CSNbbs

I think Assyrian's point is spot on, the strengths of JMU are obvious to us and plenty of fans of teams associated with us but are they obvious to the people that can be a part of getting us that conference invite? It's not hard to lay out why we can see JMU as a good fit that would benefit a conference, but it's hard to tell if the people that have a say in adding JMU to their conference will see it anywhere near the same way.

There are even some things I see as upside that likely have conferences looking at the exact same thing as a downside. Mostly being FCS. The way I see it, we're working with 63 scholarships and we're recruiting under the FCS/CAA label but putting together teams that can beat SMU, lead UNC through the first quarter, blow out ECU, and hang to the end with WVU/NC State. So imagine what we could do with 85 scholarships and recruiting under the FBS/AAC label. But is that how the people in the AAC that matter will look at it? I think 95% of fans that aren't JMU fans would say no. We don't know though, and hopefully the admin has a good feel for the real answer to those type questions and will do everything they can to improve on the things that are seen as a negative.

(06-07-2021 10:08 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote: [ -> ]....This past week is an example of the exposure they are missing on. Multiply the times ESPN begrudgingly mentions The CAA a non media partner with how many times they would mention the AAC. ...

I don't think that I have heard "CAA" more than a couple times; the rest of the time they keep calling the league "the Colonial" or even "the Colonial Conference". Of course, the league itself could do more to promote itself. For example, the Dukes' purple uniforms have "CAA" on the top right front -- easily visible -- but the white uniforms have "CAA" only on the right sleeve. In both cases, the Nike swoosh is the most visible symbol (which I am sure helps to get JMU more air and print time) but the CAA is losing out on that same visibility.

The announcers interview practically everybody...why not an interview with Joey D? (Wait, check that ....it is Joey D we are talking about, after all).

(06-07-2021 11:36 AM)Zorch Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-07-2021 10:08 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote: [ -> ]....This past week is an example of the exposure they are missing on. Multiply the times ESPN begrudgingly mentions The CAA a non media partner with how many times they would mention the AAC. ...

I don't think that I have heard "CAA" more than a couple times; the rest of the time they keep calling the league "the Colonial" or even "the Colonial Conference". Of course, the league itself could do more to promote itself. For example, the Dukes' purple uniforms have "CAA" on the top right front -- easily visible -- but the white uniforms have "CAA" only on the right sleeve. In both cases, the Nike swoosh is the most visible symbol (which I am sure helps to get JMU more air and print time) but the CAA is losing out on that same visibility.

The announcers interview practically everybody...why not an interview with Joey D? (Wait, check that ....it is Joey D we are talking about, after all).

Joey D is the last person ESPN should interview. Besides, Joey Bag-of-Donuts is too busy being interviewed by Flo media while practicing with the W&M Badminton team.

(06-07-2021 11:48 AM)Longhorn Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-07-2021 11:36 AM)Zorch Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-07-2021 10:08 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote: [ -> ]....This past week is an example of the exposure they are missing on. Multiply the times ESPN begrudgingly mentions The CAA a non media partner with how many times they would mention the AAC. ...

I don't think that I have heard "CAA" more than a couple times; the rest of the time they keep calling the league "the Colonial" or even "the Colonial Conference". Of course, the league itself could do more to promote itself. For example, the Dukes' purple uniforms have "CAA" on the top right front -- easily visible -- but the white uniforms have "CAA" only on the right sleeve. In both cases, the Nike swoosh is the most visible symbol (which I am sure helps to get JMU more air and print time) but the CAA is losing out on that same visibility.

The announcers interview practically everybody...why not an interview with Joey D? (Wait, check that ....it is Joey D we are talking about, after all).

Joey D is the last person ESPN should interview. Besides, Joey Bag-of-Donuts is too busy being interviewed by Flo media while practicing with the W&M Badminton team.

