(12-06-2017 09:39 AM)BlueraiderJT Wrote:  I was at both of WKU's championship games and I can tell you that they had more than 13k at both. Should they have filled the stadium? Yes. However, there were more than what was counted because of the broken ticket scanners and such where they were just letting people through. I saw that personally. The 1st championship game at WKU was pretty full. The 2nd one wasn't as attended but still, it was a fun environment.

To be honest, if I were the AD of a school hosting a championship game, I would seriously consider making that a free game for everyone to attend or at least the price per ticket would be dirt cheap. It's a reward for the community. I would also move that game to Friday or even Thursday night. The SEC championship was right after ours and like 3 other championship games were happening during ours so who's gonna risk missing those games? Move it to another night before all of those.

#1 or 2 UK was play #3 or 4 UCLA in basketball at the same time as last years championship game. I know these football schools from football states wont understand that. But those of us in basketball do.

It would be about like UAB hosting at the same time the the Iron bowl was played. Or Tech if LSU and Ark was playing for the SEC championship or Ole Miss and Miss St (yes I know all are in the west) or if those team were #1 and playing a top 5 team.

You are going to lose 25% of your fans...maybe more because they will stay home to watch both.

Add in the fact no one up till that week thought Western was going to host and it was cold and $30 tickets and you lose a lot more fans.

When you are aG-5 and one 8 years into the move...you are limited

Here is the problem with C-USA and why regional alignment will help. First off college attendance is dropping everywhere, we can all agree on that. But when you look at P5 football, most of the games have a good amount of fans from the opposing school, because they care enough to go to the games and they have some sort of hatred to that opposing team because chances are they are not that far away. You need the fans to travel. Regional realignment makes it so that it is easier for away fans to get to games.

I am an ODU alum and right now my only realistic conference away game I could attend is Charlotte, now to be fair I live in Charlotte but if I lived in Norfolk I would still go to that game because Charlotte is a cool city to visit. I went to 4 home games and 1 away game this year; Albany, UNC, @VT, WKU and Rice.

If ODU was in a conference that included any of the following:

JMU
ECU
App State
Charlotte
Coastal Carolina
Ga Southern

I could travel to any of those away games from Charlotte relatively easily. I would like to get to a game at Marshall but its hard to go when you have gone to a bunch of home games. However im not going to texas or florida it is just to far and the fans from FAU, FIU, NT, Rice and so on just dont care. Why would I want to go to an away game where their fans dont care enough to make it to a home game. Im not travelling several hundred miles to go to an empty stadium. The next round of conference realignment should be based on the proximity and strength of fan base. If you dont make the cut then too bad. [/u]

Its hard to hate someone that is halfway across the country.

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:17 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:07 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:02 AM)EagNBran Wrote:  I think you guys are confused. I couldn't care less about the schools left behind. I'll play Rice in a baseball series every year, but don't care about other sports. Couldn't care less about the Florida schools or any left-behind Sun Belt schools. I'm looking at what is geographically, financially sustainable for the schools I've chosen. If that puts some schools on an island with the only prospect to go 1-AA, so be it. Need less D1 schools anyway.

That's why any realignment needs to include AAC. That works for the huge Florida schools. There is no practical reason school with over 50,000 students (FIU) should be co-habituating in 1-AA with the likes of Stetson or Grambling (both - around 4,500).

Why should 20+ schools delay realignment because it isnt perfect for 2 members?

We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

(12-06-2017 10:32 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  Here is the problem with C-USA and why regional alignment will help. First off college attendance is dropping everywhere, we can all agree on that. But when you look at P5 football, most of the games have a good amount of fans from the opposing school, because they care enough to go to the games and they have some sort of hatred to that opposing team because chances are they are not that far away. You need the fans to travel. Regional realignment makes it so that it is easier for away fans to get to games.

