Figured I'd lay out some facts and thoughts on three programs I think are getting serious looks or will get serious looks by SBC officials: EKU, Missou State and UT-Chattanooga.



EKU:


Enrollment: 16,454.
Location: Richmond, KY (Pop. 31,364)
2014 Athletic Budget: $11,938,695
Additional Tidbits: Two National Championships claimed (1979 & 1982), 21 conference titles (all OVC), 552–344–38 All Time Record.
Closet SBC Member: App State (263 Miles)
2013 Average Attendance: 8,617

-I think one very solid thing EKU has going for them is their location-King Karl has been very adamant about the potential expansion member "being located in the east" as to give App State a travel partner.

-budget certainly isn't tops compared to current SBC members, but still higher than ULM and UALR.

-from what I've gathered reading and looking at whatever pics and vids of their facilities I could find, their facilities I feel are pretty on par with most SBC members. Roy Kidd is the only one that needs to be updated and that is being taken care of. (their facilities page here http://www.ekusports.com/sports/2013/12/...32631.aspx)

-Re-establishing a presence in Kentucky which albeit isn't a MEGA state to have in terms of football, but certainly in the middle of the "ideal geographic footprint"

-I could only find average attendance from 2013, but their average of just over 8,000 is a little low (but I think you can make an argument of raising up to the FBS level would certainly raise those numbers).

-I don't really have a negative for EKU-if they can raise their athletic budget, renovate Roy Kidd and be truly committed to being competitive at the FBS level I think it'd be a solid get.





Missouri State:


Enrollment: 24,489
Location: Springfield (Pop. 160,246)
2014 Athletic Budget: $15,495,062
Additional Tidbits: No Claimed National Title, eight conference titles (6 Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association, 2 Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference) 631–408–40 all time record
Closet SBC Member: Arkansas State (217 Miles)
2013 average attendance: 8,700

-Missouri State certainly has impressive enrollment size, decent athletic budget and being located in a large city like Springfield would be a plus for conference.

-Again from google research, they seem to be a little bit better off facility stand point than EKU (link to MO State's facilities http://www.missouristatebears.com/facilities/)


-What they lack from football success certainly is made up for in their men's basketball program (6 NCAA tourney appearances, 9 NIT Appearances, 4 regular season conference titles and 3 conference tournament titles).

Probably biggest negative I see is location-(Would have a 7/5 split membership western to eastern side)


UT-Chattanooga:


Enrollment: 10,297
Location: Chattanooga (Pop. 167,674)
2014 Athletic Budget: $14,779,261
Additional Tidbits: No National Titles, 6 conference titles, 512–511–35 all time record.
Closet SBC Member: Georgia State (118 Miles)
2013 average attendance: 9,922

-The Mocs are a bit of wildcard; certainly not even warm name that has been speculated in recent months; however according to the NBC news affilate out of Chattanooga, they were approached to join the SBC along with GA Southern and App State back in 2013 but turned down the offer (http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/21813635/utc...fbs-move). The fact we made a past offer still makes me think they could be in play potentially

-Getting the belt back in Tennessee would be huge (especially in a large market like Chattanooga).

-Finley Stadium is quite a beautiful football facility (certainly tops compared to EKU and Mo State's). The rest is pretty decent (http://www.gomocs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?D...=204975345)

-Whether it's a big or insignificant deal, UTC doesn't sponsor baseball

-As of now, the biggest draw back is the fact they've already turned SBC down to remain in the FCS level.


The other hot candidates-JMU and Liberty-Despite having impressive facilities, budgets and average attendances, I just don't see them ever being legitimate contenders to be in the belt simply for the fact that the Dukes have no interest in the SBC and I don't see the Flames ever getting the necessary votes needed to get an invite.

And to the two Jacksonville State fans trolling SBC expansion talk-your football stadium is nice, and it's solid that you guys averaged a little over 15,000 in 2013 however with Troy and South Al already established members in the Belt NOOOO WAY you guys ever get an invite.

Do they do fried chicken?

While I was thinking about it, let's throw in NMSU

NMSU:


Enrollment: 15,829
Location: Las Cruces (Pop. 97,618)
2014 Athletic Budget: $$30,105,460
Closet SBC Member: Texas State (634 Miles)
Additional Tidbits: No claimed national titles, 4 conference titles, three all time bowl appearances, 423–587–31 all time record)
2014 Average Attendance: 12,269

-The biggest thing Aggies have going for them is their long time establishment in the FBS level as well as their past history with the conference.

-The addition of their basketball program to the SBC would certainly help.

-Athletic budget is among the tops in the belt and las cruces is certainly a great city to have within the conference

-Big draw back (i'm sure you ALLLLLL know) location, location, location...if not for how far away they're located I don't think we'd even be having a discussion of whether they should be full members or not. My gut tells me right now their certainly is split among the member's ADs and Presidents about whether to include them or boot them.

