Honestly I missed this back in 2004.. Radford attempted to join the Atlantic Sun. Their President, AD, Men's Basketball Coach, and Women's Basketball coach ALL wanted to join the Atlantic Sun. However, their Board DENIED it. I've never heard of this type of divided athletic department.

Here's the article for reference: http://www.roanoke.com/sports/college/9879.html

I don't know how I missed this back when it happened, but I stumbled across the article a few months ago and forgot to discuss it here.
Radford did go to the NCAA tournament in 2009 (#16 seed) and got thumped by UNC 101-58. Other than that they haven't done much and are 4-17, 1-10 Big South this year.

If they would have joined the ASUN (started play in 2007), that 2009 year in the ASUN could have really improved their team, the conference, and most importantly their overall program.

So am I the only one that missed the details of this story back then? We would probably have Radford and no USC Upstate right now.

I believe it was because there was (or may still be) a movement at Radford to start football (they have a club team that began around 2008). The Big South leaves them with that option, the A-Sun would have closed the door on the prospect.

Link to RU Club Football Page

Link to 2010 Radford Student Newspaper Article about RU Football

(01-31-2011 03:55 AM)MercerFan Wrote:  Honestly I missed this back in 2004.. Radford attempted to join the Atlantic Sun. Their President, AD, Men's Basketball Coach, and Women's Basketball coach ALL wanted to join the Atlantic Sun. However, their Board DENIED it. I've never heard of this type of divided athletic department.

Here's the article for reference: http://www.roanoke.com/sports/college/9879.html

I don't know how I missed this back when it happened, but I stumbled across the article a few months ago and forgot to discuss it here.
Radford did go to the NCAA tournament in 2009 (#16 seed) and got thumped by UNC 101-58. Other than that they haven't done much and are 4-17, 1-10 Big South this year.

If they would have joined the ASUN (started play in 2007), that 2009 year in the ASUN could have really improved their team, the conference, and most importantly their overall program.

So am I the only one that missed the details of this story back then? We would probably have Radford and no USC Upstate right now.

I remember it, but thought it was a little odd. I believe it might have been in a effort to find another (somewhat) close league member for Campbell after Carolinas schools CofC and Gardner-Webb departed. Sure, they would have given ETSU a close travel partner and Campbell could renew the Radford rivalry that we enjoyed in the Big South. I couldn't see much incentive for Radford to move for Radford's sake, though.

Their board probably couldn't see any reason, financial or otherwise, to move and they were right. There are too many good, close-by rivalries in the Big South, and they should be glad they didn't move considering the economic downturn that occurred a few years later.

I can see both sides of the argument. It would be a mostly lateral move. I've just never heard of a President, AD, and Men's/Women's basketball coaches wanting something and getting denied.

The Highlanders have been looking at football for years, dates back to when my brother and sister went there back in the 90's. I hope they get it, would be a fun atmosphere and they have a ready made facility on campus that would be AWESOME for football.