(08-25-2020 08:42 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 08:21 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 06:52 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 06:14 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Where is the WAC going to get a bunch of FBS programs though? The Southland? Big Sky? MVFC?

No one seems likely to jump up

Yes.

Nmsu AD said there are, he just didn't want to divulge who.

As stated many times here, the SLC and BSC are both bloated, 2 schools from each could instantly form a WAC 6-team East/West division with Tarleton and nmsu.

Just because those conferences are bloated doesn't mean 2 schools from each want to join the WAC or go FBS. Even then that would be 6 schools. Who makes up the rest of this FBS conference?

6 is all you need to get started.

Outside of that, maybe there are other FBS schools looking to join a more regional conference. Think C-USA West.

CUSA West is sitting pretty. CUSA East is where most of the CUSA griping comes from.

(08-25-2020 10:26 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 08:42 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 08:21 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 06:52 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 06:14 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Where is the WAC going to get a bunch of FBS programs though? The Southland? Big Sky? MVFC?

No one seems likely to jump up

Yes.

Nmsu AD said there are, he just didn't want to divulge who.

As stated many times here, the SLC and BSC are both bloated, 2 schools from each could instantly form a WAC 6-team East/West division with Tarleton and nmsu.

Just because those conferences are bloated doesn't mean 2 schools from each want to join the WAC or go FBS. Even then that would be 6 schools. Who makes up the rest of this FBS conference?

6 is all you need to get started.

Outside of that, maybe there are other FBS schools looking to join a more regional conference. Think C-USA West.

CUSA West is sitting pretty. CUSA East is where most of the CUSA griping comes from.

I agree with that the CUSA west with UTEP. UTSA UnT, Rice and LaTech is pretty solid. I can't see any of those schools wanting to bail out of that setup for something new with the New Mexico State or Tarleton.

The way Aggie fans talk UTEP wouldn't want go be seen as equals to you. I can't see UNT wanting to be thought of as peers with Tarleton.

(08-25-2020 10:23 AM)Trod0 Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 06:33 AM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(08-24-2020 12:46 PM)Trod0 Wrote:  Our AD has been saying for months that the WAC has been talking to football schools for possible membership. He pretty much always mentions FBS not FCS, and even states that Tarleton is willing to make that move. Tarleton fans, is that true? What have you heard on FBS? If thats the case, the WAC is more than likely talking with current FCS schools and possibly a FBS school or 2. I don’t see is going after D2 move ups making that big of a jump. Here’s a link to the podcast, hit the 21:30 mark and listen from there. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nm...0488671991

Sorry I missed this. Had to listen to it twice, but YES, your AD said Tarleton "definitely" wants to move up to FBS (no mention of Dixie), and the WAC is trying to rebuild an FBS league. Other FCS's wanting to make the move up is the dangling carrot the WAC needs to rebuild a solid long-lasting football conference comprised of full-members. Changes the whole conversation, really. So yes, Dixie may really be destined for the Big Sky.

Tarleton has bigger plans than I originally thought. That’s good, I like it. I think that big of a leap is to much for most D2 move ups but I think you guys have the backing to handle it. So yes, this does change the whole conversation and prior thoughts on which schools will be next to join the WAC. This should be interesting

Wow..going back and listening to it, he did say we are interested.

That explains some of the comments made from the Tarleton and A&M leadership saying the WAC has more upside and potential for improving the brand

This thread has replaced one of the older expansion thread that was mentioned here as being allowed to exist on the main WAC board. The rules at the link still apply.

If a third expansion discussion thread appears, I will close it and remove it from the main board.

(08-25-2020 06:52 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 06:14 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Where is the WAC going to get a bunch of FBS programs though? The Southland? Big Sky? MVFC?

No one seems likely to jump up

Yes.

Nmsu AD said there are, he just didn't want to divulge who.

As stated many times here, the SLC and BSC are both bloated, 2 schools from each could instantly form a WAC 6-team East/West division with Tarleton and nmsu.

Well he answered my question, the man is locked down like Ft Knox. He does give a little more info and clearly states Tarleton is moving up. Also no mention on Dixie. He doesn’t want to name schools but here is the link. Start it at the 8:55 mark. Enjoy. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nm...1528532165

(08-26-2020 08:38 PM)Trod0 Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 06:52 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 06:14 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Where is the WAC going to get a bunch of FBS programs though? The Southland? Big Sky? MVFC?

No one seems likely to jump up

Yes.

Nmsu AD said there are, he just didn't want to divulge who.

As stated many times here, the SLC and BSC are both bloated, 2 schools from each could instantly form a WAC 6-team East/West division with Tarleton and nmsu.

