(01-16-2023 11:36 AM)BlueDragon Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 02:07 AM)Todor Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 12:44 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(01-15-2023 07:53 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  My only concern is WAC survival. I was here when the WAC had to “dumpster dive” for Great West schools. I do not want to be a part of a 6 or 7 team conference that is on the verge of being picked off. “We” have already done that. This conference doesn’t get the credit it deserves. UMKC and Lamar couldn’t compete here like they thought they could. UIW also knew they couldn’t compete in anything other than football and decided to remain in the SLC.

So excuse me for not being gung ho for this step child football league. I do not **think** it will work out like some of you hope. I don’t want to see SFA and SUU leave to join other conferences once this thing implodes. In my opinion, schools that are lucky to get 3,000 to most football games, don’t belong in FBS. I have a hard time believing schools located in Utah and Alabama are long for each other. If people in Cedar City are showing up 4,000 for Weber State, why will that number increase when North Alabama comes to town? Just because SUU can make $400,000 more for a 65-7 pounding by BYU, Cedar City will start going to more games. That doesn’t make sense.

If the WAC FBS thing doesn't work who are the 6 or 7 schools that stick it out in the WAC?

SU GCU CBU UVU UT UTA UTRGV?

I would imagine by then there would be a decent chance that 2 of CBU, GCU, or Seattle find their way to the WCC. RGV would probably go to the Southland for FCS football. I wouldn’t be surprised to see UVU to the Summit as a partner for Denver. I’m afraid SUU and UTU might be in no man’s land, possibly with the left out school that didn’t get taken by the WCC, if that’s how it worked out. Its possible that UVU would stick with the other Utah schools to try to make something work and form a nice core at least. Strength in numbers. Realistically, it could end up just those 3 and a non-WCC invitee.

Arlington would have no reason to stay and would probably go back to the Southland as well. The WAC could possibly get Augustana and see if Chicago would want another stint. I would hope they would decline this time, even if it meant remaining independent. If they were the difference between the WAC retaining its auto bids or not, Chicago should not join, rather schedule the members remaining who need games by either playing in Chicago or paying CSU to travel. They shouldn’t have to give up all of their guarantee games for WAC schools for free because it would be a financial hit.

That would be about 5 members possibly. I’m not sure if there are 2 D2 schools left to move up. Possibly someone else east of the Rockies that might jump primarily because of the opening available, but I don’t know who it could be.

It’s pretty grim.

Or….,the set of schools that jump to FBS as all a sports Conference join the WAC.

You do see how that works don’t you Negative Nancy.

Oh ok, so North Alabama is going to join the WAC with Seattle and Utah Valley, rather than stay with Jacksonville and North Florida. Oh ok. Just because you think they would do it, doesn’t mean they would actually do something like that. Why play teams in the Mountain and Pacific time zones, when you don’t have to and know that it would be stupid to do so.

The WAC is going to become a 20 team, 1 bid league? I’m Realistic Ron, not Negative Nancy.

(01-16-2023 06:33 AM)Spolovilo4EVER Wrote:  I suspect Utah Tech and SUU will stay FCS and there will be a trade off with some other BSC teams such as the Montana's or Weber and Idaho. UNA may very well do the same, trade conference spots with someone such as a Chattanooga, or Missouri St etc...I think they are going along to be a team player and all, and being used as bait to lure more high profile teams to take their place. Can you really see Weber letting Utah Tech and SUU go FBS and not doing anything about it? The Magic number is 8, and with UTRGV coming along, that makes 10, so even if the Utah schools back out if no one else comes in they still have the minimum 8 to go FBS. Though UNA is a concern, I know the other 3 ASUN schools are all in to go FBS.

Weber was invited to join the WAC with SUU, or at least that’s what Matt Brown reported. They weren’t leaving the stable Big Sky for the FBS golden ticket and the Texas based football conference then. I bet they expect it to fail now.

If this truly is a football-only conference venture into the FBS, getting Chattanooga, Missouri State, ect. on board may be easier, as those schools seem to have been reluctant to join FBS leagues in the past due to their basketball affiliations. I agree with your point. If FBS is a very real possibility for WAC/ASUN, finding replacements for some of these schools is a must, and doing so could transform it into a legit “G5 conference”.

UNA has to go. I know FCS success has nothing to do with transitioning, but they had one more football win than SeattleU last year and are generally terrible it seems, not to mention their high school stadium. UTU might be okay down the road but shouldn’t be FBS. SUU used to be a decent FCS program but they don’t bring much to the table. No need to drag that dead weight. If you can get UTC, Missouri State and maybe McNeese or Lamar on board to jump to the FBS, that has the makeup of a much better 10 team football conference that could be competitive with the Sunbelt or CUSA.

