(11-12-2021 02:08 PM)franklyconfused Wrote:  The Southland is barely a conference outside of football. They need two more football teams. I don't know if they can skate by with just associate football members. I know FBS requires that a conference have 8 full members who play football, but I don't know if that applies to FCS. At the same time, the Atlantic Sun is down to just 5 football members and 5 non-football, so they also need to get their football in order.

The rule is six football teams for an automatic bid at the FCS level, which is true for automatic bids in sports across the NCAA that grant them.

The Southland is at five schools plus one that is just beginning its transition. The league certainly needs to add an additional school as they are under the threshold in about three or four sports based on Commerce's transition and the lack of other schools sponsoring the sport.

The Southland apparently is looking at four institutions and prior to McNeese staying, was engaged in conversations with the Ohio Valley about a merger situation.

Very interesting situation here as all indications are that the Division II Lonestar Conference teams (outside of Commerce who has already announced intentions to join) are not interested in the Southland.

(11-12-2021 03:40 PM)texowl2 Wrote:  Geesh, the WAC has really collapsed from the WAC 16 to this....

Put us back in there and we would be bottom feeding within 3 or 4 years.

(11-12-2021 05:26 PM)wrysal Wrote:  

(11-12-2021 03:40 PM)texowl2 Wrote:  Geesh, the WAC has really collapsed from the WAC 16 to this....

Put us back in there and we would be bottom feeding within 3 or 4 years.

Sad, but likely true.

Hopefully new leadership (President DesRoches, Coach Cruz, Coach Anybody but Bloomgren) will put and end to this trend.

(11-12-2021 05:26 PM)wrysal Wrote:  

(11-12-2021 03:40 PM)texowl2 Wrote:  Geesh, the WAC has really collapsed from the WAC 16 to this....

Put us back in there and we would be bottom feeding within 3 or 4 years.

This is the problem, not our conference affiliation or conference mates.

Whatever conference we've been in since 1970 or so (and we've been in a bunch), we've pretty much gravitated toward bottom feeders. We were bottom feeders in the SWC for 20+ years. Then we started out pretty strong in the WAC, but by the time we left we had gravitated to the bottom. Then we gravitated to the bottom of CUSA until the top left for AAC. Then we gravitated back to the bottom of the new and weaker CUSA.

We need to get to the top of whatever conference we are in--and stay there--if we are to harbor any serious notions of moving up. We just hit an incredible Hail Mary and got handed a lifeline that we truly do not deserve. Let's make the most of this opportunity and not repeat the past.

(11-12-2021 07:09 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(11-12-2021 05:26 PM)wrysal Wrote:  

(11-12-2021 03:40 PM)texowl2 Wrote:  Geesh, the WAC has really collapsed from the WAC 16 to this....

Put us back in there and we would be bottom feeding within 3 or 4 years.

This is the problem, not our conference affiliation or conference mates.

Whatever conference we've been in since 1970 or so (and we've been in a bunch), we've pretty much gravitated toward bottom feeders. We were bottom feeders in the SWC for 20+ years. Then we started out pretty strong in the WAC, but by the time we left we had gravitated to the bottom. Then we gravitated to the bottom of CUSA until the top left for AAC. Then we gravitated back to the bottom of the new and weaker CUSA.

We need to get to the top of whatever conference we are in--and stay there--if we are to harbor any serious notions of moving up. We just hit an incredible Hail Mary and got handed a lifeline that we truly do not deserve. Let's make the most of this opportunity and not repeat the past.

1. Can the AAC ever "ask us to leave" or would they have to meet at an airport to do so?
2. Cosidering present situation, how long do you estimate before we are left behind once again?

(11-16-2021 01:02 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  2. Cosidering present situation, how long do you estimate before we are left behind once again?

No problem. The next coach will save us.

Loyola (Chicago) jumping ship on the MVC (after only 8 years) for the A-10 per multiple reports. MVC looking to backfill with UT Arlington, Murray State, and UMKC.

https://twitter.com/MattNorlander/status...0423822347

(10-23-2021 09:05 AM)bigowlsfan Wrote:  

(10-23-2021 08:32 AM)RiceBull Wrote:  

(10-23-2021 06:52 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(10-22-2021 11:19 PM)Grungy Wrote:  What did we do with that huge MOB?
Hofheinz saved our UH show by stealing the script in the 'Dome (the rest of the show was "meh").
The UT show worked, in Austin.
The A&M "Secret Owl Band" show worked, at home.
The rest were fairly forgettable, except for the Arkansas game, where we were booed off the field, at home, in what I'll call "The Blue Pig Show".

Was there for all of them. That UT show remains one of my favorites, and I think one of the most underrated MOB shows ever. The start pissed the crowd off properly, and the way the boos turned to cheers as the show progressed was quite remarkable to see.

I think you disband the mob and replace it with a community marching band. Even if the mob was at full strength, satire is not appropriated in today’s woke world. A community band could get rice some publicity.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

In the true tradition of Rice and swimming against the tide, I would double down on satire and have the band work hard to offend everyone we could, with clever humor.

