I don't think you would split up Mercer/Kennesaw as travel partners and if they did, then Mercer/Stetson would be travel partners. UNF and JU will always stay together. These schools have to save money on travel where they can. NOVA is a hidden gem but will have a lot more growing pains than anyone we have seen recently make the jump. But I have heard there is a lot of money at that school in the coffers.

(03-23-2012 02:34 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(03-12-2012 08:10 AM)Lolly Popp Wrote:  Now it is the A-Sun's turn to expand to 12 members. What two schools in the northern part of the footprint would help everyone save money on travel?

A-SUN WHEN BELMONT GOES
Northern Kentucky \ Lipscomb
East Tennessee \ South Carolina Upstate
Kennesaw State (NS FB) \ Mercer (NS FB)
Jacksonville (NS FB) \ North Florida
Stetson (NS FB) \ Florida Gulf Coast

I saw Bellarmine and Southern Indiana mentioned in another thread but those two would push the A-Sun even further northward. Both might have other options depending on how realignment trickles down going forward. Too bad non-football Belmont decided to go to the OVC.

With NKU in the first year of transition next year (NKU won't count as a DI team when ASUN schools play them), it really makes sense to wait one more year before two schools are added and divisions formed.

Could see this:

North
NKU / Bellarmine
Lipscomb / ETSU
USC-U / Kennesaw

South
Mercer / Jacksonville
N Florida / Stetson
FGCU / Nova SE

By waiting another year, scheduling becomes manageable with the transition schools. ASUN schools are only allowed 3 games vs non-DI schools. If NKU and Bellarmine were both brought in next year (when both would be non-DI for scheduling purposes), scheduling becomes problematic.

All I've heard is that Nova is interested a jump. They have plenty of donors and the new arena definitely says D1. Not sure what stage they are at, but I think it adds up.

After them, the only other Florida school I could see moving up is FIT. I don't think Rollins, Fla Southern, or Tampa are interested. After that, I don't think anyone else could pull it off.

(03-25-2012 08:56 PM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  All I've heard is that Nova is interested a jump. They have plenty of donors and the new arena definitely says D1. Not sure what stage they are at, but I think it adds up.

After them, the only other Florida school I could see moving up is FIT. I don't think Rollins, Fla Southern, or Tampa are interested. After that, I don't think anyone else could pull it off.

No way is Rollins ready for D1 in terms of their facilities. I agree that they probably are not considering a move up, anyway. They are doing well in D2.

New Orleans has received a site visit from the Southland.

Depending on what happens to the CAA and WAC, Kennesaw State could have plenty of options for a football-only home. Even the Southland could be interested.