I am an ODU alum and right now my only realistic conference away game I could attend is Charlotte, now to be fair I live in Charlotte but if I lived in Norfolk I would still go to that game because Charlotte is a cool city to visit. I went to 4 home games and 1 away game this year; Albany, UNC, @VT, WKU and Rice.

If ODU was in a conference that included any of the following:

JMU
ECU
App State
Charlotte
Coastal Carolina
Ga Southern

I could travel to any of those away games from Charlotte relatively easily. I would like to get to a game at Marshall but its hard to go when you have gone to a bunch of home games. However im not going to texas or florida it is just to far and the fans from FAU, FIU, NT, Rice and so on just dont care. Why would I want to go to an away game where their fans dont care enough to make it to a home game. Im not travelling several hundred miles to go to an empty stadium. The next round of conference realignment should be based on the proximity and strength of fan base. If you dont make the cut then too bad. [/u]

Its hard to hate someone that is halfway across the country.

ECU would never go for that, they have higher aspirations. Take them out of the picture and what makes that any different than a FCS league, at least in appearance? Sometimes geography isn't the answer at this level, the bigger conferences have the geography wrapped up pretty much, which leaves the G5 to do the best they can. You start pulling up this school and that school or banding together new arrivals and the perception gets completely tanked.

(12-06-2017 10:32 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  Here is the problem with C-USA and why regional alignment will help. First off college attendance is dropping everywhere, we can all agree on that. But when you look at P5 football, most of the games have a good amount of fans from the opposing school, because they care enough to go to the games and they have some sort of hatred to that opposing team because chances are they are not that far away. You need the fans to travel. Regional realignment makes it so that it is easier for away fans to get to games.

I am an ODU alum and right now my only realistic conference away game I could attend is Charlotte, now to be fair I live in Charlotte but if I lived in Norfolk I would still go to that game because Charlotte is a cool city to visit. I went to 4 home games and 1 away game this year; Albany, UNC, @VT, WKU and Rice.

If ODU was in a conference that included any of the following:

JMU
ECU
App State
Charlotte
Coastal Carolina
Ga Southern

I could travel to any of those away games from Charlotte relatively easily. I would like to get to a game at Marshall but its hard to go when you have gone to a bunch of home games. However im not going to texas or florida it is just to far and the fans from FAU, FIU, NT, Rice and so on just dont care. Why would I want to go to an away game where their fans dont care enough to make it to a home game. Im not travelling several hundred miles to go to an empty stadium. The next round of conference realignment should be based on the proximity and strength of fan base. If you dont make the cut then too bad. [/u]

Its hard to hate someone that is halfway across the country.

But in a way we are not halfway across the country. We are more connected today that any other time in history.

If you think about it how often do you even interact with people 100 miles from you? Hell people think it's a chore to go 20 miles. I bet if you have family that lives in V.Beach and you live downtown...

you probably only see them on special occasions

As far as when I travel...I go to see my team play and even a empty stadium is more exciting than watching it play out on TV. Here's another example of fans complaining about distant....

Western fans ***** and cry about a basketball tourney played in New Orleans or Little Rock or Hot Springs....

Here's what they say

"if only it was closer with in easy driving distant." Well I can tell you for a fact not any more Western fans showed up the last 3 years with the Tourney at UAB. Hell there were more Western fans in Hot Springs (which was a great setup for basketball) and New Orleans.

Fans love to complain (talking in general) but most will find a excuse no matter where a game is played.

(12-06-2017 10:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:17 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:07 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:02 AM)EagNBran Wrote:  I think you guys are confused. I couldn't care less about the schools left behind. I'll play Rice in a baseball series every year, but don't care about other sports. Couldn't care less about the Florida schools or any left-behind Sun Belt schools. I'm looking at what is geographically, financially sustainable for the schools I've chosen. If that puts some schools on an island with the only prospect to go 1-AA, so be it. Need less D1 schools anyway.

That's why any realignment needs to include AAC. That works for the huge Florida schools. There is no practical reason school with over 50,000 students (FIU) should be co-habituating in 1-AA with the likes of Stetson or Grambling (both - around 4,500).