-For those interested, a link to their facilities (http://www.nmstatesports.com/ViewArticle...EM_ID=1900)

I didn't realize Chattanooga may have turned down an invite. Were there budget concerns/lack of time to fully address them? Assuming JMU stays out of the picture, I'd be happy with them or EKU. Seeing next year's basketball schedule has made me realize how nice it would be to have a symmetrical conference with travel partners.

All three would make sense if Benson gets his way twelve all sports members.

He has stated that as the end goal twelve all sports members.

I think it depends on if any current members leave for C-USA.
Adding someone for a travel partner then their partner leaves would suck.
I probably would have included Jacksonville St because of the possibility of losing USA.

Short term I would add U Mass so the conference can collect the 1.2 million in CFP.
The conference can keep enough of it to make it worthwhile.
The championship game de-regulation helps this situation.
Top two teams can play in the game no divisions.
So make NMSU ,Idaho and U Mass rivals so they play annually .
Have each member play two rivals annually and rotate the rest .

I would add NDSU for a fourth football only member if we lose one .
Then you can have three scheduling groups football only East and West.

Down the line like five to eight years
EKU will have a newly renovated stadium
UTC or JMU may change their mind
Coastal Carolina could expand their stadium by then.
The MVC could lose a couple members making MSU's decision easier.

So a short term approachy with the end goal of the besgt twelve all sports members.
I can't figure out why Benson publicly states twelve all sports members as the goal.
That places four of the current thirteen members in peril for What?
The goal makes sense but no need to put it out there.

MJG, I think you meant Jacksonville State instead of Jackson State?

(04-18-2015 12:17 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  MJG, I think you meant Jacksonville State instead of Jackson State?

Thanks I did and if USA were leave they would be close to GSU and UTC to become true rivals. That is if GSU continued to be a member and UTC was interested.

Imagine if Liberty was added and APP ST left.
You think fans might be a little pissed.

(04-18-2015 10:41 AM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  I didn't realize Chattanooga may have turned down an invite. Were there budget concerns/lack of time to fully address them? Assuming JMU stays out of the picture, I'd be happy with them or EKU. Seeing next year's basketball schedule has made me realize how nice it would be to have a symmetrical conference with travel partners.

They had an interm AD and an interm chancellor when we were expanding last.

The way I heard it from my uncle in Chatty was the timing was bad because the interms didn't feel such a major decision should be made by placeholder administrators.
By the time the real AD and chancellor were in place, the window had closed.

calling up another FCS school?



please don't dilute the G5 any further.

(04-18-2015 01:41 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  calling up another FCS school?



please don't dilute the G5 any further.

The last two they called up are doing decent.

my thoughts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xobY1Wx6Kls

(04-18-2015 03:33 PM)Dman Wrote:  my thoughts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xobY1Wx6Kls

Nails on chalkboard, at so many levels...

(04-18-2015 02:44 PM)bamaEagle Wrote:  

(04-18-2015 01:41 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  calling up another FCS school?



please don't dilute the G5 any further.

The last two they called up are doing decent.

irrelevant.

(04-18-2015 01:41 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  calling up another FCS school?



please don't dilute the G5 any further.

Probably should have made that plea to conferences who were raiding others causing FCS schools to be moved up. Pleading with the Sun Belt over the situation is sorta useless.

(04-18-2015 02:44 PM)bamaEagle Wrote:  

(04-18-2015 01:41 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  calling up another FCS school?



please don't dilute the G5 any further.

The last two they called up are doing decent.

KB lucked out on "the last two", but Benson's luck won't continue to last. IMO, Missouri State would be a pretty good move but after that I'm not too sure.

(04-18-2015 10:46 PM)JoeJag Wrote:  

(04-18-2015 02:44 PM)bamaEagle Wrote:  

(04-18-2015 01:41 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  calling up another FCS school?



please don't dilute the G5 any further.

The last two they called up are doing decent.

KB lucked out on "the last two", but Benson's luck won't continue to last. IMO, Missouri State would be a pretty good move but after that I'm not too sure.

Still not sold on Missouri State can't see them being competitive at the FBS level in football. Basketball will be extremely competitive but they would be crazy to leave their current conference for the SB.

If we add an FCS team it should be one that Georgia State can beat so they might get their first FBS win. That eliminates JSU and UTC.

(04-18-2015 10:19 PM)ark30inf Wrote:  

(04-18-2015 01:41 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  calling up another FCS school?



please don't dilute the G5 any further.

Probably should have made that plea to conferences who were raiding others causing FCS schools to be moved up. Pleading with the Sun Belt over the situation is sorta useless.

completely different circumstances.

(04-18-2015 10:41 AM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  I didn't realize Chattanooga may have turned down an invite. Were there budget concerns/lack of time to fully address them? Assuming JMU stays out of the picture, I'd be happy with them or EKU. Seeing next year's basketball schedule has made me realize how nice it would be to have a symmetrical conference with travel partners.

His link doesn't work. It seems like they were in a transition period at the time with a new Chancellor coming in that July and an Interim AD in office. Here's a link: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sport...ve/103631/

What about ETSU? They're like right across the street from App.