C-USA published a press release of their President's meeting, and said that they tabled expansion discussions at this meeting. Next President's meeting is in February, and I would expect that if they have a commissioner in place at that time they will re-consider the topic.
Guess it's still not a "dun deal" quite yet but I'll eagerly await Chuckie's next editorial to get the "real insider scoop" on the issue. (Actually, I think that the Marshall administration told C-USA it was "all sports or nothing" and I suspect that they don't have enough bball schools "on board" to give out an all sports affiliation at this time).
<small>[ October 14, 2002, 05:01 PM: Message edited by: exCincy Kid ]</small>
This is pure speculation, but my guess is CUSA is now looking at Central Florida and not Marshall.
No offense. It's just pure speculation, based in part on Landon's last missive and the absence of news since then.
Take it with a grain of salt. Seriously, that's all it's worth.
C-USA wants someone on their terms (i.e. football only), and thus will now look at alternatives as you suggest, R-Falcon. Kind of a crazy situation 'cause UCF always fit the profile of an eager school with the right geography that was dying for a C-USA football only invite.
Instead, C-USA snubs UCF and sets up the deal with Marshall and UCF in the MAC. Although C-USA is a obviously a better fit (rivalry and geography-wise) for UCF than the MAC, I suspect that due to the new MAC contract and the fact that UCF only wants to leave the MAC for a BCS conference they'll turn down overtures from C-USA now.
It'll be interesting to see what happens next, eh?
Even if UCF wanted to leave the MAC for C-USA, they are binded to the MAC unless they leave for a BCS conference.
ExCincy,I agree with your points. Most UCF fans have a grudge against CUSA and would in all honesty rather stay in the MAC for our 5 years and then see what happens. It would cost UCF too much money to consider making a non-BCS conference change. Won't happen.
<img border="0" alt="[snore]" title="" src="graemlins/snore.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[snore]" title="" src="graemlins/snore.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[snore]" title="" src="graemlins/snore.gif" />
I think the majority of Marshall officials have now adopted the all-sports or nothing philosophy to any potential conference move. In addition, attention is finally being focused on improving areas of need such as olympic sports facilities, olympic sports competitiveness, academic improvements, etc., instead of all the focus being directed towards this CUSA obsession that many have been stricken with in Huntington for the past couple of years. This approach should improve Marshall atheletics and put MU in a better position to contribute in all areas in the future, regardless of their conference affiliation.