CSNbbs

I was curious about the average traveling distance from Harrisonburg to schools in the Sun Belt, CUSA, MAC, and AAC so I put together the average driving time and distance from Bridgeforth to each school's stadium. Let me know if any of my math is off, it was a fairly rushed job.

The Sun Belt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Belt_C...nt_members



Appalachian State University
4 hours, 21 minutes
267 miles

Arkansas State University
12 hours, 5 minutes
814 miles

Coastal Carolina University
6 hours, 32 minutes
398 miles

Georgia Southern University
8 hours, 12 minutes
538 miles

Georgia State University
7 hours, 58 minutes
531 miles

University of Louisiana at Lafayette
15 hours, 31 minutes
1,068 milles

University of Louisiana at Monroe
14 hours, 1 minutes
966 miles

University of South Alabama
12 hours, 34 minutes
866 miles

Texas State University
21 hours, 15 minutes
1,421 miles

Troy University
10 hours, 50 minutes
711 miles

Average drive time: 11 hours, 20 minutes
Average distance: 758 miles

Conference USA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conference...nt_members



University of Alabama at Birmingham
9 hours, 14 minutes
614 miles

Florida Atlantic University
14 hours, 5 minutes
982 miles

Lousianna Tech University
14 hours, 28 minutes
999 miles

Marshall University
4 hours, 31 minutes
286 miles

Middle Tennessee State University
7 hours, 53 minutes
519 miles

University of North Carolina at Charlotte
4 hours, 27 minutes
294 miles

University of North Texas
17 hours, 52 minutes
1,233 miles

Old Dominion University
3 hours, 22 minutes
220 miles

Rice University
18 hours, 50 minutes
1,284 miles

University of Southern Mississippi
12 hours, 18 minutes
846 miles

University of Texas at El Paso
26 hours
1,833 miles

University of Texas at San Antonio
21 hours, 46 minutes
1,473 miles

Western Kentucky University
8 hours, 37 minutes
546 miles

Average drive time: 12 hours, 34 minutes
Average distance: 856 miles


Mid-American Conference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Americ...nt_members



University of Akron
5 hours, 54 minutes
360 miles

Bowling Green State University
7 hours, 50 minutes
481 miles

University at Buffalo
7 hours, 27 minutes
401 miles

Kent State University
5 hours, 48 minutes
349 miles

Miami University
7 hours, 35 minutes
462 miles

Ohio University
5 hours, 8 minutes
275 miles

Ball State University
8 hours, 21 minutes
523 miles

Central Michigan University
10 hours, 21 minutes
664 miles

Eastern Michigan University
8 hours, 32 minutes
553 miles

Northern Illinois University
12 hours, 8 minutes
788 miles

University of Toledo
7 hours, 51 minutes
487 miles

Western Michigan University
10 hours, 6 minutes
631 miles

Average drive time: 8 hours, 5 minutes
Average distance: 498 miles


American Athletic Conference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_A...nt_members



University of Central Florida
11 hours, 57 minutes
818 miles

University of Cincinatti
7 hours, 1 minute
437 miles

East Carolina University
4 hours, 33 minutes
297 miles

University of Houston
18 hours, 45 minutes
1,282 miles

University of Memphis
10 hours, 52 minutes
739 miles

University of South Florida
13 hours, 2 minutes
875 miles

Southern Methodist University
17 hours, 24 miuntes
1,201 miles

Temple University
4 hours, 15 minutes
265 miles

Tulane University
13 hours, 58 minutes
958 miles

Tulsa University
16 hours, 34 minutes
1,144 miles

United States Naval Academy
2 hours, 38 minutes
170 miles

Average drive time: 11 hours
Average distance: 744 miles

And for reference:
Colonial Athletic Association
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonial_A...nt_members



