Hello There, Guest! (LoginRegister)

Post Reply 
ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
Author Message
solohawks Offline
Hall of Famer
*

Posts: 20,782
Joined: May 2008
Reputation: 810
I Root For: UNCW
Location: Wilmington, NC
Post: #21
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
After Belleramine is done with their probationary period I wonder how long they will stay or if they will pull a UNK?

If Belleramine is a success, a Belleramine Belmont Combo to the SoCon would be very appealing for all parties.
06-14-2020 08:57 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
NoDak Offline
Jersey Retired
Jersey Retired

Posts: 6,958
Joined: Oct 2005
Reputation: 105
I Root For: UND
Location:
Post: #22
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
Bellarmine can be a Horizon replacement to go to 12 much more then a SoCon replacement
06-14-2020 09:12 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
solohawks Offline
Hall of Famer
*

Posts: 20,782
Joined: May 2008
Reputation: 810
I Root For: UNCW
Location: Wilmington, NC
Post: #23
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
The HL is already at 12. The SoCon is at 10 and has a private school bent.
06-14-2020 09:21 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
bill dazzle Offline
Craft beer and urban living enthusiast
*

Posts: 10,388
Joined: Aug 2016
Reputation: 948
I Root For: Vandy/Memphis/DePaul/UNC
Location: Nashville
Post: #24
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
As a Nashvillian who follows Lipscomb U. sports somewhat, I would like to see Bethune-Cookman or Howard added if the A-Sun wants to add (not sure if either of those two would even be interested).
06-14-2020 09:39 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Gemofthehills Offline
All American
*

Posts: 3,144
Joined: Jan 2005
Reputation: 219
I Root For: JSU
Location:
Post: #25
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
(06-13-2020 07:16 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  
(06-13-2020 06:53 PM)Scoochpooch1 Wrote:  
(06-13-2020 01:59 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  Nobody in their right might thinks Liberty will stay long in the ASUN; they are the definition of a short timer; the ASUN is not the destination conference for the Flames. You also have to think Lipscomb and North Alabama would be the OVC choice should they lose a school (say Tennessee State or Murray State). But these moves look to be down the road a bit, and 9 schools is enough.

Bethune-Cookman is thrown about, but is that really much of a fit besides the map? To me that looks like a "break glass" emergency choice, a sign of panic. But then again, NJIT was sort of that too. Frankly B-C is better off in the MEAC and playing a couple games against SWAC schools to fill the schedule (certainly FAMU rivalry will continue), so why would they want to switch?

I think you stand pat. But you do evaluate and work with D-II schools exploring D-I within your existing footprint of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, maybe the right school in Tennessee, Mississippi or South Carolina. What you are looking for is somebody who will help hoops and has a good attendance. Frankly nobody in D-II, in the South, is close to Bellarmine who average 1,769. The only one I found above 1,000 (barely) was Francis Marion, a rather small public liberal Arts school with 2,900 undergrads and a minuscule $25M endowment, hardly D-I material. There are some schools who on paper look large enough, but with low interest. West Georgia, North Georgia, West Florida, Florida Tech, Alabama-Huntsville, Valdosta State all look like better targets. But even these are just 6,000 to 8,000 students and don't get much Basketball support -- the sport the ASUN cares most about.

You have to be careful. Right now, none of the above looks best.

I think you

What do you think is the realistic reach conference for Liberty?
And which today's Cancel Culture running rampant is that even a realistic option? I'm surprised the school is still around given the Communist climate.

Liberty would need a major reshuffling of CUSA and the Sun Belt into 2 or 3 basically new conferences. That's unlikely, but that's what they'd need.

And Liberty is unpopular enough with administrators and faculty--that's why they never got a CUSA / Sun Belt invite in the first place.

But Liberty still qualifies as a flight risk because they don't really fit in the ASUN. Which means they'll leave at pretty much the first opportunity.

Liberty has passed the CUSA and SunBelt schools. The amount of money spent in the last few years would make them a better fit with the American. With their funds the independent route in football will continue to work if that is their plan.
06-14-2020 09:45 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
IWokeUpLikeThis Online
Hall of Famer
*

Posts: 13,729
Joined: Jul 2014
Reputation: 1434
I Root For: NIU, Chicago St
Location:
Post: #26
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
(06-14-2020 08:19 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  North Georgia
West Georgia
Augusta St

That gives the ASUN a solid FL-GA footprint with some periphery schools.