Come on don't you want to see Joey D in a JMU softball uniform, with 80s style softball shorts, crew socks and a wad of gum in his mouth that looks like a big league chew packet? How would that not work wonders for the league?

Is the blondy espn announcer that graduated from jmu covering any softball?

Should be, c'mon

(06-07-2021 03:39 PM)Purplehazed Wrote: [ -> ]Is the blondy espn announcer that graduated from jmu covering any softball?

Should be, c'mon

She left ESPN over some contract issue, and now works for Fox Sports.

(06-07-2021 08:09 AM)PGJMU2 Wrote: [ -> ]and one more thing. will Bourne and King ever be given their due?

Old white guys? You must be kidding.

^ that's the spirit...definitely on topic!

(06-07-2021 05:55 PM)Anders Wrote: [ -> ]

IMO, they will be a big reason. Our women sports could compete in any conference- even P5 ones.
I still believe MBB is going to be the deciding factor. It is in the process of turning around. If it can become what we believe it can, I truly believe AAC isn't out of the question.
We are making it very hard for any conference on our radar to turn us down.

Watford speaks truth.

As I said, we bring a lot more to the table than football. those that know, know. those dont know, will learn

As you all are well aware, what’s tough about baseball and men’s basketball is that we are competing against a lot of schools that do not have football programs. A school like George Mason throws everything at their men’s basketball program and we do not have that luxury. The men’s basketball program is going in the right direction and hopefully we can compete for a caa tournament title and NCAA berth this season! That would help our leverage into joining a group of five conference l! Go dukes!

(06-08-2021 07:59 AM)Jmufanatic13 Wrote: [ -> ]As you all are well aware, what’s tough about baseball and men’s basketball is that we are competing against a lot of schools that do not have football programs. A school like George Mason throws everything at their men’s basketball program and we do not have that luxury. The men’s basketball program is going in the right direction and hopefully we can compete for a caa tournament title and NCAA berth this season! That would help our leverage into joining a group of five conference l! Go dukes!

While true, we also have Softball, Women's Lacrosse, Soccer to name a few... all programs competing at the top of the conference. Can George Mason say the same? Like so many athletic programs, they are known for just a small amount of the sports they fund.
Those are things that help our leverage as well. What makes JMU a great athletic program is that most of our sports compete at the top.
Baseball is becoming the outlier, not the norm. And hopefully that program will also be fixed.
Aside from all of that, JMU is showing that they are not content just existing. Nor is JMU content being good at just the main sports. We want to win conference titles in EVERY sport. Not many programs have that commitment. That commitment isn't just based on success, but they are putting their money where their mouth is. Spending money on facilities. Not just in football and basketball, but great facilities across the board. We didn't have the Atlantic last time, but now we do. There really isn't a weak spot any longer.
A conference that doesn't see what we have done and what we are doing is foolish.

(06-08-2021 07:59 AM)Jmufanatic13 Wrote: [ -> ]As you all are well aware, what’s tough about baseball and men’s basketball is that we are competing against a lot of schools that do not have football programs. A school like George Mason throws everything at their men’s basketball program and we do not have that luxury. The men’s basketball program is going in the right direction and hopefully we can compete for a caa tournament title and NCAA berth this season! That would help our leverage into joining a group of five conference l! Go dukes!

I think that's just an excuse used to pardon lousy performances by underperforming teams. Heck, Duke didn't have a softball team until this year and they made a Super Regional. Their baseball team made the NCAAT. Duke's FB team did well, and we all know about their basketball success. There are other P5 schools that can boast the same record of success across a number of sports.

It's not" just football or basketball" pick your poison. Besides, JMU fully funds all sports to the maximum number of scholarships. With the right head coaches recruiting and developing players, there is no reason not to excel in every varsity sport, and the JMU women's teams did just that this year. Let's get men's basketball and baseball rolling and JMU will once again see equal success in the men's arenas.

