(10-04-2020 10:15 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  

(10-04-2020 10:07 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  ODU chose to leave JMU for what it thought was greener pastures. It turns out they were not financially ready for the next step up. So JMU should now hitch its athletics wagon to ODU? I disagree. I would much rather JMU focus on a partnership with App or Marshall. They are more established programs with a better future.

I’d much rather that as well but ODU needs JMU and ODU needs to move. App State and Marshall don’t.

Agree. ODU needs JMU more than JMU needs ODU. JMU is fine without ODU, but definitely wouldn't mind being in a conference with ODU.

I still believe a new regional conference is being worked on. If it is indeed a thing, we won't know about it until it is close to being a done deal.
I think Bourne and JMU see a new conference as the best option right now. AAC is technically their first option, but JMU isn't going AAC unless something bad happens to the AAC and they are desperate. JMU is going to have to prove to the AAC that they can be a good FBS program first.
CUSA/MAC are the only other options for JMU and they both have problems.
In regards to a new conference, there needs to be a solid group of teams committed to hopefully sway those teams that might be reluctant. And of course, they need money, a group of people and a commissioner to make this a reality. Having just some schools saying "a new conference sure would be nice!" isn't going to cut it. There needs to be real action and that will truly be the determining factor that will either make this a pipe dream or a reality.

(10-02-2020 10:20 AM)HTOWN_HERD Wrote:  

(09-29-2020 04:14 PM)herdfan129 Wrote:  

(09-28-2020 12:29 PM)AppinVA Wrote:  

(09-23-2020 08:28 PM)herdfan129 Wrote:  JMU couldn't win a NC until Marshall and others moved up but carry on.

There's no comparison between football programs at all. App State isn't on Marshall's level either. Only difference is they will admit that.

Y’all did have our number last week, but for the rest...I wouldn’t go that far.

Program is more than one year....

Do you guys want to compare Heisman Finalists, Top 25 finishes, Top 10 finishes, amount of weeks ranked in Top 25, Bowl games, bowl wins etc etc?

I didn't think so. And that's not a knock on App. We have a headstart on you all in terms of FBS football.

I think in 2020, we are pretty even, as the game results last week showed. I would love to share a conference with App (and JMU).

No reason not to have a legit eastern based G5 conference right now. I truly think we could be the 2nd best G5 and even be the #1 G5 conference some years.


Marshall
App
Ga So
JMU

That's 4 very solid football PROGRAMS to build a new eastern based G5 conference around.

I honestly wouldn't care what other 6-8 teams were added to make 10-12 member conference (as long as they were in the East to keep a pretty tight footprint.)

Marshall, App State, JMU are the only programs in a decent geographical footprint that can actually put butts in seats (25K) or more every Saturday. The rest of the current FBS teams in the area simply have no football fans and likely never will. IMO, those 3 need to be together because they could drive one another to better every year. I feel a lot of schools in the current CUSA have no fanbase that really care, so they are fine with being so-so and making a bowl game here and there.

yep.

the market experiment was a failure.

if you want to progress to the top of the G5, like the AAC is, you need fans/support.

Most of the CUSA/SB/MAC schools don't have it. That's why they have never moved beyond that level.

You look at the support in the AAC and it is MUCH higher than the other midwst/east coast based G5 leagues.

JMU, App State, Marshall, ODU, Ga Southern. Those programs have shown they will support their programs solidly. Those 5 need to be the basis of a starting point to a 10 team league that can realistically set its sights on the AAC and try to reach that level.

(10-04-2020 09:18 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  The key to the conference movement could be ODU. They seem to be in real trouble- they cancelled sports and postponed football for a full year. They need to partner with JMU on a regional conference (Cusa and Sunbelt North and East). I believe when Jeff Bourne suggests he has been in contact with g5 schools it’s Wood Selig and ODU that he’s referring to.

I think we're fine. We have 491 student athletes and that's pretty high compared to most peer universities. I think covid, sadly, was an excuse to start right-sizing. 1/3rd of our season ticket sales were gifted and someone donated $5 million anonymously. No furloughs. I think what we're seeing is an excuse to get a little leaner but overall I don't think we're in bad shape.

Having said that yes, I want JMU as a partner. JMU, ECU, Charlotte, App State, and Marshall would be fantastic. Doesn't look likely to ever happen and that's a shame for the fans.

edit: that 491 # might be incorrect now. http://cafidatabase.knightcommission.org...s/e4d8b7f3 I was looking at that data and forgot it was from 2018.

A conference with JMwho, Ol' Dirty, Ape, the Turd and G Spot could challenge AAC football with a bit of time.

Per Virginia Pilot 10/2/20

"the ODU athletic department has even managed to avoid layoffs and furloughs, thanks largely to the generosity of its donors and sponsors. The department recently received a $5 million gift from a benefactor Selig declined to name.

Instead of asking for refunds, about a third of the football team’s season-ticket holders elected to turn their purchases over to the school as donations to be put toward fiscal year 2021.

Student fees at JMU that subsidize athletics ($5,050) are 42% higher per student than at ODU.

When are JMU tuition paying families going to start asking for a refunds?