(01-16-2023 11:36 AM)BlueDragon Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 02:07 AM)Todor Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 12:44 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(01-15-2023 07:53 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  My only concern is WAC survival. I was here when the WAC had to “dumpster dive” for Great West schools. I do not want to be a part of a 6 or 7 team conference that is on the verge of being picked off. “We” have already done that. This conference doesn’t get the credit it deserves. UMKC and Lamar couldn’t compete here like they thought they could. UIW also knew they couldn’t compete in anything other than football and decided to remain in the SLC.

So excuse me for not being gung ho for this step child football league. I do not **think** it will work out like some of you hope. I don’t want to see SFA and SUU leave to join other conferences once this thing implodes. In my opinion, schools that are lucky to get 3,000 to most football games, don’t belong in FBS. I have a hard time believing schools located in Utah and Alabama are long for each other. If people in Cedar City are showing up 4,000 for Weber State, why will that number increase when North Alabama comes to town? Just because SUU can make $400,000 more for a 65-7 pounding by BYU, Cedar City will start going to more games. That doesn’t make sense.

If the WAC FBS thing doesn't work who are the 6 or 7 schools that stick it out in the WAC?

SU GCU CBU UVU UT UTA UTRGV?

I would imagine by then there would be a decent chance that 2 of CBU, GCU, or Seattle find their way to the WCC. RGV would probably go to the Southland for FCS football. I wouldn’t be surprised to see UVU to the Summit as a partner for Denver. I’m afraid SUU and UTU might be in no man’s land, possibly with the left out school that didn’t get taken by the WCC, if that’s how it worked out. Its possible that UVU would stick with the other Utah schools to try to make something work and form a nice core at least. Strength in numbers. Realistically, it could end up just those 3 and a non-WCC invitee.

Arlington would have no reason to stay and would probably go back to the Southland as well. The WAC could possibly get Augustana and see if Chicago would want another stint. I would hope they would decline this time, even if it meant remaining independent. If they were the difference between the WAC retaining its auto bids or not, Chicago should not join, rather schedule the members remaining who need games by either playing in Chicago or paying CSU to travel. They shouldn’t have to give up all of their guarantee games for WAC schools for free because it would be a financial hit.

That would be about 5 members possibly. I’m not sure if there are 2 D2 schools left to move up. Possibly someone else east of the Rockies that might jump primarily because of the opening available, but I don’t know who it could be.

It’s pretty grim.

Or….,the set of schools that jump to FBS as all a sports Conference join the WAC.

You do see how that works don’t you Negative Nancy.

I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but no, the negative nancies do not, in fact, see how the set of schools jumps to FBS.

I think Todor understands that, if the FBS plan works, then the 4 ASUN schools would join the WAC. That's not what he's worried about.

He's worried about what happens the day after a commitee of P5 and G5 representatives responds to the ASUN-WAC group's plan to transition with "LOL No. And the WAC loophole is removed from the rules, just in case."

The answer to "what if the risky plan doesn't work" probably shouldn't be "don't worry, it will work."

(01-16-2023 12:23 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 11:36 AM)BlueDragon Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 02:07 AM)Todor Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 12:44 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(01-15-2023 07:53 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  My only concern is WAC survival. I was here when the WAC had to “dumpster dive” for Great West schools. I do not want to be a part of a 6 or 7 team conference that is on the verge of being picked off. “We” have already done that. This conference doesn’t get the credit it deserves. UMKC and Lamar couldn’t compete here like they thought they could. UIW also knew they couldn’t compete in anything other than football and decided to remain in the SLC.

So excuse me for not being gung ho for this step child football league. I do not **think** it will work out like some of you hope. I don’t want to see SFA and SUU leave to join other conferences once this thing implodes. In my opinion, schools that are lucky to get 3,000 to most football games, don’t belong in FBS. I have a hard time believing schools located in Utah and Alabama are long for each other. If people in Cedar City are showing up 4,000 for Weber State, why will that number increase when North Alabama comes to town? Just because SUU can make $400,000 more for a 65-7 pounding by BYU, Cedar City will start going to more games. That doesn’t make sense.

If the WAC FBS thing doesn't work who are the 6 or 7 schools that stick it out in the WAC?

SU GCU CBU UVU UT UTA UTRGV?