Why should 20+ schools delay realignment because it isnt perfect for 2 members?

We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

Then, in that case, we would need to make sure it is better for all members of the conference, not just several.

(12-06-2017 10:43 AM)WKUYG Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:32 AM)cmett003 Wrote:  Here is the problem with C-USA and why regional alignment will help. First off college attendance is dropping everywhere, we can all agree on that. But when you look at P5 football, most of the games have a good amount of fans from the opposing school, because they care enough to go to the games and they have some sort of hatred to that opposing team because chances are they are not that far away. You need the fans to travel. Regional realignment makes it so that it is easier for away fans to get to games.

I am an ODU alum and right now my only realistic conference away game I could attend is Charlotte, now to be fair I live in Charlotte but if I lived in Norfolk I would still go to that game because Charlotte is a cool city to visit. I went to 4 home games and 1 away game this year; Albany, UNC, @VT, WKU and Rice.

If ODU was in a conference that included any of the following:

JMU
ECU
App State
Charlotte
Coastal Carolina
Ga Southern

I could travel to any of those away games from Charlotte relatively easily. I would like to get to a game at Marshall but its hard to go when you have gone to a bunch of home games. However im not going to texas or florida it is just to far and the fans from FAU, FIU, NT, Rice and so on just dont care. Why would I want to go to an away game where their fans dont care enough to make it to a home game. Im not travelling several hundred miles to go to an empty stadium. The next round of conference realignment should be based on the proximity and strength of fan base. If you dont make the cut then too bad. [/u]

Its hard to hate someone that is halfway across the country.

But in a way we are not halfway across the country. We are more connected today that any other time in history.

If you think about it how often do you even interact with people 100 miles from you? Hell people think it's a chore to go 20 miles. I bet if you have family that lives in V.Beach and you live downtown...

you probably only see them on special occasions

As far as when I travel...I go to see my team play and even a empty stadium is more exciting than watching it play out on TV. Here's another example of fans complaining about distant....

Western fans ***** and cry about a basketball tourney played in New Orleans or Little Rock or Hot Springs....

Here's what they say

"if only it was closer with in easy driving distant." Well I can tell you for a fact not any more Western fans showed up the last 3 years with the Tourney at UAB. Hell there were more Western fans in Hot Springs (which was a great setup for basketball) and New Orleans.

Fans love to complain (talking in general) but most will find a excuse no matter where a game is played.

To be fair, you guys had some rough years when the tourney was in The Ham. Damn Mendez-Valdez was on the team when the tourney was in Hot Springs

(12-06-2017 10:46 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:17 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:07 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  That's why any realignment needs to include AAC. That works for the huge Florida schools. There is no practical reason school with over 50,000 students (FIU) should be co-habituating in 1-AA with the likes of Stetson or Grambling (both - around 4,500).

Why should 20+ schools delay realignment because it isnt perfect for 2 members?

We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

Then, in that case, we would need to make sure it is better for all members of the conference, not just several.

That brings me back to the first point. 2 out 20+ members aint enough reason to delay it.

(12-06-2017 10:50 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:46 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:17 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Why should 20+ schools delay realignment because it isnt perfect for 2 members?

We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

Then, in that case, we would need to make sure it is better for all members of the conference, not just several.

That brings me back to the first point. 2 out 20+ members aint enough reason to delay it.

Then don't be surprised when these 2 members skip out to AAC or go Independent.

(12-06-2017 10:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:17 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:07 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:02 AM)EagNBran Wrote:  I think you guys are confused. I couldn't care less about the schools left behind. I'll play Rice in a baseball series every year, but don't care about other sports. Couldn't care less about the Florida schools or any left-behind Sun Belt schools. I'm looking at what is geographically, financially sustainable for the schools I've chosen. If that puts some schools on an island with the only prospect to go 1-AA, so be it. Need less D1 schools anyway.

