We have a MAC expansion thread including a nice discussion of James Madison.
I look at the C-USA map and see 12 teams but only 3 eastern schools (i.e., Marshall, ECU and UCF).
Questions:
1). Would C-USA like to go to 14 teams and say add JMU, Charlotte, or some other schools moving up?
2). Could they go up to 16 by adding even more schools in the East?
Tangent question:
Could the two SBC Florida schools break away from SBC and join say JMU, Ga. State, Charlotte, Appy State, etc in a new East Coast conference? (this could be say 2020).
I just have the feeling that there will be a lot of I-A expansion along the East Coast in this decade.
Bonus question:
3). Would C-USA try to poach Temple for their eastern division???
(09-24-2010 05:34 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]We have a MAC expansion thread including a nice discussion of James Madison.
I look at the C-USA map and see 12 teams but only 3 eastern schools (i.e., Marshall, ECU and UCF).
Questions:
1). Would C-USA like to go to 14 teams and say add JMU, Charlotte, or some other schools moving up?
2). Could they go up to 16 by adding even more schools in the East?
Tangent question:
Could the two SBC Florida schools break away from SBC and join say JMU, Ga. State, Charlotte, Appy State, etc in a new East Coast conference? (this could be say 2020).
I just have the feeling that there will be a lot of I-A expansion along the East Coast in this decade.
Bonus question:
3). Would C-USA try to poach Temple for their eastern division???
I don't think CUSA would be bring in a 1-AA program into the conference. Also I think the last addition to CUSA had to pay a $2.5 entrance fee to join the conference. Currently there are no plans to add a new member to CUSA, but if a western member left; I could see Temple being on the radar for expansion for a all sports bid.
The current CUSA model is working for the eastern members. It may not be the best model, but given the current options it is the best situation for the schools.
Well stated, Flat Tire.
IF I were the MAC, I'd do all in my power to lock up Temple and not cast them aside as many on this forum wants to do.
I'd also push to add JMU, FB only, as they would not be a candidate for C-USA until they are established I-A.
It would help broaden the foot print into Va and the D.C. area ( and presumably JMU games could be on MASN regional sports network).
IF I were the C-USA, I'd try to line up Temple and track Charlotte. I don't know how far along their FB plans are, but Charlotte could be a gem years down the road.
Temple, Marshall, ECU, UCF, Charlotte, UAB, and Memphis would make a nice division.
Can't believe I'm giving the C-USA free advice. :muttering:
I live in VA and I don't think JMU is a factor in the Northern VA or DC markets.
(09-24-2010 06:09 AM)Flat Tire 2 Wrote: [ -> ]I live in VA and I don't think JMU is a factor in the Northern VA or DC markets.
I live in No. VA and I agree with you.
However, if they went I-A FB it might change.
In hoops, they are a big rival of George Mason, though.
I see tons of Va Tech alums (I work on a staff with TWO - 2 of 12 of us are Tech alums). I just don't see that many JMU alums floating in the D.C. area. Don't know why????
(09-24-2010 06:18 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 06:09 AM)Flat Tire 2 Wrote: [ -> ]I live in VA and I don't think JMU is a factor in the Northern VA or DC markets.
I live in No. VA and I agree with you.
However, if they went I-A FB it might change.
In hoops, they are a big rival of George Mason, though.
I see tons of Va Tech alums (I work on a staff with TWO - 2 of 12 of us are Tech alums). I just don't see that many JMU alums floating in the D.C. area. Don't know why????
NOVA and DC are a pro sports media market. Outside of Va Tech and the military contingent to Navy, no one really cares about college football. Basketball is a different story. Maryland, Georgetown, and George Mason all do well. But football, all you hear about is the Redskins.
(09-24-2010 08:52 AM)BrianNowicki Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 06:18 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 06:09 AM)Flat Tire 2 Wrote: [ -> ]I live in VA and I don't think JMU is a factor in the Northern VA or DC markets.
I live in No. VA and I agree with you.
However, if they went I-A FB it might change.
In hoops, they are a big rival of George Mason, though.
I see tons of Va Tech alums (I work on a staff with TWO - 2 of 12 of us are Tech alums). I just don't see that many JMU alums floating in the D.C. area. Don't know why????
NOVA and DC are a pro sports media market. Outside of Va Tech and the military contingent to Navy, no one really cares about college football. Basketball is a different story. Maryland, Georgetown, and George Mason all do well. But football, all you hear about is the Redskins.
Well stated. Even Maryland FB doesn't do as well as it should considering the student and alumni base within the area.
(09-24-2010 05:34 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]We have a MAC expansion thread including a nice discussion of James Madison.
I look at the C-USA map and see 12 teams but only 3 eastern schools (i.e., Marshall, ECU and UCF).
Questions:
1). Would C-USA like to go to 14 teams and say add JMU, Charlotte, or some other schools moving up?
