The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

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It sucks for tradition, but I think its a good move for them. I have a lot of respect for Hampton, and playing 3 in-state schools will build a lot of new interest and provide a little extra visibility. I wouldn't have minded them in the CAA. I assume this means they are no longer qualified for the HBCU bowl though.

(11-16-2017 01:20 PM)monarx Wrote:  It sucks for tradition, but I think its a good move for them. I have a lot of respect for Hampton, and playing 3 in-state schools will build a lot of new interest and provide a little extra visibility. I wouldn't have minded them in the CAA. I assume this means they are no longer qualified for the HBCU bowl though.

Probably not and I'm sure a lot of hbcu schools think they just left them out to dry really.

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This is a smart move for Hampton. It will elevate all their sports. Now they will finally have a decent shot at a non 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament and it should help them in the I-AA Football playoffs too.

Norfolk State has to be hating this. Even if the Battle of the Bay remains intact, I remember hearing that it was Hampton moving up that prompted NSU to follow suit.

With Hampton and Savannah State heading out, does the MEAC take anyone to replace them? Virginia State has a nice new basketball gym, decent support and has been good in the prestige sports, plus it replaces Hampton as NSU's primary rival.

Does NSU go back down to the CIAA? I think a lot of their fans would actually support that move. Its a way more popular conference than the MEAC.

I'm not sure NSU would want to leave the MEAC for the CIAA. They have a longstanding kindred with NC A&T, NCCU, Howard, and several other MEAC schools. They are larger than most of the CIAA schools, plus the MEAC's tie-in with the SWAC champion in bowl season is a pretty big deal also.

I do wonder how Howard will react though being a larger private with some resources. It wouldn't surprise me if the Big South has been in discussions with them as well as Hampton.

From a diversity, and social perspective, I like the idea of some HBCUs being invited to and joining more diverse conferences. And the CIAA added Chowan too, so some of HBCU conference are extending membership to others as well.

Campbell has been Big South in all sports except football, but they will move to scholarship football next season and play a Big South schedule.

(11-16-2017 05:25 PM)monarx Wrote:  From a diversity, and social perspective, I like the idea of some HBCUs being invited to and joining more diverse conferences. And the CIAA added Chowan too, so some of HBCU conference are extending membership to others as well.

Tennessee State joined the OVC in 1986.

(11-16-2017 06:37 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(11-16-2017 05:25 PM)monarx Wrote:  From a diversity, and social perspective, I like the idea of some HBCUs being invited to and joining more diverse conferences. And the CIAA added Chowan too, so some of HBCU conference are extending membership to others as well.

Tennessee State joined the OVC in 1986.

Cool. I didn't know they were hbcu.

Tennessee State, flashing back to our NCAA Division II semifinal win against them in 1975, I was there.

I love how the Hampton officials stated their goal publicly as "having the best mid-sized athletic program in the country". Thats so bold. I absolutely respected when VCU said they "never want to be considered a mid-major again" after the F4. I would love to hear ODU make some visionary, bold statements about their goals for the future. When we were FCS, the stated goal was to be the third best football team in the state consistently. We got there quick, but will never know how consistent it would have been. When we announced the stadium, Wood said he wanted to build the nicest football stadium in all the G5. Now we seem to be backtracking on that, and thats a shame. So what is a realistic, yet aspirational goal for ODU to strive for that could be stated publicly like Hampton and VCU have? I would think something along the lines of "striving to build the best G5 football team in the country and make the access bowl. Having a nationally competitive, championship winning, major athletic program with outstanding top tier coaches, athletes and facilities".

(11-17-2017 11:57 AM)monarx Wrote:  I love how the Hampton officials stated their goal publicly as "having the best mid-sized athletic program in the country". Thats so bold. I absolutely respected when VCU said they "never want to be considered a mid-major again" after the F4. I would love to hear ODU make some visionary, bold statements about their goals for the future. When we were FCS, the stated goal was to be the third best football team in the state consistently. We got there quick, but will never know how consistent it would have been. When we announced the stadium, Wood said he wanted to build the nicest football stadium in all the G5. Now we seem to be backtracking on that, and thats a shame. So what is a realistic, yet aspirational goal for ODU to strive for that could be stated publicly like Hampton and VCU have? I would think something along the lines of "striving to build the best G5 football team in the country and make the access bowl. Having a nationally competitive, championship winning, major athletic program with outstanding top tier coaches, athletes and facilities".

