I have been reading, with much interest, the dialogue, posts, likes, dislikes, opinions, views, prejudices (both for and nay for LU) of why Liberty, should or should not, become a member of the SBC, WAC and the MAC.

The LU posters defend strongly the position of the school and many of their past actions. Some strongly post their religious views in their posts with their "Champions for Christ" logos. LU guys, tone it down a little and live your beliefs and don't flaunt it on everyone else. No need to plaster it on every post.

I lived in Lynchburg, Va for 40+ years, prior to going to school (ASU, Boone, NC, class of 75). I went to the LU games when they first started football and have seen the development of the sports brand. I say brand as, LU, like no other school I am aware, devoutly use sports as their means of attracting students and awareness ($$$) of the school. It struck me, when a previous poster who supports JMU, states their president is taking no actions and basically being invisible during this challenging and great time of opportunity. LU is the exact opposite. Quick to act and fast to implement.

Factors not mentioned to date that deserve mention and merit:
1) LU has required weekly convocation for it's students. Yes, besides being a time of menial announcements and do's and don't, it is a forum for the sports leaders to rally the students. Having 10,000+ students together weekly to rally the troops is a big deal. Do most other schools have this? I did not have it at ASU, or the other colleges I attended.

2) LU is a lightening rod - with the multiple past verbal blunders and inappropriate statements by Fallwell, Sr, and Moral Majority and many other high profile identify actions, LU likely has a greater awareness nationally that most other FCS schools. I know ASU beating Michigan and the multiple titles by GS and more are known to the sports fan, but it basically ends there. LU will become the most despised, least desired to lose to team on your team's schedule. The best validation of this are the comments and scathing remarks by non LU supporters on these boards. That is exactly why LU should be in your conference.

3) Much has also been said about how they will lose in a big time way. That is likely true in the beginning. But do not under estimate Falwell, Jr. the current school chancellor and Jeff Barber, the current Ad. Falwell, Jr. has been the guiding force to grow the school. He is an action oriented person who is driven to fulfill the prophecy of his dad and have LU become nationally predominate through athletics. It is obvious most of the naysayers have never seen or visited the campus or know about their rapid athletic expansion and attendance spike. It is simply amazing what has been accomplished in a very short period of time. I will not restate what has been said about the facilities, but they are new and top grade and the school is growing, both on campus and online, at a phenomenal rate.

4) Money and Funds - this may be the biggest advantage LU has. As a private school, with a driven chancellor and AD, with their Thomas Road Baptist Church affiliation, they can continue to raise the millions of dollars in the future as they have raised in the past. Money in big time athletics is more important, dare I say, than winning. Yes, with the money comes the winning, but the winning does not come without the money.

5) Their current market (Roanoke-Lynchburg-Danville is #66) which is small. But that is not their market. It is their base, but not their market. Example, LU for many years only broadcast their sports on their college owned station. Then, school media personnel found out that several radio stations and transmitors in VA and NC were available. Falwell, Sr, said buy them now and the school did. From one station covering the Lynchburg market, the radio broadcast exponentially grew to over a 20+ radio network.

My disclaimer - I am not a past or current graduate of LU. I have not attended classes or belong to their Thomas Road Baptist Church. I have been embarrassed many times, as a resident of Lynchburg, when school/church leaders said buffoon things that were dumb, hurtful and stupid. I follow LU for one reason, I am a collegiate sports fan. It is great entertainment. I have seen their football, basketball and hockey, yes hockey club team play and all the facilities are top notch and FCS ready.

So, for all of you who have a strong aversion against LU and do not want them in your conference, maybe now is the time to step back, and consider what every FCS team that is available has to offer your school and conference.

Lastly, the timing was perfect for Bill Maher to speak and spew his LU critique. I remember when Fallwell, Sr. was a frequent guest on Bill's show when he was on ABC. Ironically, I remember Bill praising Sr. due to this outspoken nature. As an entertainer who uses humor in a demonstrative and at times, hurtful way, Bill is a success. It is national attention like this that just strengthens my point. LU will make a large contribution to your team and conference. I'll bet you all are just like me. You're a sports fan at heart and you just wanna enjoy a good game. Let's do and I wish LU success. You should too.

Not happening. Might as well go away.

(05-26-2012 07:05 PM)Newetimes Wrote:  I have been reading, with much interest, the dialogue, posts, likes, dislikes, opinions, views, prejudices (both for and nay for LU) of why Liberty, should or should not, become a member of the SBC, WAC and the MAC.

