(11-24-2020 12:02 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  You strongly feel JMU should move to Indy is football and not wait for the right conference affiliation.

Just to be clear, what is the right affiliation that the administration seems to be waiting for? The AAC? The ACC?

(11-25-2020 07:28 PM)FBS Dave Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 12:02 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  You strongly feel JMU should move to Indy is football and not wait for the right conference affiliation.

Just to be clear, what is the right affiliation that the administration seems to be waiting for? The AAC? The ACC?

It is pretty simple Dave. AAC for sure because the money is there. This is JMUs stretch conference. AAC representatives have visited campus in the past. JMU recognizes their chances for membership are a long shot. If not AAC, they want a regional conference to control the travel costs because there will be little to no TV revenue. The rivalry potential is greater so more fans will be at games meaning more revenue for football and basketball. App, Marshall, ODU all jump off the page as desirable conference mates.

The Administration isn’t monitoring. They don’t have any partnerships to move forward with but the ADs talk regularly.

CUSA schools are bleeding financially which is the main reason ODU didn’t play this year. Conference realignment is inevitable because none of the CUSA member schools are happy with their league affiliation and the lack of league generated revenue to offset the high costs of travel. The league was destined to fail once they aligned via TV markets instead of quality programs. The ODU President has announced his retirement so it is unlikely ODU moves anywhere until his successor takes office.

I feel like the Sunbelt is a well constructed league and I believe their membership is happy now that Idaho and NMSU are gone. I don’t see schools leaving the Sunbelt unless a great opportunity presents itself.

The MAC remains well aligned too. I don’t see a change in their membership because none of their schools seem to be sought after.

IMO, the FBS opportunity will come via realignment among CUSA members or a new conference like the ASUN that brings FCS programs together that have the common goal of FBS. The WAC has the only open FBS charter at this time so they could start an FBS league for those schools in Texas and west of there that want FBS as well. Would some CUSA west schools join NMSU? This would create openings in the conference.

We can talk independent FBS all day long but I don’t see it happening. The only remote possibility it happens would be if a new basketball affiliation occurred that was so financially rewarding it could not be ignored. JMU has an amazing new basketball arena but is still considered a football school by almost everyone. If that flips and basketball goes on a run to become a regular NCAA tournament participant, things could change. Maybe JMU ends up in the A10 for all sports not football with ODU and the rest of their old CAA rivals.

I always say follow the money and there will be your answer. I don’t believe the administration sees independent football as a long term money maker. If more schools become independent, that could change but as it is now, it isn’t a viable alternative.

Our administration will never change guys. They are not risk takers nor trailblazers. No amount of complaining on a message board will change that. JMU does a very good job with athletics and has created a nice niche for themselves. It isn’t perfect but many other schools admire what we have. BSKB, Duke Dawg, PG JMU and I all see things pretty much the same way which is why we don’t complain. Like Purple, I hope I see FBS football in my lifetime. Until then, I am going to enjoy the successes of JMU athletics and not constantly complain about what we don’t have.

(11-26-2020 10:42 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(11-25-2020 07:28 PM)FBS Dave Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 12:02 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  You strongly feel JMU should move to Indy is football and not wait for the right conference affiliation.

Just to be clear, what is the right affiliation that the administration seems to be waiting for? The AAC? The ACC?

It is pretty simple Dave. AAC for sure because the money is there. This is JMUs stretch conference. AAC representatives have visited campus in the past. JMU recognizes their chances for membership are a long shot.

So the admin is waiting for
A) The AAC, which they understand is a long shot
B) more regional alignment of other G5’s.
C) a high finance basketball conference.

I guess this is what I was wondering. When you actually state what the objective is and you put it on paper you can see there is no realistic plan.

None of those options are realistic. None of those options are better than, or maybe as good as, FBS independent.

The things you desire from a conference realignment can be achieved with FBS Indy. A more regional schedule, less travel, and only the teams you want to play.

Even if the admin held to these stated end goals they are much more likely to happen from a first move to Indy.

