(07-21-2016 08:14 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  Well I was trying to be polite, but perhaps after applying 27 times to the Big 12 ECU will be admitted only for the majority of the conference to leave and the remainders change their conference name.

Never happened.

http://pirateradio1250.com/pod/laf/laf072116.mp3

Radio interview about his statement today.

(07-21-2016 08:14 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  Well I was trying to be polite, but perhaps after applying 27 times to the Big 12 ECU will be admitted only for the majority of the conference to leave and the remainders change their conference name.

Dear god how dense are you? It was an article referring to the movie 27 Dresses, the old adage, "always the bridesmaid never the bride".

We did not apply to the BE 27 times.

(07-21-2016 08:14 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  Well I was trying to be polite, but perhaps after applying 27 times to the Big 12 ECU will be admitted only for the majority of the conference to leave and the remainders change their conference name.

That App State kush must be stronger than I rem...heard about.

Cincinnati, Memphis, East Carolina, UCF, South Florida, and Houston and create a true eastern wing for the conference to increase foot print and media coverage.

(07-21-2016 08:24 PM)ECU_Drummer Wrote:  

(07-21-2016 08:14 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  Well I was trying to be polite, but perhaps after applying 27 times to the Big 12 ECU will be admitted only for the majority of the conference to leave and the remainders change their conference name.

That App State kush must be stronger than I rem...heard about.

App is a fun place, I'll give them that.

Why the Big XII needs to look at East Carolina - Stephen Igoe - July 21, 2016

Here are multiple reasons why the league should consider adding East Carolina.

Fan base

East Carolina is known for having one of the more rabid fan bases in college football. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium’s 2010 upgrade expanded the capacity to 50,000, making it the second-largest on-campus football stadium amongst the non-power 5 programs behind only BYU.

ECU averaged 50,012 fans in 2011 in a 5-7 season, much in part thanks to a home schedule that featured Virginia Tech and North Carolina. That mark, which ranked 40th in the country while the Pirates played in Conference USA, could be similar to the turnout ECU would have against a Big XII schedule that would attract fans game in and game out.

Attendance last season was still at 43,274 despite a down year on the field, some bad weather and not a great home schedule. That mark also ranked third in the league, just behind Temple (whose numbers were skewed by home dates with Penn State and Notre Dame and their legions of fans) and Memphis, which had its best attendance in a long time.

Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is also set to undergo a serious aesthetic upgrade for the 2018 season which will also add 1,000 premium seats, including luxury suites and a brand new press box.

The Pirates are known for their game day atmosphere in football and wouldn’t have any problem fitting in with a Power 5 league in terms of that aspect of things.


Football program success

East Carolina is one of the more tradition-rich programs in the American Athletic Conference. The Pirates are 432-391-11 all-time, and they’ve won seven conference championships. ECU has also won nine bowl games in 20 appearances, including a Peach Bowl victory in 1991 to allow the Pirates to finish in the top 10.

Overall, ECU had had plenty of success against other teams in the AAC and arguably has the better program over time than many of those vying for potential bids into the Big XII.

Here’s ECU’s all-time record against the AAC's current members:

Cincinnati: 12-7

Houston: 7-5

Memphis: 15-6

Navy: 1-4

SMU: 4-2

Temple: 8-5

Tulane: 11-3

Tulsa: 8-5

UCF: 10-4

UConn: 1-1

South Florida: 1-5

The Pirates are 87-74 against members of the AAC entering the 2016 season. While schools like Cincinnati, Houston and UCF have made bigger splashes with recent top-flight bowl appearances, ECU has shown it can maintain a winning and proud program throughout its existence without too many down years.

Geography

The Big XII is lacking a presence in the southeast, and East Carolina would deliver it. While Florida is a tantalizing option to establish a footprint in, North Carolina is also one that the league should look into. There is no dominant football program in the Tar Heel State, as North Carolina, N.C. State, Wake Forest and Duke have all had their moments, but have struggled to sustain success at an elite level as mostly basketball-first programs.