The LU posters defend strongly the position of the school and many of their past actions. Some strongly post their religious views in their posts with their "Champions for Christ" logos. LU guys, tone it down a little and live your beliefs and don't flaunt it on everyone else. No need to plaster it on every post.

I lived in Lynchburg, Va for 40+ years, prior to going to school (ASU, Boone, NC, class of 75). I went to the LU games when they first started football and have seen the development of the sports brand. I say brand as, LU, like no other school I am aware, devoutly use sports as their means of attracting students and awareness ($$$) of the school. It struck me, when a previous poster who supports JMU, states their president is taking no actions and basically being invisible during this challenging and great time of opportunity. LU is the exact opposite. Quick to act and fast to implement.

Factors not mentioned to date that deserve mention and merit:
1) LU has required weekly convocation for it's students. Yes, besides being a time of menial announcements and do's and don't, it is a forum for the sports leaders to rally the students. Having 10,000+ students together weekly to rally the troops is a big deal. Do most other schools have this? I did not have it at ASU, or the other colleges I attended.

2) LU is a lightening rod - with the multiple past verbal blunders and inappropriate statements by Fallwell, Sr, and Moral Majority and many other high profile identify actions, LU likely has a greater awareness nationally that most other FCS schools. I know ASU beating Michigan and the multiple titles by GS and more are known to the sports fan, but it basically ends there. LU will become the most despised, least desired to lose to team on your team's schedule. The best validation of this are the comments and scathing remarks by non LU supporters on these boards. That is exactly why LU should be in your conference.

3) Much has also been said about how they will lose in a big time way. That is likely true in the beginning. But do not under estimate Falwell, Jr. the current school chancellor and Jeff Barber, the current Ad. Falwell, Jr. has been the guiding force to grow the school. He is an action oriented person who is driven to fulfill the prophecy of his dad and have LU become nationally predominate through athletics. It is obvious most of the naysayers have never seen or visited the campus or know about their rapid athletic expansion and attendance spike. It is simply amazing what has been accomplished in a very short period of time. I will not restate what has been said about the facilities, but they are new and top grade and the school is growing, both on campus and online, at a phenomenal rate.

4) Money and Funds - this may be the biggest advantage LU has. As a private school, with a driven chancellor and AD, with their Thomas Road Baptist Church affiliation, they can continue to raise the millions of dollars in the future as they have raised in the past. Money in big time athletics is more important, dare I say, than winning. Yes, with the money comes the winning, but the winning does not come without the money.

5) Their current market (Roanoke-Lynchburg-Danville is #66) which is small. But that is not their market. It is their base, but not their market. Example, LU for many years only broadcast their sports on their college owned station. Then, school media personnel found out that several radio stations and transmitors in VA and NC were available. Falwell, Sr, said buy them now and the school did. From one station covering the Lynchburg market, the radio broadcast exponentially grew to over a 20+ radio network.

My disclaimer - I am not a past or current graduate of LU. I have not attended classes or belong to their Thomas Road Baptist Church. I have been embarrassed many times, as a resident of Lynchburg, when school/church leaders said buffoon things that were dumb, hurtful and stupid. I follow LU for one reason, I am a collegiate sports fan. It is great entertainment. I have seen their football, basketball and hockey, yes hockey club team play and all the facilities are top notch and FCS ready.

So, for all of you who have a strong aversion against LU and do not want them in your conference, maybe now is the time to step back, and consider what every FCS team that is available has to offer your school and conference.

Lastly, the timing was perfect for Bill Maher to speak and spew his LU critique. I remember when Fallwell, Sr. was a frequent guest on Bill's show when he was on ABC. Ironically, I remember Bill praising Sr. due to this outspoken nature. As an entertainer who uses humor in a demonstrative and at times, hurtful way, Bill is a success. It is national attention like this that just strengthens my point. LU will make a large contribution to your team and conference. I'll bet you all are just like me. You're a sports fan at heart and you just wanna enjoy a good game. Let's do and I wish LU success. You should too.

I don't have any first hand experience with any of what you are talking about but I will say that "they" have a much right to express their beliefs as you do to ask them to tone it down.

(05-26-2012 07:05 PM)Newetimes Wrote:  I have been reading, with much interest, the dialogue, posts, likes, dislikes, opinions, views, prejudices (both for and nay for LU) of why Liberty, should or should not, become a member of the SBC, WAC and the MAC.

The LU posters defend strongly the position of the school and many of their past actions. Some strongly post their religious views in their posts with their "Champions for Christ" logos. LU guys, tone it down a little and live your beliefs and don't flaunt it on everyone else. No need to plaster it on every post.

