Georgia State is pursuing an invitation to the Sun Belt Conference, per a report by Panthersville.com. According to the article and an unnamed SBC source, “Georgia State is pursuing membership in a very private manner,” the source claimed. “They haven’t openly announced their intentions, but are being active behind closed doors.” Looks like GSU could be a new Sun Belt member in all sports if this continues.

Cool beans. Atlanta trips fall in the category of possible road games for me.

(02-21-2012 06:38 PM)mtsufan561 Wrote:  Georgia State is pursuing an invitation to the Sun Belt Conference, per a report by Panthersville.com. According to the article and an unnamed SBC source, “Georgia State is pursuing membership in a very private manner,” the source claimed. “They haven’t openly announced their intentions, but are being active behind closed doors.” Looks like GSU could be a new Sun Belt member in all sports if this continues.

UTSA and TxSt were reported to be in conversations with the Sun Belt around last December. I think everyone in the WAC besides Tech and San Jose have been pursuing invites.

I would love to see Ga St join as long as it was an expansion to 14/16 with them being the only FCS team. Atlanta is by far one of my favorite cities to go to. And all of our schools most likely have big Alumni chapters there.

1.Ga State all sports
2.UTSA all sports
3.TxSt all sports
4.UNMS all sports
5.UTA olympic sports only

well panama will be a happy camper.

(02-21-2012 07:14 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  well panama will be a happy camper.

Exactly what I was thinking when I read this

I'm sure it's true, but how many other schools are pursuing membership in other conferences right now "behind closed doors?" They're just one of the crowd.

The only way I'd be happy to see Ga State invited is if they have a ridiculously high buyout if they leave within 10 years and merely a typically high buyout after that. Their membership (and Charlotte's) would have "Stepping Stone Move" written all over it and sooner rather than later.

I agree we need to strengthen ourselves around the board before we start playing with the fire that is top ten media markets. A lot of their fans are already talking about joining the Big East.

I would veto them unless they were part of a 5 team expansion like listed earlier. I would lose all credibility for Benson if we are presented with La Tech and Georgia State.

(02-21-2012 07:38 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  I'm sure it's true, but how many other schools are pursuing membership in other conferences right now "behind closed doors?" They're just one of the crowd.

The only way I'd be happy to see Ga State invited is if they have a ridiculous high buyout if they leave within 10 years and merely a typically high buyout after that. Their membership (and Charlotte) would have "Stepping Stone Move" written all over it and sooner rather than later.

I was thinking the same thing. Being in a good sports market is certainly an asset but I'm not sure I understand the attraction from the Sun Belt's perspective. If they do come up and succeed, they'll move out just in time for the SBC to miss the profit on their investment. Of course, with GA State there is the fact that they were in the Sun Belt previously which helps them out. A high buyout would mitigate some of that risk also but it just seems like an insane charge on the way out the door is the only way to make it worthwhile.

Will be an interesting few months on the horizon to say the least, I just hope Appalachian finds a home somewhere. We do lack that big market exposure but offer a lot in terms of attendance, facilities and a quality on-field product so I'm optimistic we will land an FBS invite in the relatively near future.

(02-21-2012 07:50 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  I agree we need to strengthen ourselves around the board before we start playing with the fire that is top ten media markets. A lot of their fans are already talking about joining the Big East.

I would veto them unless they were part of a 5 team expansion like listed earlier. I would lose all credibility for Benson if we are presented with La Tech and Georgia State.

Especially if UTSA and/or TSU were not taken by the Alliance and were trying to get an SBC invite

(02-21-2012 07:53 PM)asumike83 Wrote:  

(02-21-2012 07:38 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  I'm sure it's true, but how many other schools are pursuing membership in other conferences right now "behind closed doors?" They're just one of the crowd.

The only way I'd be happy to see Ga State invited is if they have a ridiculous high buyout if they leave within 10 years and merely a typically high buyout after that. Their membership (and Charlotte) would have "Stepping Stone Move" written all over it and sooner rather than later.

I was thinking the same thing. Being in a good sports market is certainly an asset but I'm not sure I understand the attraction from the Sun Belt's perspective. If they do come up and succeed, they'll move out just in time for the SBC to miss the profit on their investment. Of course, with GA State there is the fact that they were in the Sun Belt previously which helps them out. A high buyout would mitigate some of that risk also but it just seems like an insane charge on the way out the door is the only way to make it worthwhile.