Schools who are flight risks to leave:
Liberty
Bellarmine
Lipscomb
North Alabama
Kennesaw St

Schools who have nowhere to go:
Stetson
Jacksonville
North Florida
Florida Gulf Coast

I would focus on beefing up FL in the ASun’s shoes. The #1 priority for that league should be keeping geography tight long term.

Bethune-Cookman, West Florida, & Tampa is where I’d focus.
06-14-2020 10:08 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
3BNole Offline
2nd String
*

Posts: 389
Joined: Nov 2015
Reputation: 125
I Root For: Florida State
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Post: #27
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
(06-14-2020 10:08 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  
(06-14-2020 08:19 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  North Georgia
West Georgia
Augusta St

That gives the ASUN a solid FL-GA footprint with some periphery schools.

Schools who are flight risks to leave:
Liberty
Bellarmine
Lipscomb
North Alabama
Kennesaw St

Schools who have nowhere to go:
Stetson
Jacksonville
North Florida
Florida Gulf Coast

I would focus on beefing up FL in the ASun’s shoes. The #1 priority for that league should be keeping geography tight long term.

Bethune-Cookman, West Florida, & Tampa is where I’d focus.

I agree with this completely. Adding teams outside the FL/GA/AL geographic core is OK, but teams outside that region will always be at a higher risk to leave for other conferences if for no other reason than geography.

On a side note, how many teams does an FCS football conference have to have? If Bethune and West Florida were added, that would give the league 4 full scholarship members and Stetson.
06-14-2020 10:21 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
lion1983 Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 1,883
Joined: May 2015
Reputation: 80
I Root For: North Alabama
Location: Florence Alabama
Post: #28
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
(06-14-2020 10:21 AM)3BNole Wrote:  
(06-14-2020 10:08 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  
(06-14-2020 08:19 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  North Georgia
West Georgia
Augusta St

That gives the ASUN a solid FL-GA footprint with some periphery schools.

Schools who are flight risks to leave:
Liberty
Bellarmine
Lipscomb
North Alabama
Kennesaw St

Schools who have nowhere to go:
Stetson
Jacksonville
North Florida
Florida Gulf Coast

I would focus on beefing up FL in the ASun’s shoes. The #1 priority for that league should be keeping geography tight long term.

Bethune-Cookman, West Florida, & Tampa is where I’d focus.

I agree with this completely. Adding teams outside the FL/GA/AL geographic core is OK, but teams outside that region will always be at a higher risk to leave for other conferences if for no other reason than geography.

On a side note, how many teams does an FCS football conference have to have? If Bethune and West Florida were added, that would give the league 4 full scholarship members and Stetson.

7 to be eligible for a AQ bid in the playoffs, if I'm not mistaken.
06-14-2020 10:56 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
chargeradio Offline
Vamos Morados
*

Posts: 7,467
Joined: Mar 2007
Reputation: 121
I Root For: ALA, KY, USA
Location: Louisville, KY
Post: #29
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
FCS football requires six schools for sponsorship.

The Big South will have 9 in football:

Full members (5): Campbell, Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb, Hampton, and North-Carolina A&T

Affiliates (4): Kennesaw State, North Alabama, Robert Morris, Monmouth

Obviously getting West Florida and Bethune-Cookman would help, but it still leaves the Big South and Atlantic Sun one short of being able to spin off a second conference. Getting Florida Gulf Coast and North Florida to begin play - even if the long-term goal is FBS - would be even bigger.
06-14-2020 11:02 AM
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
lion1983 Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 1,883
Joined: May 2015
Reputation: 80
I Root For: North Alabama
Location: Florence Alabama
Post: #30
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
I think the ASUN is set for a while, and would only add if it's the right member.

Liberty may be the most likely to leave, but how long do you think it will take for that to happen?

KSU and UNA will only leave if it is for the SoCon, OVC, Sun Belt or CUSA. How many of those scenarios do you honestly see happening? SoCon is full. OVC is full, CUSA and Sun Belt are full.

Lipscomb may look around. But they dont have it bad in the ASUN.

The ONLY reason I would say the ASUN needs to go ahead and invite is because of numbers. The ASUN had, 5 public and starting this year 5 private schools. Balanced. Now its 4 public schools.

As far as football is concerned, I wish North Florida and FGCU would start FCS football. I think that would create a niche for the ASUN. Other than FAMU and BC, there is no scholarship FCS football in Florida. It may be time to really push to be a football conference. Then I would go after West Florida and Valdosta State very hard.