(10-05-2020 12:30 PM)Dukeman2 Wrote:  Per Virginia Pilot 10/2/20

"the ODU athletic department has even managed to avoid layoffs and furloughs, thanks largely to the generosity of its donors and sponsors. The department recently received a $5 million gift from a benefactor Selig declined to name.

Instead of asking for refunds, about a third of the football team’s season-ticket holders elected to turn their purchases over to the school as donations to be put toward fiscal year 2021.

Student fees at JMU that subsidize athletics ($5,050) are 42% higher per student than at ODU.

When are JMU tuition paying families going to start asking for a refunds?

I see your concern. Perhaps we should all sign a petition to get rid of student fees.

(10-05-2020 10:24 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  

(10-02-2020 10:20 AM)HTOWN_HERD Wrote:  

(09-29-2020 04:14 PM)herdfan129 Wrote:  

(09-28-2020 12:29 PM)AppinVA Wrote:  

(09-23-2020 08:28 PM)herdfan129 Wrote:  JMU couldn't win a NC until Marshall and others moved up but carry on.

There's no comparison between football programs at all. App State isn't on Marshall's level either. Only difference is they will admit that.

Y’all did have our number last week, but for the rest...I wouldn’t go that far.

Program is more than one year....

Do you guys want to compare Heisman Finalists, Top 25 finishes, Top 10 finishes, amount of weeks ranked in Top 25, Bowl games, bowl wins etc etc?

I didn't think so. And that's not a knock on App. We have a headstart on you all in terms of FBS football.

I think in 2020, we are pretty even, as the game results last week showed. I would love to share a conference with App (and JMU).

No reason not to have a legit eastern based G5 conference right now. I truly think we could be the 2nd best G5 and even be the #1 G5 conference some years.


Marshall
App
Ga So
JMU

That's 4 very solid football PROGRAMS to build a new eastern based G5 conference around.

I honestly wouldn't care what other 6-8 teams were added to make 10-12 member conference (as long as they were in the East to keep a pretty tight footprint.)

Marshall, App State, JMU are the only programs in a decent geographical footprint that can actually put butts in seats (25K) or more every Saturday. The rest of the current FBS teams in the area simply have no football fans and likely never will. IMO, those 3 need to be together because they could drive one another to better every year. I feel a lot of schools in the current CUSA have no fanbase that really care, so they are fine with being so-so and making a bowl game here and there.

yep.

the market experiment was a failure.

if you want to progress to the top of the G5, like the AAC is, you need fans/support.

Most of the CUSA/SB/MAC schools don't have it. That's why they have never moved beyond that level.

You look at the support in the AAC and it is MUCH higher than the other midwst/east coast based G5 leagues.

JMU, App State, Marshall, ODU, Ga Southern. Those programs have shown they will support their programs solidly. Those 5 need to be the basis of a starting point to a 10 team league that can realistically set its sights on the AAC and try to reach that level.

Winner winner, that’s the only way we will reach the AAC, and more importantly, a better media payout.

(10-05-2020 02:23 PM)HTOWN_HERD Wrote:  

(10-05-2020 10:24 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  

(10-02-2020 10:20 AM)HTOWN_HERD Wrote:  

(09-29-2020 04:14 PM)herdfan129 Wrote:  

(09-28-2020 12:29 PM)AppinVA Wrote:  Y’all did have our number last week, but for the rest...I wouldn’t go that far.

Program is more than one year....

Do you guys want to compare Heisman Finalists, Top 25 finishes, Top 10 finishes, amount of weeks ranked in Top 25, Bowl games, bowl wins etc etc?

I didn't think so. And that's not a knock on App. We have a headstart on you all in terms of FBS football.

I think in 2020, we are pretty even, as the game results last week showed. I would love to share a conference with App (and JMU).

No reason not to have a legit eastern based G5 conference right now. I truly think we could be the 2nd best G5 and even be the #1 G5 conference some years.


Marshall
App
Ga So
JMU

That's 4 very solid football PROGRAMS to build a new eastern based G5 conference around.

I honestly wouldn't care what other 6-8 teams were added to make 10-12 member conference (as long as they were in the East to keep a pretty tight footprint.)

Marshall, App State, JMU are the only programs in a decent geographical footprint that can actually put butts in seats (25K) or more every Saturday. The rest of the current FBS teams in the area simply have no football fans and likely never will. IMO, those 3 need to be together because they could drive one another to better every year. I feel a lot of schools in the current CUSA have no fanbase that really care, so they are fine with being so-so and making a bowl game here and there.

yep.

the market experiment was a failure.

if you want to progress to the top of the G5, like the AAC is, you need fans/support.

Most of the CUSA/SB/MAC schools don't have it. That's why they have never moved beyond that level.

You look at the support in the AAC and it is MUCH higher than the other midwst/east coast based G5 leagues.

JMU, App State, Marshall, ODU, Ga Southern. Those programs have shown they will support their programs solidly. Those 5 need to be the basis of a starting point to a 10 team league that can realistically set its sights on the AAC and try to reach that level.

Winner winner, that’s the only way we will reach the AAC, and more importantly, a better media payout.