That's why any realignment needs to include AAC. That works for the huge Florida schools. There is no practical reason school with over 50,000 students (FIU) should be co-habituating in 1-AA with the likes of Stetson or Grambling (both - around 4,500).

Why should 20+ schools delay realignment because it isnt perfect for 2 members?

We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

You had all of that in the CAA, and you left anyway.

Just give me the Western Division and add Arky State and ULL. I hate ULL but would much rather play another game in state that have to drive to Bowling Green or Boca. A 9 team Conference with no Championship game and 4 or 5 regional bowls and I am set. Hell we already watch our games on the internet why the hell bother trying to please anybody else but ourselves.

(12-06-2017 10:50 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:46 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:17 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Why should 20+ schools delay realignment because it isnt perfect for 2 members?

We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

Then, in that case, we would need to make sure it is better for all members of the conference, not just several.

That brings me back to the first point. 2 out 20+ members aint enough reason to delay it.

not only is it enough to delay it, it's enough to prevent it. these conference associations are voluntary. what do you plan to do, force them at gunpoint?

(12-06-2017 10:50 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:46 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:17 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Why should 20+ schools delay realignment because it isnt perfect for 2 members?

We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

Then, in that case, we would need to make sure it is better for all members of the conference, not just several.

That brings me back to the first point. 2 out 20+ members aint enough reason to delay it.

The problem with you 18 of 20 wanting realignment is that the 18 can't agree on who they think is worthy of associating with them in a smaller league.

(12-06-2017 10:04 AM)DETLTU Wrote:  I still think this is a terrible idea. What we need is time to develop a rivalry with some of the schools in the conference. We don't have 50 years of playing each other to draw from like some conferences. I honestly miss playing games against some of the WAC teams we shared the conference with the longest. Boise, Nevada, Fresno, Hawaii. I would love to play some of those teams again before they are forgotten by Tech fans.

Give this configuration time together and the fan interest will grow. FAU and FIU both having successful seasons this year and the game actually meaning something was a big step. Do that a few times and the fans will treat that game as important and can't miss. Even cross division rivalries can be developed.

Do you ever believe that you'll create a real rivalary with ODU, FXU, UTEP, or Marshall? That's not a slight against those schools, it's just that there's no real rivalries that can be formed. They're too far away. You don't interact with their fans on a daily basis.

(12-06-2017 10:07 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:02 AM)EagNBran Wrote:  I think you guys are confused. I couldn't care less about the schools left behind. I'll play Rice in a baseball series every year, but don't care about other sports. Couldn't care less about the Florida schools or any left-behind Sun Belt schools. I'm looking at what is geographically, financially sustainable for the schools I've chosen. If that puts some schools on an island with the only prospect to go 1-AA, so be it. Need less D1 schools anyway.

That's why any realignment needs to include AAC. That works for the huge Florida schools. There is no practical reason school with over 50,000 students (FIU) should be co-habituating in 1-AA with the likes of Stetson or Grambling (both - around 4,500).

The AAC is financially sustainable and has no interest in being part of a geographical realignment. Sucks for the FXU schools, but that's reality.

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:17 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:07 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:02 AM)EagNBran Wrote:  I think you guys are confused. I couldn't care less about the schools left behind. I'll play Rice in a baseball series every year, but don't care about other sports. Couldn't care less about the Florida schools or any left-behind Sun Belt schools. I'm looking at what is geographically, financially sustainable for the schools I've chosen. If that puts some schools on an island with the only prospect to go 1-AA, so be it. Need less D1 schools anyway.

That's why any realignment needs to include AAC. That works for the huge Florida schools. There is no practical reason school with over 50,000 students (FIU) should be co-habituating in 1-AA with the likes of Stetson or Grambling (both - around 4,500).

Why should 20+ schools delay realignment because it isnt perfect for 2 members?

We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

Because it's improvement for us. It's that simple. My realignment dreams don't have to be in the best interest of FXU.

