(11-24-2020 12:53 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 10:29 AM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 10:17 AM)edscollects@gmail.com Wrote:  

(11-16-2020 04:00 PM)johnintx Wrote:  Central Arkansas to FBS? It is 30 minutes north of Little Rock. I guess it fills that niche that some wanted for UA-Little Rock. I'm still not sure if Arkansas can support three FBS schools, especially with the statewide reach of the Hogs.

Or, perhaps they're planning for the restructuring of the Southland in any number of rumored ways? Makes sense for them to get out of Texas if some of those schools are planning to leave the Southland. Even if nothing happens, that removes the odd-numbered school in a (relatively) far-flung part of the footprint. The SLC would move to 12 schools, 10 with football.

One thing for sure: ASun no longer stands for Atlantic Sun. It's just ASun. There's nothing Atlantic about Conway, Arkansas.

The Southland has been rumored to lose a bunch of schools from the Athlon Aritcle here
https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...tball-2020
This article says Central Arkansas to the ASUN and the WAC interested in Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston State, and Stephen F. Austin. Now just to remind everyone that the MEAC is losing their collective minds losing 3 schools next year. This proposal if completed would take 4 from the Southland and ultimately when a conference starts taking on water it usually has other defections as well. Now the interesting question is what will the Southland do? If they look to recover their numbers frrom Division 2, the Lone Star has a similar footprint and has 8 schools sponsoring football. Even more interesting is if the Southland has to look for basketball programs, the Lone Star has 17 programs which could definitely be picked off. Some of those programs recently moved from the defunct Heartland Conference and Texas-Tyler moving up from Division 3.

I'm sure the A-Sun is interested in UCA and the WAC is interested in those other Southland schools. However, I can't imagine the feeling in mutual. So these rumors may have been spawned by the A-Sun and WAC reaching out to the schools in question or by a DavidSt/NoDak style message board fantasy. Regardless, no such moves will take place, because, with few exceptions, it doesn't make sense to downgrade conferences like that.

I don’t get it either. There is a delusional Tarleton fan on the WAC board that suggests Lamar, SFA, SHSU, and ACU are so excited to join D2 move ups and Southern Utah over remaining in the Southland with “poor” Louisiana schools. While this doesn’t really seem to far fetched, it doesn’t really make sense to do this during a pandemic.

I had to put that guy on ignore. Everything he posts on every topic is so delusional.

(11-24-2020 01:56 PM)edscollects@gmail.com Wrote:  I remember Belmont and Murray St. being mentioned to the Missouri Valley when Wichita State went the the American and the trickle down effect with Valparaiso, but has there been any recent articles or discussion of this?

Murray St wanted in the MVC badly to the point their president and AD were publicly putting on full court press twitter campaigns.

It is commonly agreed the MVC’s plan was expansion to 12 with Valparaiso, Murray St, & Belmont; but Belmont wouldn’t budge and the MVC stated 11 was a non-starter. Multiple MVC Presidents said they stayed at 10 because there was no suitable 12th.

Thus, the MVC won’t expand until they agree on a 12th to complement the Racers. MVC Commissioner did say in a video at last year’s conference tournament he now favors expansion to 12.

(11-24-2020 03:22 PM)solohawks Wrote:  Murray St got held up because the MVC wanted 12 and couldnt get Belmont or agree on an alternative

Interesting. Now, supposing the MVC ever did get Belmont and Murray State, the OVC would lose what are by far their best 2 MBB teams. Technically the OVC could stand pat at 8 FB and 10 BB schools. If they did want to restock, I imagine the best replacements would be Kennesaw State to boost FB and Lipscomb to boost MBB. Then the A-Sun can drag a couple more D2 schools up, or perhaps prey on the MEAC.

As a long-time Belmont fan and resident of Nashville, a few thoughts:

Belmont recently announced the following:

* It will team with locally based HCA (the world's largest hospitalist) to create a College of Medicine (which will include an on-campus building). This is a huge deal.

* Caldwell Hall, an 11-story residential tower to join Tall Hall (also 11 floors) and offer about 600 beds. The long-term goal for BU seems to get the enrollment up to 10,000 students (it's more than 8,200 now)

* President Bob Fisher will retire in May after a roughly 21-year run (and a stellar one at that) at the helm of the university. Now there is talk the university will seek a visionary who is connected in some circles (including athletics) in which previous BU presidents may not have run.