I would imagine by then there would be a decent chance that 2 of CBU, GCU, or Seattle find their way to the WCC. RGV would probably go to the Southland for FCS football. I wouldn’t be surprised to see UVU to the Summit as a partner for Denver. I’m afraid SUU and UTU might be in no man’s land, possibly with the left out school that didn’t get taken by the WCC, if that’s how it worked out. Its possible that UVU would stick with the other Utah schools to try to make something work and form a nice core at least. Strength in numbers. Realistically, it could end up just those 3 and a non-WCC invitee.

Arlington would have no reason to stay and would probably go back to the Southland as well. The WAC could possibly get Augustana and see if Chicago would want another stint. I would hope they would decline this time, even if it meant remaining independent. If they were the difference between the WAC retaining its auto bids or not, Chicago should not join, rather schedule the members remaining who need games by either playing in Chicago or paying CSU to travel. They shouldn’t have to give up all of their guarantee games for WAC schools for free because it would be a financial hit.

That would be about 5 members possibly. I’m not sure if there are 2 D2 schools left to move up. Possibly someone else east of the Rockies that might jump primarily because of the opening available, but I don’t know who it could be.

It’s pretty grim.

Or….,the set of schools that jump to FBS as all a sports Conference join the WAC.

You do see how that works don’t you Negative Nancy.

Oh ok, so North Alabama is going to join the WAC with Seattle and Utah Valley, rather than stay with Jacksonville and North Florida. Oh ok. Just because you think they would do it, doesn’t mean they would actually do something like that. Why play teams in the Mountain and Pacific time zones, when you don’t have to and know that it would be stupid to do so.

The WAC is going to become a 20 team, 1 bid league? I’m Realistic Ron, not Negative Nancy.

If it meant upgrading to FBS, I think that North Alabama, UCA, EKU and KEnnesaw would join the WAC and travel to Southern Utah and UTah Tech. And, if it meant FBS, to Anchorage and Honolulu, and Thule and Katmandu.

(01-16-2023 02:13 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 12:23 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 11:36 AM)BlueDragon Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 02:07 AM)Todor Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 12:44 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  If the WAC FBS thing doesn't work who are the 6 or 7 schools that stick it out in the WAC?

SU GCU CBU UVU UT UTA UTRGV?

I would imagine by then there would be a decent chance that 2 of CBU, GCU, or Seattle find their way to the WCC. RGV would probably go to the Southland for FCS football. I wouldn’t be surprised to see UVU to the Summit as a partner for Denver. I’m afraid SUU and UTU might be in no man’s land, possibly with the left out school that didn’t get taken by the WCC, if that’s how it worked out. Its possible that UVU would stick with the other Utah schools to try to make something work and form a nice core at least. Strength in numbers. Realistically, it could end up just those 3 and a non-WCC invitee.

Arlington would have no reason to stay and would probably go back to the Southland as well. The WAC could possibly get Augustana and see if Chicago would want another stint. I would hope they would decline this time, even if it meant remaining independent. If they were the difference between the WAC retaining its auto bids or not, Chicago should not join, rather schedule the members remaining who need games by either playing in Chicago or paying CSU to travel. They shouldn’t have to give up all of their guarantee games for WAC schools for free because it would be a financial hit.

That would be about 5 members possibly. I’m not sure if there are 2 D2 schools left to move up. Possibly someone else east of the Rockies that might jump primarily because of the opening available, but I don’t know who it could be.

It’s pretty grim.

Or….,the set of schools that jump to FBS as all a sports Conference join the WAC.

You do see how that works don’t you Negative Nancy.

Oh ok, so North Alabama is going to join the WAC with Seattle and Utah Valley, rather than stay with Jacksonville and North Florida. Oh ok. Just because you think they would do it, doesn’t mean they would actually do something like that. Why play teams in the Mountain and Pacific time zones, when you don’t have to and know that it would be stupid to do so.

The WAC is going to become a 20 team, 1 bid league? I’m Realistic Ron, not Negative Nancy.

If it meant upgrading to FBS, I think that North Alabama, UCA, EKU and KEnnesaw would join the WAC and travel to Southern Utah and UTah Tech. And, if it meant FBS, to Anchorage and Honolulu, and Thule and Katmandu.

Yes, but I am not talking about football. I’m talking about basketball and the other sports. UNA isn’t going to join the WAC, while schools like Seattle and UVU are in it. This fantasy plan only works, if they can have a football only league, while keeping their Olympics somewhere else. So no, UNA isn’t going to be playing softball games against Cal Baptist and baseball games against Seattle U.