2). Could they go up to 16 by adding even more schools in the East?
3). Would C-USA try to poach Temple for their eastern division???
1) The answer to this is no. CUSA likely would not look at FCS schools. The goal for CUSA should be to obtain the 7th BCS bid that was close to being tendered for the MWC.
2) I don't think CUSA will try to add anyone from the East outside of maybe Temple.
3) CUSA will try if possible to poach Temple for their eastern division. They may be unsuccessful in doing so.
Keep in mind there are probably going to be a lot more changes in the next 2-3 years before CUSA reacts.
-The latest rumor out of the Big East has the conference thinking about expanding to 12 with some combination of Memphis, UCF, UMass, Delaware, Temple, and Florida Int.
-CUSA could likely decide to look west for its expansion. If Memphis and UCF go to the Big East and AFA goes Indy as some predict (they are already balking at the idea of a 9 game MWC football schedule).
-That could lead to a situation where CUSA adds TCU, UNM, Boise, Fresno, Nevada, UNLV to go to 16. Wyoming, CSU, SDSU would in this case have to head back to the WAC.
-SDSU was added to the MWC in an era where markets were what dictated which confrences belonged in the BCS. Now its strictly perfomance based and with SDSU not a cash cow in either sport could find itself on the outside looking in if a CUSA-MWC merger occurs.
-UNLV will likely be safe with its cash cow basketball program.
Memphis and UCF would be good fits for the BE.
(09-24-2010 06:05 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]I'd also push to add JMU, FB only, as they would not be a candidate for C-USA until they are established I-A.
That would leave JMU with some tough choices. They'd have to exit the CAA in their other sports, and their only real option is joining the America East [I bet they'd love trading ODU and VCU for UMBC and Maine]. They aren't getting in the A-10, the Horizon is too far west, the NEC is too weak, and the A-Sun is just for new D-2 move-ups. All the other southern-based conferences sponsor FCS football and members can't be FBS members.
If you read the JMU board it's about 80/20 against accepting a MAC invite. Many posters are saying it would be a 'lateral move' [typical of CAA and MVFC fans], but the issue of leaving their CAA rivals is true through and through. They realize CUSA won't take a FCS team.
(09-24-2010 09:57 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 08:52 AM)BrianNowicki Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 06:18 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 06:09 AM)Flat Tire 2 Wrote: [ -> ]I live in VA and I don't think JMU is a factor in the Northern VA or DC markets.
I live in No. VA and I agree with you.
However, if they went I-A FB it might change.
In hoops, they are a big rival of George Mason, though.
I see tons of Va Tech alums (I work on a staff with TWO - 2 of 12 of us are Tech alums). I just don't see that many JMU alums floating in the D.C. area. Don't know why????
NOVA and DC are a pro sports media market. Outside of Va Tech and the military contingent to Navy, no one really cares about college football. Basketball is a different story. Maryland, Georgetown, and George Mason all do well. But football, all you hear about is the Redskins.
Well stated. Even Maryland FB doesn't do as well as it should considering the student and alumni base within the area.
In DC there are alumni from colleges all over the world, so to local college fans Maryland is just another college.
If Maryland goes into the Big Ten as being discussed that would have huge implications for UMD football. Big Ten alumni would then go to College Park for games.
Maryland is kind of a weird state. Eastern Shore has nothing in common with the western panhandle. Montgomery county is suburban DC. Baltimore and points north fit in with eastern cities. South of route 50 is like North Carolina with Tobacco fields.
In Ohio the cities across the state are much more cohesive with slight differences depending where one is at. There is a lot of internal migration within the state so there is a distinct Ohioan which likes Big Ten football (usually Buckeyes), likes to golf, and eats out at Outback Stakehouse on Friday nights. Its the definition of middle class america.
Virginia has the same kind of problems between the rural Pidemont, super rich Northern Virginia, and the Atlanta-esque Tidewater area. From my experience since the colleges are highly regarded in Virginia there is a lot of pride in wearing the in-state gear in Nova however that doesn't really translate into mass athletic interest. They want that college grad image in a muted pair of grey athletic shorts with the school logo. Its about running rather than golfing, cafe dinning rather than chains.
(09-24-2010 10:40 AM)RecoveringHillbilly Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 06:05 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]I'd also push to add JMU, FB only, as they would not be a candidate for C-USA until they are established I-A.
That would leave JMU with some tough choices. They'd have to exit the CAA in their other sports, and their only real option is joining the America East [I bet they'd love trading ODU and VCU for UMBC and Maine]. They aren't getting in the A-10, the Horizon is too far west, the NEC is too weak, and the A-Sun is just for new D-2 move-ups. All the other southern-based conferences sponsor FCS football and members can't be FBS members.
