Using a basic formula (average rankings of 2019, 18, & 17 attendance numbers + average rankings of 2019, 18, & 17 licensing revenue + average rankings of 2020, 19, & 18 recruiting rankings from 247sports /3), I present a possible interpretation of Brand Strength for every C-USA program, except Rice (I could not find a complete set of licensing revenue information for Rice). Some of the results were unexpected....

1. Marshall- 2.6 overall average ranking
2. North Texas- 3 overall average ranking
3. Southern Miss- 5 overall average ranking
3. UTSA- 5 overall average ranking
5. FAU- 6 overall average ranking
6. UAB- 6.6 overall average ranking
7. LA Tech- 8 overall average ranking
7. FIU- 8 overall average ranking
9. MT- 8.6 overall average ranking
9. ODU- 8.6 overall average ranking
11. WKU- 9 overall average ranking
11 UTEP- 9 overall average ranking
13. Charlotte- 12 overall average ranking
Rice- NA



3 Year Attendance Rankings (Yes, these are the NCAA's reported numbers. They are the official numbers. Please do not derail this topic into an argument over the validity of the NCAA's attendance numbers.)
1. UAB
2.UTSA
2. Marshall
4. Southern Miss
5. North Texas
6. Rice
7. LA Tech
8. ODU
9. FAU
10. UTEP
11. WKU
12. MTSU
13. FIU
14. Charlotte

3 Year licensing Revenue Rankings
1. Marshall
2. North Texas
3. UTSA
3. UTEP
5. ODU
6. Southern Miss
7. MTSU
8. FAU
9. WKU
9. FIU
11. Charlotte
12. UAB
13. LA Tech
Rice not reported

3 Year Recruiting Rankings (These are 247sports rankings. If someone would rather use the Rivals rankings, please feel free to substitute their 3 year rankings in place of 247's)
1. FAU
2. North Texas
2. FIU
4. LA Tech
5. Southern Miss
5. Marshall
7. WKU
7. MTSU
7.UAB
10. UTSA
11. Charlotte
12. Rice
13. ODU
14. UTEP

While I thought Marshall would rank high, I did not expect them to be first (Marshall ranks in the Top 5 in all three categories, including first in licensing revenue). I was surprised UAB and FAU didn't finish higher (FAU's licensing revenue and attendance dropped them down & UAB's licensing revenue and average recruiting rankings hurt them). I didn't expect North Texas to finish in the top 5, so ranking 2nd was quite a shock (Aside from Marshall, UNT was the only other program to place inside the Top 5 in all 3 categories). I was totally shocked to see UTSA rank in the Top 5 (UTSA's strong licensing revenue and attendance lifted them above other more most programs). I did expect LA Tech to rank higher (LA Tech ranked last in licensing revenue and it really hurt them).

(07-26-2020 05:19 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  Using a basic formula (average rankings of 2019, 18, & 17 attendance numbers + average rankings of 2019, 18, & 17 licensing revenue + average rankings of 2020, 19, & 18 recruiting rankings from 247sports /3), I present a possible interpretation of Brand Strength for every C-USA program, except Rice (I could not find a complete set of licensing revenue information for Rice). Some of the results were unexpected....

1. Marshall- 2.6 overall average ranking
2. North Texas- 3 overall average ranking
3. Southern Miss- 5 overall average ranking
3. UTSA- 5 overall average ranking
5. FAU- 6 overall average ranking
6. UAB- 6.6 overall average ranking
7. LA Tech- 8 overall average ranking
7. FIU- 8 overall average ranking
9. MT- 8.6 overall average ranking
9. ODU- 8.6 overall average ranking
11. WKU- 9 overall average ranking
11 UTEP- 9 overall average ranking
13. Charlotte- 12 overall average ranking
Rice- NA



3 Year Attendance Rankings (Yes, these are the NCAA's reported numbers. They are the official numbers. Please do not derail this topic into an argument over the validity of the NCAA's attendance numbers.)
1. UAB
2.UTSA
2. Marshall
4. Southern Miss
5. North Texas
6. Rice
7. LA Tech
8. ODU
9. FAU
10. UTEP
11. WKU
12. MTSU
13. FIU
14. Charlotte

3 Year licensing Revenue Rankings
1. Marshall
2. North Texas
3. UTSA
3. UTEP
5. ODU
6. Southern Miss
7. MTSU
8. FAU
9. WKU
9. FIU
11. Charlotte
12. UAB
13. LA Tech
Rice not reported