(01-16-2023 01:09 PM)EatEmUp11 Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 06:33 AM)Spolovilo4EVER Wrote:  I suspect Utah Tech and SUU will stay FCS and there will be a trade off with some other BSC teams such as the Montana's or Weber and Idaho. UNA may very well do the same, trade conference spots with someone such as a Chattanooga, or Missouri St etc...I think they are going along to be a team player and all, and being used as bait to lure more high profile teams to take their place. Can you really see Weber letting Utah Tech and SUU go FBS and not doing anything about it? The Magic number is 8, and with UTRGV coming along, that makes 10, so even if the Utah schools back out if no one else comes in they still have the minimum 8 to go FBS. Though UNA is a concern, I know the other 3 ASUN schools are all in to go FBS.

Weber was invited to join the WAC with SUU, or at least that’s what Matt Brown reported. They weren’t leaving the stable Big Sky for the FBS golden ticket and the Texas based football conference then. I bet they expect it to fail now.

If this truly is a football-only conference venture into the FBS, getting Chattanooga, Missouri State, ect. on board may be easier, as those schools seem to have been reluctant to join FBS leagues in the past due to their basketball affiliations. I agree with your point. If FBS is a very real possibility for WAC/ASUN, finding replacements for some of these schools is a must, and doing so could transform it into a legit “G5 conference”.

UNA has to go. I know FCS success has nothing to do with transitioning, but they had one more football win than SeattleU last year and are generally terrible it seems, not to mention their high school stadium. UTU might be okay down the road but shouldn’t be FBS. SUU used to be a decent FCS program but they don’t bring much to the table. No need to drag that dead weight. If you can get UTC, Missouri State and maybe McNeese or Lamar on board to jump to the FBS, that has the makeup of a much better 10 team football conference that could be competitive with the Sunbelt or CUSA.

It’s a municipal stadium used by UNA and Florence HS.

Funny to read this: Bowers Stadium is also home to the Huntsville Hornets, the local high school team.

Braly Stadium seats more than Bowers and was home to the D2 national championship game from 1986 to 2013.

The Lions have sucked in FCS but were in the D2 title game as recent as 2016. Then, our veteran coach Bobby Wallace retired and they handed the keys to an assistant for the transition to D1. It didn’t work and he was fired in October. Looking forward to our new staff taking the reins as we join the AWFC.

Also of note, UNA has a higher average home football attendance than SHSU.

(01-16-2023 02:18 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 02:13 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 12:23 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 11:36 AM)BlueDragon Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 02:07 AM)Todor Wrote:  I would imagine by then there would be a decent chance that 2 of CBU, GCU, or Seattle find their way to the WCC. RGV would probably go to the Southland for FCS football. I wouldn’t be surprised to see UVU to the Summit as a partner for Denver. I’m afraid SUU and UTU might be in no man’s land, possibly with the left out school that didn’t get taken by the WCC, if that’s how it worked out. Its possible that UVU would stick with the other Utah schools to try to make something work and form a nice core at least. Strength in numbers. Realistically, it could end up just those 3 and a non-WCC invitee.

Arlington would have no reason to stay and would probably go back to the Southland as well. The WAC could possibly get Augustana and see if Chicago would want another stint. I would hope they would decline this time, even if it meant remaining independent. If they were the difference between the WAC retaining its auto bids or not, Chicago should not join, rather schedule the members remaining who need games by either playing in Chicago or paying CSU to travel. They shouldn’t have to give up all of their guarantee games for WAC schools for free because it would be a financial hit.

That would be about 5 members possibly. I’m not sure if there are 2 D2 schools left to move up. Possibly someone else east of the Rockies that might jump primarily because of the opening available, but I don’t know who it could be.

It’s pretty grim.

Or….,the set of schools that jump to FBS as all a sports Conference join the WAC.

You do see how that works don’t you Negative Nancy.

Oh ok, so North Alabama is going to join the WAC with Seattle and Utah Valley, rather than stay with Jacksonville and North Florida. Oh ok. Just because you think they would do it, doesn’t mean they would actually do something like that. Why play teams in the Mountain and Pacific time zones, when you don’t have to and know that it would be stupid to do so.

The WAC is going to become a 20 team, 1 bid league? I’m Realistic Ron, not Negative Nancy.

If it meant upgrading to FBS, I think that North Alabama, UCA, EKU and KEnnesaw would join the WAC and travel to Southern Utah and UTah Tech. And, if it meant FBS, to Anchorage and Honolulu, and Thule and Katmandu.

Yes, but I am not talking about football. I’m talking about basketball and the other sports. UNA isn’t going to join the WAC, while schools like Seattle and UVU are in it. This fantasy plan only works, if they can have a football only league, while keeping their Olympics somewhere else. So no, UNA isn’t going to be playing softball games against Cal Baptist and baseball games against Seattle U.