(06-08-2021 07:41 AM)PGJMU2 Wrote: [ -> ]Watford speaks truth.

As I said, we bring a lot more to the table than football. those that know, know. those dont know, will learn

They sure as hell learned this week!

(06-08-2021 07:34 AM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-07-2021 05:55 PM)Anders Wrote: [ -> ]

IMO, they will be a big reason. Our women sports could compete in any conference- even P5 ones.
I still believe MBB is going to be the deciding factor. It is in the process of turning around. If it can become what we believe it can, I truly believe AAC isn't out of the question.
We are making it very hard for any conference on our radar to turn us down.

Which is good, because I truly believe that the AAC is the minimum conference that Alger would feel is 'worthy' to move to. To be fair, after this run, our other programs' continued success, and MBB finally starting to turn things around I agree that it's actually semi-feasible.

Running through every program at JMU as listed on our website -

Baseball: Sucks, honestly, now this is the worst program at JMU and could hurt us...need to make moves on this immediately after softball has their return party
MBB: No longer what hurts us between the AUB and Coach By. Honestly, could be a big help in the very near future. If the conference POY didn't get injured right before the CAAT we would have made the dance...and should have even without him...
Football: Between our consistent success and attendance (especially for FCS), we'd be able to step in and compete in any G5 conference...not that we'd win the AAC immediately, but we'd at least be in the middle of the conference
Men's Golf: They're a middle of the road team...not a ton of success, but also not terrible
Men's Soccer: Consistently good for the past several years. E8 run a few seasons ago.
Men's Tennis: Pretty good, but not the top of the conference
WBB: Can't seem to break through at the CAAT, but our WBB could step in and compete in nearly any conference.
CC, S&D, T&F: These have had some solid success recently, but obviously won't really play into conference decisions as long as they have a landing spot
Field Hockey: Struggling the past couple seasons, but are generally pretty good. Haven't won the CAA anytime recently, but we do have a NC from a long time ago, so that helps a little I guess
Women's Golf: Just got really good with an absolutely loaded set of sophomores and especially freshmen.
Women's Lacrosse: Won a NC a few years ago. Consistently make runs in the NCAA tourney. one of the best programs in the country.
Women's Soccer: In a slump, but made the NCAAT in '15
Women's Softball: Yeah. Top 4 team in the country this year. One of the best programs over the last several years.
Women's Tennis: The last 4 years we've made the NCAAT twice and the CAA Championship twice
Women's Volleyball: Made the NCCAT in 2017 and 2016...consistently good recently

Women's softball and lacrosse, along with Men's Soccer, are some of the best in the country at the top level of competition. Football is the second best team in FCS over the past several years and would be an asset to any G5 conference. Women's golf and tennis are great, but not a big factor. MBB and WBB are both solid now. Honestly, of the sports that would make sense to figure into a move, baseball is the only one you could figure in that would hurt us...and that's way down the list. The excuses are running out for these conferences...

(06-08-2021 08:41 AM)Longhorn Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-08-2021 07:59 AM)Jmufanatic13 Wrote: [ -> ]As you all are well aware, what’s tough about baseball and men’s basketball is that we are competing against a lot of schools that do not have football programs. A school like George Mason throws everything at their men’s basketball program and we do not have that luxury. The men’s basketball program is going in the right direction and hopefully we can compete for a caa tournament title and NCAA berth this season! That would help our leverage into joining a group of five conference l! Go dukes!

I think that's just an excuse used to pardon lousy performances by underperforming teams. Heck, Duke didn't have a softball team until this year and they made a Super Regional. Their baseball team made the NCAAT. Duke's FB team did well, and we all know about their basketball success. There are other P5 schools that can boast the same record of success across a number of sports.

It's not" just football or basketball" pick your poison. Besides, JMU fully funds all sports to the maximum number of scholarships. With the right head coaches recruiting and developing players, there is no reason not to excel in every varsity sport, and the JMU women's teams did just that this year. Let's get men's basketball and baseball rolling and JMU will once again see equal success in the men's arenas.