Already, Belmont offers a law school, a nursing school, a pharmacy school, a fashion program and an architectural program.

In short, it seems to me that Belmont is angling (either directly or indirectly) to elevate its conference affiliation. If the OVC were to lose two or three schools (as has been pondered on the board), BU's remaining in a weakened league would be bad.

I have noted previously that my hope for Belmont is the Atlantic 10. Rivalries with Saint Louis, Dayton, VCU, Richmond, George Mason, George Washington and Davidson could be established fairly quickly. The challenge (obviously) is that the A10 has no "open slot." I would hope the league would view Belmont very favorably depending on various future league membership shifts.

Having noted all that, the Missouri Valley would be a very solid new home for Belmont if the OVC implodes.

Regardless, there simply aren't many universities in leagues outside the P5, the American, the Big East, the A10, the WCC and the Mountain West that combine Belmont's growth, location (a vibrant urban district in Nashville) and long-term potential in such a positive manner. I realize I'm a homer on this but too much is happening at Belmont and in Nashville for BU to be stuck in the OVC long term.

(11-24-2020 03:52 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  As a long-time Belmont fan and resident of Nashville, a few thoughts:

Belmont recently announced the following:

* It will team with locally based HCA (the world's largest hospitalist) to create a College of Medicine (which will include an on-campus building). This is a huge deal.

* Caldwell Hall, an 11-story residential tower to join Tall Hall (also 11 floors) and offer about 600 beds. The long-term goal for BU seems to get the enrollment up to 10,000 students (it's more than 8,200 now)

* President Bob Fisher will retire in May after a roughly 21-year run (and a stellar one at that) at the helm of the university. Now there is talk the university will seek a visionary who is connected in some circles (including athletics) in which previous BU presidents may not have run.

Already, Belmont offers a law school, a nursing school, a pharmacy school, a fashion program and an architectural program.

In short, it seems to me that Belmont is angling (either directly or indirectly) to elevate its conference affiliation. If the OVC were to lose two or three schools (as has been pondered on the board), BU's remaining in a weakened league would be bad.

I have noted previously that my hope for Belmont is the Atlantic 10. Rivalries with Saint Louis, Dayton, VCU, Richmond, George Mason, George Washington and Davidson could be established fairly quickly. The challenge (obviously) is that the A10 has no "open slot." I would hope the league would view Belmont very favorably depending on various future league membership shifts.

Having noted all that, the Missouri Valley would be a very solid new home for Belmont if the OVC implodes.

Regardless, there simply aren't many universities in leagues outside the P5, the American, the Big East, the A10, the WCC and the Mountain West that combine Belmont's growth, location (a vibrant urban district in Nashville) and long-term potential in such a positive manner. I realize I'm a homer on this but too much is happening at Belmont and in Nashville for BU to be stuck in the OVC long term.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/...100382846/

This article from 2017 indicates that Belmont LOVES its bus league. In a post COVID world with tightening budgets, I cannot imagine that would change unless it could be an A10 style multibid league.

The MVC is an upgrade, but it is still by and large a 1 bid league. Belmont has determined the MVC extra travel is not worth it.

(11-24-2020 03:52 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  As a long-time Belmont fan and resident of Nashville, a few thoughts:

Belmont recently announced the following:

* It will team with locally based HCA (the world's largest hospitalist) to create a College of Medicine (which will include an on-campus building). This is a huge deal.

* Caldwell Hall, an 11-story residential tower to join Tall Hall (also 11 floors) and offer about 600 beds. The long-term goal for BU seems to get the enrollment up to 10,000 students (it's more than 8,200 now)

* President Bob Fisher will retire in May after a roughly 21-year run (and a stellar one at that) at the helm of the university. Now there is talk the university will seek a visionary who is connected in some circles (including athletics) in which previous BU presidents may not have run.

Already, Belmont offers a law school, a nursing school, a pharmacy school, a fashion program and an architectural program.