University of Albany
7 hours, 33 minutes
481 miles

University of Delaware
3 hours, 34 minutes
228 miles

Elon University
3 hours, 18 minutes
174 miles

University of Maine
12 hours, 21 minutes
806 miles

University of New Hampshire
9 hours, 50 minutes
630 miles

University of Richmond
1 hour, 54 minutes
123 miles

University of Rhode Island
8 hours, 6 minutes
517 miles

Stony Brook University
6 hours, 41 minutes
420 miles

Towson University
2 hours, 50 minutes
171 miles

Villanova University
4 hours, 15 minutes
269 miles

College of William & Mary
2 hours, 44 minutes
180 miles

Average drive time: 5 hours, 34 minutes
Average distance: 364 miles

Three things
1 - you don’t have Navy listed which is AAC for football only
2 - what is JMU’s breaking point for drive/fly decisions? 5 hours? 6 hours?
3 - go all in and give us the CAA analysis. You can do it

There are 17 CAA teams so it may be helpful to look at CAA football and CAA basketball configurations

Fourth thing:

Aac revenue is significantly higher due to its higher prestige which makes it much easier to absorb that travel, even though it’s on the high end.

Average Mileage for Conference USA looks about the same as the others but the drive time is shorter. MAC average mileage is less but average drive time is more. How come?

Put the JMU Logo on each map if you can- it bet it will look best as part of the AAC.

(07-15-2019 06:17 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote: [ -> ]Average Mileage for Conference USA looks about the same as the others but the drive time is shorter. MAC average mileage is less but average drive time is more. How come?

I read that as, easier accessibility from interstates, even if physically further.

(07-14-2019 11:10 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote: [ -> ]Three things
1 - you don’t have Navy listed which is AAC for football only
2 - what is JMU’s breaking point for drive/fly decisions? 5 hours? 6 hours?
3 - go all in and give us the CAA analysis. You can do it

There are 17 CAA teams so it may be helpful to look at CAA football and CAA basketball configurations

I knew the AAC seemed small. I’ll add Navy later and maybe do one for the CAA if I have time.

(07-15-2019 06:20 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote: [ -> ]Put the JMU Logo on each map if you can- it bet it will look best as part of the AAC.

AAC and CUSA we'd be within the existing footprint. For SBC and MAC we'd be an outlier.

Another thing worth looking at for drive times is the East vs. West alignment as we'd not often have to go to El Paso or Houston.

Would be interested in the CAA map as an interesting comparison.

If JMU uses the argument that conferences are too geographically diverse, higher travel costs, etc, the AAC is that much more of a pipe dream.

(07-15-2019 07:33 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote: [ -> ]Would be interested in the CAA map as an interesting comparison.

If JMU uses the argument that conferences are too geographically diverse, higher travel costs, etc, the AAC is that much more of a pipe dream.

This exercise only serves to reinforce that the AAC is the best path to pursue- the missing piece is the relative revenue numbers and in AAC/Power 6 revenue dwarfs these G5 leagues and more than offsets the travel cost. Also Easier to deal with traveling to Orlando or Houston for a big game than El Paso or Boca Raton (although very nice) for a game that isn’t big.

Might want to recheck the CUSA average drive time calculation. I think it’s closer to 13 hours, but I could be wrong.

(07-15-2019 08:27 AM)Top Dawg Wrote: [ -> ]Might want to recheck the CUSA average drive time calculation. I think it’s closer to 13 hours, but I could be wrong.

You’re right, including the outliers in the West it’s around 12 hours, 34 minutes. Updated in original post, thanks.

(07-15-2019 07:04 AM)Potomac Wrote: [ -> ]

(07-15-2019 06:17 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote: [ -> ]Average Mileage for Conference USA looks about the same as the others but the drive time is shorter. MAC average mileage is less but average drive time is more. How come?

I read that as, easier accessibility from interstates, even if physically further.

Yeah, guessing it's the WV factor. While a great state for scenery and motorcycle rides, it does add travel time. It's right in the way for vehicle access into Ohio where there are 6 conference members.

(07-15-2019 09:50 AM)olddawg Wrote: [ -> ]

(07-15-2019 07:04 AM)Potomac Wrote: [ -> ]

(07-15-2019 06:17 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote: [ -> ]Average Mileage for Conference USA looks about the same as the others but the drive time is shorter. MAC average mileage is less but average drive time is more. How come?

