Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

Interesting. Please explain further.

They have big goals.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.deseret...us-schools

“Texas Christian, Southern Methodist and Baylor are all religious schools that have thrived on the gridiron, but BYU — along with Notre Dame — was Liberty’s role model. In fact, Falwell Jr. said the “LU” that decorates Liberty Mountain in Lynchburg was inspired by a trip to Utah some 15 years ago, when he saw the Y.”

“BYU is very much a program that we aspire towards as a faith-based school that’s had tremendous success,” McCaw said, “including winning the national championship.”

(01-21-2021 01:35 PM)Cubanbull1 Wrote:  West
Navy/ Wichita State
Boise
BYU
SDSU
Tulsa
SMU
Houston

East
Memphis
Cincinnati
Temple
ECU
Tulane
UCF
USF

If we can get that it’s the league’s best shot at strengthening in football to push for P status and bring enough money to increase tv payout. Basketball would also be strengthened by those additions.

Many would agree that adding BYU, Boise, and SDSU (or some combination of Air Force, Boise, BYU, and SDSU) would strengthen the AAC in the rankings. Others might prefer to add BYU, Boise, and Army, or BYU, Army, and Air Force.

If viewership is the most important consideration, then the top three additions might be Army, Boise St., and BYU.

If football rankings over the past 5 years are a more important consideration, the Massey Composite rankings suggest that the top three schools might be Boise, App. State, and SDSU, followed by Louisiana, BYU, Army, and Air Force.

Over the past five years, App. State's and Louisiana's average rankings in the Massey Composite have been higher than BYU's, and App. State has ranked ahead of SDSU. Notably, Army and Air Force have also trailed App. St. and Louisiana in the composite rankings.

1. Boise St. Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #26.2 (9.4 wins/yr)
2. Appalachian St. Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #32.8 (10.6 wins/yr)
3. SDSU Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #51.2 (8.4 wins/yr)
4. Louisiana Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #53.4 (9.0 wins/yr)
5. BYU Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #57.2 (7.6 wins/yr)
6. Army Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #58.6 (8.6 wins/yr)
7. Air Force Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #62.4 (6.8 wins/yr)

However, if the AAC were to add three western schools that have been among the leaders in rankings and viewership, their three best options would be Boise, BYU, and SDSU.

(01-22-2021 05:42 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  

(01-21-2021 01:35 PM)Cubanbull1 Wrote:  West
Navy/ Wichita State
Boise
BYU
SDSU
Tulsa
SMU
Houston

East
Memphis
Cincinnati
Temple
ECU
Tulane
UCF
USF

If we can get that it’s the league’s best shot at strengthening in football to push for P status and bring enough money to increase tv payout. Basketball would also be strengthened by those additions.

Many would agree that adding BYU, Boise, and SDSU (or some combination of Air Force, Boise, BYU, and SDSU) would strengthen the AAC in the rankings. Others might prefer to add BYU, Boise, and Army, or BYU, Army, and Air Force.

If viewership is the most important consideration, then the top three additions might be Army, Boise St., and BYU.

If football rankings over the past 5 years are a more important consideration, the Massey Composite rankings suggest that the top three schools might be Boise, App. State, and SDSU, followed by Louisiana, BYU, Army, and Air Force.

Over the past five years, App. State's and Louisiana's average rankings in the Massey Composite have been higher than BYU's, and App. State has ranked ahead of SDSU. Notably, Army and Air Force have also trailed App. St. and Louisiana in the composite rankings.

1. Boise St. Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #26.2 (9.4 wins/yr)
2. Appalachian St. Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #32.8 (10.6 wins/yr)
3. SDSU Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #51.2 (8.4 wins/yr)
4. Louisiana Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #53.4 (9.0 wins/yr)
5. BYU Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #57.2 (7.6 wins/yr)
6. Army Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #58.6 (8.6 wins/yr)
7. Air Force Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #62.4 (6.8 wins/yr)

However, if the AAC were to add three western schools that have been among the leaders in rankings and viewership, their three best options would be Boise, BYU, and SDSU.