In short, it seems to me that Belmont is angling (either directly or indirectly) to elevate its conference affiliation. If the OVC were to lose two or three schools (as has been pondered on the board), BU's remaining in a weakened league would be bad.

I have noted previously that my hope for Belmont is the Atlantic 10. Rivalries with Saint Louis, Dayton, VCU, Richmond, George Mason, George Washington and Davidson could be established fairly quickly. The challenge (obviously) is that the A10 has no "open slot." I would hope the league would view Belmont very favorably depending on various future league membership shifts.

Having noted all that, the Missouri Valley would be a very solid new home for Belmont if the OVC implodes.

Regardless, there simply aren't many universities in leagues outside the P5, the American, the Big East, the A10, the WCC and the Mountain West that combine Belmont's growth, location (a vibrant urban district in Nashville) and long-term potential in such a positive manner. I realize I'm a homer on this but too much is happening at Belmont and in Nashville for BU to be stuck in the OVC long term.

That would make a third medical school in a very small area - is the demand that great?

HCA has more than 180 hospitals and 2,000+ sites of care in 21 states and the United Kingdom.

It makes sense for them to pick a local partner and then they can ship the new grads to a preferred destination

(11-24-2020 03:52 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  As a long-time Belmont fan and resident of Nashville, a few thoughts:

Belmont recently announced the following:

* It will team with locally based HCA (the world's largest hospitalist) to create a College of Medicine (which will include an on-campus building). This is a huge deal.

* Caldwell Hall, an 11-story residential tower to join Tall Hall (also 11 floors) and offer about 600 beds. The long-term goal for BU seems to get the enrollment up to 10,000 students (it's more than 8,200 now)

* President Bob Fisher will retire in May after a roughly 21-year run (and a stellar one at that) at the helm of the university. Now there is talk the university will seek a visionary who is connected in some circles (including athletics) in which previous BU presidents may not have run.

Already, Belmont offers a law school, a nursing school, a pharmacy school, a fashion program and an architectural program.

In short, it seems to me that Belmont is angling (either directly or indirectly) to elevate its conference affiliation. If the OVC were to lose two or three schools (as has been pondered on the board), BU's remaining in a weakened league would be bad.

I have noted previously that my hope for Belmont is the Atlantic 10. Rivalries with Saint Louis, Dayton, VCU, Richmond, George Mason, George Washington and Davidson could be established fairly quickly. The challenge (obviously) is that the A10 has no "open slot." I would hope the league would view Belmont very favorably depending on various future league membership shifts.

Having noted all that, the Missouri Valley would be a very solid new home for Belmont if the OVC implodes.

Regardless, there simply aren't many universities in leagues outside the P5, the American, the Big East, the A10, the WCC and the Mountain West that combine Belmont's growth, location (a vibrant urban district in Nashville) and long-term potential in such a positive manner. I realize I'm a homer on this but too much is happening at Belmont and in Nashville for BU to be stuck in the OVC long term.

If they do go anywhere? Southern Conference is the historic conference which would be an upgrade of sort to them. They need to add football first. I could see the public and private schools to split in these conferences in the future. The two groups have different goals.

(11-24-2020 03:59 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:52 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  As a long-time Belmont fan and resident of Nashville, a few thoughts:

Belmont recently announced the following:

* It will team with locally based HCA (the world's largest hospitalist) to create a College of Medicine (which will include an on-campus building). This is a huge deal.

* Caldwell Hall, an 11-story residential tower to join Tall Hall (also 11 floors) and offer about 600 beds. The long-term goal for BU seems to get the enrollment up to 10,000 students (it's more than 8,200 now)

* President Bob Fisher will retire in May after a roughly 21-year run (and a stellar one at that) at the helm of the university. Now there is talk the university will seek a visionary who is connected in some circles (including athletics) in which previous BU presidents may not have run.

Already, Belmont offers a law school, a nursing school, a pharmacy school, a fashion program and an architectural program.

In short, it seems to me that Belmont is angling (either directly or indirectly) to elevate its conference affiliation. If the OVC were to lose two or three schools (as has been pondered on the board), BU's remaining in a weakened league would be bad.