If the AAC was going to choose between JMU and Liberty 5 years ago they would pick JMU. If they were choosing today it would be Liberty no contest.

Indy is a no brainer. The incremental cost is small and you offset that with 2 buy games. Then you are positioned for greater opportunities.

Maybe no amount of complaining changes anything, but maybe it does. I can see purple’s frustration. Not only does the admin sit inactive but you all are apologists for the inaction.

“I’m going to enjoy what we do have and not complain about what we don’t have” doesn’t support change. You are complicit.

(11-26-2020 01:07 PM)FBS Dave Wrote:  

(11-26-2020 10:42 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(11-25-2020 07:28 PM)FBS Dave Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 12:02 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  You strongly feel JMU should move to Indy is football and not wait for the right conference affiliation.

Just to be clear, what is the right affiliation that the administration seems to be waiting for? The AAC? The ACC?

It is pretty simple Dave. AAC for sure because the money is there. This is JMUs stretch conference. AAC representatives have visited campus in the past. JMU recognizes their chances for membership are a long shot.

So the admin is waiting for
A) The AAC, which they understand is a long shot
B) more regional alignment of other G5’s.
C) a high finance basketball conference.

I guess this is what I was wondering. When you actually state what the objective is and you put it on paper you can see there is no realistic plan.

None of those options are realistic. None of those options are better than, or maybe as good as, FBS independent.

The things you desire from a conference realignment can be achieved with FBS Indy. A more regional schedule, less travel, and only the teams you want to play.

Even if the admin held to these stated end goals they are much more likely to happen from a first move to Indy.

If the AAC was going to choose between JMU and Liberty 5 years ago they would pick JMU. If they were choosing today it would be Liberty no contest.

Indy is a no brainer. The incremental cost is small and you offset that with 2 buy games. Then you are positioned for greater opportunities.

Maybe no amount of complaining changes anything, but maybe it does. I can see purple’s frustration. Not only does the admin sit inactive but you all are apologists for the inaction.

“I’m going to enjoy what we do have and not complain about what we don’t have” doesn’t support change. You are complicit.

Dave:

You certainly think a lot of yourself. Can you please post your resume so the rest of us can see your qualifications? Perhaps we are not giving you enough credit. Maybe you have years of experience in college athletics administration so you are speaking from experience.

You have beat this thing to death. No amount of message board complaining is going to change any administration’s approach to managing their athletics programs. Direct donor contact with the administration can if it is backed up with money. App is not in the Sunbelt because it’s administration led the move. Large donors pushed and funded it. This is a factual statement not opinion. That is what needs to happen at JMU. As I said before, follow the money.

Your comments about being apologists are offensive. We don’t agree with your opinion that you can’t seem to stop stating over and over and over. We are all entitled to our opinions but taking over a message board with the same rhetoric seems intentional on your part.

We each know how we stand on this subject. Let’s agree to disagree.

As for Purple. He is an entrepreneur and wired a certain way. I don’t agree with him on this subject either but I do know he is well intentioned in his feelings. Even he agrees we have kicked this subject around enough.

(11-26-2020 01:49 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(11-26-2020 01:07 PM)FBS Dave Wrote:  

(11-26-2020 10:42 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(11-25-2020 07:28 PM)FBS Dave Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 12:02 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  You strongly feel JMU should move to Indy is football and not wait for the right conference affiliation.

Just to be clear, what is the right affiliation that the administration seems to be waiting for? The AAC? The ACC?

It is pretty simple Dave. AAC for sure because the money is there. This is JMUs stretch conference. AAC representatives have visited campus in the past. JMU recognizes their chances for membership are a long shot.

So the admin is waiting for
A) The AAC, which they understand is a long shot
B) more regional alignment of other G5’s.
C) a high finance basketball conference.

I guess this is what I was wondering. When you actually state what the objective is and you put it on paper you can see there is no realistic plan.