3 Year Recruiting Rankings (These are 247sports rankings. If someone would rather use the Rivals rankings, please feel free to substitute their 3 year rankings in place of 247's)
1. FAU
2. North Texas
2. FIU
4. LA Tech
5. Southern Miss
5. Marshall
7. WKU
7. MTSU
7.UAB
10. UTSA
11. Charlotte
12. Rice
13. ODU
14. UTEP

While I thought Marshall would rank high, I did not expect them to be first (Marshall ranks in the Top 5 in all three categories, including first in licensing revenue). I was surprised UAB and FAU didn't finish higher (FAU's licensing revenue and attendance dropped them down & UAB's licensing revenue and average recruiting rankings hurt them). I didn't expect North Texas to finish in the top 5, so ranking 2nd was quite a shock (Aside from Marshall, UNT was the only other program to place inside the Top 5 in all 3 categories). I was totally shocked to see UTSA rank in the Top 5 (UTSA's strong licensing revenue and attendance lifted them above other more most programs). I did expect LA Tech to rank higher (LA Tech ranked last in licensing revenue and it really hurt them).

This is the best picture of athletic brand strength, so far.

If you put recruiting rankings over actual conference standings/championships then these ratings are very flawed. I do not see how anyone could look at brand strength and leave out actual on field/court performance.

(07-26-2020 07:18 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  If you put recruiting rankings over actual conference standings/championships then these ratings are very flawed. I do not see how anyone could look at brand strength and leave out actual on field/court performance.

Amen brother Topstraight.

Interviewer: "So coach ____, your team has finished 4-8 the last three seasons in football. What do you think is needed to turn the situation around?"

CUSA Football Coach: "Turn things around? What are you talking about Larry? 247 has rated our classes #1 in recruiting in CUSA for the last three years. We ain't gotta turn nothin' around, we are already the best! That is brand performance, which is totally different than on the field performance."

Interviewer: "OK, um, that's gonna do it for us from here."

So this Strongest Brand thing, does it come with a t-shirt?

(07-26-2020 08:30 PM)Nugget49er Wrote:  So this Strongest Brand thing, does it come with a t-shirt?

It comes with 14 of them.

(07-26-2020 05:45 PM)balanced_view Wrote:  

(07-26-2020 05:19 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  Using a basic formula (average rankings of 2019, 18, & 17 attendance numbers + average rankings of 2019, 18, & 17 licensing revenue + average rankings of 2020, 19, & 18 recruiting rankings from 247sports /3), I present a possible interpretation of Brand Strength for every C-USA program, except Rice (I could not find a complete set of licensing revenue information for Rice). Some of the results were unexpected....

1. Marshall- 2.6 overall average ranking
2. North Texas- 3 overall average ranking
3. Southern Miss- 5 overall average ranking
3. UTSA- 5 overall average ranking
5. FAU- 6 overall average ranking
6. UAB- 6.6 overall average ranking
7. LA Tech- 8 overall average ranking
7. FIU- 8 overall average ranking
9. MT- 8.6 overall average ranking
9. ODU- 8.6 overall average ranking
11. WKU- 9 overall average ranking
11 UTEP- 9 overall average ranking
13. Charlotte- 12 overall average ranking
Rice- NA



3 Year Attendance Rankings (Yes, these are the NCAA's reported numbers. They are the official numbers. Please do not derail this topic into an argument over the validity of the NCAA's attendance numbers.)
1. UAB
2.UTSA
2. Marshall
4. Southern Miss
5. North Texas
6. Rice
7. LA Tech
8. ODU
9. FAU
10. UTEP
11. WKU
12. MTSU
13. FIU
14. Charlotte

3 Year licensing Revenue Rankings
1. Marshall
2. North Texas
3. UTSA
3. UTEP
5. ODU
6. Southern Miss
7. MTSU
8. FAU
9. WKU
9. FIU
11. Charlotte
12. UAB
13. LA Tech
Rice not reported

3 Year Recruiting Rankings (These are 247sports rankings. If someone would rather use the Rivals rankings, please feel free to substitute their 3 year rankings in place of 247's)
1. FAU
2. North Texas
2. FIU
4. LA Tech
5. Southern Miss
5. Marshall
7. WKU
7. MTSU
7.UAB
10. UTSA
11. Charlotte
12. Rice
13. ODU
14. UTEP