I lived in Lynchburg, Va for 40+ years, prior to going to school (ASU, Boone, NC, class of 75). I went to the LU games when they first started football and have seen the development of the sports brand. I say brand as, LU, like no other school I am aware, devoutly use sports as their means of attracting students and awareness ($$$) of the school. It struck me, when a previous poster who supports JMU, states their president is taking no actions and basically being invisible during this challenging and great time of opportunity. LU is the exact opposite. Quick to act and fast to implement.

Factors not mentioned to date that deserve mention and merit:
1) LU has required weekly convocation for it's students. Yes, besides being a time of menial announcements and do's and don't, it is a forum for the sports leaders to rally the students. Having 10,000+ students together weekly to rally the troops is a big deal. Do most other schools have this? I did not have it at ASU, or the other colleges I attended.

2) LU is a lightening rod - with the multiple past verbal blunders and inappropriate statements by Fallwell, Sr, and Moral Majority and many other high profile identify actions, LU likely has a greater awareness nationally that most other FCS schools. I know ASU beating Michigan and the multiple titles by GS and more are known to the sports fan, but it basically ends there. LU will become the most despised, least desired to lose to team on your team's schedule. The best validation of this are the comments and scathing remarks by non LU supporters on these boards. That is exactly why LU should be in your conference.

3) Much has also been said about how they will lose in a big time way. That is likely true in the beginning. But do not under estimate Falwell, Jr. the current school chancellor and Jeff Barber, the current Ad. Falwell, Jr. has been the guiding force to grow the school. He is an action oriented person who is driven to fulfill the prophecy of his dad and have LU become nationally predominate through athletics. It is obvious most of the naysayers have never seen or visited the campus or know about their rapid athletic expansion and attendance spike. It is simply amazing what has been accomplished in a very short period of time. I will not restate what has been said about the facilities, but they are new and top grade and the school is growing, both on campus and online, at a phenomenal rate.

4) Money and Funds - this may be the biggest advantage LU has. As a private school, with a driven chancellor and AD, with their Thomas Road Baptist Church affiliation, they can continue to raise the millions of dollars in the future as they have raised in the past. Money in big time athletics is more important, dare I say, than winning. Yes, with the money comes the winning, but the winning does not come without the money.

5) Their current market (Roanoke-Lynchburg-Danville is #66) which is small. But that is not their market. It is their base, but not their market. Example, LU for many years only broadcast their sports on their college owned station. Then, school media personnel found out that several radio stations and transmitors in VA and NC were available. Falwell, Sr, said buy them now and the school did. From one station covering the Lynchburg market, the radio broadcast exponentially grew to over a 20+ radio network.

My disclaimer - I am not a past or current graduate of LU. I have not attended classes or belong to their Thomas Road Baptist Church. I have been embarrassed many times, as a resident of Lynchburg, when school/church leaders said buffoon things that were dumb, hurtful and stupid. I follow LU for one reason, I am a collegiate sports fan. It is great entertainment. I have seen their football, basketball and hockey, yes hockey club team play and all the facilities are top notch and FCS ready.

So, for all of you who have a strong aversion against LU and do not want them in your conference, maybe now is the time to step back, and consider what every FCS team that is available has to offer your school and conference.

Lastly, the timing was perfect for Bill Maher to speak and spew his LU critique. I remember when Fallwell, Sr. was a frequent guest on Bill's show when he was on ABC. Ironically, I remember Bill praising Sr. due to this outspoken nature. As an entertainer who uses humor in a demonstrative and at times, hurtful way, Bill is a success. It is national attention like this that just strengthens my point. LU will make a large contribution to your team and conference. I'll bet you all are just like me. You're a sports fan at heart and you just wanna enjoy a good game. Let's do and I wish LU success. You should too.

1) We have alcohol. You should try it. It softens the blow of not being added.

2) No they will not because they are not getting added

3)No we didnt say you will lose big time. We said your're not getting added.

4) Then how come you only have a $50M endowment?

5) Really? Wow, just like us. Atlanta is not our market, its just our base. Our market is:
















Youre not getting added

YOU TOTALLY CONVINCED ME CONGRATS

I WILL SEND LIBERTY THEIR INVITE TOMORROW MORNING

/WE HAVE NO INFLUENCE ON THIS, NO ONE WILL BE ADDED UNTIL NEXT YEAR, THESE TOPICS ARE POINTLESS

I was hoping for meaningful dialogue from my post. Seems like my expectations were a little high as of this point. Knowing what the message was going to say from the header, why don't you just go to the other posts rather than dump and run on this thread. Here's hoping others will respond with a higher degree of insight.