ASUN football could be (from North to South)
UNA
KSU
Valdosta State
West Florida
North Florida
FGCU

But that's a pipe dream, and would need at least 1 more.
06-14-2020 11:16 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
DavidSt Online
Hall of Famer
*

Posts: 23,011
Joined: Dec 2013
Reputation: 732
I Root For: ATU, P7
Location:
Post: #31
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
(06-14-2020 11:16 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  I think the ASUN is set for a while, and would only add if it's the right member.

Liberty may be the most likely to leave, but how long do you think it will take for that to happen?

KSU and UNA will only leave if it is for the SoCon, OVC, Sun Belt or CUSA. How many of those scenarios do you honestly see happening? SoCon is full. OVC is full, CUSA and Sun Belt are full.

Lipscomb may look around. But they dont have it bad in the ASUN.

The ONLY reason I would say the ASUN needs to go ahead and invite is because of numbers. The ASUN had, 5 public and starting this year 5 private schools. Balanced. Now its 4 public schools.

As far as football is concerned, I wish North Florida and FGCU would start FCS football. I think that would create a niche for the ASUN. Other than FAMU and BC, there is no scholarship FCS football in Florida. It may be time to really push to be a football conference. Then I would go after West Florida and Valdosta State very hard.

ASUN football could be (from North to South)
UNA
KSU
Valdosta State
West Florida
North Florida
FGCU

But that's a pipe dream, and would need at least 1 more.


Bethune-Cookman
South Carolina State
West Georgia
Lure Jacksonville State away from OVC, and get Stetson to add scholarships.
06-14-2020 11:24 AM
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
MercerFan Offline
Orange & Black
*

Posts: 3,395
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation: 48
I Root For: The Bears
Location: USA

Donators
Post: #32
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
Trying to count it up, I think the ASun has had 23 teams since the year 2000 or so. If only 9 remain that’s 14 that have left. So they average a team leaving every 1.4 years over the last 20 years. It’s what we already knew, but just saying the ASun can’t afford to wait. They better find some new teams now because it’s a near certainty that another team leaves by 2023, and likely by 2022.

I predict the ASun adds 2 more D2 schools within the next 2 years. I don’t think they end up with Bethune, and I don’t think there’s any other existing D1 that will join.

I think UNA is the next to leave. I think Bellarmine behind them. Just pure speculation but that’s my guess. If Kennesaw was desired they would be gone already. Liberty rubs too many people the wrong way. If UNA isn’t plucked after their probation ends then that will speak volumes. In the same way I feel something is very wrong with Kennesaw. On paper Kennesaw should be in a different league.
(This post was last modified: 06-14-2020 12:05 PM by MercerFan.)
06-14-2020 11:45 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
The Cutter of Bish Offline
Heisman
*

Posts: 7,281
Joined: Mar 2013
Reputation: 217
I Root For: the little guy
Location:
Post: #33
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
(06-14-2020 08:57 AM)solohawks Wrote:  After Belleramine is done with their probationary period I wonder how long they will stay or if they will pull a UNK?

If Belleramine is a success, a Belleramine Belmont Combo to the SoCon would be very appealing for all parties.

I said this in the NJIT thread: I think it says more about the conference plucking Bellarmine upon eligibility than it does the school itself. These other conferences need to get over themselves and invest in the prospects outright rather than sending future members through a probationary league. ASun seems fine taking the load, but, really, no reason whoever would take Bellarmine in a few years can’t just do it now, especially if there’s space.

I don’t begrudge NKU for hopping right out upon maturity. Why did Horizon not just take them from the start, though?
06-14-2020 11:52 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
lion1983 Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 1,883
Joined: May 2015
Reputation: 80
I Root For: North Alabama
Location: Florence Alabama
Post: #34
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
(06-14-2020 11:24 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  
(06-14-2020 11:16 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  I think the ASUN is set for a while, and would only add if it's the right member.

Liberty may be the most likely to leave, but how long do you think it will take for that to happen?

KSU and UNA will only leave if it is for the SoCon, OVC, Sun Belt or CUSA. How many of those scenarios do you honestly see happening? SoCon is full. OVC is full, CUSA and Sun Belt are full.

Lipscomb may look around. But they dont have it bad in the ASUN.

The ONLY reason I would say the ASUN needs to go ahead and invite is because of numbers. The ASUN had, 5 public and starting this year 5 private schools. Balanced. Now its 4 public schools.

As far as football is concerned, I wish North Florida and FGCU would start FCS football. I think that would create a niche for the ASUN. Other than FAMU and BC, there is no scholarship FCS football in Florida. It may be time to really push to be a football conference. Then I would go after West Florida and Valdosta State very hard.