None of those options are realistic. None of those options are better than, or maybe as good as, FBS independent.

The things you desire from a conference realignment can be achieved with FBS Indy. A more regional schedule, less travel, and only the teams you want to play.

Even if the admin held to these stated end goals they are much more likely to happen from a first move to Indy.

If the AAC was going to choose between JMU and Liberty 5 years ago they would pick JMU. If they were choosing today it would be Liberty no contest.

Indy is a no brainer. The incremental cost is small and you offset that with 2 buy games. Then you are positioned for greater opportunities.

Maybe no amount of complaining changes anything, but maybe it does. I can see purple’s frustration. Not only does the admin sit inactive but you all are apologists for the inaction.

“I’m going to enjoy what we do have and not complain about what we don’t have” doesn’t support change. You are complicit.

Dave:

You certainly think a lot of yourself. Can you please post your resume so the rest of us can see your qualifications? Perhaps we are not giving you enough credit. Maybe you have years of experience in college athletics administration so you are speaking from experience.

You have beat this thing to death. No amount of message board complaining is going to change any administration’s approach to managing their athletics programs. Direct donor contact with the administration can if it is backed up with money. App is not in the Sunbelt because it’s administration led the move. Large donors pushed and funded it. This is a factual statement not opinion. That is what needs to happen at JMU. As I said before, follow the money.

Your comments about being apologists are offensive. We don’t agree with your opinion that you can’t seem to stop stating over and over and over. We are all entitled to our opinions but taking over a message board with the same rhetoric seems intentional on your part.

We each know how we stand on this subject. Let’s agree to disagree.

As for Purple. He is an entrepreneur and wired a certain way. I don’t agree with him on this subject either but I do know he is well intentioned in his feelings. Even he agrees we have kicked this subject around enough.

Being an apologist for inaction is offensive!

Happy Thanksgiving!

In all likelihood the AAC and or MW will lose their top teams to the P5 which will cause some regionalization. JMU may make the AAC but it likely won’t be the current AAC. Kind of like how Marshall made CUSA but it wasn’t the same CUSA or how ECU made the Big East but it wasn’t the Big East.

(11-26-2020 01:49 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(11-26-2020 01:07 PM)FBS Dave Wrote:  

(11-26-2020 10:42 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(11-25-2020 07:28 PM)FBS Dave Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 12:02 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  You strongly feel JMU should move to Indy is football and not wait for the right conference affiliation.

Just to be clear, what is the right affiliation that the administration seems to be waiting for? The AAC? The ACC?

It is pretty simple Dave. AAC for sure because the money is there. This is JMUs stretch conference. AAC representatives have visited campus in the past. JMU recognizes their chances for membership are a long shot.

So the admin is waiting for
A) The AAC, which they understand is a long shot
B) more regional alignment of other G5’s.
C) a high finance basketball conference.

I guess this is what I was wondering. When you actually state what the objective is and you put it on paper you can see there is no realistic plan.

None of those options are realistic. None of those options are better than, or maybe as good as, FBS independent.

The things you desire from a conference realignment can be achieved with FBS Indy. A more regional schedule, less travel, and only the teams you want to play.

Even if the admin held to these stated end goals they are much more likely to happen from a first move to Indy.

If the AAC was going to choose between JMU and Liberty 5 years ago they would pick JMU. If they were choosing today it would be Liberty no contest.

Indy is a no brainer. The incremental cost is small and you offset that with 2 buy games. Then you are positioned for greater opportunities.

Maybe no amount of complaining changes anything, but maybe it does. I can see purple’s frustration. Not only does the admin sit inactive but you all are apologists for the inaction.

“I’m going to enjoy what we do have and not complain about what we don’t have” doesn’t support change. You are complicit.

Dave:

You certainly think a lot of yourself. Can you please post your resume so the rest of us can see your qualifications? Perhaps we are not giving you enough credit. Maybe you have years of experience in college athletics administration so you are speaking from experience.

