http://chronicle.augusta.com/sports/coll...1341089704

Quote:Now, just the men’s and women’s golf teams play on the Division I level. But with the consolidation of Augusta State and Georgia Health Sciences University – which still has not decided its new name – the Jaguars could be making a full return to Division I in the near future.

Quote:That’s one factor that will determine whether the school remains in Division II or makes the leap to Division I. Bryant said the new school, which will have about 10,000 students with the consolidation, would need to grow to 15,000-16,000 students. Then, there would need to be small bumps in the athletic fee, he said.

^ what he said

(07-06-2012 03:30 PM)ETSUfan1 Wrote:  

Why does ETSU stay? The ASun will always be an entry level conference.

Because nobody wants a basketball only school with a terrible facility.

I'm intrigued by this consolidation. Hopefully they go with the University of Augusta. Augusta is a growing region and the economy has been relatively strong there. It's now the second largest city in Georgia, and with the academically median Augusta State being joined to the former Medical College of Georgia...Ga Health Sciences Univ was created a few years ago with the MCG started offering more than just professional med degrees (M.D., DDS, etc.) and started admitting a limited number of undergrads. I think they've got less than 500 undergrads though, so they're not adding much to Augusta St. in that regard. But in terms of bringing in high paying grad students and research bucks, this is a home run for Augusta State and I think ultimately for the Augusta area. It will benefit from the synergies created by having a comprehensive university with a top medical school attached. GHSU is already considered a top tier research school by the University System of Georgia, so I'd expect the combined institution to stay in that category along with Ga State, UGA, and Tech. There's a lot of opportunity for growth here. Of all the mergers Georgia is undertaking (there's three others), this is by far the most exciting and intriguing.

Agree. The new "University of Augusta" would be very attractive to either the Big South or ASun with GHSU as a part of the new school.

The new University of North Georgia may actually have DI potential too. Play football in Gainesville and basketball in Dahlonega.

First the New U will concentrate on adding olympic sports - swimming, track and field, etc. and acquiring existing facilities (tennis/aquatics) to enhance the student experience and perception of the school

(07-22-2012 10:34 AM)Stateman Wrote:  First the New U will concentrate on adding olympic sports - swimming, track and field, etc. and acquiring existing facilities (tennis/aquatics) to enhance the student experience and perception of the school

Interesting. I know they have a good golf program, as you might expect in Augusta.

An enrollment of 10,000 seems to be the typical dividing line for a public university between Division II and Divison I. In fact, only 43 schools in D-II have an enrollment above 7,500:

http://www.diicommunity.org/uploads/docu..._22929.pdf

The Atlantic Sun would be a natural fit given that Augusta's location between Macon and Spartanburg, and it's not that far from Jacksonville either.

In the long run, it would make more sense than adding Bellarmine, although Bellarmine would probably be ready to move to Division I first. About the only advantage Bellarmine has is that NKU is already in the conference, so everyone already has to travel that far anyway.

If ASU-GHSU ever adds football, the SoCon or Big South is sure to come knocking.

Not gonna lie. While I am appreciative of the ASun being there for Belmont as we were transitioning, this makes me glad to be starting in the OVC. Sounds like a trainwreck.

Honestly, folks may have felt the same way when Belmont and DLU were being added though. Those of you who were around then, what was your perception of adding Belmont at the time.

(09-06-2012 11:22 AM)Northside Bruin Wrote:  Not gonna lie. While I am appreciative of the ASun being there for Belmont as we were transitioning, this makes me glad to be starting in the OVC. Sounds like a trainwreck.

Honestly, folks may have felt the same way when Belmont and DLU were being added though. Those of you who were around then, what was your perception of adding Belmont at the time.

Both Belmont and Lipscomb came directly from NAIA, so the ASun reputation took a bigger hit than adding practically any other school in the past 20 years. More than that, adding two schools in the same metro area at the same time is practically unheard of and cries of desperation. USC-Upstate is the recent add that harms the ASun's credibility, IMHO.

Can definitely understand the reasons for Belmont leaving: Belmont becomes a pivotal program in a league that is focused around Nashville. But the OVC does little to nothing for Belmont's academic credibility.

Adding Northern Kentucky actually increases the ASun's stature, IMHO, due to NKU's facilities, high level of DII play, and well thought out plan. Adding Bellarmine would also be helpful. Augusta/GHSU wouldn't be as good of an add, but Augusta could use a DI university and Augusta fits the ASun footprint better.

(09-06-2012 11:22 AM)Northside Bruin Wrote:  Not gonna lie. While I am appreciative of the ASun being there for Belmont as we were transitioning, this makes me glad to be starting in the OVC. Sounds like a trainwreck.

Honestly, folks may have felt the same way when Belmont and DLU were being added though. Those of you who were around then, what was your perception of adding Belmont at the time.

The ASUN is a dumpster fire. Be glad you are no longer here.

Why not make a push to get Davidson College to come to A-Sun ?

(10-03-2012 05:53 PM)mufootballfan Wrote:  Why not make a push to get Davidson College to come to A-Sun ?

I'd love to know what the league office actually does behind the scenes in regard to expansion.

Davidson will be in the CAA. No reason for them to come here.

Both Davidson and C of C would be high on CAA's list when openings happen.

Why would Davidson possibly leave the SoCon for the A-Sun? Give me one good reason.

Also I missed this back in August, but instead of going with the obvious "University of Augusta" name, the Georgia Board of Regents gave themselves a nod and went with "Georgia Regents University" for this. Absolutely moronic.

(10-08-2012 09:32 AM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  Why would Davidson possibly leave the SoCon for the A-Sun? Give me one good reason.

Things are changing brother.