I have noted previously that my hope for Belmont is the Atlantic 10. Rivalries with Saint Louis, Dayton, VCU, Richmond, George Mason, George Washington and Davidson could be established fairly quickly. The challenge (obviously) is that the A10 has no "open slot." I would hope the league would view Belmont very favorably depending on various future league membership shifts.

Having noted all that, the Missouri Valley would be a very solid new home for Belmont if the OVC implodes.

Regardless, there simply aren't many universities in leagues outside the P5, the American, the Big East, the A10, the WCC and the Mountain West that combine Belmont's growth, location (a vibrant urban district in Nashville) and long-term potential in such a positive manner. I realize I'm a homer on this but too much is happening at Belmont and in Nashville for BU to be stuck in the OVC long term.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/...100382846/

This article from 2017 indicates that Belmont LOVES its bus league. In a post COVID world with tightening budgets, I cannot imagine that would change unless it could be an A10 style multibid league.

The MVC is an upgrade, but it is still by and large a 1 bid league. Belmont has determined the MVC extra travel is not worth it.

As I noted ...

* Belmont might not "love its bus league" much longer if that league is essentially eviscerated.

* In addition, the next president might make it a goal to get the Bruin athletics program in a more prestigious conference.

I don't foresee Belmont leaving the OVC — but the school and its home city collectively are vastly different from the league's other universities/locales. It's an odd fit in some respects.

(11-24-2020 04:49 PM)solohawks Wrote:  HCA has more than 180 hospitals and 2,000+ sites of care in 21 states and the United Kingdom.

It makes sense for them to pick a local partner and then they can ship the new grads to a preferred destination

Bingo.

(11-24-2020 04:00 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:52 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  As a long-time Belmont fan and resident of Nashville, a few thoughts:

Belmont recently announced the following:

* It will team with locally based HCA (the world's largest hospitalist) to create a College of Medicine (which will include an on-campus building). This is a huge deal.

* Caldwell Hall, an 11-story residential tower to join Tall Hall (also 11 floors) and offer about 600 beds. The long-term goal for BU seems to get the enrollment up to 10,000 students (it's more than 8,200 now)

* President Bob Fisher will retire in May after a roughly 21-year run (and a stellar one at that) at the helm of the university. Now there is talk the university will seek a visionary who is connected in some circles (including athletics) in which previous BU presidents may not have run.

Already, Belmont offers a law school, a nursing school, a pharmacy school, a fashion program and an architectural program.

In short, it seems to me that Belmont is angling (either directly or indirectly) to elevate its conference affiliation. If the OVC were to lose two or three schools (as has been pondered on the board), BU's remaining in a weakened league would be bad.

I have noted previously that my hope for Belmont is the Atlantic 10. Rivalries with Saint Louis, Dayton, VCU, Richmond, George Mason, George Washington and Davidson could be established fairly quickly. The challenge (obviously) is that the A10 has no "open slot." I would hope the league would view Belmont very favorably depending on various future league membership shifts.

Having noted all that, the Missouri Valley would be a very solid new home for Belmont if the OVC implodes.

Regardless, there simply aren't many universities in leagues outside the P5, the American, the Big East, the A10, the WCC and the Mountain West that combine Belmont's growth, location (a vibrant urban district in Nashville) and long-term potential in such a positive manner. I realize I'm a homer on this but too much is happening at Belmont and in Nashville for BU to be stuck in the OVC long term.

That would make a third medical school in a very small area - is the demand that great?

A valid question. But Nashville is a major health care center and lots of med students attend Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center for that reason. Three is a lot, no doubt. But I'm optimistic it can work.

(11-24-2020 05:04 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:52 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  As a long-time Belmont fan and resident of Nashville, a few thoughts:

Belmont recently announced the following:

* It will team with locally based HCA (the world's largest hospitalist) to create a College of Medicine (which will include an on-campus building). This is a huge deal.

* Caldwell Hall, an 11-story residential tower to join Tall Hall (also 11 floors) and offer about 600 beds. The long-term goal for BU seems to get the enrollment up to 10,000 students (it's more than 8,200 now)

* President Bob Fisher will retire in May after a roughly 21-year run (and a stellar one at that) at the helm of the university. Now there is talk the university will seek a visionary who is connected in some circles (including athletics) in which previous BU presidents may not have run.