You have beat this thing to death. No amount of message board complaining is going to change any administration’s approach to managing their athletics programs. Direct donor contact with the administration can if it is backed up with money. App is not in the Sunbelt because it’s administration led the move. Large donors pushed and funded it. This is a factual statement not opinion. That is what needs to happen at JMU. As I said before, follow the money.

Your comments about being apologists are offensive. We don’t agree with your opinion that you can’t seem to stop stating over and over and over. We are all entitled to our opinions but taking over a message board with the same rhetoric seems intentional on your part.

We each know how we stand on this subject. Let’s agree to disagree.

As for Purple. He is an entrepreneur and wired a certain way. I don’t agree with him on this subject either but I do know he is well intentioned in his feelings. Even he agrees we have kicked this subject around enough.

Amen Nation. Well said.

(11-26-2020 10:42 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(11-25-2020 07:28 PM)FBS Dave Wrote:  

(11-24-2020 12:02 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  You strongly feel JMU should move to Indy is football and not wait for the right conference affiliation.

Just to be clear, what is the right affiliation that the administration seems to be waiting for? The AAC? The ACC?

It is pretty simple Dave. AAC for sure because the money is there. This is JMUs stretch conference. AAC representatives have visited campus in the past. JMU recognizes their chances for membership are a long shot. If not AAC, they want a regional conference to control the travel costs because there will be little to no TV revenue. The rivalry potential is greater so more fans will be at games meaning more revenue for football and basketball. App, Marshall, ODU all jump off the page as desirable conference mates.

The Administration isn’t monitoring. They don’t have any partnerships to move forward with but the ADs talk regularly.

CUSA schools are bleeding financially which is the main reason ODU didn’t play this year. Conference realignment is inevitable because none of the CUSA member schools are happy with their league affiliation and the lack of league generated revenue to offset the high costs of travel. The league was destined to fail once they aligned via TV markets instead of quality programs. The ODU President has announced his retirement so it is unlikely ODU moves anywhere until his successor takes office.

I feel like the Sunbelt is a well constructed league and I believe their membership is happy now that Idaho and NMSU are gone. I don’t see schools leaving the Sunbelt unless a great opportunity presents itself.

The MAC remains well aligned too. I don’t see a change in their membership because none of their schools seem to be sought after.

IMO, the FBS opportunity will come via realignment among CUSA members or a new conference like the ASUN that brings FCS programs together that have the common goal of FBS. The WAC has the only open FBS charter at this time so they could start an FBS league for those schools in Texas and west of there that want FBS as well. Would some CUSA west schools join NMSU? This would create openings in the conference.

We can talk independent FBS all day long but I don’t see it happening. The only remote possibility it happens would be if a new basketball affiliation occurred that was so financially rewarding it could not be ignored. JMU has an amazing new basketball arena but is still considered a football school by almost everyone. If that flips and basketball goes on a run to become a regular NCAA tournament participant, things could change. Maybe JMU ends up in the A10 for all sports not football with ODU and the rest of their old CAA rivals.

I always say follow the money and there will be your answer. I don’t believe the administration sees independent football as a long term money maker. If more schools become independent, that could change but as it is now, it isn’t a viable alternative.

Our administration will never change guys. They are not risk takers nor trailblazers. No amount of complaining on a message board will change that. JMU does a very good job with athletics and has created a nice niche for themselves. It isn’t perfect but many other schools admire what we have. BSKB, Duke Dawg, PG JMU and I all see things pretty much the same way which is why we don’t complain. Like Purple, I hope I see FBS football in my lifetime. Until then, I am going to enjoy the successes of JMU athletics and not constantly complain about what we don’t have.

This is a well assembled post that pretty much hits all of the options.

The only other thing I would add is that JMU's Administration puts the mission statement first: "We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives." They also have the vision statement about being a national model. Nothing in any of these guiding principles mentions athletics. JMU will always put student education first. By whatever means they can add value by increasing visibility and engagement via intercollegiate athletics will happen second. When you add up the investments JMU has made in its athletic programs over the last decade+, we are well positioned to join the national sports discussion if that should happen.