ECU is already competitive with these schools (five consecutive victories over the ACC) despite not having anywhere near the resources. If the Pirates were to gain access to a Power 5 budget, and more realistically further pursue some of the top-notch talent in the region, it could awaken a sleeping giant and give the Big XII the best football program in North Carolina.

Not to mention ECU could also be a travel partner of sorts with West Virginia, who the Pirates have a nice past relationship with on the football field.

Football-Only

There have been reports that the Big XII is exploring the possibility of bringing in a football-only member, something that ECU – with it being a football-first school – would likely be more than willing to accept.

If the Pirates offer the opportunity to join as a football-only member and even were to be willing to accept membership offering some sort of lesser revenue sharing plan, it could be an attractive option to the Big XII and its members.

Whereas a school like Memphis, UConn or Cincinnati, which are all basketball tradition-rich programs, would likely not accept such a deal.

For ECU, anything is worth a shot. The long-term benefits of getting its football team into a bigger league would far out-weigh any short-term losses or unknowns.

I think some of you boys may have gotten into that App stash referenced earlier. Leave the cash in the bag behind the futon next time.

ECU didn't make the list...

Possibilities for Big 12 expansion potentially could include Houston, Cincinnati, BYU, Memphis, Central Florida, South Florida, Connecticut, Boise State, Colorado State and Tulane. According to SI.com, the leading candidates are BYU, Cincinnati and Connecticut.

https://eastcarolina.rivals.com/news/com...the-big-12

"The Pirates are in the final planning stages of the next major renovation to historic Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium with a 55 million dollar face lift that will add a new press facility, premium suites and parking along with an additional one thousand seats to the 50,000 seat structure.

ECU plays in a midsize metro of less than 200,000 people, but they also bring a statewide audience and large alumni bases in Raleigh, Greensboro, Norfolk and Charlotte. That along with interest from those in ACC markets who routinely play the Pirates on a rotating basis in football and an annual basis in baseball, makes ECU an interesting program to follow in the Mid Atlantic and beyond in American Athletic Conference cities like Cincinnati, Memphis, Orlando, Tampa, Philadelphia, Houston, New Orleans and others.

The Pirates bring a solid regional following that is more than adequate for television purposes. They also bring the largest attendance in the AAC in football and baseball over the course of the last ten years.

The situation remains fluid but dicey at the moment. Stay tuned to see if the Big 12 opts to expand and who they decide to choose.

(07-20-2016 05:32 AM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote:  I have a friend who teaches at East Carolina and I have been to a game down there. It was a surprisingly excellent atmosphere for college football. I really had a good time that weekend.

I remember thinking at the time that they would be an excellent addition to the Big East - which had several attractive television markets locked up but needed more pure football atmospheres like ECU clearly provided.

Alas it never happened and it's probably not gonna happen with the Big 12 either. The OP flatly dismisses market size as a factor but I think he's whistling Dixie on that front. The conference is going to expand precisely for the purpose of establishing a cable channel. Now, there's obviously been a lot of cord-cutting in recent years and that trend will definitely continue. However, market size will remain an enormous factor for the rest of our lives. As such, I just don't see ECU even being on anyone's radar, much less as a favorite.

I'd love to be wrong though. As the OP pointed out, and then conclusively demonstrated, they have as much as anyone involved in this entire process. Unfortunately, they don't have a television market match. Otherwise, they would've been accepted in to a Power 5 conference many moons ago.

If I were the Big 12 I would expand by four teams in two phases and I would choose between the following teams:
1.) Central Florida
2.) South Florida
3.) Brigham Young
4.) Connecticut
5.) Cincinnati
6.) Colorado State

Personally, I would probably go with all of the eastern time zone teams. However, maybe not.

You are left dismissing ECU's reach outside our home market and our ability to deliver in Raleigh and Charlotte DMA's.

(07-20-2016 11:34 AM)adcorbett Wrote:  

(07-20-2016 10:15 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  ECU vs. in-state programs last 5 years:

Any particular reason why you left out FOUR losses to UNC in that time span since the last game you listed vs. NC State?

