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In 2012, I was convinced that the Sun Belt was headed towards annihilation. I was very wrong.

https://howlraiser.com/2022/07/01/the-su...-sun-belt/
(07-02-2022 02:09 PM)HowlRaiser Wrote: [ -> ]In 2012, I was convinced that the Sun Belt was headed towards annihilation. I was very wrong.

https://howlraiser.com/2022/07/01/the-su...-sun-belt/

We have the AAC to thank for their stupidity, favoring huge, fanless markets to very strong football programs at solid schools with large, rabid fan bases. It is one of the dumbest moves I have ever seen in my life.

The AAC had first choice. They could have poached Marshall and ODU from CUSA, added JMU, and probably poached App and Coastal, greatly diluting the Belt. They chose another, bizarre strategy.

The AAC is being run by morons. P6, my ass! But, thanks! You managed to make the Sun Belt by far the strongest conference in G5.
(07-02-2022 03:00 PM)Purple Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-02-2022 02:09 PM)HowlRaiser Wrote: [ -> ]In 2012, I was convinced that the Sun Belt was headed towards annihilation. I was very wrong.

https://howlraiser.com/2022/07/01/the-su...-sun-belt/

We have the AAC to thank for their stupidity, favoring huge, fanless markets to very strong football programs at solid schools with large, rabid fan bases. It is one of the dumbest moves I have ever seen in my life.

The AAC had first choice. They could have poached Marshall and ODU from CUSA, added JMU, and probably poached App and Coastal, greatly diluting the Belt. They chose another, bizarre strategy.

The AAC is being run by morons. P6, my ass! But, thanks! You managed to make the Sun Belt by far the strongest conference in G5.

Very similar strategy that CUSA used in 2012 and 2013, and we see how well that worked out for them...
(07-03-2022 04:12 PM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-02-2022 03:00 PM)Purple Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-02-2022 02:09 PM)HowlRaiser Wrote: [ -> ]In 2012, I was convinced that the Sun Belt was headed towards annihilation. I was very wrong.

https://howlraiser.com/2022/07/01/the-su...-sun-belt/

We have the AAC to thank for their stupidity, favoring huge, fanless markets to very strong football programs at solid schools with large, rabid fan bases. It is one of the dumbest moves I have ever seen in my life.

The AAC had first choice. They could have poached Marshall and ODU from CUSA, added JMU, and probably poached App and Coastal, greatly diluting the Belt. They chose another, bizarre strategy.

The AAC is being run by morons. P6, my ass! But, thanks! You managed to make the Sun Belt by far the strongest conference in G5.

Very similar strategy that CUSA used in 2012 and 2013, and we see how well that worked out for them...

I would say almost identical. In some ways the new AAC is similar to the old CUSA. I seriously doubt this is what ECU had in mind for the future of the conference.
CUSA suffered big time for their mistakes (and still is) and AAC had a "hold my beer" moment. I really thought the AAC was run better than that, but I was so, so wrong.
And if I'm being honest, I did not have much respect for the Sun Belt a few years ago. They have made moves to prove me wrong every step of the way. They should be a model of how to build a conference the right way.
Now, I couldn't be happier to be in this conference and being a part of the future of the Sun Belt.
I hope we can all work together and be the model for doing this the right way.
Regional opponents/rivalries and a universal desire to improve and build together.
(07-05-2022 09:17 AM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-03-2022 04:12 PM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-02-2022 03:00 PM)Purple Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-02-2022 02:09 PM)HowlRaiser Wrote: [ -> ]In 2012, I was convinced that the Sun Belt was headed towards annihilation. I was very wrong.

https://howlraiser.com/2022/07/01/the-su...-sun-belt/

We have the AAC to thank for their stupidity, favoring huge, fanless markets to very strong football programs at solid schools with large, rabid fan bases. It is one of the dumbest moves I have ever seen in my life.

The AAC had first choice. They could have poached Marshall and ODU from CUSA, added JMU, and probably poached App and Coastal, greatly diluting the Belt. They chose another, bizarre strategy.

The AAC is being run by morons. P6, my ass! But, thanks! You managed to make the Sun Belt by far the strongest conference in G5.

Very similar strategy that CUSA used in 2012 and 2013, and we see how well that worked out for them...

I would say almost identical. In some ways the new AAC is similar to the old CUSA. I seriously doubt this is what ECU had in mind for the future of the conference.
CUSA suffered big time for their mistakes (and still is) and AAC had a "hold my beer" moment. I really thought the AAC was run better than that, but I was so, so wrong.
And if I'm being honest, I did not have much respect for the Sun Belt a few years ago. They have made moves to prove me wrong every step of the way. They should be a model of how to build a conference the right way.
Now, I couldn't be happier to be in this conference and being a part of the future of the Sun Belt.
I hope we can all work together and be the model for doing this the right way.
Regional opponents/rivalries and a universal desire to improve and build together.

