sun Belt could lose several schools to the C-USA.

We need a travel partner for App in the olympic sports. I don't think they are even talking about adding a football program to the conference in the short term.

Would North Florida be a good travel partner for Georgia Southern? You have 2 non-football schools in the west. Adding 2 non-football schools in the east would not hurt either.

I think Coastal is a better solution. They have stronger basketball, baseball, and soccer programs. Regarding soccer, we have to replace NJIT or we lose the autobid to the NCAA tournament.

I'm using Google maps for this. Coastal is listed at 265-285 miles and a 4 1/2 to 5 hr drive to App State, give or take. From Coastal to Georgia State the most direct route is listed at 351 miles, 5 hrs and 11 mins eastbound on I-20.

(07-24-2015 02:52 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 02:25 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 02:10 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  Portland St is investing in a new on-campus basketball arena and have it funded. I think (ok..well more hope than think) they may have plans to move to a different conference that fits their profile and the WAC fits that profile pretty darn well.

???

Portland State has an FCS football team. The WAC doesn't sponsor football.

Also, sending your teams from Portland, Oregon to Chicago and to Edinburg, Texas doesn't fit anyone's profile, as long as they have other alternatives. Even if Portland State wanted to leave the Big Sky and could somehow find a way to keep playing FCS football, they'd be trying to get into the Big West.

Yes, I know they have a FCS team. But that doesn't stop them to be a football only addition.
The only reason why the Big West isn't an option is because they have to pay $$ to be in the conference. Until the Big West drops that then it could be good option. However, the WAC has the city-state urban schools that PSU profile does fit.
Flying to the Big Sky locations already takes you to the hubs where the WAC has a school there. It is easier travel for PSU in the WAC than the Big Sky and probably less cost.

"Easier travel in the WAC than the BW."

PSU can fly into Sacramento and bus to Davis just a few miles away. San Luis Obispo, Long Beach, Riverside and Santa Barbara all have their own airports. Going on a Cal State Fullerton/UCI road trip? John Wayne Airport for that. Cal State Northridge/UC Riverside? You've got Ontario or even LAX for that.

If anything, PSU would have an easier time in the BW with all west coast travel to eight California opponents. And going to Hawaii, or Edinburg? tough choice.

(07-24-2015 05:06 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 02:52 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 02:25 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 02:10 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  Portland St is investing in a new on-campus basketball arena and have it funded. I think (ok..well more hope than think) they may have plans to move to a different conference that fits their profile and the WAC fits that profile pretty darn well.

???

Portland State has an FCS football team. The WAC doesn't sponsor football.

Also, sending your teams from Portland, Oregon to Chicago and to Edinburg, Texas doesn't fit anyone's profile, as long as they have other alternatives. Even if Portland State wanted to leave the Big Sky and could somehow find a way to keep playing FCS football, they'd be trying to get into the Big West.

Yes, I know they have a FCS team. But that doesn't stop them to be a football only addition.
The only reason why the Big West isn't an option is because they have to pay $$ to be in the conference. Until the Big West drops that then it could be good option. However, the WAC has the city-state urban schools that PSU profile does fit.
Flying to the Big Sky locations already takes you to the hubs where the WAC has a school there. It is easier travel for PSU in the WAC than the Big Sky and probably less cost.

"Easier travel in the WAC than the BW."

PSU can fly into Sacramento and bus to Davis just a few miles away. San Luis Obispo, Long Beach, Riverside and Santa Barbara all have their own airports. Going on a Cal State Fullerton/UCI road trip? John Wayne Airport for that. Cal State Northridge/UC Riverside? You've got Ontario or even LAX for that.

If anything, PSU would have an easier time in the BW with all west coast travel to eight California opponents. And going to Hawaii, or Edinburg? tough choice.

I think you need to reread the post you quoted regarding ease of travel in the WAC and Big Sky; and also reread the title of the thread regarding Coastal Carolina joining the Sun Belt. Neither topic involve flying to Hawaii.

(07-24-2015 05:39 PM)AppfanInCAAland Wrote:  I think you need to reread the post you quoted regarding ease of travel in the WAC and Big Sky; and also reread the title of the thread regarding Coastal Carolina joining the Sun Belt. Neither topic involve flying to Hawaii.

Yeah, I just caught that. Oops

I wouldn't mind seeing a Coastal-Hawaii basketball game though.

(07-24-2015 02:57 PM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 02:25 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 02:10 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  Portland St is investing in a new on-campus basketball arena and have it funded. I think (ok..well more hope than think) they may have plans to move to a different conference that fits their profile and the WAC fits that profile pretty darn well.

???

Portland State has an FCS football team. The WAC doesn't sponsor football.

Also, sending your teams from Portland, Oregon to Chicago and to Edinburg, Texas doesn't fit anyone's profile, as long as they have other alternatives. Even if Portland State wanted to leave the Big Sky and could somehow find a way to keep playing FCS football, they'd be trying to get into the Big West.

The premise of Portland State leaving the Big Sky is that the school drops football, which has been on shaky financial ground for years and has minimal fan support.