While I thought Marshall would rank high, I did not expect them to be first (Marshall ranks in the Top 5 in all three categories, including first in licensing revenue). I was surprised UAB and FAU didn't finish higher (FAU's licensing revenue and attendance dropped them down & UAB's licensing revenue and average recruiting rankings hurt them). I didn't expect North Texas to finish in the top 5, so ranking 2nd was quite a shock (Aside from Marshall, UNT was the only other program to place inside the Top 5 in all 3 categories). I was totally shocked to see UTSA rank in the Top 5 (UTSA's strong licensing revenue and attendance lifted them above other more most programs). I did expect LA Tech to rank higher (LA Tech ranked last in licensing revenue and it really hurt them).

This is the best picture of athletic brand strength, so far.

It certainly isn't perfect, but it was the best I could come up with.

(07-25-2020 06:25 PM)HTOWN_HERD Wrote:  

(07-25-2020 06:07 PM)FAU Connoisseur! Wrote:  

(07-18-2020 04:31 PM)BlueRaiderBoy Wrote:  I'd be ignoring reality on the sole issue of "National Brand" in "College Sports" to say that any CUSA 3.0 member has a more recognizable Sports Brand Name Nationally than Marshall. Not sure there is even a close second. Unfortunately, it is an outgrowth of the most Horrible Human Tragedy to have ever occurred in collegiate sports in this country. It is to their collective credit that the Thundering Herd has also produced a damn good football History Post- l975.

Not knocking Marshall...but what was the last player you can name that was known nationally from Marshall? National brands go up and down and sometimes go down forever.

Yes the plane crash does have some to do with it. However, a run of 3 heisman finalist and multiple top 25 rankings sure helps things when comes to getting your name out there. Also, are we talking about players or brands? Those are 2 totally different things. I’m just arguing from a national name recognition stand point. I’m well aware of Marshall’s struggles over the past decade of only finishing in the Top 25 once. It also helps that we an actual fan base that can put 35K-40K people in the stands for good opponents when CUSA rarely gets a game on actual tv. That is a problem that most of the league can’t fix. FAU, Charlotte, FIU, etc. can not draw fans, and I don’t see that changing anytime in the future.

You had 10000 people in the stands in a game against a fantastic team because there were high school football playoffs going on at the same time.

(07-26-2020 07:18 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  If you put recruiting rankings over actual conference standings/championships then these ratings are very flawed. I do not see how anyone could look at brand strength and leave out actual on field/court performance.

No. They generally align fairly well. There are only a few anomalies, but most teams preformed at the level of their talent. Only Rice and Charlotte outperformed their ranking, while Marshall and MT failed to live up to their talent level. In fact, the top recruiting classes in each division finished first and second in both divisions.

Here is a comparison between the 2016 247sports recruiting classes against the 2019 conference standings.....

(2016 247 national recruiting ranking in parenthesis)

WEST
1. UAB 6-2 (#71)
2. LA Tech 6-2 (#94)
3. Southern Miss 5-3 (#100)
4. Rice 3-5 (#129)
4. North Texas 3-5 (#102)
4. UTSA 3-5 (#103)
7. UTEP 0-8 (#125)

EAST
1. FAU 7-1 (#89)
2. Marshall 6-2 (#51)
2. WKU 6-2 (#101)
4. Charlotte 5-3 (#119)
5. MTSU 3-5 (#96)
6. FIU 3-5 (#104)
7. ODU 0-8 (#120)

(07-26-2020 08:30 PM)Nugget49er Wrote:  So this Strongest Brand thing, does it come with a t-shirt?

clt says if the shirt is more than $12 marshal fans will complain.

(07-26-2020 05:19 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  Using a basic formula (average rankings of 2019, 18, & 17 attendance numbers + average rankings of 2019, 18, & 17 licensing revenue + average rankings of 2020, 19, & 18 recruiting rankings from 247sports /3), I present a possible interpretation of Brand Strength for every C-USA program, except Rice (I could not find a complete set of licensing revenue information for Rice). Some of the results were unexpected....