East Carolina is (4-12-1) against North Carolina

Average score: East Carolina 22.8 - North Carolina 30.2

Per decade
W L T PFPG PAPG
2010's 2 3 0 33.6 35.2
2000's 1 3 0 22.3 28.5
1990's 0 0 0 0 0
1980's 0 2 0 1.5 43.5
1970's 1 4 1 21.3 22.8

All games
2014/09/20 East Carolina 70 - North Carolina 41 W
2013/09/28 East Carolina 55 - North Carolina 31 W
2012/09/22 East Carolina 6 - North Carolina 27 L
2011/10/01 East Carolina 20 - North Carolina 35 L
2010/10/02 East Carolina 17 - North Carolina 42 L
2009/09/19 East Carolina 17 - North Carolina 31 L
2007/09/08 East Carolina 34 - North Carolina 31 W
2003/10/11 East Carolina 17 - North Carolina 28 L
2001/10/06 East Carolina 21 - North Carolina 24 L
1981/09/12 East Carolina 0 - North Carolina 56 L
1980/10/25 East Carolina 3 - North Carolina 31 L
1979/10/27 East Carolina 24 - North Carolina 24 T
1978/09/16 East Carolina 10 - North Carolina 14 L
1976/10/23 East Carolina 10 - North Carolina 12 L
1975/10/25 East Carolina 38 - North Carolina 17 W
1973/10/27 East Carolina 27 - North Carolina 28 L
1972/11/25 East Carolina 19 - North Carolina 42 L

Only count 3 in that span. 2010-16, 2009, was vacated by UNC. Considering their current issues I call into question every game from 2003-2010.

ECU should just move it's campus 5 miles west. Then ECU would be in the Raleigh DMA, #26 DMA in the country.

Argument that Big 12 should go ahead and become the BIG 16.

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/ecu-must-ho.../15874271/

....But since the decision has been made to expand, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby and power-wielding presidents Gregory Fenves (of Texas) and David Boren (of Oklahoma) would be smart to bring aboard as many quality new members as it sees fit now – before the next round of national expansion leads the SEC, Big Ten and ACC to scoop up the best of the leftovers.

In fact, the ACC could jump to 16 at almost any minute. All it would take would be a change of football heart by Notre Dame, then the ACC would take in another school and go to two 8-team football divisions.

Since expansion is all about adding football TV markets anyway, the now restricted Big 12 actually needs 16 more than any of the five autonomous conferences.

The Big 12 demographics include four teams from Texas, two each from Kansas and Oklahoma, plus West Virginia to the East and Iowa State to the Northwest.

Bringing in AAC member Houston, a fifth Texas-based team, isn’t going to change the league’s TV footprint whatsoever and independent BYU adds only a one-car, small-car garage in Utah.

ECU, Central Florida, South Florida, Navy and Connecticut all have the ability to extend the Big 12’s eastern visibility. And in terms of sheer population numbers, Florida is third biggest state nationally and North Carolina ninth. Utah is 31st with virtually the same head count as Iowa, Oklahoma and West Virginia.

ECU obviously isn’t as popular statewide as UNC and NC State, but the Pirates do have an extensive, energetic football following that only continues to grow. By the same token, Central and South Florida don’t have the popularity of Florida and Florida State, but UCF is located in Orlando and USF in Tampa, both major markets.

One thing ECU needs more of – and in a big way – is help from North Carolina’s politicians. Houston already has organized a industrious, vocal state government lobby and Connecticut is moving quickly to match strides.

It’s no longer a topic of much conversation, but Virginia Tech would not have been added to the ACC in 2003 had it not been for the powerful support of then Virginia governor Mark Warner and numerous members of the state legislature. In an impressive show of bipartisan unity, those leaders told UVa to vote no to any ACC expansion proposal that did not include the Hokies.

Mike Easley, North Carolina’s governor at the time, decided to stay on the expansion sidelines when ECU also could have used a Warner-like supporter. Most North Carolina political figures followed suit.