Already, Belmont offers a law school, a nursing school, a pharmacy school, a fashion program and an architectural program.

In short, it seems to me that Belmont is angling (either directly or indirectly) to elevate its conference affiliation. If the OVC were to lose two or three schools (as has been pondered on the board), BU's remaining in a weakened league would be bad.

I have noted previously that my hope for Belmont is the Atlantic 10. Rivalries with Saint Louis, Dayton, VCU, Richmond, George Mason, George Washington and Davidson could be established fairly quickly. The challenge (obviously) is that the A10 has no "open slot." I would hope the league would view Belmont very favorably depending on various future league membership shifts.

Having noted all that, the Missouri Valley would be a very solid new home for Belmont if the OVC implodes.

Regardless, there simply aren't many universities in leagues outside the P5, the American, the Big East, the A10, the WCC and the Mountain West that combine Belmont's growth, location (a vibrant urban district in Nashville) and long-term potential in such a positive manner. I realize I'm a homer on this but too much is happening at Belmont and in Nashville for BU to be stuck in the OVC long term.

If they do go anywhere? Southern Conference is the historic conference which would be an upgrade of sort to them. They need to add football first. I could see the public and private schools to split in these conferences in the future. The two groups have different goals.

Belmont has zero interest in adding football, DavidSt. So the options to change leagues are very limited. It likely will not happen.

(11-24-2020 05:22 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 04:00 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:52 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  As a long-time Belmont fan and resident of Nashville, a few thoughts:

Belmont recently announced the following:

* It will team with locally based HCA (the world's largest hospitalist) to create a College of Medicine (which will include an on-campus building). This is a huge deal.

* Caldwell Hall, an 11-story residential tower to join Tall Hall (also 11 floors) and offer about 600 beds. The long-term goal for BU seems to get the enrollment up to 10,000 students (it's more than 8,200 now)

* President Bob Fisher will retire in May after a roughly 21-year run (and a stellar one at that) at the helm of the university. Now there is talk the university will seek a visionary who is connected in some circles (including athletics) in which previous BU presidents may not have run.

Already, Belmont offers a law school, a nursing school, a pharmacy school, a fashion program and an architectural program.

In short, it seems to me that Belmont is angling (either directly or indirectly) to elevate its conference affiliation. If the OVC were to lose two or three schools (as has been pondered on the board), BU's remaining in a weakened league would be bad.

I have noted previously that my hope for Belmont is the Atlantic 10. Rivalries with Saint Louis, Dayton, VCU, Richmond, George Mason, George Washington and Davidson could be established fairly quickly. The challenge (obviously) is that the A10 has no "open slot." I would hope the league would view Belmont very favorably depending on various future league membership shifts.

Having noted all that, the Missouri Valley would be a very solid new home for Belmont if the OVC implodes.

Regardless, there simply aren't many universities in leagues outside the P5, the American, the Big East, the A10, the WCC and the Mountain West that combine Belmont's growth, location (a vibrant urban district in Nashville) and long-term potential in such a positive manner. I realize I'm a homer on this but too much is happening at Belmont and in Nashville for BU to be stuck in the OVC long term.

That would make a third medical school in a very small area - is the demand that great?

A valid question. But Nashville is a major health care center and lots of med students attend Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center for that reason. Three is a lot, no doubt. But I'm optimistic it can work.

I am aware of the Healthcare industry in Nashville - used to be a part of it (in a HCA alumni company)

HCA also has a similar agreement with Meharry (and Meharry has an agreement with Vandy).

Meharry does draw nationally, as does Vandy. Depending on the emphasis of the school, it could be more of a local draw

(11-24-2020 05:19 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:59 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:52 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  As a long-time Belmont fan and resident of Nashville, a few thoughts:

Belmont recently announced the following:

* It will team with locally based HCA (the world's largest hospitalist) to create a College of Medicine (which will include an on-campus building). This is a huge deal.

* Caldwell Hall, an 11-story residential tower to join Tall Hall (also 11 floors) and offer about 600 beds. The long-term goal for BU seems to get the enrollment up to 10,000 students (it's more than 8,200 now)

* President Bob Fisher will retire in May after a roughly 21-year run (and a stellar one at that) at the helm of the university. Now there is talk the university will seek a visionary who is connected in some circles (including athletics) in which previous BU presidents may not have run.