Quote:Question is can we get BYU to join, if they do I think the other two would also.

Seems likely, if all three were invited to be full AAC members, but there might be a "Catch-22" situation: BYU might not join unless one or two MWC teams, such as Boise and SDSU were to join. SDSU might feel the same way.

Is there any precedent for adding 2 or 3 schools to a conference at once?

Of course there is. The AAC, itself, added Tulane, Tulsa, and ECU in 2014. The Big 8 added 4 schools to become the Big 12, and the ACC added 7 schools, including ND.

Would ESPN be willing to expand their broadcasting agreement by adding 3 schools? They might, but they're not in the business of persuading conferences to expand.

Commissioner Aresco would have to get the ball rolling by proposing such an expansion to ESPN, as an hypothetical. One wonders if the AAC Presidents would permit him to at least mention the idea to ESPN.

The whole thing might hinge on being willing to change their minds and allow Boise State in as a full member. The one thing that might be able to persuade them to do so would be an indication that BYU and SDSU would join if Boise joins.

Aresco could ask BYU and SDSU if they would join if Boise joins, and if they would be able to join as full members.

If they say "yes," and if ESPN says "yes" to the idea, then there would be nothing to stop such an expansion from moving forward, with the proviso that cross-divisional BB/olympic games between the east coast AAC teams and the 3 far west teams would be held to an absolute minimum.

It all starts with a few phone calls.

It would be great if Commissioner Aresco would pick up the phone and make these calls on his own initiative, just to kick the idea around. No need to trouble the AAC Presidents ("the Presidents of Inertia"). Just make the calls, chat about the hypotheticals, and see what might be possible -- and only then present it as a proposal to the AAC Presidents.

(01-21-2021 01:35 PM)Cubanbull1 Wrote:  Question is can we get BYU to join, if they do I think the other two would also.

Seems likely, if all three were invited to be full AAC members, but there might be a "Catch-22" situation: BYU might not join unless one or two MWC teams, such as Boise and SDSU were to join. SDSU might feel the same way.

Is there any precedent for adding 2 or 3 schools to a conference at once?

Of course there is. The AAC, itself, added Tulane, Tulsa, and ECU in 2014. The Big 8 added 4 schools to become the Big 12, and the ACC added 7 schools, including ND.

Would ESPN be willing to expand their broadcasting agreement by adding 3 schools? They might, but they're not in the business of persuading conferences to expand.

Commissioner Aresco would have to get the ball rolling by proposing such an expansion to ESPN, as an hypothetical. One wonders if the AAC Presidents would permit him to at least mention the idea to ESPN.

The whole thing might hinge on being willing to change their minds and allow Boise State in as a full member. The one thing that might be able to persuade them to do so would be an indication that BYU and SDSU would join if Boise joins.

Aresco could ask BYU and SDSU if they would join if Boise joins, and if they would be able to join as full members.

If they say "yes," and if ESPN says "yes" to the idea, then there would be nothing to stop such an expansion from moving forward, with the proviso that cross-divisional BB/olympic games between the east coast AAC teams and the 3 far west teams would be held to an absolute minimum.

It all starts with a few phone calls.

It would be great if Commissioner Aresco would pick up the phone and make these calls on his own initiative, just to kick the idea around. No need to trouble the AAC Presidents ("the Presidents of Inertia"). Just make the calls, chat about the hypotheticals, and see what might be possible -- and only then present it as a proposal to the AAC Presidents.

(01-22-2021 06:31 PM)8BitPirate Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 05:42 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  Many would agree that adding BYU, Boise, and SDSU (or some combination of Air Force, Boise, BYU, and SDSU) would strengthen the AAC in the rankings. Others might prefer to add BYU, Boise, and Army, or BYU, Army, and Air Force.

If viewership is the most important consideration, then the top three additions might be Army, Boise St., and BYU.

If football rankings over the past 5 years are a more important consideration, the Massey Composite rankings suggest that the top three schools might be Boise, App. State, and SDSU, followed by Louisiana, BYU, Army, and Air Force.