Well he answered my question, the man is locked down like Ft Knox. He does give a little more info and clearly states Tarleton is moving up. Also no mention on Dixie. He doesn’t want to name schools but here is the link. Start it at the 8:55 mark. Enjoy. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nm...1528532165

Wow! You are opening a whole new can of worms! He specifically stated schools leaving other conferences (confidential), joining NMSU and Tarleton, needing six more. Nice work, man. I'm really at a loss for words, which is rare. I love that your AD is so responsive and candid with the fans.

(08-26-2020 09:10 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(08-26-2020 08:38 PM)Trod0 Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 06:52 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 06:14 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Where is the WAC going to get a bunch of FBS programs though? The Southland? Big Sky? MVFC?

No one seems likely to jump up

Yes.

Nmsu AD said there are, he just didn't want to divulge who.

As stated many times here, the SLC and BSC are both bloated, 2 schools from each could instantly form a WAC 6-team East/West division with Tarleton and nmsu.

Well he answered my question, the man is locked down like Ft Knox. He does give a little more info and clearly states Tarleton is moving up. Also no mention on Dixie. He doesn’t want to name schools but here is the link. Start it at the 8:55 mark. Enjoy. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nm...1528532165

Wow! You are opening a whole new can of worms! He specifically stated schools leaving other conferences (confidential), joining NMSU and Tarleton, needing six more. Nice work, man. I'm really at a loss for words, which is rare. I love that your AD is so responsive and candid with the fans.

Yea thats pretty awesome! We never hear a peep from our AD. He's trash. He's gonna take credit for getting us on ESPN but probably had nothing to do with it.

Unless NMSU is talking with FCS schools ready to move up to the FBS, I have to believe there are some grumblings in the western CUSA and SBC; to possibly make a more regional (Texas centric) football conference under the WAC banner. Will it come to pass, I don't know?

(08-26-2020 11:36 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  Unless NMSU is talking with FCS schools ready to move up to the FBS, I have to believe there are some grumblings in the western CUSA and SBC; to possibly make a more regional (Texas centric) football conference under the WAC banner. Will it come to pass, I don't know?

That makes the most sense if FBS schools are the targets. Also, could be a mix of FBS and FCS Texas schools. UIW would have the audacity to jump up, Sam Houston and Lamar could to. A Kingsville-CC merger would be an FBS sized school. Might light a fire under UTRGV's butt to start football if UTSA came on board. Rivalries would bloom very quickly. Football travel reduced, also a draw to play WAC basketball. UTA, a solid basketball school, has been seriously debating bringing back football lately. Rekindling the UTA/Tarleton football rivalry would be special.

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/2018/1...disbanded/

(08-26-2020 11:36 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  Unless NMSU is talking with FCS schools ready to move up to the FBS, I have to believe there are some grumblings in the western CUSA and SBC; to possibly make a more regional (Texas centric) football conference under the WAC banner. Will it come to pass, I don't know?

Well as a western SBC member we'd love to be with the Texas CUSA schools but we really like the SBC for the most part. Frankly the WAC would be a huge downgrade in all sports and no offense to the Tarleton peeps but we wouldnt want to give up being conferencemates with Louisiana, Arkansas St, GSU, APP, GS, Troy, USA, and Coastal for Tarleton.

(08-27-2020 08:50 AM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  Well as a western SBC member we'd love to be with the Texas CUSA schools but we really like the SBC for the most part. Frankly the WAC would be a huge downgrade in all sports and no offense to the Tarleton peeps but we wouldnt want to give up being conferencemates with Louisiana, Arkansas St, GSU, APP, GS, Troy, USA, and Coastal for Tarleton.

If I was in your shoes, I would say the same thing today. But in ten years, I might have a different opinion.

(08-27-2020 08:50 AM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  

(08-26-2020 11:36 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  Unless NMSU is talking with FCS schools ready to move up to the FBS, I have to believe there are some grumblings in the western CUSA and SBC; to possibly make a more regional (Texas centric) football conference under the WAC banner. Will it come to pass, I don't know?

Well as a western SBC member we'd love to be with the Texas CUSA schools but we really like the SBC for the most part. Frankly the WAC would be a huge downgrade in all sports and no offense to the Tarleton peeps but we wouldnt want to give up being conferencemates with Louisiana, Arkansas St, GSU, APP, GS, Troy, USA, and Coastal for Tarleton.

I don’t think it’s a huge downgrade in Olympic sports, it more of a downgrade in name recognition that you’re use to. Football will be a downgrade though.