Will be an interesting few months on the horizon to say the least, I just hope Appalachian finds a home somewhere. We do lack that big market exposure but offer a lot in terms of attendance, facilities and a quality on-field product so I'm optimistic we will land an FBS invite in the relatively near future.

If the Sun Belt absolutely needed an FCS school to survive, App State would be the best candidate. As you said, quality athletic products, great fan support and a good reputation but in a market that wouldn't make them a top target of the richer conferences.

(02-21-2012 07:57 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  

(02-21-2012 07:53 PM)asumike83 Wrote:  

(02-21-2012 07:38 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  I'm sure it's true, but how many other schools are pursuing membership in other conferences right now "behind closed doors?" They're just one of the crowd.

The only way I'd be happy to see Ga State invited is if they have a ridiculous high buyout if they leave within 10 years and merely a typically high buyout after that. Their membership (and Charlotte) would have "Stepping Stone Move" written all over it and sooner rather than later.

I was thinking the same thing. Being in a good sports market is certainly an asset but I'm not sure I understand the attraction from the Sun Belt's perspective. If they do come up and succeed, they'll move out just in time for the SBC to miss the profit on their investment. Of course, with GA State there is the fact that they were in the Sun Belt previously which helps them out. A high buyout would mitigate some of that risk also but it just seems like an insane charge on the way out the door is the only way to make it worthwhile.

Will be an interesting few months on the horizon to say the least, I just hope Appalachian finds a home somewhere. We do lack that big market exposure but offer a lot in terms of attendance, facilities and a quality on-field product so I'm optimistic we will land an FBS invite in the relatively near future.

If the Sun Belt absolutely needed an FCS school to survive, App State would be the best candidate. As you said, quality athletic products, great fan support and a good reputation but in a market that wouldn't make them a top target of the richer conferences.

App State would probably be my first choice as well... If we lose one or more teams to the CUSA, they are the first FCS team I would approach if I were the Sun Belt Conference administration.

Sorry for my ignorance but how would App stack up in terms of attendance within the Sun Belt? Our regular season average was 28,031. We had one playoff game that was lightly attended (15,291) which brought the overall average to 26,211 but it is always hard to get folks up the mountain on short notice during the holidays with an uncertain number of games remaining, which would not be a concern at the FBS level. Our strong attendance really is our #1 selling point, as I'd imagine we would be at least in the top half.

Don't forget gents, the Alliance WILL expand and WILL be poaching other conferences. They've already announced 18 with potentially 32 teams. This is Not speculation, this is what they've announced. If all indications are correct UNT and FIU are the two likeliest from the SBC according to the short list.
So yes, I would imagine Benson will be inviting several schools.
Now let me pose this. Benson said ideally he'd prefer getting FBS schools first before FCS schools. What FBS schools do you think Benson could woo away from other conferences?
The writing is on the wall that Idaho is likely moving back to FCS.
Utah St and SJ St are likely Alliance candidates.
We are basically talking about NM St, UTSA, Texas St, and LA Tech here. If the Sun Belt loses 2, are those 4 WAC schools the answer for the Sun Belt's desired 12 for football?

I believe the Alliance will expand more slowly than some others do. I think they'll start with 16 or 18 and then add over the next few years if they see an advantage for doing so. The WAC teams you mentioned are certainly in the mix, although NMSU has to be the longest shot because of distance. I think UAB is poachable if the SBC can make a case that it is financially on par with the Alliance. Their unfriendly BOT would probably force it on them.

(02-21-2012 08:41 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  I believe the Alliance will expand more slowly than some others do. I think they'll start with 16 or 18 and then add over the next few years if they see an advantage for doing so. The WAC teams you mentioned are certainly in the mix, although NMSU has to be the longest shot because of distance. I think UAB is poachable if the SBC can make a case that it is financially on par with the Alliance. Their unfriendly BOT would probably force it on them.

The only reason to join the "alliance" is to be there when it inevitably splits in half (thirds?) into nice regional conferences (well, as regional as they can get).