(12-06-2017 10:46 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:17 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:07 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  That's why any realignment needs to include AAC. That works for the huge Florida schools. There is no practical reason school with over 50,000 students (FIU) should be co-habituating in 1-AA with the likes of Stetson or Grambling (both - around 4,500).

Why should 20+ schools delay realignment because it isnt perfect for 2 members?

We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

Then, in that case, we would need to make sure it is better for all members of the conference, not just several.

False, I want it to be best for USM and couldn't care less about anyone else.

(12-06-2017 10:58 AM)FIU4Ever Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:50 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:46 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

Then, in that case, we would need to make sure it is better for all members of the conference, not just several.

That brings me back to the first point. 2 out 20+ members aint enough reason to delay it.

The problem with you 18 of 20 wanting realignment is that the 18 can't agree on who they think is worthy of associating with them in a smaller league.

I don't disagree, but as I have gotten older I have found that is more about a regional fit than who were are too good to associate with. ULL isn't going to all of a sudden start stealing our recruits because they are in the same league as us. Heck until a few years ago we were playing them again and drawing statewide attention doing it. Playing FAU or Charlotte does not register here in Louisiana and vice versa

(12-06-2017 10:54 AM)FIU4Ever Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:17 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:07 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  That's why any realignment needs to include AAC. That works for the huge Florida schools. There is no practical reason school with over 50,000 students (FIU) should be co-habituating in 1-AA with the likes of Stetson or Grambling (both - around 4,500).

Why should 20+ schools delay realignment because it isnt perfect for 2 members?

We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

You had all of that in the CAA, and you left anyway.

Yes. but it was for FBS football and the promise of national TV exposure, $1.2 million dollars a year in media revenue, a multi-bid basketball league and a close conference rivalry with ECU only 2 hours away. All of that has gone away except the FBS, and that has been reduced to "G5" FBS. Meanwhile our state government decided to reduce the amount of money schools could spend (from fees) on athletics at the FBS level and we also had to start paying our athletes. It was a good move at the time, but nearly every benefit evaporated within 2 years of joining.

(12-06-2017 09:54 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 09:22 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 09:14 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 08:51 AM)herdfan129 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 08:27 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  The article suggests restructuring the conferences. And, maybe, it is a good idea for most sports but not for football. You mix any conference with Sun Belt, you will get Sun Belt A and Sun Belt B. Do Marshall, USM, and ODU, for example, want to play in Sun Belt?

Yes. I would rather play App State and Ga Southern as opposed to some of the teams in this conference.

I would love to end this conference and start fresh with some eastern based teams that actually care about football. These 4 schools could easily break off and form a new conference if we wanted. Why we haven't done so is starting to just piss me off to be honest.

Marshall
WKU
MTSU
ODU





New USM athletic director Jon Gilbert is among those who are open to suggestions, saying earlier this year, “I think that the idea of a regionally based conference probably warrants discussion.”

MTSU athletic director Chris Massaro told The Virginian Pilot in April that “It’s inevitable that there’s going to be some kind of consolidation among the Group of Five.”

If the consolidation includes a nation-wide G5 re-alignment - then I am fine with it. If it involves just C-USA and Sunbelt - what's the point?

I sort of agree, but the only other conference that would really be in the mix is the AAC, and they don't want to reshuffle. Even if they wanted to get rid of Tulane, Tulsa and ECU (which they probably shouldn't have brought in to begin with), why would those guys ever agree to leave? I'd be absolutely thrilled with annual basketball games against Memphis, Cincy, UConn and Temple, so Im sure they are too. The MW and MAC are already regionally aligned. UTEP might be able to slide to the MW, while ODU and Marshall could theoretically go to the MAC. But frankly, I think I like CUSA better than the MAC and their Tuesday night football games. They just seem to have much better conference leadership. CUSA teams and potential should be better than theirs most seasons.