(08-27-2020 10:09 AM)Trod0 Wrote:  

(08-27-2020 08:50 AM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  

(08-26-2020 11:36 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  Unless NMSU is talking with FCS schools ready to move up to the FBS, I have to believe there are some grumblings in the western CUSA and SBC; to possibly make a more regional (Texas centric) football conference under the WAC banner. Will it come to pass, I don't know?

Well as a western SBC member we'd love to be with the Texas CUSA schools but we really like the SBC for the most part. Frankly the WAC would be a huge downgrade in all sports and no offense to the Tarleton peeps but we wouldnt want to give up being conferencemates with Louisiana, Arkansas St, GSU, APP, GS, Troy, USA, and Coastal for Tarleton.

I don’t think it’s a huge downgrade in Olympic sports, it more of a downgrade in name recognition that you’re use to. Football will be a downgrade though.

Im curious to see how the conference RPIs compare but yea when it comes down to it football runs the show and the Sun Belt is becoming quite a salty football conference and if we get even a month of football in this fall we're gonna see an uptick in brand recognition and probably recruiting as a result of being one of few conferences with games on TV in september. Maybe that helps us catch up to the MWC? We shall see.

(08-27-2020 10:50 AM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  

(08-27-2020 10:09 AM)Trod0 Wrote:  

(08-27-2020 08:50 AM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  

(08-26-2020 11:36 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  Unless NMSU is talking with FCS schools ready to move up to the FBS, I have to believe there are some grumblings in the western CUSA and SBC; to possibly make a more regional (Texas centric) football conference under the WAC banner. Will it come to pass, I don't know?

Well as a western SBC member we'd love to be with the Texas CUSA schools but we really like the SBC for the most part. Frankly the WAC would be a huge downgrade in all sports and no offense to the Tarleton peeps but we wouldnt want to give up being conferencemates with Louisiana, Arkansas St, GSU, APP, GS, Troy, USA, and Coastal for Tarleton.

I don’t think it’s a huge downgrade in Olympic sports, it more of a downgrade in name recognition that you’re use to. Football will be a downgrade though.

Im curious to see how the conference RPIs compare but yea when it comes down to it football runs the show and the Sun Belt is becoming quite a salty football conference and if we get even a month of football in this fall we're gonna see an uptick in brand recognition and probably recruiting as a result of being one of few conferences with games on TV in september. Maybe that helps us catch up to the MWC? We shall see.

Yep. The Sun Belt has made good choices with recent expansions (and didn't over expand). This approach has created a tough league that pays better than cusa

(08-27-2020 10:01 AM)TexanFan Wrote:  

(08-27-2020 08:50 AM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  Well as a western SBC member we'd love to be with the Texas CUSA schools but we really like the SBC for the most part. Frankly the WAC would be a huge downgrade in all sports and no offense to the Tarleton peeps but we wouldnt want to give up being conferencemates with Louisiana, Arkansas St, GSU, APP, GS, Troy, USA, and Coastal for Tarleton.

If I was in your shoes, I would say the same thing today. But in ten years, I might have a different opinion.

10 years is a long time. 10 years ago, A&M and Nebraska played in Big 12. Utah and TCU were on the outside of the Cartel.

I think it depends on how things evolve in the WAC. The current CUSA tried the markets approach (Dallas. Houston, San Antonio, Nashville, Charlotte) and it hasn't panned out. The PAC is focused on western MarkTV. (LA. Bay area, Phx, slc, Seattle,Denver) and doesn't get love by pollsters or tv.

The Sun Belt seems interested in playing the same role the MAC plays to the Big Ten.

(08-27-2020 06:22 PM)chrisattsu Wrote:  

(08-27-2020 10:01 AM)TexanFan Wrote:  

10 years is a long time. 10 years ago, A&M and Nebraska played in Big 12. Utah and TCU were on the outside of the Cartel.

I think it depends on how things evolve in the WAC. The current CUSA tried the markets approach (Dallas. Houston, San Antonio, Nashville, Charlotte) and it hasn't panned out. The PAC is focused on western MarkTV. (LA. Bay area, Phx, slc, Seattle,Denver) and doesn't get love by pollsters or tv.

The Sun Belt seems interested in playing the same role the MAC plays to the Big Ten.

My statement was in reference to the growth of Tarleton. If you look at where we were as a university ten years ago to where we are today, not the same school. Dattavio completely changes the trajectory of the university and it seems Hurley is continuing. Hurley gave an interview the other day about what is next for Tarleton and he mentioned a medical school. Not saying it will happen, but the fact it is being considered and we are discussing FBS football shows the growth and potential of Tarleton. This is why in ten years I think we will be on par if not exceeding the schools listed.