If you read their posts, ECU fans have a different mindset. They hope to dominate the weakened AAC, and punch their ticket out to a P5 conference in a few years. They recall the old days of scheduling some of the P5 schools when they were all Indy, and believe they belong in that group.

Geographically and profile wise, they would fit well in the SBC, but it doesn't seem likely unless the SBC steps up another level in power. And even then, it might not work, because they would be eyeballing the exits before they joined.
^agree. ECU simply does not have the same priorities (no matter the level of delusion) and as such, total mismatch no matter how logical it would be.
(07-05-2022 10:12 AM)JMURocks Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-05-2022 09:17 AM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-03-2022 04:12 PM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-02-2022 03:00 PM)Purple Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-02-2022 02:09 PM)HowlRaiser Wrote: [ -> ]In 2012, I was convinced that the Sun Belt was headed towards annihilation. I was very wrong.

https://howlraiser.com/2022/07/01/the-su...-sun-belt/

We have the AAC to thank for their stupidity, favoring huge, fanless markets to very strong football programs at solid schools with large, rabid fan bases. It is one of the dumbest moves I have ever seen in my life.

The AAC had first choice. They could have poached Marshall and ODU from CUSA, added JMU, and probably poached App and Coastal, greatly diluting the Belt. They chose another, bizarre strategy.

The AAC is being run by morons. P6, my ass! But, thanks! You managed to make the Sun Belt by far the strongest conference in G5.

Very similar strategy that CUSA used in 2012 and 2013, and we see how well that worked out for them...

I would say almost identical. In some ways the new AAC is similar to the old CUSA. I seriously doubt this is what ECU had in mind for the future of the conference.
CUSA suffered big time for their mistakes (and still is) and AAC had a "hold my beer" moment. I really thought the AAC was run better than that, but I was so, so wrong.
And if I'm being honest, I did not have much respect for the Sun Belt a few years ago. They have made moves to prove me wrong every step of the way. They should be a model of how to build a conference the right way.
Now, I couldn't be happier to be in this conference and being a part of the future of the Sun Belt.
I hope we can all work together and be the model for doing this the right way.
Regional opponents/rivalries and a universal desire to improve and build together.

If you read their posts, ECU fans have a different mindset. They hope to dominate the weakened AAC, and punch their ticket out to a P5 conference in a few years. They recall the old days of scheduling some of the P5 schools when they were all Indy, and believe they belong in that group.

Geographically and profile wise, they would fit well in the SBC, but it doesn't seem likely unless the SBC steps up another level in power. And even then, it might not work, because they would be eyeballing the exits before they joined.

I guess that's the "grass is greener" approach. But the fact that they are using their conference as an exit should be a sign they aren't happy where they are. They are relying on something that may not even happen. If they struggle in a watered down AAC, then they can throw away any P5 hopes down the drain... especially if the Sun Belt gets stronger.
How often has dominating a weak conference been a path for P5? For the AAC, the conference gained credibility, not lost it for those to move to the P5. If Pitt and Cincinnati were dominant in CUSA would they be getting a shot at P5? I doubt it. ECU would have to prove itself to be an absolute powerhouse to get even a glance.
Hey, it could definitely happen, but that's not a great path to get there.
It seemed pretty clear the ODU Sports had no interest in an AAC that is essentially C-USA. Our AD has vocally advocated for a more regional arrangement for a few years now. The Sun Belt East has fulfilled that vision.
(07-06-2022 08:09 AM)ODUODUODU Wrote: [ -> ]It seemed pretty clear the ODU Sports had no interest in an AAC that is essentially C-USA. Our AD has vocally advocated for a more regional arrangement for a few years now. The Sun Belt East has fulfilled that vision.

I was interested in AAC before their expansion as I thought they were going to go a completely different direction. I really thought they would be the conference that could really take advantage of the east coast. I thought Marshall, ODU and JMU going to the AAC would have been a great move by them and could persuade App State to go.
We all know what they chose to do instead.
In a time where conferences are going all over the map, the Sun Belt actually solidified its position. Some fans are tired of it and perhaps the Sun Belt can attract new fans for doing the right thing. Bringing more schools into the mix that care about their programs and schools that the other schools care about as well. And all the schools seem to be on the same page and want to be a universal force in college athletics. In all of the conference realignment, the Sun Belt is one of the few that didn't lose a single member. Why? They want to be here, happy to be here and the leadership is doing all the right things.
Regardless of what anyone outside of the Sun Belt feels, it's a huge win for all of us. I cannot remember a time when I was this excited about an upcoming season.
I think this is a nice spot for this tweet.



Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk
(07-07-2022 10:55 AM)hburg Wrote: [ -> ]I think this is a nice spot for this tweet.



Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

I knew we would get a boost for football, but I wasn't sure how it would impact the other sports, especially MBB/WBB.
Perhaps it is showing the strength of the Sun Belt brand. It also exposes JMU to a new part of the country, which definitely helps with recruiting. Perhaps it's not brand, it's regional?
Not really surprised too much about soccer, as Sun Belt soccer is looking like one of the best in the country.
(07-07-2022 11:07 AM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-07-2022 10:55 AM)hburg Wrote: [ -> ]I think this is a nice spot for this tweet.



Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

I knew we would get a boost for football, but I wasn't sure how it would impact the other sports, especially MBB/WBB.
Perhaps it is showing the strength of the Sun Belt brand. It also exposes JMU to a new part of the country, which definitely helps with recruiting. Perhaps it's not brand, it's regional?
Not really surprised too much about soccer, as Sun Belt soccer is looking like one of the best in the country.

If we had stayed in the CAA and it moved to 14 schools with the recent additions I doubt we would be recruiting as well in all sports. I'm really interested to see the Sunbelt/CAA conference RPIs for MBB and WBB at the end of the upcoming season. I think we will discover that the move to the SB will be better for most of our sports in the long run.
Considering the chaos in the so-called P5, this new SunBelt is going to be a far more fun and interesting place.
(07-07-2022 11:07 AM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-07-2022 10:55 AM)hburg Wrote: [ -> ]I think this is a nice spot for this tweet.



Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

I knew we would get a boost for football, but I wasn't sure how it would impact the other sports, especially MBB/WBB.
Perhaps it is showing the strength of the Sun Belt brand. It also exposes JMU to a new part of the country, which definitely helps with recruiting. Perhaps it's not brand, it's regional?
Not really surprised too much about soccer, as Sun Belt soccer is looking like one of the best in the country.
In the eyes of 85%+ of Americans we just became a D1 school with the move to the Sunbelt. One of those "the perception is the reality" kind of things that we had to deal with. I'm sure a lot of kids/parents that now think we're top level in all sports beyond football where maybe they didn't before.
(07-02-2022 03:00 PM)Purple Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-02-2022 02:09 PM)HowlRaiser Wrote: [ -> ]In 2012, I was convinced that the Sun Belt was headed towards annihilation. I was very wrong.

https://howlraiser.com/2022/07/01/the-su...-sun-belt/

We have the AAC to thank for their stupidity, favoring huge, fanless markets to very strong football programs at solid schools with large, rabid fan bases. It is one of the dumbest moves I have ever seen in my life.

The AAC had first choice. They could have poached Marshall and ODU from CUSA, added JMU, and probably poached App and Coastal, greatly diluting the Belt. They chose another, bizarre strategy.

The AAC is being run by morons. P6, my ass! But, thanks! You managed to make the Sun Belt by far the strongest conference in G5.

I don't know if we'll ever truly know how much ESPN had a hand in this though. Because I can see ESPN not wanting to weaken one of their G5 properties to strengthen another. Meanwhile, CUSA wasn't under an ESPN contract and got ripped apart by 2 ESPN G5 leagues.

There are tinges of the same bad moves CUSA made last time around but right away the new AAC has a higher floor than old CUSA just due to working with ESPN. This works out nicer for having 2 distinct identities as conference.
(07-07-2022 12:08 PM)space orange Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-02-2022 03:00 PM)Purple Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-02-2022 02:09 PM)HowlRaiser Wrote: [ -> ]In 2012, I was convinced that the Sun Belt was headed towards annihilation. I was very wrong.

https://howlraiser.com/2022/07/01/the-su...-sun-belt/

We have the AAC to thank for their stupidity, favoring huge, fanless markets to very strong football programs at solid schools with large, rabid fan bases. It is one of the dumbest moves I have ever seen in my life.

The AAC had first choice. They could have poached Marshall and ODU from CUSA, added JMU, and probably poached App and Coastal, greatly diluting the Belt. They chose another, bizarre strategy.

The AAC is being run by morons. P6, my ass! But, thanks! You managed to make the Sun Belt by far the strongest conference in G5.