Already, Belmont offers a law school, a nursing school, a pharmacy school, a fashion program and an architectural program.

In short, it seems to me that Belmont is angling (either directly or indirectly) to elevate its conference affiliation. If the OVC were to lose two or three schools (as has been pondered on the board), BU's remaining in a weakened league would be bad.

I have noted previously that my hope for Belmont is the Atlantic 10. Rivalries with Saint Louis, Dayton, VCU, Richmond, George Mason, George Washington and Davidson could be established fairly quickly. The challenge (obviously) is that the A10 has no "open slot." I would hope the league would view Belmont very favorably depending on various future league membership shifts.

Having noted all that, the Missouri Valley would be a very solid new home for Belmont if the OVC implodes.

Regardless, there simply aren't many universities in leagues outside the P5, the American, the Big East, the A10, the WCC and the Mountain West that combine Belmont's growth, location (a vibrant urban district in Nashville) and long-term potential in such a positive manner. I realize I'm a homer on this but too much is happening at Belmont and in Nashville for BU to be stuck in the OVC long term.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/...100382846/

This article from 2017 indicates that Belmont LOVES its bus league. In a post COVID world with tightening budgets, I cannot imagine that would change unless it could be an A10 style multibid league.

The MVC is an upgrade, but it is still by and large a 1 bid league. Belmont has determined the MVC extra travel is not worth it.

As I noted ...

* Belmont might not "love its bus league" much longer if that league is essentially eviscerated.

* In addition, the next president might make it a goal to get the Bruin athletics program in a more prestigious conference.

I don't foresee Belmont leaving the OVC — but the school and its home city collectively are vastly different from the league's other universities/locales. It's an odd fit in some respects.

Agree, about the culture fit. Belmont would fit much better in the Solon or MVC from a cultural standpoint being in there with other private schools. But that geography and cost savings it provides is a tough thing to lose without a clear offering advantage.

I was surprised they showed a lack of interest in the MVC as that would have been a logical next step

(11-24-2020 03:51 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:22 PM)solohawks Wrote:  Murray St got held up because the MVC wanted 12 and couldnt get Belmont or agree on an alternative

Interesting. Now, supposing the MVC ever did get Belmont and Murray State, the OVC would lose what are by far their best 2 MBB teams. Technically the OVC could stand pat at 8 FB and 10 BB schools. If they did want to restock, I imagine the best replacements would be Kennesaw State to boost FB and Lipscomb to boost MBB. Then the A-Sun can drag a couple more D2 schools up, or perhaps prey on the MEAC.

Kennessaw would be a stretch. UNA is in the OVC footprint and has way better basketball.

(11-24-2020 05:31 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 05:22 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 04:00 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:52 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  As a long-time Belmont fan and resident of Nashville, a few thoughts:

Belmont recently announced the following:

* It will team with locally based HCA (the world's largest hospitalist) to create a College of Medicine (which will include an on-campus building). This is a huge deal.

* Caldwell Hall, an 11-story residential tower to join Tall Hall (also 11 floors) and offer about 600 beds. The long-term goal for BU seems to get the enrollment up to 10,000 students (it's more than 8,200 now)

* President Bob Fisher will retire in May after a roughly 21-year run (and a stellar one at that) at the helm of the university. Now there is talk the university will seek a visionary who is connected in some circles (including athletics) in which previous BU presidents may not have run.

Already, Belmont offers a law school, a nursing school, a pharmacy school, a fashion program and an architectural program.

In short, it seems to me that Belmont is angling (either directly or indirectly) to elevate its conference affiliation. If the OVC were to lose two or three schools (as has been pondered on the board), BU's remaining in a weakened league would be bad.

I have noted previously that my hope for Belmont is the Atlantic 10. Rivalries with Saint Louis, Dayton, VCU, Richmond, George Mason, George Washington and Davidson could be established fairly quickly. The challenge (obviously) is that the A10 has no "open slot." I would hope the league would view Belmont very favorably depending on various future league membership shifts.

Having noted all that, the Missouri Valley would be a very solid new home for Belmont if the OVC implodes.