We're a market experiment I guess but I agree. Metrics like ticket sales and donations point to that.
http://cafidatabase.knightcommission.org...s/27d0eb93

Marshall and ODU have consistently performed in that regard. In the 3-4mil range yearly for ticket sales. I think JMU would go way up as well playing an improved home slate. Well, you'd have no choice to meet the Cox legislation requirements but it would be pretty easy given the base that exists and the excitement that drums up.

(10-05-2020 03:29 PM)bit_9 Wrote:  

(10-05-2020 02:23 PM)HTOWN_HERD Wrote:  

(10-05-2020 10:24 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  

(10-02-2020 10:20 AM)HTOWN_HERD Wrote:  

(09-29-2020 04:14 PM)herdfan129 Wrote:  Program is more than one year....

Do you guys want to compare Heisman Finalists, Top 25 finishes, Top 10 finishes, amount of weeks ranked in Top 25, Bowl games, bowl wins etc etc?

I didn't think so. And that's not a knock on App. We have a headstart on you all in terms of FBS football.

I think in 2020, we are pretty even, as the game results last week showed. I would love to share a conference with App (and JMU).

No reason not to have a legit eastern based G5 conference right now. I truly think we could be the 2nd best G5 and even be the #1 G5 conference some years.


Marshall
App
Ga So
JMU

That's 4 very solid football PROGRAMS to build a new eastern based G5 conference around.

I honestly wouldn't care what other 6-8 teams were added to make 10-12 member conference (as long as they were in the East to keep a pretty tight footprint.)

Marshall, App State, JMU are the only programs in a decent geographical footprint that can actually put butts in seats (25K) or more every Saturday. The rest of the current FBS teams in the area simply have no football fans and likely never will. IMO, those 3 need to be together because they could drive one another to better every year. I feel a lot of schools in the current CUSA have no fanbase that really care, so they are fine with being so-so and making a bowl game here and there.

yep.

the market experiment was a failure.

if you want to progress to the top of the G5, like the AAC is, you need fans/support.

Most of the CUSA/SB/MAC schools don't have it. That's why they have never moved beyond that level.

You look at the support in the AAC and it is MUCH higher than the other midwst/east coast based G5 leagues.

JMU, App State, Marshall, ODU, Ga Southern. Those programs have shown they will support their programs solidly. Those 5 need to be the basis of a starting point to a 10 team league that can realistically set its sights on the AAC and try to reach that level.

Winner winner, that’s the only way we will reach the AAC, and more importantly, a better media payout.

We're a market experiment I guess but I agree. Metrics like ticket sales and donations point to that.
http://cafidatabase.knightcommission.org...s/27d0eb93

Marshall and ODU have consistently performed in that regard. In the 3-4mil range yearly for ticket sales. I think JMU would go way up as well playing an improved home slate. Well, you'd have no choice to meet the Cox legislation requirements but it would be pretty easy given the base that exists and the excitement that drums up.

Your preaching to the Dukeman, I mean Choir.

The Colonial Athletic Association won’t hold a league title game after all, and James Madison coach Curt Cignetti isn’t a fan of that decision.

“There ought to be a championship game, this year in particular,” Cignetti said. “I can’t figure out why anybody wouldn’t want to have a championship game, and it seems sometimes like the bottom teams in the conference are holding the top teams in the conference back at times on certain issues.“

Love this mentality from Coach Cig. Hope much of this Covid frustration with our joke of a conference can lead to action from Bourne

Surprised Cignetti spoke out about the CAA.

Cig will likely be stifled by a Bourne as this is not the JMU passive way

(10-07-2020 04:13 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  Surprised Cignetti spoke out about the CAA.

Cig will likely be stifled by a Bourne as this is not the JMU passive way

Sad, but probably true. Coach has a job to do, which he currently is not being allowed to do. I'm sure he is frustrated. All the while, many school who we recruit against are playing. Used to be, the best offer a potential recruit we were targeting had, would be a fellow CAA school. We are past that now. Going to make for interesting recruiting.

Agree with Cignetti, not sure why you wouldn't hold a championship game, if no tournament play will happen.

You reap what you sow

ODAC DIII Emory & Henry looking to move up a rung to DII in dnr today. Probably a JMU and E&H strategic move to get an ODAC DIII to DIAA and further water down the CAA.

(10-10-2020 08:22 AM)Purplehazed Wrote:  ODAC DIII Emory & Henry looking to move up a rung to DII in dnr today. Probably a JMU and E&H strategic move to get an ODAC DIII to DIAA and further water down the CAA.

Too early to schedule a 1 fer 1?

If JMU wants to be FBS so badly, why not do what your friends at Liberty did?

Never thought about it that way. Thanks!

I mean I suppose we could have our university president post a picture on Instagram with his pants unzipped and "black water" in his hand, and have him resign in disgrace...but I'm not really sure how that helps us get to FBS.

(10-16-2020 08:45 AM)bjk3047 Wrote:  I mean I suppose we could have our university president post a picture on Instagram with his pants unzipped and "black water" in his hand, and have him resign in disgrace...but I'm not really sure how that helps us get to FBS.

Everyone knows you only do that after you’re FBS.