(11-15-2018 06:14 PM)lion1983 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 04:46 PM)whittx Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 01:08 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-14-2018 06:27 PM)3BNole Wrote:  

(11-14-2018 04:46 PM)KingSean Wrote:  I feel like we can list 3,000 reasons why they cant , wont or shouldn't but it's all up to the schools

Exactly, that’s my point. Our neithbor’s brother is the athletic director. I sat in his seats for the West Georgia game Saturday. They studied it internally not too long ago and it’s not happening.

The issue with any D2 schools saying that they do not have any money is nothing but a lie. Look at Northern Kentucky as an example. They were D2 and said the exact same thing. ASun is based in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. It would still be the same travels for the schools. Valdosta State, West Georgia, West Florida and Columbus State would fit nicely. 5 Florida, 4 Georgia, 1 Tennessee, 1 Alabama and 1 New Jersey (who is looking for a better home.) UNF, FGCU, Columbus State and Lipscomb all thinking about adding football. You would be getting 4 top teams from Gulf South Conference and Kennesaw State. ASun could try and bring back Jacksonville State and Florida Tech and boom, they could be as strong as the MVFC.

FGCU did a study about adding football. Because of the upfront costs of facilities and the additional costs that would be involved due to Title IX, they have no interest in doing so for at least the next 10 years. The only way I see it happening is if the lack of football becomes a significant barrier to being able to move up to a better conference.

They are staying in the ASun for a long time. So is everyone else in the ASun.

Maybe they can wrangle a non-football invite to the SoCon, but that's extending the footprint pretty far and while it's a better basketball conference, without Davidson and CoC, it's probably not better by enough to warrant the exit/entry fees and increased travel budget.

The CAA is better than the SoCon but again, it's a one-bid league. If they were actively recruiting Northeast/Mid-Atlantic kids, it might make sense to align the athletic programs as such, but it looks like the get more than 90 percent of their students from in-state, so that's not as much a priority.

If CUSA weren't already at 14 schools, adding FGCU and another basketball school like, say, Belmont or Northern Kentucky wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. But three Florida schools is not a good fit for travel partners, unless you add a fourth school, but who would that be? North Florida is a long way from FGCU/FIU/FAU if you're doing Thursday-Saturday trips.

So yeah, unless they start football, they're most likely stuck in the ASun.

(11-15-2018 06:37 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 06:14 PM)lion1983 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 04:46 PM)whittx Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 01:08 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-14-2018 06:27 PM)3BNole Wrote:  Exactly, that’s my point. Our neithbor’s brother is the athletic director. I sat in his seats for the West Georgia game Saturday. They studied it internally not too long ago and it’s not happening.

The issue with any D2 schools saying that they do not have any money is nothing but a lie. Look at Northern Kentucky as an example. They were D2 and said the exact same thing. ASun is based in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. It would still be the same travels for the schools. Valdosta State, West Georgia, West Florida and Columbus State would fit nicely. 5 Florida, 4 Georgia, 1 Tennessee, 1 Alabama and 1 New Jersey (who is looking for a better home.) UNF, FGCU, Columbus State and Lipscomb all thinking about adding football. You would be getting 4 top teams from Gulf South Conference and Kennesaw State. ASun could try and bring back Jacksonville State and Florida Tech and boom, they could be as strong as the MVFC.

FGCU did a study about adding football. Because of the upfront costs of facilities and the additional costs that would be involved due to Title IX, they have no interest in doing so for at least the next 10 years. The only way I see it happening is if the lack of football becomes a significant barrier to being able to move up to a better conference.

They are staying in the ASun for a long time. So is everyone else in the ASun.

Maybe they can wrangle a non-football invite to the SoCon, but that's extending the footprint pretty far and while it's a better basketball conference, without Davidson and CoC, it's probably not better by enough to warrant the exit/entry fees and increased travel budget.

The CAA is better than the SoCon but again, it's a one-bid league. If they were actively recruiting Northeast/Mid-Atlantic kids, it might make sense to align the athletic programs as such, but it looks like the get more than 90 percent of their students from in-state, so that's not as much a priority.

If CUSA weren't already at 14 schools, adding FGCU and another basketball school like, say, Belmont or Northern Kentucky wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. But three Florida schools is not a good fit for travel partners, unless you add a fourth school, but who would that be? North Florida is a long way from FGCU/FIU/FAU if you're doing Thursday-Saturday trips.

So yeah, unless they start football, they're most likely stuck in the ASun.

UNF could go up. They were on a list of candidates for Sun Belt Conference. They are located in Jacksonville, pro-stadium of the Jaguars. They could start football and play in the pro's stadium for now. Could the pro team move and go to Saint Louis? I saw people on this forum that the Jaguars could be moving.

No, UNF is not on any list to go to the Sun Belt (other than from posters like you).