I applaud schools like Hampton for having ambitions and then acting on them, but there's also something to be said for not outpunting your coverage. Hampton is positioned to be a bigger player than it's been in the MEAC, but "best mid-sized athletic program in the country" is a hell of a stretch goal, not just for them but for the bulk of mid-major ADs.

I don't want ODU making statements like that unless they feel fairly confident they can deliver. Otherwise, it's a massive letdown. Or worse, it's embarrassing if they act like they've already made it (P6)

(11-17-2017 11:57 AM)monarx Wrote:  I love how the Hampton officials stated their goal publicly as "having the best mid-sized athletic program in the country". Thats so bold. I absolutely respected when VCU said they "never want to be considered a mid-major again" after the F4. I would love to hear ODU make some visionary, bold statements about their goals for the future. When we were FCS, the stated goal was to be the third best football team in the state consistently. We got there quick, but will never know how consistent it would have been. When we announced the stadium, Wood said he wanted to build the nicest football stadium in all the G5. Now we seem to be backtracking on that, and thats a shame. So what is a realistic, yet aspirational goal for ODU to strive for that could be stated publicly like Hampton and VCU have? I would think something along the lines of "striving to build the best G5 football team in the country and make the access bowl. Having a nationally competitive, championship winning, major athletic program with outstanding top tier coaches, athletes and facilities".

"We expect to finish in the top quarter of our conference ~Dr. Camden "Wood" Selig.

(11-17-2017 11:57 AM)monarx Wrote:  I love how the Hampton officials stated their goal publicly as "having the best mid-sized athletic program in the country". Thats so bold. I absolutely respected when VCU said they "never want to be considered a mid-major again" after the F4. I would love to hear ODU make some visionary, bold statements about their goals for the future. When we were FCS, the stated goal was to be the third best football team in the state consistently. We got there quick, but will never know how consistent it would have been. When we announced the stadium, Wood said he wanted to build the nicest football stadium in all the G5. Now we seem to be backtracking on that, and thats a shame. So what is a realistic, yet aspirational goal for ODU to strive for that could be stated publicly like Hampton and VCU have? I would think something along the lines of "striving to build the best G5 football team in the country and make the access bowl. Having a nationally competitive, championship winning, major athletic program with outstanding top tier coaches, athletes and facilities".

Most of you guys won't remember, but about 15-17 years ago they were playing W&M in football near the end of the season. An at-large Playoff berth on the line. Played at Hampton. Refs screwed Hampton. In absolutely the worst call of all time, the W&M RB slipped and landed on his a$$, not whistle, he gets up and runs around the end to get a 1st down and virtually seals the win. The HU players had all stopped because the guy was down.

After the game the HU President charges the field and goes after the refs. At least 2 assistant football coaches have to pull him back to keep him from making contact with the refs. Look it up on the internet. I am not making this up.

So until they get more professional leadership, they can "Say" all they want....don't mean a thing.

I do wish them the best. I actually like HU.

Now that Norfolk state is the only local MEAC team, any chance they move the tournament somewhere else? Freeing up the Scope as our second site for our bid?

(11-17-2017 03:15 PM)benny_t Wrote:  Now that Norfolk state is the only local MEAC team, any chance they move the tournament somewhere else? Freeing up the Scope as our second site for our bid?

That'll depend on how their departure affects attendance. But even then, I think that's doubtful. MEAC has it's HQ in Norfolk. And it's fairly central to the league. So, it makes sense to be here.

Now, if Norfolk moves forward with renovating Scope. That will require them to move the tournament for at least 2 years. That would put it up for grabs.

(11-17-2017 03:25 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(11-17-2017 03:15 PM)benny_t Wrote:  Now that Norfolk state is the only local MEAC team, any chance they move the tournament somewhere else? Freeing up the Scope as our second site for our bid?

That'll depend on how their departure affects attendance. But even then, I think that's doubtful. MEAC has it's HQ in Norfolk. And it's fairly central to the league. So, it makes sense to be here.

Now, if Norfolk moves forward with renovating Scope. That will require them to move the tournament for at least 2 years. That would put it up for grabs.

If we're not going to bid on CUSAT then they could hold the MEAC at the Ted.

BTW if ODU needs a mission statement I can produce one for $100K. That's a discount from my regular rate.

Harry chimes in on the impact this may have on NSU and the MEAC;
https://pilotonline.com/sports/columnist...b.amp.html