Over the past five years, App. State's and Louisiana's average rankings in the Massey Composite have been higher than BYU's, and App. State has ranked ahead of SDSU. Notably, Army and Air Force have also trailed App. St. and Louisiana in the composite rankings.

1. Boise St. Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #26.2 (9.4 wins/yr)
2. Appalachian St. Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #32.8 (10.6 wins/yr)
3. SDSU Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #51.2 (8.4 wins/yr)
4. Louisiana Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #53.4 (9.0 wins/yr)
5. BYU Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #57.2 (7.6 wins/yr)
6. Army Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #58.6 (8.6 wins/yr)
7. Air Force Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #62.4 (6.8 wins/yr)

However, if the AAC were to add three western schools that have been among the leaders in rankings and viewership, their three best options would be Boise, BYU, and SDSU.

Quote:Question is can we get BYU to join, if they do I think the other two would also.

Seems likely, if all three were invited to be full AAC members, but there might be a "Catch-22" situation: BYU might not join unless one or two MWC teams, such as Boise and SDSU were to join. SDSU might feel the same way.

Is there any precedent for adding 2 or 3 schools to a conference at once?

Of course there is. The AAC, itself, added Tulane, Tulsa, and ECU in 2014. The Big 8 added 4 schools to become the Big 12, and the ACC added 7 schools, including ND.

Would ESPN be willing to expand their broadcasting agreement by adding 3 schools? They might, but they're not in the business of persuading conferences to expand.

Commissioner Aresco would have to get the ball rolling by proposing such an expansion to ESPN, as an hypothetical. One wonders if the AAC Presidents would permit him to at least mention the idea to ESPN.

The whole thing might hinge on being willing to change their minds and allow Boise State in as a full member. The one thing that might be able to persuade them to do so would be an indication that BYU and SDSU would join if Boise joins.

Aresco could ask BYU and SDSU if they would join if Boise joins, and if they would be able to join as full members.

If they say "yes," and if ESPN says "yes" to the idea, then there would be nothing to stop such an expansion from moving forward, with the proviso that cross-divisional BB/olympic games between the east coast AAC teams and the 3 far west teams would be held to an absolute minimum.

It all starts with a few phone calls.

It would be great if Commissioner Aresco would pick up the phone and make these calls on his own initiative, just to kick the idea around. No need to trouble the AAC Presidents ("the Presidents of Inertia"). Just make the calls, chat about the hypotheticals, and see what might be possible -- and only then present it as a proposal to the AAC Presidents.

(01-22-2021 05:13 PM)NoQuarterBrigade Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

Interesting. Please explain further.

They have big goals.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.deseret...us-schools

“Texas Christian, Southern Methodist and Baylor are all religious schools that have thrived on the gridiron, but BYU — along with Notre Dame — was Liberty’s role model. In fact, Falwell Jr. said the “LU” that decorates Liberty Mountain in Lynchburg was inspired by a trip to Utah some 15 years ago, when he saw the Y.”

“BYU is very much a program that we aspire towards as a faith-based school that’s had tremendous success,” McCaw said, “including winning the national championship.”

Doesnt matter. There is no reason to get in a big debate over it. There is not a single president in this league that wants their school to be associated with Liberty. Its not an uncommon position. Just remember, the Sunbelt was supposedly offered 10 million just to invite Liberty to the league. At that time, that was enough money to equal the Sunbelts TV deal for the next 20 years. The Sunbelt refused the offer. Its will take years of image changing before they will see an invite to a conference---but I think they are fine with their indy path.

(01-22-2021 08:06 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 05:13 PM)NoQuarterBrigade Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

Interesting. Please explain further.

They have big goals.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.deseret...us-schools

“Texas Christian, Southern Methodist and Baylor are all religious schools that have thrived on the gridiron, but BYU — along with Notre Dame — was Liberty’s role model. In fact, Falwell Jr. said the “LU” that decorates Liberty Mountain in Lynchburg was inspired by a trip to Utah some 15 years ago, when he saw the Y.”