(11-15-2018 01:08 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  The issue with any D2 schools saying that they do not have any money is nothing but a lie. Look at Northern Kentucky as an example. They were D2 and said the exact same thing. ASun is based in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. It would still be the same travels for the schools. Valdosta State, West Georgia, West Florida and Columbus State would fit nicely. 5 Florida, 4 Georgia, 1 Tennessee, 1 Alabama and 1 New Jersey (who is looking for a better home.) UNF, FGCU, Columbus State and Lipscomb all thinking about adding football. You would be getting 4 top teams from Gulf South Conference and Kennesaw State. ASun could try and bring back Jacksonville State and Florida Tech and boom, they could be as strong as the MVFC.

Wow. Now we are all liars. I guess schools are all clones and are all rich with the exact same amount of cash reserves. By golly if it can happen at Northern Kentucky it MUST also be possible everywhere else.

Wait, sorry I forgot. This is a DavidSt fantasy thread he started 2.5 years ago. We are not allowed to post anything logical, sensible, or (gasp) based in reality here.

I feel any school would move up if the students accept a fee then if they do the schools will be like alright we are going D1. Only problem is that schools like Valdosta and Columbus would have to get an invite and only the A-Sun is really looking.....unless some schools formed a new conference. Plus is it possible for D2 conferences just to move up as a whole? It be cool if the GLVC, GUlf coast conference and the conference's that house grand valley and will house Savannah st be D1

(11-15-2018 07:40 PM)KingSean Wrote:  I feel any school would move up if the students accept a fee then if they do the schools will be like alright we are going D1. Only problem is that schools like Valdosta and Columbus would have to get an invite and only the A-Sun is really looking.....unless some schools formed a new conference. Plus is it possible for D2 conferences just to move up as a whole? It be cool if the GLVC, GUlf coast conference and the conference's that house grand valley and will house Savannah st be D1

Under current rules, no - a team needs a conference invite to move up.

In addition, even if THAT barrier was overcome, it would be 8 years I believe before that conference could apply for an auto-bid. Of course they are ineligible for the post season for 5 of those anyways.

D1 doesn't need more teams - if a school with adequate resources wants to make the move, and has a home, more power to them. But schools are DII for a reason.

Personally I love that more schools are moving to Division 1. Its the top spot in college athletics.

So, just for discussion, the ASun wants a 10th member, nobody moves from D2. Who would be the most realistic school to move to the ASun?

(11-15-2018 08:50 PM)lion1983 Wrote:  So, just for discussion, the ASun wants a 10th member, nobody moves from D2. Who would be the most realistic school to move to the ASun?

Florida A&M

(11-15-2018 09:03 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 08:50 PM)lion1983 Wrote:  So, just for discussion, the ASun wants a 10th member, nobody moves from D2. Who would be the most realistic school to move to the ASun?

Florida A&M

Too many Florida schools... in my opinion

NCAT? Maybe follow Hamptons lead?

Jacksonville State? Rivals with UNA and a regional rival in KSU. That would be in all sports and play in the Big South for football.

Tennessee Tech? Get the ASun back into Tennessee, football would be more "comparable" to the Big South. ASun is at the upper end baseball conferences and TTU has a very good baseball program.

That's my 3 ideas, no rumors, just on my mind.

My guess is Howard, if the Bison want to play their MEAC rivals non-conference, although NC A&T could be a possibility. And since we’re looking at the OVC too, what about Tennessee State?? They are the only HBCU in the OVC. Joining the A-Sun would put them with another HBCU, Hampton, unless Hampton doesn’t want them.

(11-15-2018 07:11 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  No, UNF is not on any list to go to the Sun Belt (other than from posters like you).

I posted a link to a news article of an email from Benson to all the SBC schools at the time that Benson mentioned UNF at the same time as Appalachian State, James Madison, Chattanooga, Georgia Southern, Idaho, New Mexico State and others. UNF was mentioned as a replacement to get back into Florida.

(11-16-2018 12:14 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  My guess is Howard, if the Bison want to play their MEAC rivals non-conference, although NC A&T could be a possibility. And since we’re looking at the OVC too, what about Tennessee State?? They are the only HBCU in the OVC. Joining the A-Sun would put them with another HBCU, Hampton, unless Hampton doesn’t want them.

Lipscomb is already in ASun. They are in the same city as Tenn. State.

If North Carolina A&T moves? They are in the Big South's footprint.

Big South could take New Jersey Tech and add Monmouth for all sports. Charleston Southern moves to the ASUN for all sports. West Chester or Indiana, PA. go to the Big South and grab Robert Morris.

(11-15-2018 07:11 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  No, UNF is not on any list to go to the Sun Belt (other than from posters like you).

33 Team Sun Belt Super Conference

Quote:One slide listed 21 schools to be considered as "possible additions/replacements" – including Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Texas State, Utah State, UT-San Antonio, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Jacksonville State, James Madison, Liberty, Charlotte, Old Dominion, Belmont, College of Charleston, Florida Gulf Coast, North Florida, St. Louis and Texas-Arlington.