1. Marshall- 2.6 overall average ranking
2. North Texas- 3 overall average ranking
3. Southern Miss- 5 overall average ranking
3. UTSA- 5 overall average ranking
5. FAU- 6 overall average ranking
6. UAB- 6.6 overall average ranking
7. LA Tech- 8 overall average ranking
7. FIU- 8 overall average ranking
9. MT- 8.6 overall average ranking
9. ODU- 8.6 overall average ranking
11. WKU- 9 overall average ranking
11 UTEP- 9 overall average ranking
13. Charlotte- 12 overall average ranking
Rice- NA



3 Year Attendance Rankings (Yes, these are the NCAA's reported numbers. They are the official numbers. Please do not derail this topic into an argument over the validity of the NCAA's attendance numbers.)
1. UAB
2.UTSA
2. Marshall
4. Southern Miss
5. North Texas
6. Rice
7. LA Tech
8. ODU
9. FAU
10. UTEP
11. WKU
12. MTSU
13. FIU
14. Charlotte

3 Year licensing Revenue Rankings
1. Marshall
2. North Texas
3. UTSA
3. UTEP
5. ODU
6. Southern Miss
7. MTSU
8. FAU
9. WKU
9. FIU
11. Charlotte
12. UAB
13. LA Tech
Rice not reported

3 Year Recruiting Rankings (These are 247sports rankings. If someone would rather use the Rivals rankings, please feel free to substitute their 3 year rankings in place of 247's)
1. FAU
2. North Texas
2. FIU
4. LA Tech
5. Southern Miss
5. Marshall
7. WKU
7. MTSU
7.UAB
10. UTSA
11. Charlotte
12. Rice
13. ODU
14. UTEP

While I thought Marshall would rank high, I did not expect them to be first (Marshall ranks in the Top 5 in all three categories, including first in licensing revenue). I was surprised UAB and FAU didn't finish higher (FAU's licensing revenue and attendance dropped them down & UAB's licensing revenue and average recruiting rankings hurt them). I didn't expect North Texas to finish in the top 5, so ranking 2nd was quite a shock (Aside from Marshall, UNT was the only other program to place inside the Top 5 in all 3 categories). I was totally shocked to see UTSA rank in the Top 5 (UTSA's strong licensing revenue and attendance lifted them above other more most programs). I did expect LA Tech to rank higher (LA Tech ranked last in licensing revenue and it really hurt them).

I make a motion to derail.

(07-26-2020 05:19 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  Using a basic formula (average rankings of 2019, 18, & 17 attendance numbers + average rankings of 2019, 18, & 17 licensing revenue + average rankings of 2020, 19, & 18 recruiting rankings from 247sports /3), I present a possible interpretation of Brand Strength for every C-USA program, except Rice (I could not find a complete set of licensing revenue information for Rice). Some of the results were unexpected....

1. Marshall- 2.6 overall average ranking
2. North Texas- 3 overall average ranking
3. Southern Miss- 5 overall average ranking
3. UTSA- 5 overall average ranking
5. FAU- 6 overall average ranking
6. UAB- 6.6 overall average ranking
7. LA Tech- 8 overall average ranking
7. FIU- 8 overall average ranking
9. MT- 8.6 overall average ranking
9. ODU- 8.6 overall average ranking
11. WKU- 9 overall average ranking
11 UTEP- 9 overall average ranking
13. Charlotte- 12 overall average ranking
Rice- NA



3 Year Attendance Rankings (Yes, these are the NCAA's reported numbers. They are the official numbers. Please do not derail this topic into an argument over the validity of the NCAA's attendance numbers.)
1. UAB
2.UTSA
2. Marshall
4. Southern Miss
5. North Texas
6. Rice
7. LA Tech
8. ODU
9. FAU
10. UTEP
11. WKU
12. MTSU
13. FIU
14. Charlotte

3 Year licensing Revenue Rankings
1. Marshall
2. North Texas
3. UTSA
3. UTEP
5. ODU
6. Southern Miss
7. MTSU
8. FAU
9. WKU
9. FIU
11. Charlotte
12. UAB
13. LA Tech
Rice not reported

3 Year Recruiting Rankings (These are 247sports rankings. If someone would rather use the Rivals rankings, please feel free to substitute their 3 year rankings in place of 247's)
1. FAU
2. North Texas
2. FIU
4. LA Tech
5. Southern Miss
5. Marshall
7. WKU
7. MTSU
7.UAB
10. UTSA
11. Charlotte
12. Rice
13. ODU
14. UTEP