(05-26-2012 08:08 PM)Newetimes Wrote:  I was hoping for meaningful dialogue from my post. Seems like my expectations were a little high as of this point. Knowing what the message was going to say from the header, why don't you just go to the other posts rather than dump and run on this thread. Here's hoping others will respond with a higher degree of insight.

Insight to what? No one here makes the decisions.

Insight = decision. Maybe, but I believe a lot more. Insight can also mean merit, as in the merit of an ASU, JMU, LU or any of the other alphabets representing schools and their athletic program and future conference affiliation. Isn't the reason we are on this board, and discussing this, and many other topics of equal and greater interest, is because we are fans, have favorite teams that we root for. It's sort of like we're coaches trying to make the important game time decisions, but in an open arena with everyone watching, but being to remain hidden and anonymous.

(05-26-2012 08:26 PM)Newetimes Wrote:  Insight = decision. Maybe, but I believe a lot more. Insight can also mean merit, as in the merit of an ASU, JMU, LU or any of the other alphabets representing schools and their athletic program and future conference affiliation. Isn't the reason we are on this board, and discussing this, and many other topics of equal and greater interest, is because we are fans, have favorite teams that we root for. It's sort of like we're coaches trying to make the important game time decisions, but in an open arena with everyone watching, but being to remain hidden and anonymous.

Well, if you have been on this board at any time in the past 1 1/2 months you'd know this has been discussed to no end. I didn't intend to be disrespectful in my post, but most FCS fans have came here lately to tell us how much we suck, how much we need their school, and how their school would run through us. It makes no sense to me, but I don't see the sun belt adding Liberty because of the religious aspect of the school. You can point to Mitt Romney or whoever you want, it won't make a difference. You're outside the footprint and NMSU is the only school on the radar who's outside the footprint.

Not happening. Might as well go away.

(05-26-2012 08:38 PM)ntmeangreen11 Wrote:  You can point to Mitt Romney or whoever you want, it won't make a difference.

Actually that would probably be BYU fans...

(05-26-2012 08:38 PM)ntmeangreen11 Wrote:  

(05-26-2012 08:26 PM)Newetimes Wrote:  Insight = decision. Maybe, but I believe a lot more. Insight can also mean merit, as in the merit of an ASU, JMU, LU or any of the other alphabets representing schools and their athletic program and future conference affiliation. Isn't the reason we are on this board, and discussing this, and many other topics of equal and greater interest, is because we are fans, have favorite teams that we root for. It's sort of like we're coaches trying to make the important game time decisions, but in an open arena with everyone watching, but being to remain hidden and anonymous.

Well, if you have been on this board at any time in the past 1 1/2 months you'd know this has been discussed to no end. I didn't intend to be disrespectful in my post, but most FCS fans have came here lately to tell us how much we suck, how much we need their school, and how their school would run through us. It makes no sense to me, but I don't see the sun belt adding Liberty because of the religious aspect of the school. You can point to Mitt Romney or whoever you want, it won't make a difference. You're outside the footprint and NMSU is the only school on the radar who's outside the footprint.

I never thought you were disrespectful and I was careful to word my posts free of bombastic comments like others had made. Yes, there have been machismo comments from many, and low brow, half wit "My team is badder than yours" posts. Whether it happens this or in future calendar years, LU and the other strong FCS programs are going to make the transition. And the SBC, MAC and even the WAC if it survives, will add and lose teams if the status quo of money ball college athletics continues, which it will.

(05-26-2012 08:39 PM)USACoN2012 Wrote:  Not happening. Might as well go away.

USACoN2012, I got your message, both of them. Take a break, hold your breath and count to 10, try some decaf. And go visit other threads if you don't like or are offended by this one. I know that is wishful thinking but give it a try. I am sure there are others who may enjoy your quick, glib comments.

I think Liberty is a leading candidate for future membership into the Sun Belt conference. The conference commissioner seems to name-drop Liberty, among other schools, when talking about expansion. I would hope for a Sun Belt invitation soon but I don't expect one. At this point, I would rather try for the WAC instead.

You might want to think about going independent like BYU did. Of course they might join the Big 12 next year or the next. If your team could eventually get an invitation then you could withdraw and go indy. If I'm not mistaken that is the only way.

Annnnnnnnnnnnd....violation of Liberty moratorium. Closed.