“BYU is very much a program that we aspire towards as a faith-based school that’s had tremendous success,” McCaw said, “including winning the national championship.”

Doesnt matter. There is no reason to get in a big debate over it. There is not a single president in this league that wants their school to be associated with Liberty. Its not an uncommon position. Just remember, the Sunbelt was supposedly offered 10 million just to invite Liberty to the league. At that time, that was enough money to equal the Sunbelts TV deal for the next 20 years. The Sunbelt refused the offer. Its will take years of image changing before they will see an invite to a conference---but I think they are fine with their indy path.

Multiple schools want to move up. They don’t want the “stigma” of being the school that voted them in right or wrong.

They need 5 years of no Jr to prove he was an abomination.

(01-22-2021 07:09 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 06:31 PM)8BitPirate Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 05:42 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  Many would agree that adding BYU, Boise, and SDSU (or some combination of Air Force, Boise, BYU, and SDSU) would strengthen the AAC in the rankings. Others might prefer to add BYU, Boise, and Army, or BYU, Army, and Air Force.

If viewership is the most important consideration, then the top three additions might be Army, Boise St., and BYU.

If football rankings over the past 5 years are a more important consideration, the Massey Composite rankings suggest that the top three schools might be Boise, App. State, and SDSU, followed by Louisiana, BYU, Army, and Air Force.

Over the past five years, App. State's and Louisiana's average rankings in the Massey Composite have been higher than BYU's, and App. State has ranked ahead of SDSU. Notably, Army and Air Force have also trailed App. St. and Louisiana in the composite rankings.

1. Boise St. Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #26.2 (9.4 wins/yr)
2. Appalachian St. Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #32.8 (10.6 wins/yr)
3. SDSU Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #51.2 (8.4 wins/yr)
4. Louisiana Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #53.4 (9.0 wins/yr)
5. BYU Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #57.2 (7.6 wins/yr)
6. Army Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #58.6 (8.6 wins/yr)
7. Air Force Massey Composite Ranking Average (2016-2020): #62.4 (6.8 wins/yr)

However, if the AAC were to add three western schools that have been among the leaders in rankings and viewership, their three best options would be Boise, BYU, and SDSU.

Quote:Question is can we get BYU to join, if they do I think the other two would also.

Seems likely, if all three were invited to be full AAC members, but there might be a "Catch-22" situation: BYU might not join unless one or two MWC teams, such as Boise and SDSU were to join. SDSU might feel the same way.

Is there any precedent for adding 2 or 3 schools to a conference at once?

Of course there is. The AAC, itself, added Tulane, Tulsa, and ECU in 2014. The Big 8 added 4 schools to become the Big 12, and the ACC added 7 schools, including ND.

Would ESPN be willing to expand their broadcasting agreement by adding 3 schools? They might, but they're not in the business of persuading conferences to expand.

Commissioner Aresco would have to get the ball rolling by proposing such an expansion to ESPN, as an hypothetical. One wonders if the AAC Presidents would permit him to at least mention the idea to ESPN.

The whole thing might hinge on being willing to change their minds and allow Boise State in as a full member. The one thing that might be able to persuade them to do so would be an indication that BYU and SDSU would join if Boise joins.

Aresco could ask BYU and SDSU if they would join if Boise joins, and if they would be able to join as full members.

If they say "yes," and if ESPN says "yes" to the idea, then there would be nothing to stop such an expansion from moving forward, with the proviso that cross-divisional BB/olympic games between the east coast AAC teams and the 3 far west teams would be held to an absolute minimum.

It all starts with a few phone calls.

It would be great if Commissioner Aresco would pick up the phone and make these calls on his own initiative, just to kick the idea around. No need to trouble the AAC Presidents ("the Presidents of Inertia"). Just make the calls, chat about the hypotheticals, and see what might be possible -- and only then present it as a proposal to the AAC Presidents.

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

Liberty is not the right academic profile??? And BSU is?

(01-22-2021 09:44 PM)uofmlimbo Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

Liberty is not the right academic profile??? And BSU is?