Regardless, there simply aren't many universities in leagues outside the P5, the American, the Big East, the A10, the WCC and the Mountain West that combine Belmont's growth, location (a vibrant urban district in Nashville) and long-term potential in such a positive manner. I realize I'm a homer on this but too much is happening at Belmont and in Nashville for BU to be stuck in the OVC long term.

That would make a third medical school in a very small area - is the demand that great?

A valid question. But Nashville is a major health care center and lots of med students attend Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine for that reason. Three is a lot, no doubt. But I'm optimistic it can work.

I am aware of the Healthcare industry in Nashville - used to be a part of it (in a HCA alumni company)

HCA also has a similar agreement with Meharry (and Meharry has an agreement with Vandy).

Meharry does draw nationally, as does Vandy. Depending on the emphasis of the school, it could be more of a local draw

Yep. I foresee Belmont drawing med students from the general area/region much more so than VU and MMC do.

(11-24-2020 06:40 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 05:19 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:59 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:52 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  As a long-time Belmont fan and resident of Nashville, a few thoughts:

Belmont recently announced the following:

* It will team with locally based HCA (the world's largest hospitalist) to create a College of Medicine (which will include an on-campus building). This is a huge deal.

* Caldwell Hall, an 11-story residential tower to join Tall Hall (also 11 floors) and offer about 600 beds. The long-term goal for BU seems to get the enrollment up to 10,000 students (it's more than 8,200 now)

* President Bob Fisher will retire in May after a roughly 21-year run (and a stellar one at that) at the helm of the university. Now there is talk the university will seek a visionary who is connected in some circles (including athletics) in which previous BU presidents may not have run.

Already, Belmont offers a law school, a nursing school, a pharmacy school, a fashion program and an architectural program.

In short, it seems to me that Belmont is angling (either directly or indirectly) to elevate its conference affiliation. If the OVC were to lose two or three schools (as has been pondered on the board), BU's remaining in a weakened league would be bad.

I have noted previously that my hope for Belmont is the Atlantic 10. Rivalries with Saint Louis, Dayton, VCU, Richmond, George Mason, George Washington and Davidson could be established fairly quickly. The challenge (obviously) is that the A10 has no "open slot." I would hope the league would view Belmont very favorably depending on various future league membership shifts.

Having noted all that, the Missouri Valley would be a very solid new home for Belmont if the OVC implodes.

Regardless, there simply aren't many universities in leagues outside the P5, the American, the Big East, the A10, the WCC and the Mountain West that combine Belmont's growth, location (a vibrant urban district in Nashville) and long-term potential in such a positive manner. I realize I'm a homer on this but too much is happening at Belmont and in Nashville for BU to be stuck in the OVC long term.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/...100382846/

This article from 2017 indicates that Belmont LOVES its bus league. In a post COVID world with tightening budgets, I cannot imagine that would change unless it could be an A10 style multibid league.

The MVC is an upgrade, but it is still by and large a 1 bid league. Belmont has determined the MVC extra travel is not worth it.

As I noted ...

* Belmont might not "love its bus league" much longer if that league is essentially eviscerated.

* In addition, the next president might make it a goal to get the Bruin athletics program in a more prestigious conference.

I don't foresee Belmont leaving the OVC — but the school and its home city collectively are vastly different from the league's other universities/locales. It's an odd fit in some respects.

Agree, about the culture fit. Belmont would fit much better in the Solon or MVC from a cultural standpoint being in there with other private schools. But that geography and cost savings it provides is a tough thing to lose without a clear offering advantage.

I was surprised they showed a lack of interest in the MVC as that would have been a logical next step

Former coach Rick Byrd and current AD Scott Corley have always taken a rather provincial approach to BU sports (and particularly men's hoops). That has been furthered by current coach Casey Alexander. That "mindset," combined with the university's likely desire to continue to spend minimal money on sports travel, will almost certainly keep Belmont in the OVC.

But I will be very curious to see how things unfold the next few years.