However if that happened, the WAC might not be Portland State's only alternative. The Big West might consider inviting both Portland State and Seattle; while that would increase travel expense for the California members, it would raise the conference's profile to gain footholds in the largest metro areas in Oregon and Washington.

If they decide to restart football?
Cal-Davis
Cal-Poly
Sacramento State
Southern Utah
Portland State

Long Beach State could readd football.

That is 6 right there.

Humboldt State
Azusa Pacific
and East Bay State which have a plan in place what it will take to restart football.
Humboldt State and East Bay State

Humboldt State, East Bay State (Hayward State) and Southern Utah were former conference mates with Cal-Davis and Cal-Poly.

I could see Long Beach State adding football could be gobbled up by MWC.

Humboldt State, Dixie State and Azusas Pacific really needs a home for their football. They are only an affiliates to GNAC. All three could save money if they get invitied to the Big West.

Portland State? If they want a partner up north with them may not want Seatlle. I could see Western Oregon in Salem area or a Central Washington.

(07-24-2015 12:57 PM)Niner National Wrote:  Coastal makes a lot of sense for competitiveness across the sports. They have solid FCS football, good baseball, good golf, good soccer, and their basketball team has been pretty good (by Big South standards) for the last 2-3 years.

Their only issue is support, but that is going to be the issue with any one the Sun Belt offers unless they go with JMU or Liberty, which apparently are out of the running.

Support is nice, but performance is better and I'd put CCU at least equal, if not better, to JMU in that regard.

You are nuts if you think Coastal or Charlotte is any where close the the caliber of JMU in anything. ?? Crazy talk.

(07-27-2015 09:36 PM)South Carolina Duke Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 12:57 PM)Niner National Wrote:  Coastal makes a lot of sense for competitiveness across the sports. They have solid FCS football, good baseball, good golf, good soccer, and their basketball team has been pretty good (by Big South standards) for the last 2-3 years.

Their only issue is support, but that is going to be the issue with any one the Sun Belt offers unless they go with JMU or Liberty, which apparently are out of the running.

Support is nice, but performance is better and I'd put CCU at least equal, if not better, to JMU in that regard.

You are nuts if you think Coastal or Charlotte is any where close the the caliber of JMU in anything. ?? Crazy talk.

I'd say both seem higher caliber than JMU in their interest to play FBS football.

(07-27-2015 09:36 PM)South Carolina Duke Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 12:57 PM)Niner National Wrote:  Coastal makes a lot of sense for competitiveness across the sports. They have solid FCS football, good baseball, good golf, good soccer, and their basketball team has been pretty good (by Big South standards) for the last 2-3 years.

Their only issue is support, but that is going to be the issue with any one the Sun Belt offers unless they go with JMU or Liberty, which apparently are out of the running.

Support is nice, but performance is better and I'd put CCU at least equal, if not better, to JMU in that regard.

You are nuts if you think Coastal or Charlotte is any where close the the caliber of JMU in anything. ?? Crazy talk.

I didn't even reference charlotte, but ccu has been better than jmu in just about everything over the last 5 years.

Baseball, football, basketball, golf, soccer...all better than jmu. Jmu wins for support.

Ccu is a great addition for all reasons except fan support.

(07-27-2015 09:36 PM)South Carolina Duke Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 12:57 PM)Niner National Wrote:  Coastal makes a lot of sense for competitiveness across the sports. They have solid FCS football, good baseball, good golf, good soccer, and their basketball team has been pretty good (by Big South standards) for the last 2-3 years.

Their only issue is support, but that is going to be the issue with any one the Sun Belt offers unless they go with JMU or Liberty, which apparently are out of the running.

Support is nice, but performance is better and I'd put CCU at least equal, if not better, to JMU in that regard.

You are nuts if you think Coastal or Charlotte is any where close the the caliber of JMU in anything. ?? Crazy talk.

You're right - your caliber of loss to Liberty was way higher than ours. You paid way more, it was a playoff game, you lost by more points ... so much caliber!

The loss was a fluke. But that's why you play the game. Now the game that CC had against LU that wasn't a fluke win for UCLA. Upper Conroy Lower Aynor? I listened to the game only because I know a player for LU.

If CC moved up , good for them. But it is only because JMU is stubborn and is waiting for the perfect fit , which doesn't exist. Everything about CC screams High School including the stadium.

As far as FCS programs in SC go, Wofford and Furman and the Citadel are the cream of the crop as a total package.

(07-28-2015 09:20 AM)South Carolina Duke Wrote:  The loss was a fluke. But that's why you play the game. Now the game that CC had against LU that wasn't a fluke win for UCLA. Upper Conroy Lower Aynor? I listened to the game only because I know a player for LU.

If CC moved up , good for them. But it is only because JMU is stubborn and is waiting for the perfect fit , which doesn't exist. Everything about CC screams High School including the stadium.

As far as FCS programs in SC go, Wofford and Furman and the Citadel are the cream of the crop as a total package.

Fluke is a fish and stinks like your caliber