(08-27-2020 07:36 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  

(08-27-2020 06:22 PM)chrisattsu Wrote:  

(08-27-2020 10:01 AM)TexanFan Wrote:  

10 years is a long time. 10 years ago, A&M and Nebraska played in Big 12. Utah and TCU were on the outside of the Cartel.

I think it depends on how things evolve in the WAC. The current CUSA tried the markets approach (Dallas. Houston, San Antonio, Nashville, Charlotte) and it hasn't panned out. The PAC is focused on western MarkTV. (LA. Bay area, Phx, slc, Seattle,Denver) and doesn't get love by pollsters or tv.

The Sun Belt seems interested in playing the same role the MAC plays to the Big Ten.

My statement was in reference to the growth of Tarleton. If you look at where we were as a university ten years ago to where we are today, not the same school. Dattavio completely changes the trajectory of the university and it seems Hurley is continuing. Hurley gave an interview the other day about what is next for Tarleton and he mentioned a medical school. Not saying it will happen, but the fact it is being considered and we are discussing FBS football shows the growth and potential of Tarleton. This is why in ten years I think we will be on par if not exceeding the schools listed.

Im not refuting it but I am curious to know in what ways you believe Dr. D changed the trajectory compared to his predecessors

(08-27-2020 08:50 AM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  

(08-26-2020 11:36 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  Unless NMSU is talking with FCS schools ready to move up to the FBS, I have to believe there are some grumblings in the western CUSA and SBC; to possibly make a more regional (Texas centric) football conference under the WAC banner. Will it come to pass, I don't know?

Well as a western SBC member we'd love to be with the Texas CUSA schools but we really like the SBC for the most part. Frankly the WAC would be a huge downgrade in all sports and no offense to the Tarleton peeps but we wouldnt want to give up being conferencemates with Louisiana, Arkansas St, GSU, APP, GS, Troy, USA, and Coastal for Tarleton.

Lol...I see no difference between Tarleton (as-is) and half the teams in the Sun Belt. You will have a very hard time convincing me Louisiana-Monroe, Arkansas State and South Alabama are head and shoulders above the 2nd largest institution in the Texas A&M System. And let us not forget it wasn't that long ago we had Southwest Texas State getting kicked around in the Southland Conference, after spending 50 years in D2 with the Lone Star Conference. And ask yourself, who is the real geographical outlier in the Sun Belt? Yes, you bobbie cats just might be in for a "huge downgrade" with Tarleton in the WAC before you know it. I really hope Texas State and Tarleton find a way to play each other soon. Just might be an eye opener for ya.

(08-27-2020 08:10 PM)chrisattsu Wrote:  

(08-27-2020 07:36 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  [quote='chrisattsu' pid='16965600' dateline='1598570544']

Im not refuting it but I am curious to know in what ways you believe Dr. D changed the trajectory compared to his predecessors

A misstatement on my part so thank you Chris.

McCabe and Thompson started the development of Tarleton but Dattivio put it on steroids. The campus and enrollment growth Tarleton saw with Dattivio was amazing.

My point was where will we be ten years from now compared to where we were ten years ago. Again I think we will be on par if not exceeding the schools listed in post.

(08-27-2020 08:10 PM)chrisattsu Wrote:  

(08-27-2020 07:36 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  

(08-27-2020 06:22 PM)chrisattsu Wrote:  

(08-27-2020 10:01 AM)TexanFan Wrote:  

10 years is a long time. 10 years ago, A&M and Nebraska played in Big 12. Utah and TCU were on the outside of the Cartel.

I think it depends on how things evolve in the WAC. The current CUSA tried the markets approach (Dallas. Houston, San Antonio, Nashville, Charlotte) and it hasn't panned out. The PAC is focused on western MarkTV. (LA. Bay area, Phx, slc, Seattle,Denver) and doesn't get love by pollsters or tv.

The Sun Belt seems interested in playing the same role the MAC plays to the Big Ten.

My statement was in reference to the growth of Tarleton. If you look at where we were as a university ten years ago to where we are today, not the same school. Dattavio completely changes the trajectory of the university and it seems Hurley is continuing. Hurley gave an interview the other day about what is next for Tarleton and he mentioned a medical school. Not saying it will happen, but the fact it is being considered and we are discussing FBS football shows the growth and potential of Tarleton. This is why in ten years I think we will be on par if not exceeding the schools listed.

Im not refuting it but I am curious to know in what ways you believe Dr. D changed the trajectory compared to his predecessors

Fort Worth. That campus will change the trajectory of Tarleton more than we can even realize today. He completely transformed the Stephenville campus. Enrollment exploded under his leadership. He was a great Prez, just not as athletically-supportive as Hurley.

http://www.tarleton.edu/president/past/dottavio.html