I disagree. I think that if that's what it takes to be FBS, then the ASUN schools will join the WAC and schlepp their women's volleyball and baseball and track teams to Utah and Seattle and Phoenix and UT-RGV and Abilene etc etc.

I could be wrong, of course. It's possible that the administrators want to make FBS noises without assuming FBS costs, and figure they'll point the figure at the big bad Powers That Be who won't let them upgrade.

(01-16-2023 02:41 PM)unalions Wrote:  Also of note, UNA has a higher average home football attendance than SHSU.

The question down the road is--does that mean that making Sam Houston State FBS was a mistake, or that there should be 8-10 more Sam Houston STates in FBS.

(01-16-2023 02:41 PM)unalions Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 01:09 PM)EatEmUp11 Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 06:33 AM)Spolovilo4EVER Wrote:  I suspect Utah Tech and SUU will stay FCS and there will be a trade off with some other BSC teams such as the Montana's or Weber and Idaho. UNA may very well do the same, trade conference spots with someone such as a Chattanooga, or Missouri St etc...I think they are going along to be a team player and all, and being used as bait to lure more high profile teams to take their place. Can you really see Weber letting Utah Tech and SUU go FBS and not doing anything about it? The Magic number is 8, and with UTRGV coming along, that makes 10, so even if the Utah schools back out if no one else comes in they still have the minimum 8 to go FBS. Though UNA is a concern, I know the other 3 ASUN schools are all in to go FBS.

Weber was invited to join the WAC with SUU, or at least that’s what Matt Brown reported. They weren’t leaving the stable Big Sky for the FBS golden ticket and the Texas based football conference then. I bet they expect it to fail now.

If this truly is a football-only conference venture into the FBS, getting Chattanooga, Missouri State, ect. on board may be easier, as those schools seem to have been reluctant to join FBS leagues in the past due to their basketball affiliations. I agree with your point. If FBS is a very real possibility for WAC/ASUN, finding replacements for some of these schools is a must, and doing so could transform it into a legit “G5 conference”.

UNA has to go. I know FCS success has nothing to do with transitioning, but they had one more football win than SeattleU last year and are generally terrible it seems, not to mention their high school stadium. UTU might be okay down the road but shouldn’t be FBS. SUU used to be a decent FCS program but they don’t bring much to the table. No need to drag that dead weight. If you can get UTC, Missouri State and maybe McNeese or Lamar on board to jump to the FBS, that has the makeup of a much better 10 team football conference that could be competitive with the Sunbelt or CUSA.

It’s a municipal stadium used by UNA and Florence HS.

Funny to read this: Bowers Stadium is also home to the Huntsville Hornets, the local high school team.

Braly Stadium seats more than Bowers and was home to the D2 national championship game from 1986 to 2013.

The Lions have sucked in FCS but were in the D2 title game as recent as 2016. Then, our veteran coach Bobby Wallace retired and they handed the keys to an assistant for the transition to D1. It didn’t work and he was fired in October. Looking forward to our new staff taking the reins as we join the AWFC.

Also of note, UNA has a higher average home football attendance than SHSU.

Lol Sam fans trying to knock anybody on facilities or fan support is pretty rich. Your stadium holds just under 15k as-is - I'd say you're already ahead of the curve in that regard.

Any rumblings about picking this back up: https://theflorala.com/1009/news/una-rev...stand-out/

I

(01-16-2023 02:41 PM)unalions Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 01:09 PM)EatEmUp11 Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 06:33 AM)Spolovilo4EVER Wrote:  I suspect Utah Tech and SUU will stay FCS and there will be a trade off with some other BSC teams such as the Montana's or Weber and Idaho. UNA may very well do the same, trade conference spots with someone such as a Chattanooga, or Missouri St etc...I think they are going along to be a team player and all, and being used as bait to lure more high profile teams to take their place. Can you really see Weber letting Utah Tech and SUU go FBS and not doing anything about it? The Magic number is 8, and with UTRGV coming along, that makes 10, so even if the Utah schools back out if no one else comes in they still have the minimum 8 to go FBS. Though UNA is a concern, I know the other 3 ASUN schools are all in to go FBS.

Weber was invited to join the WAC with SUU, or at least that’s what Matt Brown reported. They weren’t leaving the stable Big Sky for the FBS golden ticket and the Texas based football conference then. I bet they expect it to fail now.