Sitting on the outside looking in could still eventually land you in a nice regional conference once the "alliance" splits and the portions want to fill out their new-new conference.

(02-21-2012 07:57 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  If the Sun Belt absolutely needed an FCS school to survive, App State would be the best candidate. As you said, quality athletic products, great fan support and a good reputation but in a market that wouldn't make them a top target of the richer conferences.

Agreed. I am one of the biggest proponents for the addition of App State to the Sun Belt. I really want this to happen.

(02-21-2012 08:18 PM)asumike83 Wrote:  Sorry for my ignorance but how would App stack up in terms of attendance within the Sun Belt? Our regular season average was 28,031. We had one playoff game that was lightly attended (15,291) which brought the overall average to 26,211 but it is always hard to get folks up the mountain on short notice during the holidays with an uncertain number of games remaining, which would not be a concern at the FBS level. Our strong attendance really is our #1 selling point, as I'd imagine we would be at least in the top half.

Here's the Sun Belt Conference attendance, alphabetically, with how possible expansion teams (bolded) would fit in.

• Arkansas State, 10-3 (21257)
• Appalachian State, 8-4 (26211 - SoCon)
• East Carolina, 5-7 (50012 - CUSA)
• Florida Atlantic, 1-11 (17565)
• Florida International, 8-5 (18411)
• Georgia State, 3-8 (14286 - CAA)
• Louisiana, 9-4 (29171)
• Louisiana-Monroe, 4-8 (15512)
• Louisiana Tech, 8-5 (21518 - WAC)
• Middle Tennessee, 2-10 (18407)
• North Texas, 5-7 (18864)
• South Alabama, 6-4 (18442)
• Southern Miss, 12-2 (28400 - CUSA)
• Troy, 3-9 (17898)
• UAB, 3-9 (16579 - CUSA)
• Western Kentucky, 7-5 (16637)
  

They'd immediately rank in the upper echelons of attendance. And I'd expect a rather quick jump into high-level competition as well.

(02-21-2012 08:52 PM)mtsufan561 Wrote:  

(02-21-2012 08:18 PM)asumike83 Wrote:  Sorry for my ignorance but how would App stack up in terms of attendance within the Sun Belt? Our regular season average was 28,031. We had one playoff game that was lightly attended (15,291) which brought the overall average to 26,211 but it is always hard to get folks up the mountain on short notice during the holidays with an uncertain number of games remaining, which would not be a concern at the FBS level. Our strong attendance really is our #1 selling point, as I'd imagine we would be at least in the top half.

Here's the Sun Belt Conference attendance, alphabetically, with how possible expansion teams (bolded) would fit in.

• Arkansas State, 10-3 (21257)
• Appalachian State, 8-4 (26211 - SoCon)
• East Carolina, 5-7 (50012 - CUSA)
• Florida Atlantic, 1-11 (17565)
• Florida International, 8-5 (18411)
• Georgia State, 3-8 (14286 - CAA)
• Louisiana, 9-4 (29171)
• Louisiana-Monroe, 4-8 (15512)
• Louisiana Tech, 8-5 (21518 - WAC)
• Middle Tennessee, 2-10 (18407)
• North Texas, 5-7 (18864)
• Southern Miss, 12-2 (28400 - CUSA)
• Troy, 3-9 (17898)
• UAB, 3-9 (16579 - CUSA)
• Western Kentucky, 7-5 (16637)
  

They'd immediately rank in the upper echelons of attendance. And I'd expect a rather quick jump into high-level competition as well.

USA: 18,442

Thanks for all the info and general positivity towards App, we would certainly welcome the opportunity.

Sorry for hijacking the Georgia State thread! Best of luck with the expansion fellas, I hope we can join y'all sooner than later.

(02-21-2012 08:52 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  

(02-21-2012 07:57 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  If the Sun Belt absolutely needed an FCS school to survive, App State would be the best candidate. As you said, quality athletic products, great fan support and a good reputation but in a market that wouldn't make them a top target of the richer conferences.

Agreed. I am one of the biggest proponents for the addition of App State to the Sun Belt. I really want this to happen.

I hope App gets the the invite too. Hopefully it would push up the stadium addition announcement that theyve been teasing us with.