I am a UH grad, and don't think that the mob should ever be disbanded. Their salute to Tulsa a few years back that got complaints to the conference was classic. Since so many people now are to stupid to understand satire their shows are even more effective.

(11-17-2021 05:12 PM)barneysrevenge Wrote:  

(10-23-2021 09:05 AM)bigowlsfan Wrote:  

(10-23-2021 08:32 AM)RiceBull Wrote:  I think you disband the mob and replace it with a community marching band. Even if the mob was at full strength, satire is not appropriated in today’s woke world. A community band could get rice some publicity.

In the true tradition of Rice and swimming against the tide, I would double down on satire and have the band work hard to offend everyone we could, with clever humor.

I am a UH grad, and don't think that the mob should ever be disbanded. Their salute to Tulsa a few years back that got complaints to the conference was classic. Since so many people now are to stupid to understand satire their shows are even more effective.

'this' to all three posts, though I realize they are somewhat in conflict.

The MOB IS ALREADY somewhat of a community band in that some are alums or even just friends and family.

I think there are plenty of jokes that could be told these days, especially as we approach the AAC and reunite with some old 'friends'. Look to popular comedians today for what you can and can't get away with. Fluffy is a perfect example.

I'd like to see the MOB get some funding though... plus perhaps some video and sound effects so they could have better props and we could understand the jokes better. Get more students involved in those aspects. Laser shows, whatever. Lots of people with artistic talent on campus. I mean seriously... what could the MOB do with $20,000 to spend for 6-8 shows? What could students do if you could offer them $100 to help?

For the fatalists always contemplating dropping athletics to a lower level:

The only D2 conference in Texas is about to go international. The Lone Star Conference, which will still have 17 full members after A&M-Commerce goes to the Southland, has extended a football-only membership to the NCAA's only Canadian member, Simon Fraser University. Central Washington University and Western Oregon University are also joining for football only.

The rest of the LSC:

Football: Midwestern State, Angelo State, Eastern New Mexico, West Texas A&M, UT-Permian Basin, Western New Mexico

Non-football: Cameron (OK), Texas Woman's, Ark.-Fort Smith, Dallas Baptist*, Lubbock Christian, Oklahoma Christian, St. Edward's, St. Mary's, A&M-International, UT-Tyler


*DBU has their baseball grandfathered into D-I with the Missouri Valley Conference.

(11-18-2021 09:42 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(11-17-2021 05:12 PM)barneysrevenge Wrote:  

(10-23-2021 09:05 AM)bigowlsfan Wrote:  

(10-23-2021 08:32 AM)RiceBull Wrote:  I think you disband the mob and replace it with a community marching band. Even if the mob was at full strength, satire is not appropriated in today’s woke world. A community band could get rice some publicity.

In the true tradition of Rice and swimming against the tide, I would double down on satire and have the band work hard to offend everyone we could, with clever humor.

I am a UH grad, and don't think that the mob should ever be disbanded. Their salute to Tulsa a few years back that got complaints to the conference was classic. Since so many people now are to stupid to understand satire their shows are even more effective.

'this' to all three posts, though I realize they are somewhat in conflict.

The MOB IS ALREADY somewhat of a community band in that some are alums or even just friends and family.

I think there are plenty of jokes that could be told these days, especially as we approach the AAC and reunite with some old 'friends'. Look to popular comedians today for what you can and can't get away with. Fluffy is a perfect example.

I'd like to see the MOB get some funding though... plus perhaps some video and sound effects so they could have better props and we could understand the jokes better. Get more students involved in those aspects. Laser shows, whatever. Lots of people with artistic talent on campus. I mean seriously... what could the MOB do with $20,000 to spend for 6-8 shows? What could students do if you could offer them $100 to help?

Great points, +100

I don't mind the Mob, I guess, but there aren't enough members. Every student should be allowed to join, and students majoring in music should be encouraged to join, as opposed to being told that they can't. It's absurd. What kind of rule is that? Students majoring in music can't join the band?

(11-19-2021 09:47 AM)Ourland Wrote:  I don't mind the Mob, I guess, but there aren't enough members. Every student should be allowed to join, and students majoring in music should be encouraged to join, as opposed to being told that they can't. It's absurd. What kind of rule is that? Students majoring in music can't join the band?

Students majoring in music also can't double major*. The Shepherd School basically expects its students to have no hobbies or interests other than professional music development. Learning (or worse, writing) a MOB performance takes away orchestra and chamber practice time.

*According to Shepherd, not the university. The university will still award a dual degree if a music student earns it, but Shepherd will kick them out of the music program if they learn the student is pursuing a dual degree.

(11-19-2021 09:55 AM)franklyconfused Wrote:  

(11-19-2021 09:47 AM)Ourland Wrote:  I don't mind the Mob, I guess, but there aren't enough members. Every student should be allowed to join, and students majoring in music should be encouraged to join, as opposed to being told that they can't. It's absurd. What kind of rule is that? Students majoring in music can't join the band?

Students majoring in music also can't double major*. The Shepherd School basically expects its students to have no hobbies or interests other than professional music development. Learning (or worse, writing) a MOB performance takes away orchestra and chamber practice time.

