(11-22-2020 09:25 AM)panama Wrote:  

(11-18-2020 01:09 PM)bit_9 Wrote:  I don't know if we would have gone to the Sunbelt either. The way the story went (as I was told it) we, ODU, were not actively looking to move up. Had no intensions at that time, sure it was on the horizon but not then. But someone from CUSA was told "Hey, take a look at ODU" or something to that nature. They called and took a tour and offered us a spot right after. So, would CUSA taking a look and taking a pass caught the attention of the Sunbelt if we weren't actively reaching out or letting FBS conferences know? Shrug. It's been a while so that might not be how it happened but if we weren't shopping ourselves and CUSA passed I don't know if we wouldn't be FCS still with hopes of moving up now.

The urban legend is that our President told our AD to get us out of the CAA. There was a great deals animosity between us and CAA leadership. Our President allegedly wanted us in CUSA. At the time there was a clear hierarchy and CUSA was viewed as the better conference and a stepping stone to the Big East. Our AD was not successful allegedly because CUSA leadership at the time was familiar with her from her days at St Louis and may or may not have hated here guts. By the time things really heated up with the BE breakup it was musical chairs everywhere. SBC was calling and was a secure chair. CUSA may or may not have called after we were in the process of sitting down and asked us to wait. We allegedly took the sure chair rather than wait a week or two. It was an interesting crazy time.

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As a potential CUSA add WKU had several things going for it:
1. The Wood Selig ODU connection (our former AD)
2. Hundred Miles of Hate
3. Facilities
4. Other piece of bread on the Nashville market sandwich
5. Top 25 all-time basketball program, according to CBS Sports, recent AP ranking and Sweet 16 (at the time)
6. Coming off the Willie Taggart football revival



YET we were still the final add .

It was a nerve wracking. It felt like we might get left behind by our chief rival.

I’m sure the membership was set long before the actual announcements took place, but I guess it put a chip on our shoulders, right Marshall?