I read that as, easier accessibility from interstates, even if physically further.

Yeah, guessing it's the WV factor. While a great state for scenery and motorcycle rides, it does add travel time. It's right in the way for vehicle access into Ohio where there are 6 conference members.

Yes, it’s inevitable driving through WV to get to most of the MAC country unless you’re coming from northern Virginia or areas further north.

Assuming under 6 hours for bus...

The Sun Belt: 1 Drive, 9 Fly

Appalachian State University - Drive
Arkansas State University - Fly
Coastal Carolina University - Fly
Georgia Southern University - Fly
Georgia State University - Fly
University of Louisiana at Lafayette - Fly
University of Louisiana at Monroe - Fly
University of South Alabama - Fly
Texas State University - Fly
Troy University - Fly


Conference USA: 3 Drive, 11 Fly

University of Alabama at Birmingham - Fly
Florida Atlantic University - Fly
Lousianna Tech University - Fly
Marshall University - Drive
Middle Tennessee State University - Fly
University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Drive
University of North Texas - Fly
Old Dominion University - Drive
Rice University - Fly
University of Southern Mississippi - Fly
University of Texas at El Paso - Fly
University of Texas at San Antonio - Fly
Western Kentucky University - Fly


Mid-American Conference: 3 Drive, 9 Fly

University of Akron - Drive
Bowling Green State University - Fly
University at Buffalo - Fly
Kent State University - Drive
Miami University - Fly
Ohio University - Drive
Ball State University - Fly
Central Michigan University - Fly
Eastern Michigan University - Fly
Northern Illinois University - Fly
University of Toledo - Fly
Western Michigan University - Fly


American Athletic Conference: 3 Drive, 9 Fly

University of Central Florida - Fly
University of Cincinnati - Fly
East Carolina University - Drive
University of Houston - Fly
University of Memphis – Fly
Navy - Drive
University of South Florida - Fly
Southern Methodist University - Fly
Temple University - Drive
Tulane University - Fly
Tulsa University – Fly
Wichita - Fly


CAA: 6 Drive, 3 Fly

College of Charleston - 7 h 50 min (502 miles)
University of Delaware - 3 h 30 min (227 miles)
Drexel University - 4 h 23 min (271 miles)
Elon University - 3 h 31 min (207 miles)
Hofstra University - 6 h 43 min (387 miles)
Northeastern University - 8 h 47 min (569 miles)
Towson University - 2 h 48 min (170 miles)
UNC Wilmington - 5 h 39 min (383 miles)
College of William & Mary - 2 h 44 min (179 miles)


CAA Football: 6 Drive, 5 Fly

University at Albany - 7 h 10 min (480 miles)
University of Delaware - 3 h 30 min (227 miles)
Elon University - 3 h 31 min (207 miles)
University of Maine - 12 h 27 min (807 miles)
University of New Hampshire - 9 h 50 min (629 miles)
University of Rhode Island - 8 h 6 min (520 miles)
University of Richmond - 1 h 54 min (123 miles)
Stony Brook University - 7 h 4 min (412 miles)
Towson University - 2 h 48 min (170 miles)
Villanova University - 4 h 16 min (267 miles)
College of William & Mary - 2 h 44 min (179 miles)

All Drive Conference (for JMU)

Akron
App State
Charlotte
Delaware
ECU
JMU
Kent State
Marshall
Navy
ODU
Ohio
Temple

Given the likely 8 conference games that means:

Sun Belt: 0/1 Drive, 3/4 Fly, 4 Home
Conference USA: 1/2 Drive, 2/3 Fly, 4 Home
Mid-American Conference: 1/2 Drive, 2/3 Fly, 4 Home
American Athletic Conference: 1/2 Drive, 2/3 Fly, 4 Home
CAA Football: 2/3 Drive, 1/2 Fly, 4 Home

The AAC even has nicer logos

(07-15-2019 12:22 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote: [ -> ]The AAC even has nicer logos

we are a shoo-in if entry is based on logos

AAC is CAA spelled backwards