(10-11-2018 12:10 PM)Purplehazed Wrote: (10-11-2018 09:42 AM)rknj8993 Wrote: What are y'all smoking up there at JMU? Just curious. It must be pretty good stuff.
I can see how an outsider visiting this board could leave thinking JMU fans are crazy.
You guys don't see what we see. A game at JMU does not feel fcs in any way. This is not a slight towards any fcs program and I know I don't see all fcs venues but I've seen enough to know JMU is different.
JMU already is fbs in every way but the fcs brand. The campus, the facilities, the tailgating, the town being taking over by purple. The new basketball arena will just add fuel to the fire.
If the ACC is on an island between P5 and G5, JMU is on an island between AAC and bottom half G5/all fcs.
JMU needs to market athletics differently. JMU should market with an obvious intent and attitude, we are here, we are awesome and we are in your face!
The AD derailing articles about how JMU would fit into the AAC to talk fcs needs to stop. The president acting like he should receive a gold star for knowing that NDSU has won multiple fcs NCs (same AD derailed article about the AAC) and stating that he checks NDSU scores each week is just sad but A for effort.
JMU has so much to offer, why hide it? Tell sports fans about JMU and tell them that JMU looks just like current AAC schools or sports fans nationwide will continue to think JMU looks just like a typical fcs school (not the Ivys, Jon Boy).
JMU has turned "fake it until you make it" into "make it and continue to fake it."
I do believe some of what is said is being coy in the media. Bourne said they would listen to the AAC. I hope and think that is code for we've had discussions with the AAC and continue to.
As fans we need to continue to push this with laser focus. It all has to start somewhere- changing the perception around JMU being viable for AAC right now. People dismiss it but as someone else said people would have dismissed a lot of what has happened at JMU over the last several years and specifically what has happened with our athletics program- Bridgeforth, Game Day, 25,000 + crowds, ESPN televised games and features, new facilities, Houston's extension, etc. etc. etc.
People tell you it can't or won't happen but when you look closer and start to put JMU into context with the AAC, with the other members, and with the other schools in G5 FBS JMU looks like an awfully good fit. Do I wear purple blinders? Sure- but others when they get past the initial reaction of JMU to AAC nah will never happen and they start to kick the tires on it more begin to recognize some things about JMU that they never knew or didn't consider or didn't realize.
This is all part of the branding effort in the court of public opinion. We are Joe fans - you think University Presidents, ADs TV execs and Conference Commissioners know more than we do and have access to even more compelling evidence? I do. You think SMU or ECU when they lose to JMU that the other member institutions at the AAC don't raise an eye brow. You think when they see JMU's campus on display during Gameday or review the TV ratings from our FCS playoff and championship games they don't take notice? You think they are blind and deaf to it all? The buzz and how great a product JMU Football has become on TV and social media? I don't. I don't think they overlook all of that because they tell themselves- nah JMU is FCS we can't have them join our conference right away- they have to prove themselves in FBS in a lower conference first.
I mentioned Northern Illinois the other day as a potential add with JMU- seems to line up with the AAC's thought around new media markets JMU (DC), Northern Illinois (Chicago). Northern Illinois as a member of the MAC once played in the Orange Bowl. I believe when the Big 12 was contemplating expansion they tried to make a presentation to join the Big 12.
To put things in perspective. Northern Illinois's stadium has a capacity of 23,595. Northern Illinois's average attendance last season was 11,291 fans. Northern Illinois's athletics budget was $25.7M. I say this not to hammer NIU- they have a solid football program- but to put into perspective how great and viable JMU is.
But Northern Illinois presents to the Big 12 and would evoke less reaction by fans and message board posters if they were considered for AAC expansion.