A couple of years have passed since MU and UCF left the MAC for C-USA. Two years later, would you trade for either or both programs back?
It seems they switched places since they left you. UCF went from terrible programs to our most-promising with improved teams and millions being sunk into facilities. Did you see their packed stadium for the first C-USA championship game? Wow.
Marshall coaches have spoken of having to match up with better speed plus more teams on the same competitive level. I hope they get back into form of the previous MAC-daddies soon.
Thoughts? Would you want either/both back and how would the past two MAC seasons have been different had they stayed?
Peace. Good luck next season.
I can't believe I'm typing this but I'd like to see Marshall back in the MAC. UCF can get bent.
Trade what? I mean I'll trade Ohio for Marshall back for the geographical reasons
Eagle in the gym Wrote:Marshall coaches have spoken of having to match up with better speed plus more teams on the same competitive level.
If that where so, how does he explain UCF's sudden turn around and success in their first year in CUSA?
MU was already on the way down before they left the MAC. Their history has always been one of losing, then they cheated and from that they won until they were caught. They have never been able to recruit and win ligitamately and being that the NCAA is now alert and watching them, their future will most likely match most of their past - as
Losers!
The MAC would take back Marshall in a second. Marshall elevated the conf & put exicitement in the conf. who knows Marshall might be back if C-USA takes another hit in conf realinement.
Almost forgot the question.
The answer is: No way! You can't return them, we don't want them back!
Sorry, but we have a legally binding contract and no amount of complaining on your part is going to break our agreement. MU and UCF are bought and paid for and we have a
"no return, no exchange policy" here in the MAC. Caveat emptor and may you do better on your next purchase.
Thanks again and have a nice day!
Conference USA is a good conference and much better financially for the Herd.
However, I enjoyed the MAC and the rivalries that we established with Miami in the East, and Toledo in the West (even WMU in a couple championship games).
Good times for sure!
I'd be intrested to know what Marshall avg atten was in conf away games.
Marshall did bring the MAC some nice press. I do think Marshall made a stupid mistake long term by leaving the MAC. They have zero rivals in CUSA. They had hot rivalry with Ohio and Miami. They are not gonna sniff the BE and travel to Texas every other weekend to expensive as a member of CUSA. If BE were to take in ECU and UCF, Marshall would be further isolated from the rest of CUSA.
The fact is the MAC better off without Marshall as the parity of the MAC has produced more bowl teams than the days Marshall dominated the MAC. The MAC has been boosted by once struggling teams that debated dropping football to becoming bowl teams.
Both of them never fit the MAC's geographic profile. If i had to choose between UCF and Marshall. I would go with UCF. UCF has a lot more potential than Marshall. Marshall wasn't good in any sports outside of football and now they don't even have football. Also, Marshall never fit the MAC's academic profile either. They did not seem to care much about the student-athlete either, just the athlete.
Do you mean trade Temple for Marshall and UCF? I'd love to have the divisions balanced for football again so hell yeah.
I would welcome Marshall back to the MAC in a minute. Central Florida in the MAC never made any sense and still doesn't.
I loved the competitive rivalry with Marshall and the other top teams in the MAC, but their fans were obnoxious and totally hated the MAC and kept reminding us how they wanted out of the MAC so bad. So I would have to say no to Marshall because of that. As for UCF, they didn't really do much for me. They opened Florida recruiting better for MAC schools, but the travel was crazy and they were only a football member.
And yes, I would rather have Temple over UCF/Marshall. If we could just get Temple to bring all sports.
I'd welcome the Cheatabillies back provided they stopped paying players to play, and stop violating other assorted NCAA rules. As for UCF, that one never made sense.
While I would not "trade" for UCF or Marshall, I certainly would welcome them back in second and I'm probably in the minority on this board with that view.
With UCF, I wish we would have taken them sooner when Culpepper was their QB. Yes they played a lot of MAC teams during his years but they did not join until after he graduated. UCF has been a sleeping giant that finally seems to be waking up. A new and beautiful football stadium and they are the fastest growing university (enrollment wise) in the country. Their university president and AD a few years ago were real fools and insulted the MAC several times. However, with their new leadership, I would love to have UCF back.
As for Marshall, they certainly elevated this league in football but did little else in any other sports. Still, I loved having them in the MAC. They had they best fan support by far. I remember going to my first MAC News Media Football Banquet eight years ago and a few MAC teams did not have a local beat writer present from their local town newspaper while Marshall had six different beat writers covering their school. Marshall made a huge blunder by letting Bobby Pruitt retire; their program has been in the tank since then. If Pruitt was still Marshall's football coach, this program would be on top of C-USA right now, I'm convinced of that. Their AD Marcum has made two huge blunders in picking their b-ball and football coach's; both have failed.
As for their move to C-USA, financially it was the right move for each school and geographically as well. As for level of competition, it was a lateral move for each at best.
I say move forward and get Temple to commit to the MAC for all sports. They could help stabilize some of the non-revenue sports like field hockey, men's soccer. men's tennis, and track and field. Plus, B-ball in the Philly market would be great exposure and open up some East Coast recruting. Get them an East Coast partner school and go with the 14. Unfortunately, this is not going to happen as they are looking at a return to the Big East after we allow them to stabilize...
The cheaters...
on them. I hated Marshall and their arrogance despite the only way they could win was cheat. Good riddance!
Despite their early arrogance, I wish best of luck to UCF. They are now in a conference where they fit and we gave them a short term handup and stabilized our divisions for a couple of years in f-ball.
I'm glad to have both UCF and Marshall out of the confrence. UCF used to run adds on radio and in newspapaers before road games about how they were "Big Time," then they fell on their face. Marshall was a gangster program and I never enjoyed their success. At least they each brought something to the table in terms of competition unlike Temple. I would welcome either of those Mickey Mouse opperations back into the confrence if it meant getting rid of Temple.