I don't know if we'll ever truly know how much ESPN had a hand in this though. Because I can see ESPN not wanting to weaken one of their G5 properties to strengthen another. Meanwhile, CUSA wasn't under an ESPN contract and got ripped apart by 2 ESPN G5 leagues.

There are tinges of the same bad moves CUSA made last time around but right away the new AAC has a higher floor than old CUSA just due to working with ESPN. This works out nicer for having 2 distinct identities as conference.

It would have been in ESPN's interest to make both conferences strong. I'm not sure that happened.
I truly believe the AAC did what it wanted to do and the Sun Belt did the same. I don't think we were ever on AAC's radar, nor was Marshall or App State.
I think they had the opportunity to make a very strong league in the east and instead chose to go after markets. They copied CUSA's strategy word for word. The only thing is the AAC didn't bother to see the effects that had on CUSA.
The Sun Belt on the other hand, had interest in us years ago and we told them they weren't ready. We got lucky in that Marshall and ODU were not happy in CUSA (or S. Miss) and adding us to the Sun Belt probably helped their already easy decision to leave.
Both conferences probably feel like they won, but we will find out who truly won soon enough.
I still think ESPN just hedged their bets by sticking to the marketz G5 strategy in the AAC while going the regional rivalries and passionate fanbases strategy in the SBC. I'd bet they had their hands all over the moves but weren't aiming to hurt one conference and help the other. Neither of the new conferences has even played a down but one of the two has people excited already.

If one strategy does clearly dominate the other though I wouldn't be surprised to see them try to maximize the strength of the better one at the expense of the other. If SBC continues to improve and AAC is hurting, maybe the money dries up in the AAC and they steer someone like ECU and UAB to the SBC. Or the opposite outcome, maybe they steer ODU and GSU to the AAC. Make one extremely strong and then pay a lot less to the other or even let the undesirables go off to CBS or somewhere.
(07-07-2022 11:40 AM)JMaddy Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-07-2022 11:07 AM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-07-2022 10:55 AM)hburg Wrote: [ -> ]I think this is a nice spot for this tweet.



Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

I knew we would get a boost for football, but I wasn't sure how it would impact the other sports, especially MBB/WBB.
Perhaps it is showing the strength of the Sun Belt brand. It also exposes JMU to a new part of the country, which definitely helps with recruiting. Perhaps it's not brand, it's regional?
Not really surprised too much about soccer, as Sun Belt soccer is looking like one of the best in the country.
In the eyes of 85%+ of Americans we just became a D1 school with the move to the Sunbelt. One of those "the perception is the reality" kind of things that we had to deal with. I'm sure a lot of kids/parents that now think we're top level in all sports beyond football where maybe they didn't before.

This was a noted issue with App and Southern right before they moved up. No one understood that FCS was D1, and people just assumed they were on a different level from everyone else.

People suddenly know your name when you move up, which helps in recruiting. Its not permanent, Georgia Southern had a really good first 2 years, and then had 3 bad years in a row and lost much of their early advantages, but if you win behind it, ala App and Coastal, the benefits become tremendous.
(07-08-2022 12:50 PM)chiefsfan Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-07-2022 11:40 AM)JMaddy Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-07-2022 11:07 AM)JMad03 Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-07-2022 10:55 AM)hburg Wrote: [ -> ]I think this is a nice spot for this tweet.



Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

I knew we would get a boost for football, but I wasn't sure how it would impact the other sports, especially MBB/WBB.
Perhaps it is showing the strength of the Sun Belt brand. It also exposes JMU to a new part of the country, which definitely helps with recruiting. Perhaps it's not brand, it's regional?
Not really surprised too much about soccer, as Sun Belt soccer is looking like one of the best in the country.
In the eyes of 85%+ of Americans we just became a D1 school with the move to the Sunbelt. One of those "the perception is the reality" kind of things that we had to deal with. I'm sure a lot of kids/parents that now think we're top level in all sports beyond football where maybe they didn't before.

This was a noted issue with App and Southern right before they moved up. No one understood that FCS was D1, and people just assumed they were on a different level from everyone else.

People suddenly know your name when you move up, which helps in recruiting. Its not permanent, Georgia Southern had a really good first 2 years, and then had 3 bad years in a row and lost much of their early advantages, but if you win behind it, ala App and Coastal, the benefits become tremendous.
Yep and also the notion that we're somehow a 'small school' because of the FCS level. When they say "small school" I'm sure a majority of America is thinking of a truly small school like a a Lehigh or Williams College (or at most a William & Mary) when they hear it. I know that's the image that pops into my head when I hear it, small liberal arts school sub 9k students.
My how far we have come from a year ago where several on here were shouting "Jeff Bourne is CAA4LYFE" to this...
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