Liberty is flush with cash. They'll just use the AAC to try and make a name for themselves. I don't trust them. There's a Tammy Faye/Jim Bakker creapiness to them. No thanks.

(01-22-2021 10:55 PM)Memphis Yankee Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 09:44 PM)uofmlimbo Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

Liberty is not the right academic profile??? And BSU is?

Liberty is flush with cash. They'll just use the AAC to try and make a name for themselves. I don't trust them. There's a Tammy Faye/Jim Bakker creapiness to them. No thanks.

Liberty certainly has some bad stigmas attached to them, due in part to who they are and their affiliations. They have been turned down and turned away by conferences, treated like they don’t belong. As AAC members we know exactly how that feels, to be treated like we don’t belong. I understand that.

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

^^Listen to this man.^^

(01-22-2021 11:13 PM)NoQuarterBrigade Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 10:55 PM)Memphis Yankee Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 09:44 PM)uofmlimbo Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

Liberty is not the right academic profile??? And BSU is?

Liberty is flush with cash. They'll just use the AAC to try and make a name for themselves. I don't trust them. There's a Tammy Faye/Jim Bakker creapiness to them. No thanks.

Liberty certainly has some bad stigmas attached to them, due in part to who they are and their affiliations. They have been turned down and turned away by conferences, treated like they don’t belong. As AAC members we know exactly how that feels, to be treated like we don’t belong. I understand that.

Im not saying its right or wrong---fair or unfair. Everyone is free to draw your own conclusions. Im just describing the reality of the situation. Liberty is not an option for the AAC.

(01-22-2021 11:19 PM)Fishpro10987 Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

^^Listen to this man.^^

Okay, I get it. Liberty is not a good idea. I am convinced, for now.
Also, I feel this idea of expansion so far west seems a bit risky. None of the P5 conferences are spread out like that. I don’t think adding those teams is going to be the magic pill that gets us an invite to sit at the table with the rest of these P5 conferences. I am afraid it’s going to just create more problems. I think we need to stay within our current conference boundaries and find someone there.

(01-22-2021 11:57 PM)NoQuarterBrigade Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 11:19 PM)Fishpro10987 Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

^^Listen to this man.^^

Okay, I get it. Liberty is not a good idea. I am convinced, for now.
Also, I feel this idea of expansion so far west seems a bit risky. None of the P5 conferences are spread out like that. I don’t think adding those teams is going to be the magic pill that gets us an invite to sit at the table with the rest of these P5 conferences. I am afraid it’s going to just create more problems. I think we need to stay within our current conference boundaries and find someone there.

Boston to Miami is further than Greenville to Houston. In the end we are only ever talking about another 2 hrs at most on a plane. Getting the equipment truck there is another story

(01-23-2021 08:57 AM)oipirate Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 11:57 PM)NoQuarterBrigade Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 11:19 PM)Fishpro10987 Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

^^Listen to this man.^^

Okay, I get it. Liberty is not a good idea. I am convinced, for now.
Also, I feel this idea of expansion so far west seems a bit risky. None of the P5 conferences are spread out like that. I don’t think adding those teams is going to be the magic pill that gets us an invite to sit at the table with the rest of these P5 conferences. I am afraid it’s going to just create more problems. I think we need to stay within our current conference boundaries and find someone there.

Boston to Miami is further than Greenville to Houston. In the end we are only ever talking about another 2 hrs at most on a plane. Getting the equipment truck there is another story

Alright let’s do it! Sea to shining sea to shining sea. I am ready. Let’s go!

(01-22-2021 11:57 PM)NoQuarterBrigade Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 11:19 PM)Fishpro10987 Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

^^Listen to this man.^^

Okay, I get it. Liberty is not a good idea. I am convinced, for now.
Also, I feel this idea of expansion so far west seems a bit risky. None of the P5 conferences are spread out like that. I don’t think adding those teams is going to be the magic pill that gets us an invite to sit at the table with the rest of these P5 conferences. I am afraid it’s going to just create more problems. I think we need to stay within our current conference boundaries and find someone there.