Yeah I think it can work both ways. Schools like GMU and VCU can pour everything in to basketball sure, but a strong program in some sports can elevate other sports too. On one extreme, I'm sure the money pulled in by football for schools like Alabama can help athletics across the board. And the excitement and exposure generated by something like this JMU softball run or JMU hosting College GameDay can help other sports as well.

It's great to see when schools strive for success across all sports and not just football or basketball and obviously that's an area where JMU has been great. Hopefully they can elevate that to the point of FBS football success, MBB tournament runs, and baseball runs to supers or even the CWS on top of what they're already doing.

(06-08-2021 08:56 AM)jmufan2008 Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-08-2021 07:34 AM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-07-2021 05:55 PM)Anders Wrote: [ -> ]

IMO, they will be a big reason. Our women sports could compete in any conference- even P5 ones.
I still believe MBB is going to be the deciding factor. It is in the process of turning around. If it can become what we believe it can, I truly believe AAC isn't out of the question.
We are making it very hard for any conference on our radar to turn us down.

...The excuses are running out for these conferences...

Is it the conferences or Alger/Bourne? I'm pretty sure that if we wanted to be in the CUSA or SunBelt that would have happened by now. The problem is some people inside the purple echo temple and I'm assuming some large donors are quite content not going to the SunBelt or CUSA and are waiting for the fabled Great Eastern Mythical Conference to form or are delusional enough to believe we deserve a shot at the AAC or crazier still the ACC from the CAA. (and yes I've heard my fair share of 'we could be in the... or we belong in the AAC or ACC' in F lot to know that some of our bigger donors are cuckoo)

I know the FCS label is what many are using as for why we cannot go AAC. Why? Because they haven't done it before and there's a high caliber of teams in the AAC. They are clearly right there between the P5 and everyone else.
Many don't think we are worthy. Many of those people are fans.
Conferences want programs that are consistent winners. We are proving we are not a liability, but a benefit. And that's as of 2021. We need to do more to prove that. The great news? We have time. Their media contract doesn't expire yet and until it does, we still have time to prove we belong.
Conversely, we also have time to NOT prove we belong. These next few years are crucial if AAC is truly where we want to go. If we continue to be among the elite in FCS, continue to improve in MBB, and keep our other programs competing for conference titles and NCAA bids, we are absolutely going to be among the top programs to be considered to join the AAC. We fit the region. We have fan support. We are showing we can bring big time media attention without residing in a major market.
If none of that warrants consideration, then a conference doesn't deserve what we have to offer.
We need to stop looking at it as desperation. We are not desperate. We have a lot to offer. Desperation would be going Indy. I do think we will be FBS when the media deals run out. The question is where: AAC, CUSA, MAC or new conference? Those are our options. I didn't say CAA for a reason. They are not going to be an option. We are outgrowing what the CAA can give us. The CAA is hurting our media prowess. The CAA is hurting our fan support but forcing our fans to fund their poorly structured media deal. We have to move on when the opportunity comes, and I believe we will.

Look, the ONLY way the AAC would want us is if they lose members AND we become consistent MBB winners and make deep runs in the NCAA tournament. That is the only way for us to add to their revenue base from day 1.

FCS football will never help us in a move to the AAC....it doesn't matter who we beat or how many fans we pack in the stands. FCS call ups will ALWAYS have a negative perception, just as if the CAA were to add a D2 member. Additionally, FCS call ups are a risk when revenue is predicated on viewership and bowl revenue.

Money talks in the FBS. Olympic sports don't produce revenue, and unfortunately, the AAC will not be adding us because of a well rounded athletic department or Sears cup rankings. The only way into the AAC is an extremely strong MBB program coupled with an already FBS football program. Perhaps the olympic sports could be a difference maker once those 2 conditions are met.