While I thought Marshall would rank high, I did not expect them to be first (Marshall ranks in the Top 5 in all three categories, including first in licensing revenue). I was surprised UAB and FAU didn't finish higher (FAU's licensing revenue and attendance dropped them down & UAB's licensing revenue and average recruiting rankings hurt them). I didn't expect North Texas to finish in the top 5, so ranking 2nd was quite a shock (Aside from Marshall, UNT was the only other program to place inside the Top 5 in all 3 categories). I was totally shocked to see UTSA rank in the Top 5 (UTSA's strong licensing revenue and attendance lifted them above other more most programs). I did expect LA Tech to rank higher (LA Tech ranked last in licensing revenue and it really hurt them).

Joe, why wouldn't you expect Marshall to be near the top of that list?

Again, it's not that complicated. I didn't even mention Marshall in my list of top brands.

I travel a lot, everyone knows who Marshall is, many know who Southern Miss is.

I challenge everyone to do the significant other test.

Ask your wife, husband, boyfriend girlfriend whoever.

What teams are in CUSA? See how many they can list and take the first couple. You'll get some surprising answers.

Heck, the first couple teams my wife mentioned don't even play in CUSA! She mentioned Miami of Ohio, Ohio University, Cincinnati and ECU! What that shows is none of us really have that name brand yet.

(07-27-2020 09:00 AM)rileylives Wrote:  I challenge everyone to do the significant other test.

Ask your wife, husband, boyfriend girlfriend whoever.

What teams are in CUSA? See how many they can list and take the first couple. You'll get some surprising answers.

Heck, the first couple teams my wife mentioned don't even play in CUSA! She mentioned Miami of Ohio, Ohio University, Cincinnati and ECU! What that shows is none of us really have that name brand yet.

You are heading to the fast lane of divorce if this is a topic of discussion at the kitchen table.

(07-27-2020 09:07 AM)FAU Connoisseur! Wrote:  

(07-27-2020 09:00 AM)rileylives Wrote:  I challenge everyone to do the significant other test.

Ask your wife, husband, boyfriend girlfriend whoever.

What teams are in CUSA? See how many they can list and take the first couple. You'll get some surprising answers.

Heck, the first couple teams my wife mentioned don't even play in CUSA! She mentioned Miami of Ohio, Ohio University, Cincinnati and ECU! What that shows is none of us really have that name brand yet.

You are heading to the fast lane of divorce if this is a topic of discussion at the kitchen table.

Lol ha, how about marrying someone that is your best friend? This is not the only thing we talked about bro.

I'm a renaissance man.

(07-27-2020 09:10 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(07-27-2020 09:07 AM)FAU Connoisseur! Wrote:  

(07-27-2020 09:00 AM)rileylives Wrote:  I challenge everyone to do the significant other test.

Ask your wife, husband, boyfriend girlfriend whoever.

What teams are in CUSA? See how many they can list and take the first couple. You'll get some surprising answers.

Heck, the first couple teams my wife mentioned don't even play in CUSA! She mentioned Miami of Ohio, Ohio University, Cincinnati and ECU! What that shows is none of us really have that name brand yet.

You are heading to the fast lane of divorce if this is a topic of discussion at the kitchen table.

Lol ha, how about marrying someone that is your best friend? This is not the only thing we talked about bro.

I'm a renaissance man.

You obviously don't talk about it much or she tunes you out when you do.

If I framed the question that way my wife might guess ODU because she'd reason that would be the only reason I'd ask. Then maybe she'd say VCU (she went to VCU). Most likely she'd say "I don't care".

If I listed the schools and ask if she'd heard of them I think only Rice and maybe Marshall would get a "yes". We did spend some time near Boca Raton and visited a Sea Turtle sanctuary (Gumbo Limbo) which collaborates with FAU so that might trigger some recognition.

So overall none of us have enough athletic brand to come up on my wifes radar who's clearly not a college sports fan. Not surprising really. Rice would carry enough academic brand to be recognizable. Marshall would be recognizable due to the movie.

(07-27-2020 09:47 AM)mturn017 Wrote:  

(07-27-2020 09:10 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(07-27-2020 09:07 AM)FAU Connoisseur! Wrote:  

(07-27-2020 09:00 AM)rileylives Wrote:  I challenge everyone to do the significant other test.