If this truly is a football-only conference venture into the FBS, getting Chattanooga, Missouri State, ect. on board may be easier, as those schools seem to have been reluctant to join FBS leagues in the past due to their basketball affiliations. I agree with your point. If FBS is a very real possibility for WAC/ASUN, finding replacements for some of these schools is a must, and doing so could transform it into a legit “G5 conference”.

UNA has to go. I know FCS success has nothing to do with transitioning, but they had one more football win than SeattleU last year and are generally terrible it seems, not to mention their high school stadium. UTU might be okay down the road but shouldn’t be FBS. SUU used to be a decent FCS program but they don’t bring much to the table. No need to drag that dead weight. If you can get UTC, Missouri State and maybe McNeese or Lamar on board to jump to the FBS, that has the makeup of a much better 10 team football conference that could be competitive with the Sunbelt or CUSA.

It’s a municipal stadium used by UNA and Florence HS.

Funny to read this: Bowers Stadium is also home to the Huntsville Hornets, the local high school team.

Braly Stadium seats more than Bowers and was home to the D2 national championship game from 1986 to 2013.

The Lions have sucked in FCS but were in the D2 title game as recent as 2016. Then, our veteran coach Bobby Wallace retired and they handed the keys to an assistant for the transition to D1. It didn’t work and he was fired in October. Looking forward to our new staff taking the reins as we join the AWFC.

Also of note, UNA has a higher average home football attendance than SHSU.

As someone who has attended SHSU football home games I find your last sentence truly shocking. Sarcasm

(01-16-2023 03:07 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 02:41 PM)unalions Wrote:  Also of note, UNA has a higher average home football attendance than SHSU.

The question down the road is--does that mean that making Sam Houston State FBS was a mistake, or that there should be 8-10 more Sam Houston STates in FBS.

I agree. You may have missed some of my posts but I’m not gung-ho on this UNA to FBS idea. Yet, I’m not making the decisions. “We” (I’m just an alum/fan with some sports writing experience) just got to FCS officially after four long seasons of trying to recruit through a post-season ban.

But, back to your point, I agree. And to think that both UNA and SHSU outdraw Kennesaw State. Yet, Jax State, a school with less enrollment than all three of those (by a big margin to SHSU and huge amount to KSU) almost drew more in avg. home football attendance than all three of those schools combined in 2022.

(01-16-2023 03:19 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  Lol Sam fans trying to knock anybody on facilities or fan support is pretty rich. Your stadium holds just under 15k as-is - I'd say you're already ahead of the curve in that regard.

Any rumblings about picking this back up: https://theflorala.com/1009/news/una-reveals-designs-for-new-multi-use-stadium-two-locations-stand-out/

Yes! The pandemic derailed the momentum but a new stadium for UNA is in the near future. We’re begging for an announcement soon!

(01-16-2023 03:20 PM)unalions Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 03:07 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 02:41 PM)unalions Wrote:  Also of note, UNA has a higher average home football attendance than SHSU.

The question down the road is--does that mean that making Sam Houston State FBS was a mistake, or that there should be 8-10 more Sam Houston STates in FBS.

I agree. You may have missed some of my posts but I’m not gung-ho on this UNA to FBS idea. Yet, I’m not making the decisions. “We” (I’m just an alum/fan with some sports writing experience) just got to FCS officially after four long seasons of trying to recruit through a post-season ban.

But, back to your point, I agree. And to think that both UNA and SHSU outdraw Kennesaw State. Yet, Jax State, a school with less enrollment than all three of those (by a big margin to SHSU and huge amount to KSU) almost drew more in avg. home football attendance than all three of those schools combined in 2022.

The most important factor isn't whether you or I think it's a good idea. Or even whether the president of UNA or Oliver Luck thinks it's a good idea. The question is, do Mississippi State and Southern Mississippi think it's a good idea?

(01-16-2023 03:26 PM)unalions Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 03:19 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  Lol Sam fans trying to knock anybody on facilities or fan support is pretty rich. Your stadium holds just under 15k as-is - I'd say you're already ahead of the curve in that regard.

Any rumblings about picking this back up: https://theflorala.com/1009/news/una-reveals-designs-for-new-multi-use-stadium-two-locations-stand-out/

Yes! The pandemic derailed the momentum but a new stadium for UNA is in the near future. We’re begging for an announcement soon!

Stay tuned to the WACoff Football League’s newsman - Colby Catheter of SFA for updates. He has all the news for fans.

(01-16-2023 03:06 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 02:18 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 02:13 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 12:23 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 11:36 AM)BlueDragon Wrote:  Or….,the set of schools that jump to FBS as all a sports Conference join the WAC.

You do see how that works don’t you Negative Nancy.