*According to Shepherd, not the university. The university will still award a dual degree if a music student earns it, but Shepherd will kick them out of the music program if they learn the student is pursuing a dual degree.

I don't think this is true.

I can think of four Shepherd students who I knew personally that double-majored at Rice during my time (2014-12/2017). And they didn't exactly live their life "in the closet." Two of them did have to take an extra semester though-but that's no different than many other double majoring students.

It's absolutely asinine for the school of music to be able to get away with that. If they let their kids join, that could mean as many as thirity more MOB members. The MOB barely practices anyway. There's no time taken away from studies.

I know of numerous other double-major Rice grads from the early Shep days. Perhaps there is something about specific 'conservatory' programs?? IDK. Wasn't there a football player who was part of Shep?

I don't know if Chuck has specifically said so, but I think Grungy has that participation by them is more than discouraged... and I'd defer absolutely to them. I'm surprised though that we don't have more casual players... guys who played in the band in high school and had fun, but don't want to make a career out of it. It may not be the case anymore, but there was a time when being in the band caused GPA troubles for some elite academs who were only 'fun time' musicians... which may mean we aren't admitting that many anymore.

(11-19-2021 10:26 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(11-19-2021 09:55 AM)franklyconfused Wrote:  

(11-19-2021 09:47 AM)Ourland Wrote:  I don't mind the Mob, I guess, but there aren't enough members. Every student should be allowed to join, and students majoring in music should be encouraged to join, as opposed to being told that they can't. It's absurd. What kind of rule is that? Students majoring in music can't join the band?

Students majoring in music also can't double major*. The Shepherd School basically expects its students to have no hobbies or interests other than professional music development. Learning (or worse, writing) a MOB performance takes away orchestra and chamber practice time.

*According to Shepherd, not the university. The university will still award a dual degree if a music student earns it, but Shepherd will kick them out of the music program if they learn the student is pursuing a dual degree.

I don't think this is true.

I can think of four Shepherd students who I knew personally that double-majored at Rice during my time (2014-12/2017). And they didn't exactly live their life "in the closet." Two of them did have to take an extra semester though-but that's no different than many other double majoring students.

I was an undergrad right before that time and was told this was the case by more than one Shepherd student. I even took a few classes with a Shepherd student in a cross-functional major related to mine, and he told me that he had to keep his double major a secret from his instructor until he was walking at graduation. He had to pick a BA that only needed 30 hours, and he could finish it only because he came in with AP credits that accounted for his other distributions.

It's kind of ridiculous too because from what I've heard, getting a job in that field (with an orchestra, chamber, etc.) is about as difficult as it is to become a professional athlete. We have a friend whose daughter went to the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt, and considered going to Europe for a Masters' degree in the Cello. But she's now working in the hospitality industry.

(11-19-2021 10:26 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(11-19-2021 09:55 AM)franklyconfused Wrote:  

(11-19-2021 09:47 AM)Ourland Wrote:  I don't mind the Mob, I guess, but there aren't enough members. Every student should be allowed to join, and students majoring in music should be encouraged to join, as opposed to being told that they can't. It's absurd. What kind of rule is that? Students majoring in music can't join the band?

Students majoring in music also can't double major*. The Shepherd School basically expects its students to have no hobbies or interests other than professional music development. Learning (or worse, writing) a MOB performance takes away orchestra and chamber practice time.

*According to Shepherd, not the university. The university will still award a dual degree if a music student earns it, but Shepherd will kick them out of the music program if they learn the student is pursuing a dual degree.

I don't think this is true.

I can think of four Shepherd students who I knew personally that double-majored at Rice during my time (2014-12/2017). And they didn't exactly live their life "in the closet." Two of them did have to take an extra semester though-but that's no different than many other double majoring students.

(11-19-2021 12:25 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  I know of numerous other double-major Rice grads from the early Shep days. Perhaps there is something about specific 'conservatory' programs?? IDK. Wasn't there a football player who was part of Shep?

I don't know if Chuck has specifically said so, but I think Grungy has that participation by them is more than discouraged... and I'd defer absolutely to them. I'm surprised though that we don't have more casual players... guys who played in the band in high school and had fun, but don't want to make a career out of it. It may not be the case anymore, but there was a time when being in the band caused GPA troubles for some elite academs who were only 'fun time' musicians... which may mean we aren't admitting that many anymore.

There seems to be a parallel to how we appear to handle sports here, but I'm having trouble putting it into exact words.

(11-19-2021 12:25 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  I know of numerous other double-major Rice grads from the early Shep days. Perhaps there is something about specific 'conservatory' programs?? IDK. Wasn't there a football player who was part of Shep?

Yes, there was, and he sang an amazing rendition of the National Anthem before the basketball game where we blew out TexasU on ESPN. I still remember Tim Brando very demonstratively saluting him at the end of the anthem.

I think the prohibition against MOB participation by Shepherd School is a fairly recent policy, perhaps one instituted by a new dean at some point. IIRC the MOB grew quite a bit when Shepherd first started, including adding a sizable string session.