Good add Deez. JMU isn’t going to be a football or basketball factory. There are many schools that seem to put athletics ahead of education. While athletics are important at JMU, they don’t drive the bus.

Some of our posters want JMU to handle athletics like a professional sports team would. That isn’t going to happen. The mission of athletics for most colleges not in the SEC isn’t to emulate pro sports. The mission is to enhance the college experience for students, alumni and the local community. JMU does this very well.

(11-27-2020 09:39 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  Good add Deez. JMU isn’t going to be a football or basketball factory. There are many schools that seem to put athletics ahead of education. While athletics are important at JMU, they don’t drive the bus.

Some of our posters want JMU to handle athletics like a professional sports team would. That isn’t going to happen. The mission of athletics for most colleges not in the SEC isn’t to emulate pro sports. The mission is to enhance the college experience students, alumni and the local community. JMU does this very well.

All of your posts are well throught out and explain our situation. Because of Charlie King and other administrators, we have some of the best facilities in the nation. I wonder if the ODU fans are happy about thier athletic finances and the future of their FBS situation? How many JMU fans would switch positions with ODU?

Per GTS, all threads older than 3 years shall be closed to improve site performance. I have archived the original Newest Conference Rumor thread, and given this threads topic and discussion I have renamed this one to the 2.0 version... plus it gives us a 300 post/11,000 view head start on starting over.

Carry on with the founded and unfounded rumors of conference realignment.

Are Marshall and App State football factories because they play FBS? Silly.

Successful sports programs usually complement the academic goals.

I guess its fitting that the newest conference thread trash does not start with a post from a JMU poster. Same ish, different day.

FBS Dave, do you attend Villanova FB games? Just curious.

What's your goal here Dave? Also what does it matter to you? You don't care what James Madison does. You don't post on any forums for two years then you come over to the JMU board to troll it up because you know folks will take the bait? You've done it twice already - take another 2 year break please.

(11-27-2020 11:12 AM)JMU Wrote:  I guess its fitting that the newest conference thread trash does not start with a post from a JMU poster. Same ish, different day.

Considering dropping Dave's OP and making post #2 by 14Semester the starting post because it makes at least a little more sense to us

(11-27-2020 11:27 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-27-2020 11:12 AM)JMU Wrote:  I guess its fitting that the newest conference thread trash does not start with a post from a JMU poster. Same ish, different day.

Considering dropping Dave's OP and making post #2 by 14Semester the starting post because it makes at least a little more sense to us

Plus one.14’s post sums up the thread history succinctly.

(11-27-2020 11:15 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  What's your goal here Dave? Also what does it matter to you? You don't care what James Madison does. You don't post on any forums for two years then you come over to the JMU board to troll it up because you know folks will take the bait? You've done it twice already - take another 2 year break please.

To have a discussion on JMU to FBS. I’m interested.

Me wanting JMU to succeed is trolling? Nice work moderator.

(11-27-2020 11:13 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  FBS Dave, do you attend Villanova FB games? Just curious.

Reposting. Think you overlooked my question.

(11-27-2020 12:22 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  

(11-27-2020 11:13 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  FBS Dave, do you attend Villanova FB games? Just curious.

Reposting. Think you overlooked my question.

I have in the past but I purposefully stopped going many years ago when Nova did not act on the Big East invite. It’s just not an interesting schedule. I don’t watch the streaming either. Like JMU I thought Nova was building towards something until it was obvious that they were not. I followed Yeager and realignment pretty closely.

JMU still has a chance to capitalize on what previous leaders invested. I’m rooting for JMU to succeed.

I do go to FBS games. I’ve been to multiple ACC games. Penn State. Notre Dame. Of course Georgia. None this year with Covid, but hopefully next year. For some unknown reason I want to go to an Army home game.

As a side note Nova hoops plays VT this weekend. We are 2-0 and ranked 3.