Oh ok, so North Alabama is going to join the WAC with Seattle and Utah Valley, rather than stay with Jacksonville and North Florida. Oh ok. Just because you think they would do it, doesn’t mean they would actually do something like that. Why play teams in the Mountain and Pacific time zones, when you don’t have to and know that it would be stupid to do so.

The WAC is going to become a 20 team, 1 bid league? I’m Realistic Ron, not Negative Nancy.

If it meant upgrading to FBS, I think that North Alabama, UCA, EKU and KEnnesaw would join the WAC and travel to Southern Utah and UTah Tech. And, if it meant FBS, to Anchorage and Honolulu, and Thule and Katmandu.

Yes, but I am not talking about football. I’m talking about basketball and the other sports. UNA isn’t going to join the WAC, while schools like Seattle and UVU are in it. This fantasy plan only works, if they can have a football only league, while keeping their Olympics somewhere else. So no, UNA isn’t going to be playing softball games against Cal Baptist and baseball games against Seattle U.

I disagree. I think that if that's what it takes to be FBS, then the ASUN schools will join the WAC and schlepp their women's volleyball and baseball and track teams to Utah and Seattle and Phoenix and UT-RGV and Abilene etc etc.

I could be wrong, of course. It's possible that the administrators want to make FBS noises without assuming FBS costs, and figure they'll point the figure at the big bad Powers That Be who won't let them upgrade.

That’s not the goal of this thing. The goal was to be its own standalone football conference, with the involved schools housing their other sports in another. This whole thing hinges on being able to go to FBS. Some say the WAC has some loophole because they used to be a FBS league 10 years ago. Though they just barely started sponsoring it again and none of the football teams are still here.

I really doubt “they” will say, “Oh this 10 member football only league, is not allowed in, BUT…, the WAC, oh yeah, they’re good to go”. That’s seems really dumb and improbable to me.

(01-16-2023 03:31 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 03:20 PM)unalions Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 03:07 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 02:41 PM)unalions Wrote:  Also of note, UNA has a higher average home football attendance than SHSU.

The question down the road is--does that mean that making Sam Houston State FBS was a mistake, or that there should be 8-10 more Sam Houston STates in FBS.

I agree. You may have missed some of my posts but I’m not gung-ho on this UNA to FBS idea. Yet, I’m not making the decisions. “We” (I’m just an alum/fan with some sports writing experience) just got to FCS officially after four long seasons of trying to recruit through a post-season ban.

But, back to your point, I agree. And to think that both UNA and SHSU outdraw Kennesaw State. Yet, Jax State, a school with less enrollment than all three of those (by a big margin to SHSU and huge amount to KSU) almost drew more in avg. home football attendance than all three of those schools combined in 2022.

The most important factor isn't whether you or I think it's a good idea. Or even whether the president of UNA or Oliver Luck thinks it's a good idea. The question is, do Mississippi State and Southern Mississippi think it's a good idea?

So far, they don’t seem concerned. The main pushback has been from message board folks either from schools that have just been invited to FBS or schools without football. It’s been interesting to watch it all unfold so far.

You know all Sankey would have to do is tell ESPN he didn’t like the idea and it would be done. So far, nada. As for Southern Mississippi, they actually scheduled UNA during the COVID season at the last minute to help the Lions out. The Eagles won 24-13. UNA had to play four games that year for it to count as a transition season. They played 3 FBS (USM, Liberty, and BYU) and 1 FCS home game with Jax State.

(01-16-2023 03:40 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  The goal was to be its own standalone football conference, with the involved schools housing their other sports in another.

Yes, but at first the rumors were that the ASUN4 was heading to the WAC eventually. But, that doesn't seem to be the case at all. I think mainly because this FBS plan was in the works for years in the ASUN and they are the major pushers of this even though several of those Texas WAC schools were also interested. This was most recently pushed by the ASUN Commish and the Liberty folks when they pulled in the OVC teams. I'm sure the Liberty lawyers helped plan the maneuvers on much of this before the CUSA went on life support.

So, I do now think they are planning this to be football-only. All schools seem to be relatively happy in their current conferences otherwise.

Quote:This whole thing hinges on being able to go to FBS.

I don't agree. It's certainly the goal for the conference and the goal of several of these schools regardless of where the AWFC is classified. But, right now, it's all about FCS. These schools needed stability in a football conference. So many teams in transition to and from made the FCS AQ iffy for both confereneces every season. Now, that's stabilized a bit with 9/10 (six is the minimum for AQ).

UNA folks aren't used to all of this instability, especially in regard to football. The Lions were founding members of the Gulf South Conference in D2 in 1970 and stayed there for almost 50 years.