If you read the JMU board it's about 80/20 against accepting a MAC invite. Many posters are saying it would be a 'lateral move' [typical of CAA and MVFC fans], but the issue of leaving their CAA rivals is true through and through. They realize CUSA won't take a FCS team.
JMU is really difficult to get to outside of the state of Virginia tucked along the Piedmont. There is no direct way of getting there from MAC country. Its really quite remote. Outside of a few population centers Virginia is a very rural state.
The MAC would be better off looking at Towson to go along with Delaware and UMass. Towson would bring the Baltimore market and could play in the Ravens stadium.
(09-24-2010 11:00 AM)Airport KC Wrote: [ -> ]The MAC would be better off looking at Towson to go along with Delaware and UMass. Towson would bring the Baltimore market and could play in the Ravens stadium.
In front of less than 10000 fans. Saying Towson could bring Baltimore is like saying Drexel could bring Philly in basketball. At least a CAA school like ODU would bring a great basketball program and draw very well for football in their market.
(09-24-2010 11:33 AM)RecoveringHillbilly Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 11:00 AM)Airport KC Wrote: [ -> ]The MAC would be better off looking at Towson to go along with Delaware and UMass. Towson would bring the Baltimore market and could play in the Ravens stadium.
In front of less than 10000 fans. Saying Towson could bring Baltimore is like saying Drexel could bring Philly in basketball. At least a CAA school like ODU would bring a great basketball program and draw very well for football in their market.
Anyone here ever been to Towson?
Chances of Towson going I-A 'slim and none' - I bet 'None'; K.C. can pick 'slim'.
How do we get Towson, Robert Morris, and every other small school in these threads?
MAC should be looking at schools with enrollments of 15K+, good population centers (if possible), not adjacent/near to a I-A program (like Maryland, Pitt, etc.)
(09-24-2010 11:45 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]MAC should be looking at schools with enrollments of 15K+, good population centers (if possible), not adjacent/near to a I-A program (like Maryland, Pitt, etc.)
Delaware, Illinois State, UMass.
(09-24-2010 11:45 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 11:33 AM)RecoveringHillbilly Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 11:00 AM)Airport KC Wrote: [ -> ]The MAC would be better off looking at Towson to go along with Delaware and UMass. Towson would bring the Baltimore market and could play in the Ravens stadium.
In front of less than 10000 fans. Saying Towson could bring Baltimore is like saying Drexel could bring Philly in basketball. At least a CAA school like ODU would bring a great basketball program and draw very well for football in their market.
Anyone here ever been to Towson?
Chances of Towson going I-A 'slim and none' - I bet 'None'; K.C. can pick 'slim'.
How do we get Towson, Robert Morris, and every other small school in these threads?
MAC should be looking at schools with enrollments of 15K+, good population centers (if possible), not adjacent/near to a I-A program (like Maryland, Pitt, etc.)
Towson has 21,000 students. As a member of the CAA that puts them #2 in the state for basketball behind UMD.
It football they would be #3 in the state behind Maryland and Navy with the ability to play in the Ravens Stadium.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towson_University
(09-24-2010 11:45 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 11:33 AM)RecoveringHillbilly Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 11:00 AM)Airport KC Wrote: [ -> ]The MAC would be better off looking at Towson to go along with Delaware and UMass. Towson would bring the Baltimore market and could play in the Ravens stadium.
In front of less than 10000 fans. Saying Towson could bring Baltimore is like saying Drexel could bring Philly in basketball. At least a CAA school like ODU would bring a great basketball program and draw very well for football in their market.
Anyone here ever been to Towson?
Towson is in a pretty nice area I think. Its has a lot of shopping and several clubs for students. It's the most popular campus behind UMD for Maryland In-State residents.
C-USA should sit tight, wait for fallout from above.
if things break right for C-USA, BE, MWC & B-12 schools might become available
(09-24-2010 12:42 PM)Airport KC Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 11:45 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 11:33 AM)RecoveringHillbilly Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2010 11:00 AM)Airport KC Wrote: [ -> ]The MAC would be better off looking at Towson to go along with Delaware and UMass. Towson would bring the Baltimore market and could play in the Ravens stadium.
In front of less than 10000 fans. Saying Towson could bring Baltimore is like saying Drexel could bring Philly in basketball. At least a CAA school like ODU would bring a great basketball program and draw very well for football in their market.
Anyone here ever been to Towson?
Towson is in a pretty nice area I think. Its has a lot of shopping and several clubs for students. It's the most popular campus behind UMD for Maryland In-State residents.
Listen pal. This here is the Horse's Mouth speakin to you direct.
I went to Towson. I was a scholarship athlete at Towson. Towson is in no way, shape or form a candidate for FBS or MAC football. There is no tradition, little student and alumni fan support, and no, and let me repeat, NO LOCAL Baltimore area support.
You are barkin' up the wrong tree here.
http://boards.caazone.com/