My Facebook just popped an article from BGN about USM looking at five different women's sports to potentially add. Beach volleyball, gymnastics, lacrosse, swimming and diving. Does anyone else think that the timing of that is mighty coincidental with all the realignment talk? I found it interesting.

Read the article thinking why, how, and when? Facilities for each can be costly. Hopefully realignment is driving the process. If not, why?

To late.

(08-15-2016 09:24 PM)TheChosenOne Wrote:  Read the article thinking why, how, and when? Facilities for each can be costly. Hopefully realignment is driving the process. If not, why?

Gotta comply with Title IX.

I think gymnastics would do very well here. It's pretty popular in the Hattiesburg area and the Lamar County soccer mom coalition had some petition going trying to get MS schools to add it (OM/MSU don't sponsor it either).

I would also add beach volleyball because of the hot chicks factor.

Beagle are we not in compliance now with title IX? Serious question, I really have no idea.

(08-15-2016 10:42 PM)TheChosenOne Wrote:  Beagle are we not in compliance now with title IX? Serious question, I really have no idea.

Yes we are. This is more added cost and burden on a strapped athletic dept.

Total bull****.

(08-15-2016 10:42 PM)TheChosenOne Wrote:  Beagle are we not in compliance now with title IX? Serious question, I really have no idea.

Apparently not. USM being 63% female doesn't help our case either.

(08-15-2016 11:08 PM)BeagleUSM Wrote:  

(08-15-2016 10:42 PM)TheChosenOne Wrote:  Beagle are we not in compliance now with title IX? Serious question, I really have no idea.

Apparently not. USM being 63% female doesn't help our case either.

Nothing to do with title 9. Olympic sports. and like i said, to late. and notice the OP said BGN and "potentially add". Lanny speculation at it's finest.

(08-15-2016 11:31 PM)99beers Wrote:  and notice the OP said BGN and "potentially add". Lanny speculation at it's finest.

McGillis said it himself on Lanny's WMXI show earlier today. No speculation.

Quick research shows that the AAC only sponsors one of the sports listed.

We are in compliance only because we dont offer all the allowable scholarships in some mens sports like track and golf. We have been skirting it for quite some time. Yes its funny that we have been looking at this for the last 6 or so months.

If we do beach volleyball we will have to add something else. Gymnastics would likely be a better pick.

As far as the conf not offering the sports. The sec doesnt sponsor mens soccer. UK, new mexico and South Caronlina are members of cusa for that sport.
http://conferenceusa.com/news/2016/8/3/M...son16.aspx

The Atlantic Sun does beach volleyball. Seems like that could be a landing spot.

Sounds like a gigantic waste of money.

Didn't we have a swim team in the 80's? Don't we have a pool on campus in the building back of Payne center across from RGC? Or is that no longer there? Lacrosse could be played on any field. Beach volleyball shouldn't be a court issue. Gymnastic competitions could be held at the convention center if need be.

Billy Mc quotes sounded like it would only be one or two of those added. I'm all for it if it helps with a conference move. How many of those sports are in Big12? :)

Actually FWB, I'm pretty sure we did have the correctly sized pool at the Payne center and a team for it..

I'm honestly not sure what the size regulations are for a Lacrosse field. In addition, why would we just be adding women's though? If anything I'd say consideration would have been given for both sides? I doubt this one is a serious consideration.

Gymnastics and Diving/Swimming? Those I could see as easy adds.

But I think the beach volleyball "talk" comes around almost every summer Olympics games...

(08-15-2016 11:39 PM)BeagleUSM Wrote:  Quick research shows that the AAC only sponsors one of the sports listed.

Well then, of course that must mean we are going to the Big 12!!!1

...this thread needs pics.

The natatorium is still there, still in use. Looks to my unpracticed eye to be Olympic regulation size. Not sure about diving boards - they are there but I don't know about heights. There are beach volleyball courts next to the Payne Center. Pride Field is due for a turf surface this winter.

So, yeah, possible. Likely? Hell, I dunno.

Perfectly reasonable for our AD to be looking into adding programs. If actually added, they must be strategic with respect to our resources and opportunities. Gymnastics seems like something that might work. Whether or not the AAC sponsors a given sport matters, but is not the only consideration. I've always thought we would be a good football-only member in *some* conference.

(08-16-2016 12:34 PM)Nuggets Ghost Wrote:  ...this thread needs pics.