The ASUN has felt pretty stable even as teams come and go. Lions fans want that in football ASAP.

(01-16-2023 03:40 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  That’s not the goal of this thing. The goal was to be its own standalone football conference, with the involved schools housing their other sports in another. This whole thing hinges on being able to go to FBS. Some say the WAC has some loophole because they used to be a FBS league 10 years ago. Though they just barely started sponsoring it again and none of the football teams are still here.

I really doubt “they” will say, “Oh this 10 member football only league, is not allowed in, BUT…, the WAC, oh yeah, they’re good to go”. That’s seems really dumb and improbable to me.

It all seems dumb and improbable to me. I think people underestimate the snobbery at work, and the skepticism that another group of schools asking for a piece of the pie is going to face.

But if I'm wrong about it being dumb and improbable, then a school trying to go FBS will go to great lengths to become FBS. They won't let a thing like "sending all our teams to Seattle and the far end of Utah and the Rio Grande Valley and Abiliene TX" stop them.

Yes, the current WAC-ASUN zany scheme is for an FBS football-only conference. But the schemes change with great regularity.

(01-16-2023 03:42 PM)unalions Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 03:31 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 03:20 PM)unalions Wrote:  [

I agree. You may have missed some of my posts but I’m not gung-ho on this UNA to FBS idea. Yet, I’m not making the decisions. “We” (I’m just an alum/fan with some sports writing experience) just got to FCS officially after four long seasons of trying to recruit through a post-season ban.

But, back to your point, I agree. And to think that both UNA and SHSU outdraw Kennesaw State. Yet, Jax State, a school with less enrollment than all three of those (by a big margin to SHSU and huge amount to KSU) almost drew more in avg. home football attendance than all three of those schools combined in 2022.

The most important factor isn't whether you or I think it's a good idea. Or even whether the president of UNA or Oliver Luck thinks it's a good idea. The question is, do Mississippi State and Southern Mississippi think it's a good idea?

So far, they don’t seem concerned.

I don't think they're very concerned at all. But that's because it's not going to be very difficult for them to secure whatever rules changes or NCAA decisions they need to stop it, if they want to.

Quote:The main pushback has been from message board folks either from schools that have just been invited to FBS or schools without football. It’s been interesting to watch it all unfold so far.

To be fair, most of the advocacy has come from message board folks.

[quoute]You know all Sankey would have to do is tell ESPN he didn’t like the idea and it would be done. So far, nada. As for Southern Mississippi, they actually scheduled UNA during the COVID season at the last minute to help the Lions out. The Eagles won 24-13. UNA had to play four games that year for it to count as a transition season. They played 3 FBS (USM, Liberty, and BYU) and 1 FCS home game with Jax State.
[/quote]

Southern Miss doing a solid for a nearby school transitioning to Division I in the COVID season doesn't necessarily mean they'll welcome Northern Alabama to FBS. Southern Miss got a rare win out of the deal.

St. John’s should start football back up! Several I-AAA schools need to start teams including in the ASUN! Looking at FGCU and North FL!

(01-16-2023 03:31 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 03:20 PM)unalions Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 03:07 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-16-2023 02:41 PM)unalions Wrote:  Also of note, UNA has a higher average home football attendance than SHSU.

The question down the road is--does that mean that making Sam Houston State FBS was a mistake, or that there should be 8-10 more Sam Houston STates in FBS.

I agree. You may have missed some of my posts but I’m not gung-ho on this UNA to FBS idea. Yet, I’m not making the decisions. “We” (I’m just an alum/fan with some sports writing experience) just got to FCS officially after four long seasons of trying to recruit through a post-season ban.

But, back to your point, I agree. And to think that both UNA and SHSU outdraw Kennesaw State. Yet, Jax State, a school with less enrollment than all three of those (by a big margin to SHSU and huge amount to KSU) almost drew more in avg. home football attendance than all three of those schools combined in 2022.

The most important factor isn't whether you or I think it's a good idea. Or even whether the president of UNA or Oliver Luck thinks it's a good idea. The question is, do Mississippi State and Southern Mississippi think it's a good idea?

Or if a Judge thinks its lawful, or not. I have to imagine that Oliver Luck, a lawyer himself, is playing this out through the court system. This is a well-known and respected man within the college football ranks with a stable of hotshot Texas lawyers at his disposal. Dude sued a multi-billionaire Vince McMahon and the XFL and essentially won (settled). He's already had a chance to thoroughly evaluate the situation and agreed to press on as the Executive Director. More than anything, that's what makes me think this thing has a real chance of success.