(02-07-2021 09:22 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-07-2021 08:07 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  The Hypothetical question is, does Chatty leave the SoCon for the OVC or ASUN?

OVC- UTM, TTU, Tennessee State, Austin Peay, SEMO, Eastern Illinois, Murray State

Other than 1 or 2 Tennessee schools, is there any fan interest there?

ASUN- Jacksonville State, Kennessaw State, North Alabama, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky

Other than possibly Central Arkansas, I see fan interest all over. And maybe some interest in Central Arkansas, they have been good lately.

I love the way you word this “other than one or two Tennessee schools.” Lol. Of course there is fan interest. Alumni and students know people that went/go to all of those Tennessee schools, which there are four. Plus, UT Martin is part of the same system so don’t diminish that fact.

I get it you obviously want “Chatty” in your new conference, but don’t gloss over fanbase facts like where the majority of students and alumni are from. I’ll give you a hint, it’s not the suburbs of Atlanta, Huntsville, or Kentucky.

I know a lot of Chattanooga alum, and they do live in Huntsville and Florence. The North Alabama region actually has a lot of Chatty alum. Chattanooga also has a lot of UNA alum.

The fan interest is because of that, and a big rivalry with JSU.

I never hear any of the Chatty folks I know say that they have any interest in playing UTM, or Austin Peay to be honest. They have some interest in Tennessee Tech and some for Tennessee State but not much. They dont even look at ETSU as much of a rivalry anymore.

Say what you will, I'm just going by what alum has told me.

I too work with and know a lot of UTC graduates. It's all anecdotal for sure, as the only one in the group that's tired of the SoCon is the same one that's tired of getting slapped around by the sports teams of ETSU, Wofford, Furman, and Samford. UTC is definitely a shadow of its former self in FB and BB mainly because they refuse to make the right coaching hires. If their admin can't be bothered to pick the right coaches what makes you think they'll abandon a conference they've been in for decades that is top 10 RPI in Basketball and one of the 4 major FCS conferences? Especially since they put more care into basketball than FB. Dropping from a real mid major to a conference lucky to get into the top 20 in RPI would be calls for alumni revolt in Train Town

(02-07-2021 08:08 AM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  

(01-29-2021 12:34 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  There is a move that improves football to Austin Peay's liking ... NOT
There is a move that improves basketball to Murray State and Belmont's liking ... NOT

The OVC should stand at 10. I would not move on any school unless it looked like two more were leaving.

It's more important to keep Belmont, Murray State and APSU happy. Adding junk schools that suck at football and basketball, have severe financial pinch doesn't do that.

There is no indication the MVC wants to expand, or importantly Belmont, the one school they might seriously consider as helping their chances at multiple bids, has any desire to leave the Tennessee heavy league. So why antagonize them or Murray State with another weak basketball school. Tennessee State has it's reasons not to join the SWAC; they have been asked again and again, always saying no, much like Belmont to the Horizon, SoCon and MVC.

The biggest flight risk seems to be Austin Peay. They are both decent at basketball and football. There is not much doubt they are the first target of the ASUN for next year to get that 6th football school. The Tennessee schools have held firm, but they will be tested.

The OVC could survive fine at 9 schools, 6 with football. So I would take my

Tennessee State was given a formal invite to the SWAC a grand total of ONE time and that was in 2010. I keep reading on this board that Tennessee State has constantly turned down the SWAC when that's false as hell. The SWAC considered Tennessee State in conference expansion in 1997 but those talks ended because Tennessee State was nervous about the political fallout of making that move. They never received a formal invite, instead those invitations went to Alabama A&M and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. FAMU, Morris Brown, and Savannah State were also considered. Tennessee State received a formal invite in December of 2010 but did not accept due to not having a full-time President at the time. Dr.Melvin Johnson was the full-time President when Tennessee State was in conversations with the SWAC which started in 2007. When the invite was finally sent in December of 2010, Dr.Johnson was no longer in office. The SWAC commissioner at that time Duer Sharpe absolutely butchered that deal. Tennessee State's invite was supposed to be sent in June of 2010 and announced in July of 2010 which didn't happen. Sharpe was backdoor talking to FAMU and dropped the ball completely on Tennessee State. If he'd not done that Tennessee State would've been in the SWAC by the 2012 season. Dr. Portia H. Shields was the interim President at Tennessee State starting January of 2011 and made it clear that she wouldn't be focusing on anything athletics wise. The invite sat until the SWAC rescinded it and she began an internal battle with others in the schools administration during her almost 9 year tenure as interim President which resulted in TSU athletics taking major hits. Tennessee State has not received any invites from the SWAC since that time.

The reason Tennessee State has been given a formal invite a grand total of one time is because they don’t reciprocate interest when asked. A formal invite is typically only granted when there’s a high probability the school doesn’t turn it down — it isn’t reflective of how many times the SWAC’s been interested in them.

If Tennessee St changed its mind today and contacted the SWAC, they’d have their formal invitation by the end of the month.

(02-07-2021 11:06 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  

(02-07-2021 09:22 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-07-2021 08:07 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  The Hypothetical question is, does Chatty leave the SoCon for the OVC or ASUN?