ASUN football could be (from North to South)
UNA
KSU
Valdosta State
West Florida
North Florida
FGCU

But that's a pipe dream, and would need at least 1 more.


Bethune-Cookman
South Carolina State
West Georgia
Lure Jacksonville State away from OVC, and get Stetson to add scholarships.
I've talked to several Stetson folks, and the unanimous feelings are that Stetson has no aspirations to have scholarship football.

The only way the ASUN could lure Jacksonville State, they would have to have football as a conference. And they may join the ASUN if that happens because of UNA and KSU. But again, they would HAVE to have football in the ASUN.

West Georgia studied moving to D1 when UNA was trying to go. I think the study was positive for them, but if I'm not mistaken, they put the brakes on it for a while.

If it could be done, Jacksonville State would be nice.

Then West Florida.

UNA, KSU, JSU, West Florida, UNF, FGCU Valdosta State.

7 for football. Wouldn't be a bad conference.

ASUN as a whole
Liberty
Bellarmine
Lipscomb
UNA
JSU
KSU
West Florida
Valdosta State
UNF
JU
Stetson
FGCU

Even if the ASUN couldn't sponsor football for a while, have those 7 in the Big South for football

(Big South East)
Monmouth
RMU
Hampton
NCA&T
Campbell
Gardner Webb
Charleston Southern

(Big South West)
UNA
JSU
KSU
West Florida
Valdosta State
UNF
FGCU

Could be like two different conferences. Would not have to have a championship game, I dont know how that would work in FCS.
06-14-2020 12:35 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
MercerFan Offline
Orange & Black
*

Posts: 3,395
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation: 48
I Root For: The Bears
Location: USA

Donators
Post: #35
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
Jacksonville State was an ASun member when I was a Mercer student (2002). That conference was stacked with some good teams (UCF, Troy, FAU, Georgia St). If that wasn’t good enough for JSU, then for sure they’d need strong ASun football to even consider coming back.
06-14-2020 02:06 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
lion1983 Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 1,883
Joined: May 2015
Reputation: 80
I Root For: North Alabama
Location: Florence Alabama
Post: #36
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
(06-14-2020 02:06 PM)MercerFan Wrote:  Jacksonville State was an ASun member when I was a Mercer student (2002). That conference was stacked with some good teams (UCF, Troy, FAU, Georgia St). If that wasn’t good enough for JSU, then for sure they’d need strong ASun football to even consider coming back.

I think they all left before JSU... so it wasn't a matter of the conference with the teams you mentioned not being good enough... plus, while in the ASUN, or whatever it was called at that time, they had to play football in the Southland... not a good situation.
06-14-2020 03:13 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
army56mike Offline
Moderator
*

Posts: 11,994
Joined: Mar 2004
Reputation: 380
I Root For: Liberty & UofL
Location: Shepherdsville, KY
Post: #37
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
ASUN
Howard
Liberty
Bellarmine
Lipscomb
NCCU
UNC Pembroke
North Alabama
Alabama-Huntsville
North Georgia
Kennesaw St.
North Florida
Jacksonville
West Florida
Stetson
Bethune-Cookman
Florida Tech
FGCU
Nova Southeastern

Big South Football
Kennesaw St.
North Alabama
Monmouth
Hampton
N.C. A&T
Robert Morris
Charleston So.
Campbell
Gardner Webb
Howard
NCCU
Bethune-Cookman
Florida Tech
West Florida
UNC Pembroke

Could some of those football teams be in the Pioneer? Or would there be a BSC and separate ASUN conference?
(This post was last modified: 06-14-2020 03:38 PM by army56mike.)
06-14-2020 03:38 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
DawgNBama Offline
the Rush Limbaugh of CSNBBS
*

Posts: 8,319
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation: 446
I Root For: conservativism/MAGA
Location: US
Post: #38
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
I'm sure the University of Montevallo would be interested. And Montevallo's claim to fame is baseball.
06-14-2020 03:53 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
DawgNBama Offline
the Rush Limbaugh of CSNBBS
*

Posts: 8,319
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation: 446
I Root For: conservativism/MAGA
Location: US
Post: #39
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
(06-14-2020 12:35 PM)lion1983 Wrote:  
(06-14-2020 11:24 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  
(06-14-2020 11:16 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  I think the ASUN is set for a while, and would only add if it's the right member.

Liberty may be the most likely to leave, but how long do you think it will take for that to happen?