A CUSA/SB reconfiguration of the like of Marshall, ODU, WKU, MTSU, UNCC, App St, (North) Ga St, GSU, Ark. St., UAB, So Miss., FAU (South) I could get behind.

But what's the point in it for us (FAU)? What advantage do we get out of this? Why re-align to get what we already have? Geographically speaking, through no fault of C-USA's or NCAA's, FIU and FAU are on the "island". Even in your configuration, we have two C-USA West teams. South Florida, does not fit too well in any geography based configuration. That's why if the re-alignment does not include AAC, it makes no sense.

Think about this division: USF, UCF, FAU, FIU, Troy, GaSo, USA

Well, USF and UCF are out because the AAC isn't playing at this time. Perhaps if their TV money gets cut to a third of what it is, that could happen. But not now. FAU could go into a division with Troy, GaSo and USA just as easily. Its always difficult to figure what to do the the F–Us so either way works fine for them. The bigger question would be why wouldn't you do it?

(12-06-2017 11:12 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:54 AM)FIU4Ever Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:17 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Why should 20+ schools delay realignment because it isnt perfect for 2 members?

We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

You had all of that in the CAA, and you left anyway.

Yes. but it was for FBS football and the promise of national TV exposure, $1.2 million dollars a year in media revenue, a multi-bid basketball league and a close conference rivalry with ECU only 2 hours away. All of that has gone away except the FBS, and that has been reduced to "G5" FBS. Meanwhile our state government decided to reduce the amount of money schools could spend (from fees) on athletics at the FBS level and we also had to start paying our athletes. It was a good move at the time, but nearly every benefit evaporated within 2 years of joining.

A lot of us made it to the promise land just in time to watch others use it up. CUSA has been plagued by poor management of a horrible situation. Instead of being innovative they tried to do it like the big boys. The SEC and Big10 arent successful because they are the SEC and Big10. They are successful because they have schools like Alabama and Michigan. So many of us ,La Tech included, came to CUSA thinking that if we were in "That Conference" we would magically be "This". It don't work that way. Programs like Boise were rocking and rolling all the way to BCS games every year regardless of what conference they were in.

(12-06-2017 11:12 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:54 AM)FIU4Ever Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:29 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:17 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Why should 20+ schools delay realignment because it isnt perfect for 2 members?

We're not talking perfect. We're talking an improvement. otherwise, what's the point re-aligning?

To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

You had all of that in the CAA, and you left anyway.

Yes. but it was for FBS football and the promise of national TV exposure, $1.2 million dollars a year in media revenue, a multi-bid basketball league and a close conference rivalry with ECU only 2 hours away. All of that has gone away except the FBS, and that has been reduced to "G5" FBS. Meanwhile our state government decided to reduce the amount of money schools could spend (from fees) on athletics at the FBS level and we also had to start paying our athletes. It was a good move at the time, but nearly every benefit evaporated within 2 years of joining.

ECU punked y'all so now you want to convert CUSA to a FCS league?

(12-06-2017 11:07 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:58 AM)FIU4Ever Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:50 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:46 AM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 10:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  To adapt to decreased TV revenue by reducing costs and creating more fan interest (leading to better attendance and more value to networks). A more regional conference could help in all aspects. It could help build rivalries and may allow for fans to travel to more away games.

Then, in that case, we would need to make sure it is better for all members of the conference, not just several.

That brings me back to the first point. 2 out 20+ members aint enough reason to delay it.

The problem with you 18 of 20 wanting realignment is that the 18 can't agree on who they think is worthy of associating with them in a smaller league.

I don't disagree, but as I have gotten older I have found that is more about a regional fit than who were are too good to associate with. ULL isn't going to all of a sudden start stealing our recruits because they are in the same league as us. Heck until a few years ago we were playing them again and drawing statewide attention doing it. Playing FAU or Charlotte does not register here in Louisiana and vice versa

I agree with all your points. However, LaTech may want to include Texas schools because they have alumni in Houston/Denton but USM doesn't want Texas schools because the drive is too far. how do you resolve this?