http://shadesof48.com/?p=269#!prettyPhoto

All I can really do is shake my head. It seems like every school has a contingency plan....besides JMU, that is.

W&M should leave esp if we do. Patriot is a good fit for them

This is a smart move on the part of W&M and the Patriot League. If CAA is no longer a Virginia stronghold, Patriot League makes all the sense in the world. The Patriot League is a nice conference with quality like-minded schools. Good for W&M.

I think they would do well there. Great fit for them especially if the future of the CAA includes Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina and Radford.

(07-03-2013 12:21 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  http://shadesof48.com/?p=269#!prettyPhoto

All I can really do is shake my head. It seems like every school has a contingency plan....besides JMU, that is.

The only difference between JMU and WandM is they were less discreet with their emails.

Has anyone ever tried to do a FOIA request for JMU?

(07-03-2013 12:54 PM)bridgeforthduke Wrote:  Has anyone ever tried to do a FOIA request for JMU?

I had one typed up and ready to go, but I'm not a Virginia resident so I don't know how that would go.

I thought it was also interesting that there was mention of a Patriot League Southern Division anchored by W&M and UR. Looks like they're ready to strike when the walls start to crumble. I would anticipate both those schools announcing that move shortly after we (hopefully) announce a move to FBS.

I would also imagine that similar discussions regarding fan base and athletic support are going on at JMU, but maybe more discreetly.

It's a whole lot easier to plan a move down than it is to plan a move up.

I hope JMU is paying attention to this part:

"The underlying issue here is financial model. It would cost as much if not more to compete in the Patriot League. In addition to some increased costs, there would be a real loss in revenue without the CAA rivalries because there is no guarantee that the CAA schools would continue to play us in all sports. I am not an alarmist but a change of this magnitude could be very divisive among our supporters. It could significantly lessen interest in our teams which would impact fund raising, ticket sales and sponsorships. That would be devastating to Athletics."

of course, for us, it's opposite. Staying in the CAA would do this.

(07-03-2013 01:10 PM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  I hope JMU is paying attention to this part:

"The underlying issue here is financial model. It would cost as much if not more to compete in the Patriot League. In addition to some increased costs, there would be a real loss in revenue without the CAA rivalries because there is no guarantee that the CAA schools would continue to play us in all sports. I am not an alarmist but a change of this magnitude could be very divisive among our supporters. It could significantly lessen interest in our teams which would impact fund raising, ticket sales and sponsorships. That would be devastating to Athletics."

of course, for us, it's opposite. Staying in the CAA would do this.

Good point. but that just makes me think W&M will continue to stay in the CAA though.

Strong move by w&m. They recruit differently than all other CAA schools and would really make them a strong option for elite student athletes in the northeast. I'm sure some of the fans on the zone aren't pleased, but I think the long term gains outweigh the short-term disruptions.

I've said it before, but I really think 1AA as we know it will disappear in a few years. Just too expensive.

if W&M does go to the patriot league, I think that will send a strong message for JMU to move up to the FBS.

(07-03-2013 02:08 PM)DBJMU2006 Wrote:  Strong move by w&m. They recruit differently than all other CAA schools and would really make them a strong option for elite student athletes in the northeast. I'm sure some of the fans on the zone aren't pleased, but I think the long term gains outweigh the short-term disruptions.

There is no move by W&M. They aren't going to the Patriot.

(07-03-2013 02:23 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(07-03-2013 02:08 PM)DBJMU2006 Wrote:  Strong move by w&m. They recruit differently than all other CAA schools and would really make them a strong option for elite student athletes in the northeast. I'm sure some of the fans on the zone aren't pleased, but I think the long term gains outweigh the short-term disruptions.

There is no move by W&M. They aren't going to the Patriot.

Exactly, they were only packing a parachute. I'm sure that they aren't happy this is out.

W&M stays in the CAA as long as JMU is there. If JMU leaves then I would expect W&M to leave for the Patriot league. Appears that this is an open invitation by the Patriot league whenever the time is right for WM.

(07-03-2013 02:54 PM)JMU Wrote:  W&M stays in the CAA as long as JMU is there. If JMU leaves then I would expect W&M to leave for the Patriot league. Appears that this is an open invitation by the Patriot league whenever the time is right for WM.

Absolutely agree. Pretty smart move to look ahead by W&M. They at least know the option is there for them if/when they need it. While I would like to throw a jab at JMU for not doing the same, the two schools are in completely different modes. Moving up is way more difficult than moving down or laterally (to an extent).

If W&M were to move to the Patriot (only after we leave the CAA), I would guess that one of the conditions will be that the Patriot will have to allow 63 scholarships for football. The conference is already going to 60 for this coming season, but going to 63 will allow their teams to play I-A teams. I could see it being a deal-breaker for W&M (and Richmond) if they cannot schedule games with JMU, ODU, UVA, etc - and they would just latch on with the SoCon instead.

(07-03-2013 03:59 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  If W&M were to move to the Patriot (only after we leave the CAA), I would guess that one of the conditions will be that the Patriot will have to allow 63 scholarships for football. The conference is already going to 60 for this coming season, but going to 63 will allow their teams to play I-A teams. I could see it being a deal-breaker for W&M (and Richmond) if they cannot schedule games with JMU, ODU, UVA, etc - and they would just latch on with the SoCon instead.

If JMU & UD moved up, W&M is just still more likely to stay in the CAA as they are going to the Patriot. The CAA would go from 12 to 10 teams again.

You'd have the CAA northern Maine, UNH, URI, Albany, SBU.
You'd have the remaining CAA southern Villanova, Towson, UR, W&M, and Elon.
And even if 1-2 more left (Towson, VU) you have some of your SC So-Con that could be added: Furman, Wofford, Citadel.

A W&M in the Patriot would have NO geographically close teams. What would their closest school be? 6 hrs?

(07-03-2013 03:59 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  If W&M were to move to the Patriot (only after we leave the CAA), I would guess that one of the conditions will be that the Patriot will have to allow 63 scholarships for football. The conference is already going to 60 for this coming season, but going to 63 will allow their teams to play I-A teams. I could see it being a deal-breaker for W&M (and Richmond) if they cannot schedule games with JMU, ODU, UVA, etc - and they would just latch on with the SoCon instead.

Yup.

Until the Patriot allows 63 scholarships AND redshirts, (the Patriot doesn't allow for any redshirt seasons, even for freshmen), there is no way UR and/or W&M even consider the PL.