Ask your wife, husband, boyfriend girlfriend whoever.

What teams are in CUSA? See how many they can list and take the first couple. You'll get some surprising answers.

Heck, the first couple teams my wife mentioned don't even play in CUSA! She mentioned Miami of Ohio, Ohio University, Cincinnati and ECU! What that shows is none of us really have that name brand yet.

You are heading to the fast lane of divorce if this is a topic of discussion at the kitchen table.

Lol ha, how about marrying someone that is your best friend? This is not the only thing we talked about bro.

I'm a renaissance man.

You obviously don't talk about it much or she tunes you out when you do.

If I framed the question that way my wife might guess ODU because she'd reason that would be the only reason I'd ask. Then maybe she'd say VCU (she went to VCU). Most likely she'd say "I don't care".

If I listed the schools and ask if she'd heard of them I think only Rice and maybe Marshall would get a "yes". We did spend some time near Boca Raton and visited a Sea Turtle sanctuary (Gumbo Limbo) which collaborates with FAU so that might trigger some recognition.

So overall none of us have enough athletic brand to come up on my wifes radar who's clearly not a college sports fan. Not surprising really. Rice would carry enough academic brand to be recognizable. Marshall would be recognizable due to the movie.

Wrong pal, there's way too many assumptions going on in this board. My wife and I both got our bachelor's and Master's from Marshall, we met at Marshall, and we are in the We are Marshall movie.

She just doesn't care enough about the current state of CUSA because we have four kids. Life moves on, which again shows just how good the wife test is at showing your brand status. She follows sports but doesn't care enough about the current CUSA.

I tried the test with my GF. Her response was "I don't have time for this."

But my guess is that the could not name any of them.

maybe another brand test is how many tshirts/caps you see out of area with conference member logos, like the UNC shirts I saw people wearing yesterday.

Pretty much none. I see some UNT stuff, but that is my geographical area. If you see me, I often have Rice stuff on.

Of course, around here, every roofing crew has two Teasips and an Aggie.

(07-27-2020 10:01 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(07-27-2020 09:47 AM)mturn017 Wrote:  

(07-27-2020 09:10 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(07-27-2020 09:07 AM)FAU Connoisseur! Wrote:  

(07-27-2020 09:00 AM)rileylives Wrote:  I challenge everyone to do the significant other test.

Ask your wife, husband, boyfriend girlfriend whoever.

What teams are in CUSA? See how many they can list and take the first couple. You'll get some surprising answers.

Heck, the first couple teams my wife mentioned don't even play in CUSA! She mentioned Miami of Ohio, Ohio University, Cincinnati and ECU! What that shows is none of us really have that name brand yet.

You are heading to the fast lane of divorce if this is a topic of discussion at the kitchen table.

Lol ha, how about marrying someone that is your best friend? This is not the only thing we talked about bro.

I'm a renaissance man.

You obviously don't talk about it much or she tunes you out when you do.

If I framed the question that way my wife might guess ODU because she'd reason that would be the only reason I'd ask. Then maybe she'd say VCU (she went to VCU). Most likely she'd say "I don't care".

If I listed the schools and ask if she'd heard of them I think only Rice and maybe Marshall would get a "yes". We did spend some time near Boca Raton and visited a Sea Turtle sanctuary (Gumbo Limbo) which collaborates with FAU so that might trigger some recognition.

So overall none of us have enough athletic brand to come up on my wifes radar who's clearly not a college sports fan. Not surprising really. Rice would carry enough academic brand to be recognizable. Marshall would be recognizable due to the movie.

Wrong pal, there's way too many assumptions going on in this board. My wife and I both got our bachelor's and Master's from Marshall, we met at Marshall, and we are in the We are Marshall movie.

She just doesn't care enough about the current state of CUSA because we have four kids. Life moves on, which again shows just how good the wife test is at showing your brand status. She follows sports but doesn't care enough about the current CUSA.

Just a joke man.

I am not casting any dispersions on the great school itself, FAU, a fine institution and a contributing member of CUSA, but when it comes to branding, a school located in "The Mouth of a Rat" has a hill to climb. Especially with the Hispanic population, I would think.

BTW, was watching Shark Week and saw an episode featuring marine biologists from FIU. Good stuff!

Another BTW...I'm just yanking the chain of our FAU brethren on the "Boca Raton" thingy.