(11-24-2020 07:33 PM)lion1983 Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:51 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:22 PM)solohawks Wrote:  Murray St got held up because the MVC wanted 12 and couldnt get Belmont or agree on an alternative

Interesting. Now, supposing the MVC ever did get Belmont and Murray State, the OVC would lose what are by far their best 2 MBB teams. Technically the OVC could stand pat at 8 FB and 10 BB schools. If they did want to restock, I imagine the best replacements would be Kennesaw State to boost FB and Lipscomb to boost MBB. Then the A-Sun can drag a couple more D2 schools up, or perhaps prey on the MEAC.

Kennessaw would be a stretch. UNA is in the OVC footprint and has way better basketball.

Kennesaw State is not very far from JSU, so it's definitely in the footprint. UNA basketball is better than KSU's but still only middle-of-the-road for the OVC. KSU football on the other hand is better than all current OVC members except JSU, while UNA FB would be the worst in the OVC. KSU is clearly the better get.

(11-24-2020 12:53 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 10:29 AM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 10:17 AM)edscollects@gmail.com Wrote:  

(11-16-2020 04:00 PM)johnintx Wrote:  Central Arkansas to FBS? It is 30 minutes north of Little Rock. I guess it fills that niche that some wanted for UA-Little Rock. I'm still not sure if Arkansas can support three FBS schools, especially with the statewide reach of the Hogs.

Or, perhaps they're planning for the restructuring of the Southland in any number of rumored ways? Makes sense for them to get out of Texas if some of those schools are planning to leave the Southland. Even if nothing happens, that removes the odd-numbered school in a (relatively) far-flung part of the footprint. The SLC would move to 12 schools, 10 with football.

One thing for sure: ASun no longer stands for Atlantic Sun. It's just ASun. There's nothing Atlantic about Conway, Arkansas.

The Southland has been rumored to lose a bunch of schools from the Athlon Aritcle here
https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...tball-2020
This article says Central Arkansas to the ASUN and the WAC interested in Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston State, and Stephen F. Austin. Now just to remind everyone that the MEAC is losing their collective minds losing 3 schools next year. This proposal if completed would take 4 from the Southland and ultimately when a conference starts taking on water it usually has other defections as well. Now the interesting question is what will the Southland do? If they look to recover their numbers frrom Division 2, the Lone Star has a similar footprint and has 8 schools sponsoring football. Even more interesting is if the Southland has to look for basketball programs, the Lone Star has 17 programs which could definitely be picked off. Some of those programs recently moved from the defunct Heartland Conference and Texas-Tyler moving up from Division 3.

I'm sure the A-Sun is interested in UCA and the WAC is interested in those other Southland schools. However, I can't imagine the feeling in mutual. So these rumors may have been spawned by the A-Sun and WAC reaching out to the schools in question or by a DavidSt/NoDak style message board fantasy. Regardless, no such moves will take place, because, with few exceptions, it doesn't make sense to downgrade conferences like that.

I don’t get it either. There is a delusional Tarleton fan on the WAC board that suggests Lamar, SFA, SHSU, and ACU are so excited to join D2 move ups and Southern Utah over remaining in the Southland with “poor” Louisiana schools. While this doesn’t really seem to far fetched, it doesn’t really make sense to do this during a pandemic.

Glad I'm not the only one that thinks hes crazy. What's scary is that most of the posters there think what he says make sense. I mean I get it. If I tied my wagon to that hitch I'd hope for the best too, but cmon. Lets be real...

(11-24-2020 08:16 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 07:33 PM)lion1983 Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:51 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 03:22 PM)solohawks Wrote:  Murray St got held up because the MVC wanted 12 and couldnt get Belmont or agree on an alternative

Interesting. Now, supposing the MVC ever did get Belmont and Murray State, the OVC would lose what are by far their best 2 MBB teams. Technically the OVC could stand pat at 8 FB and 10 BB schools. If they did want to restock, I imagine the best replacements would be Kennesaw State to boost FB and Lipscomb to boost MBB. Then the A-Sun can drag a couple more D2 schools up, or perhaps prey on the MEAC.

Kennessaw would be a stretch. UNA is in the OVC footprint and has way better basketball.

Kennesaw State is not very far from JSU, so it's definitely in the footprint. UNA basketball is better than KSU's but still only middle-of-the-road for the OVC. KSU football on the other hand is better than all current OVC members except JSU, while UNA FB would be the worst in the OVC. KSU is clearly the better get.

No...