I hope we don't add Boise. Forever has been making the point for a while now that their star has faded and I happen to believe he's correct. If they were such a huge deal the MWC would be getting paid now. They aren't. If we add them so be it, it is what it is. But they aren't the "G5" equivalent of freaking Bama.

There isn't anything wrong with Liberty's academic profile that isn't at least partially reflected in some current AAC members. People make the mistake of labeling them a diploma mill, which they aren't, any more than U of Southern New Hampshire or even Arizona State or U of Maryland World Campus and Penn State World Campus. I've tutored enlisted service members that have taken coursework from all of those schools and their is absolutely no academic drop off between any of those schools and Liberty.

The target for their online programs is primarily older people that have work experience along with some college or an associate degree and enlisted military members, whose training has been accredited through the American Council on Education, that are working to complete their degree with maximum flexibility due to crazy work, training, and deployment schedules.

As far as their brick and mortar campus, their freshman acceptance rate is right at 50% and they require SAT or ACT testing for admission to their freshman class. As a comparison SMU's freshman acceptance rate is right at 50% as well.

I'm not in favor of Liberty as an add by they way, way too much stigma as zealots and the Falwell stench is still strong. They're Southern Baptist but they aren't Wake Forest, another Baptist school. But if academics are going to be discussed we need to be truthful and fair. Both ECU and Memphis have atrocious freshman acceptance rates over 80%. In addition, and I am very sad to say, as if it couldn't get any worse academically for my alma mater, we take anyone with a pulse as a transfer student from the NC community college system, literally. I was told this straight to my face by a staff member in the Veterans Support Office. I wish that wasn't the case but sadly it is.

(01-23-2021 11:28 AM)PuddlePirate Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 11:57 PM)NoQuarterBrigade Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 11:19 PM)Fishpro10987 Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 04:51 PM)mustangxc Wrote:  Liberty is not the right academic profile for this league. I think adding them could sabotage our P6 campaign.

^^Listen to this man.^^

Okay, I get it. Liberty is not a good idea. I am convinced, for now.
Also, I feel this idea of expansion so far west seems a bit risky. None of the P5 conferences are spread out like that. I don’t think adding those teams is going to be the magic pill that gets us an invite to sit at the table with the rest of these P5 conferences. I am afraid it’s going to just create more problems. I think we need to stay within our current conference boundaries and find someone there.

I hope we don't add Boise. Forever has been making the point for a while now that their star has faded and I happen to believe he's correct. If they were such a huge deal the MWC would be getting paid now. They aren't. If we add them so be it, it is what it is. But they aren't the "G5" equivalent of freaking Bama.

There isn't anything wrong with Liberty's academic profile that isn't at least partially reflected in some current AAC members. People make the mistake of labeling them a diploma mill, which they aren't, any more than U of Southern New Hampshire or even Arizona State or U of Maryland World Campus and Penn State World Campus. I've tutored enlisted service members that have taken coursework from all of those schools and their is absolutely no academic drop off between any of those schools and Liberty.

The target for their online programs is primarily older people that have work experience along with some college or an associate degree and enlisted military members, whose training has been accredited through the American Council on Education, that are working to complete their degree with maximum flexibility due to crazy work, training, and deployment schedules.

As far as their brick and mortar campus, their freshman acceptance rate is right at 50% and they require SAT or ACT testing for admission to their freshman class. As a comparison SMU's freshman acceptance rate is right at 50% as well.

I'm not in favor of Liberty as an add by they way, way too much stigma as zealots and the Falwell stench is still strong. They're Southern Baptist but they aren't Wake Forest, another Baptist school. But if academics are going to be discussed we need to be truthful and fair. Both ECU and Memphis have atrocious freshman acceptance rates over 80%. In addition, and I am very sad to say, as if it couldn't get any worse academically for my alma mater, we take anyone with a pulse as a transfer student from the NC community college system, literally. I was told this straight to my face by a staff member in the Veterans Support Office. I wish that wasn't the case but sadly it is.

At least ECU has a med school. Memphis (my father's alma mater) is making progress with improving its overall academics. But there is a long way to go.