KSU and UNA will only leave if it is for the SoCon, OVC, Sun Belt or CUSA. How many of those scenarios do you honestly see happening? SoCon is full. OVC is full, CUSA and Sun Belt are full.

Lipscomb may look around. But they dont have it bad in the ASUN.

The ONLY reason I would say the ASUN needs to go ahead and invite is because of numbers. The ASUN had, 5 public and starting this year 5 private schools. Balanced. Now its 4 public schools.

As far as football is concerned, I wish North Florida and FGCU would start FCS football. I think that would create a niche for the ASUN. Other than FAMU and BC, there is no scholarship FCS football in Florida. It may be time to really push to be a football conference. Then I would go after West Florida and Valdosta State very hard.

ASUN football could be (from North to South)
UNA
KSU
Valdosta State
West Florida
North Florida
FGCU

But that's a pipe dream, and would need at least 1 more.


Bethune-Cookman
South Carolina State
West Georgia
Lure Jacksonville State away from OVC, and get Stetson to add scholarships.
I've talked to several Stetson folks, and the unanimous feelings are that Stetson has no aspirations to have scholarship football.

The only way the ASUN could lure Jacksonville State, they would have to have football as a conference. And they may join the ASUN if that happens because of UNA and KSU. But again, they would HAVE to have football in the ASUN.

West Georgia studied moving to D1 when UNA was trying to go. I think the study was positive for them, but if I'm not mistaken, they put the brakes on it for a while.

If it could be done, Jacksonville State would be nice.

Then West Florida.

UNA, KSU, JSU, West Florida, UNF, FGCU Valdosta State.

7 for football. Wouldn't be a bad conference.

ASUN as a whole
Liberty
Bellarmine
Lipscomb
UNA
JSU
KSU
West Florida
Valdosta State
UNF
JU
Stetson
FGCU

Even if the ASUN couldn't sponsor football for a while, have those 7 in the Big South for football

(Big South East)
Monmouth
RMU
Hampton
NCA&T
Campbell
Gardner Webb
Charleston Southern

(Big South West)
UNA
JSU
KSU
West Florida
Valdosta State
UNF
FGCU

Could be like two different conferences. Would not have to have a championship game, I dont know how that would work in FCS.

If Jax State is sponsored by Troy for the SunBelt, I see Jax State taking that. Jax State is the Joker to Troy's Batman. I'm surprised that tUNA isn't viewing that as a real possibility, and made some inquiries to the SoCon to join up with Samford. Unlike Jax State, I don't see Samford going anywhere, and they have football too.
06-14-2020 04:33 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
NoDak Offline
Jersey Retired
Jersey Retired

Posts: 6,958
Joined: Oct 2005
Reputation: 105
I Root For: UND
Location:
Post: #40
RE: ASUN Expansion Targets to Replace NJIT
(06-14-2020 11:52 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  
(06-14-2020 08:57 AM)solohawks Wrote:  After Belleramine is done with their probationary period I wonder how long they will stay or if they will pull a UNK?

If Belleramine is a success, a Belleramine Belmont Combo to the SoCon would be very appealing for all parties.

I said this in the NJIT thread: I think it says more about the conference plucking Bellarmine upon eligibility than it does the school itself. These other conferences need to get over themselves and invest in the prospects outright rather than sending future members through a probationary league. ASun seems fine taking the load, but, really, no reason whoever would take Bellarmine in a few years can’t just do it now, especially if there’s space.

I don’t begrudge NKU for hopping right out upon maturity. Why did Horizon not just take them from the start, though?

The Horizon has rules against having transitioning teams. Why the ASun allowed itself to be a minor league league may be the bigger question.
06-14-2020 04:46 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 




User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)


Copyright © 2002-2024 Collegiate Sports Nation Bulletin Board System (CSNbbs), All Rights Reserved.
CSNbbs is an independent fan site and is in no way affiliated to the NCAA or any of the schools and conferences it represents.
This site monetizes links. FTC Disclosure.
We allow third-party companies to serve ads and/or collect certain anonymous information when you visit our web site. These companies may use non-personally identifiable information (e.g., click stream information, browser type, time and date, subject of advertisements clicked or scrolled over) during your visits to this and other Web sites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services likely to be of greater interest to you. These companies typically use a cookie or third party web beacon to collect this information. To learn more about this behavioral advertising practice or to opt-out of this type of advertising, you can visit http://www.networkadvertising.org.
Powered By MyBB, © 2002-2024 MyBB Group.