Also Chattanooga and Missouri State also on other lists.

Quote:The same presentation included several maps of potential conference mergers – one of which was titled “Makes Too Much Sense” and proposed a 33-school superconference combining the Sun Belt, C-USA, WAC and Mountain West Conference.

Quote:Benson then reached out to UAB, Southern Miss, East Carolina and Marshall in hopes of pulling them away from Conference USA. He then put an aggressive 48-hour deadline on Louisiana Tech and UTSA to decide between the Sun Belt and Conference USA. Both efforts were unsuccessful.

So, it is true that Benson had both ASUN's Florida schools that we mentioned in this thread. Adding both UNF and FGCU would offset UTA and Little Rock for a 10/14 SBC. Both UNF and FGCU both recently made the men's basketball 68 teams field. It would boast the conference's RPI. If the SBC wants James Madison? They should look at grabbing a fellow CAA member to join them. Invite Delaware with James Madison U. I would think James Madison U. would say yes.

(11-15-2018 07:11 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  No, UNF is not on any list to go to the Sun Belt (other than from posters like you).

The only way UNF adds football is if the Jaguars relocate. It's not going to happen anytime soon.

So a DavidSt like slide listing every school put together by an intern doesn’t mean they were looking at them in any meaningful way. And the SunBelt on that era is completely different- they were unstable and willing to look at anyone with a pulse.

(11-16-2018 08:28 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  So a DavidSt like slide listing every school put together by an intern doesn’t mean they were looking at them in any meaningful way. And the SunBelt on that era is completely different- they were unstable and willing to look at anyone with a pulse.

Benson presented those teams to the ADs of the SBC. It was a list of schools that Benson presented the idea.

(11-16-2018 08:34 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-16-2018 08:28 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  So a DavidSt like slide listing every school put together by an intern doesn’t mean they were looking at them in any meaningful way. And the SunBelt on that era is completely different- they were unstable and willing to look at anyone with a pulse.

Benson presented those teams to the ADs of the SBC. It was a list of schools that Benson presented the idea.

As schools to possibly maybe consider, back when the Sun Belt was on the verge of dissolving.

The Sun Belt is stable now, and is not going to give the time of day to a D2 move up.

Does UNF have potential? Sure. But they would need to get to D1/FCS first.

(11-16-2018 10:54 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(11-16-2018 08:34 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-16-2018 08:28 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  So a DavidSt like slide listing every school put together by an intern doesn’t mean they were looking at them in any meaningful way. And the SunBelt on that era is completely different- they were unstable and willing to look at anyone with a pulse.

Benson presented those teams to the ADs of the SBC. It was a list of schools that Benson presented the idea.

As schools to possibly maybe consider, back when the Sun Belt was on the verge of dissolving.

The Sun Belt is stable now, and is not going to give the time of day to a D2 move up.

Does UNF have potential? Sure. But they would need to get to D1/FCS first.

Have just came out of under a rock? They are already D1 and made the men's basketball tournament as the ASUN champs a few years ago. They have been in the A-SUN since 2005. 2009, they became eligible for post season tournaments. I think you got them confused with UWF who is D2.

(11-16-2018 04:56 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  33 Team Sun Belt Super Conference

Quote:One slide listed 21 schools to be considered as "possible additions/replacements" – including Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Texas State, Utah State, UT-San Antonio, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Jacksonville State, James Madison, Liberty, Charlotte, Old Dominion, Belmont, College of Charleston, Florida Gulf Coast, North Florida, St. Louis and Texas-Arlington.

Also Chattanooga and Missouri State also on other lists.

Quote:The same presentation included several maps of potential conference mergers – one of which was titled “Makes Too Much Sense” and proposed a 33-school superconference combining the Sun Belt, C-USA, WAC and Mountain West Conference.

Quote:Benson then reached out to UAB, Southern Miss, East Carolina and Marshall in hopes of pulling them away from Conference USA. He then put an aggressive 48-hour deadline on Louisiana Tech and UTSA to decide between the Sun Belt and Conference USA. Both efforts were unsuccessful.

So, it is true that Benson had both ASUN's Florida schools that we mentioned in this thread. Adding both UNF and FGCU would offset UTA and Little Rock for a 10/14 SBC. Both UNF and FGCU both recently made the men's basketball 68 teams field. It would boast the conference's RPI. If the SBC wants James Madison? They should look at grabbing a fellow CAA member to join them. Invite Delaware with James Madison U. I would think James Madison U. would say yes.

Sad, really sad. You believe a 6.5-year-old article is still relevant. It's almost 2019 and the Sun Belt is not in the expansion market. Benson's 21 school list was thrown in the trash when Appalachian State and Georgia Southern joined.