With the November election so near, ECU fans might at least consider trying to make a talking point out of the school’s stated aspirations for Big 12 membership.

Now you have ESPN trying to trash ECU's merit today with Finebaum & Co. trying to be funny and cute. Funny stuff there tough guy.


Just less than 2 years ago the G5 coaches voted ECU as most deserving of all G5 schools to be included in a power league (#2 overall, slightly behind BYU when including power 5 coaches as well).

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_...or128-poll

(07-24-2016 08:11 PM)Indiana Bones Wrote:  Now you have ESPN trying to trash ECU's merit today with Finebaum & Co. trying to be funny and cute. Funny stuff there tough guy.


Just less than 2 years ago the all G5 coaches voted ECU as most deserving of all G5 schools to be included in a power league (#2 overall, slightly behind BYU when including power 5 coaches as well).

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_...or128-poll

Deserve is an interesting term. I wonder what criteria make ECU deserving per the coaches. Perhaps it is the coaches don't think ECU is a threat to them, so that is the team they would want to promote?

(07-24-2016 09:47 PM)Section 200 Wrote:  

(07-24-2016 08:11 PM)Indiana Bones Wrote:  Now you have ESPN trying to trash ECU's merit today with Finebaum & Co. trying to be funny and cute. Funny stuff there tough guy.


Just less than 2 years ago the all G5 coaches voted ECU as most deserving of all G5 schools to be included in a power league (#2 overall, slightly behind BYU when including power 5 coaches as well).

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_...or128-poll

Deserve is an interesting term. I wonder what criteria make ECU deserving per the coaches. Perhaps it is the coaches don't think ECU is a threat to them, so that is the team they would want to promote?

If your logic had any merit, then BYU is no threat at #1. And those same coaches are doing everything in their power to make sure Idaho New Mexico State drop back down to FCS...........

Even Greenville's City Counsel is now going all out writing a letter to the BIG XII touting the school's and region's merit.

http://wnct.com/2016/07/26/greenville-ci...onference/

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) – Members of the Greenville City Council are endorsing ECU Athletic Director Jeff Compher’s decision to actively promote ECU’s admittance into the Big 12 athletic conference.

In a letter released Tuesday by the group, they said, “Not only would the Big 12 conference gain a new, ultra competitive opponent on the field but it would also gain access to one of America’s most die-hard college sports fan bases headquartered in one of Sports Illustrated’s 2004 Sportstown USA communities. Historically, ECU has been known for its great game day atmosphere while continually filling its bleachers with fans. In 2010 ECU Football averaged over 50,000 fans per home game and currently has plans to add another 1,000 seats to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium by 2018, including luxury suites and a brand new press box.”

They also said the City of Greenville’s commitment to East Carolina University and its ambitions is “unwavering.”

They letter also added that “We respectfully ask that the Big 12 athletic conference expand its program into one of America’s fastest growing states by extending an invitation to East Carolina University.”

It’s signed by Mayor Allen Thomas, Mayor Pro-Tem Kandie Smith, At Large Member Calvin Mercer , District 2 Council-member Kandie Smith, District 3 Council-member McLean Godley,
District 4 Council-member Rick Smiley, and District 5 Council-member PJ Connelly.

WVU has played more games against Temple than ECU. FWIW.

(07-24-2016 09:47 PM)Section 200 Wrote:  

(07-24-2016 08:11 PM)Indiana Bones Wrote:  Now you have ESPN trying to trash ECU's merit today with Finebaum & Co. trying to be funny and cute. Funny stuff there tough guy.


Just less than 2 years ago the all G5 coaches voted ECU as most deserving of all G5 schools to be included in a power league (#2 overall, slightly behind BYU when including power 5 coaches as well).

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_...or128-poll

Deserve is an interesting term. I wonder what criteria make ECU deserving per the coaches. Perhaps it is the coaches don't think ECU is a threat to them, so that is the team they would want to promote?

Hahahah...nice insult. Your hatred of ECU is showing. Don't worry your boys will probably get in to the big 12...when you can consistently average 25,000 actual fans in the seats.
Cheers?