Quote:You don't think enough money could cause our administrators to reconsider a move to SBC? Forget the SBC's current situation where it appears they have moved on. I think enough money pledged now can have that effect with the backing & support of our friend HH&C.
Everything I've read from sourced DNR articles to insiders on this board over the past few years is you have administrators at JMU who don't think the Sun Belt is a fit.
“Consistent with these values and principles and the ongoing issue of conference alignment, JMU will not pursue or accept an invitation from a conference that does not meet our criteria,” James Madison president Jonthan Alger said in a statement released on the school’s athletics website this week. “If we do receive an offer consistent with our established values, we are prepared to review it and make a recommendation to the Board of Visitors. This process is ongoing and will require continued support on the part of the university, students, faculty, staff, coaches, alumni, and fans.”
This was pretty much a big steaming dump on the Sun Belt.
While you need money to make the jump, I don't see how 5 million is going to change beliefs that the Sun Belt is not consistent with JMU's "established values". Maybe if you had T. Boone Pickens money involved it would defer all travel costs and lessen some concerns about the leap. But if administrators believe the Sun Belt is not where JMU should be, I'm not sure why money would change things. In fact I would hope it wouldn't. A few million isn't going to change the fundamentals of the situation, that the Sun Belt isn't a fit for JMU.
For those that think the Sun Belt is the best fit for JMU, continuing to make that argument about why its a good fit and convincing those in charge of this is the impossible task at hand I imagine. Why would money change minds? 5 million would be a remarkable effort and I can appreciate attempting to "control your own destiny", I just don't think money is the decider here.
That being said keep up the good work here! This board would be more interesting and JMU football more interesting to follow at the FBS level so count me in for $20/year x 5 years. I just don't think money is what is needed here.