OVC- UTM, TTU, Tennessee State, Austin Peay, SEMO, Eastern Illinois, Murray State

Other than 1 or 2 Tennessee schools, is there any fan interest there?

ASUN- Jacksonville State, Kennessaw State, North Alabama, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky

Other than possibly Central Arkansas, I see fan interest all over. And maybe some interest in Central Arkansas, they have been good lately.

I love the way you word this “other than one or two Tennessee schools.” Lol. Of course there is fan interest. Alumni and students know people that went/go to all of those Tennessee schools, which there are four. Plus, UT Martin is part of the same system so don’t diminish that fact.

I get it you obviously want “Chatty” in your new conference, but don’t gloss over fanbase facts like where the majority of students and alumni are from. I’ll give you a hint, it’s not the suburbs of Atlanta, Huntsville, or Kentucky.

I know a lot of Chattanooga alum, and they do live in Huntsville and Florence. The North Alabama region actually has a lot of Chatty alum. Chattanooga also has a lot of UNA alum.

The fan interest is because of that, and a big rivalry with JSU.

I never hear any of the Chatty folks I know say that they have any interest in playing UTM, or Austin Peay to be honest. They have some interest in Tennessee Tech and some for Tennessee State but not much. They dont even look at ETSU as much of a rivalry anymore.

Say what you will, I'm just going by what alum has told me.

So you know some alum in your area and of course THEY would like to see UTC play there, but what do people in Chattanooga want to see? You know, they're the people going to the games after all. I'm just not convinced that the A-Sun offers a better slate than the OVC, much less the SoCon.

I agree with Dazzle, and I'd be surprised if they move, but I also think you're glossing over some important facts due to your hopes "Chatty" joins North Bammer.

ASUN offers a definitively better football slate than the OVC. Bigger brands, better attendance. That’s why EKU/JSU moved — they view themselves as above OVC schools like EIU, UTM, & SEMO.

(02-07-2021 12:03 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  ASUN offers a definitively better football slate than the OVC. Bigger brands, better attendance. That’s why EKU/JSU moved — they view themselves as above OVC schools like EIU, UTM, & SEMO.

I agree they are attempting to put together a better slate than the OVC and that is why they moved in conjunction.

I was looking from UTC's perspective, and Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State are large draws for all-sports.

I'm rooting for the ASun to get Chatty, ETSU, and Western i just don't think its likely with the SoCon being so strong right now

(02-07-2021 11:47 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-07-2021 11:06 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  

(02-07-2021 09:22 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-07-2021 08:07 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  The Hypothetical question is, does Chatty leave the SoCon for the OVC or ASUN?

OVC- UTM, TTU, Tennessee State, Austin Peay, SEMO, Eastern Illinois, Murray State

Other than 1 or 2 Tennessee schools, is there any fan interest there?

ASUN- Jacksonville State, Kennessaw State, North Alabama, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky

Other than possibly Central Arkansas, I see fan interest all over. And maybe some interest in Central Arkansas, they have been good lately.

I love the way you word this “other than one or two Tennessee schools.” Lol. Of course there is fan interest. Alumni and students know people that went/go to all of those Tennessee schools, which there are four. Plus, UT Martin is part of the same system so don’t diminish that fact.

I get it you obviously want “Chatty” in your new conference, but don’t gloss over fanbase facts like where the majority of students and alumni are from. I’ll give you a hint, it’s not the suburbs of Atlanta, Huntsville, or Kentucky.

I know a lot of Chattanooga alum, and they do live in Huntsville and Florence. The North Alabama region actually has a lot of Chatty alum. Chattanooga also has a lot of UNA alum.

The fan interest is because of that, and a big rivalry with JSU.

I never hear any of the Chatty folks I know say that they have any interest in playing UTM, or Austin Peay to be honest. They have some interest in Tennessee Tech and some for Tennessee State but not much. They dont even look at ETSU as much of a rivalry anymore.

Say what you will, I'm just going by what alum has told me.

So you know some alum in your area and of course THEY would like to see UTC play there, but what do people in Chattanooga want to see? You know, they're the people going to the games after all. I'm just not convinced that the A-Sun offers a better slate than the OVC, much less the SoCon.

I agree with Dazzle, and I'd be surprised if they move, but I also think you're glossing over some important facts due to your hopes "Chatty" joins North Bammer.

Well, not really sure there’s a need for name calling, but as I am a “North Bammer” alum living in Chattanooga, I’ll give my $0.02.

I don’t speak to a ton of Moc fans because, well, they don’t seem to have a ton of support here. But the few I do know really enjoyed their meetings with Jacksonville State. From seeing a few JSU fans talk, both sides seem to think of it as a pretty big rivalry. I think playing every year is appealing to both sides.

Meanwhile, with Kennesaw State being a short trip down I-75, there’s good reason to believe fans of both schools would be interested in that as well. It’s a shorter drive than any SoCon road trip.

As for UNA, neither side really knows much about the other, so I won’t lie and say fans are chomping at the bit for our scheduled games. But again, an easy road trip for fans that ARE interested.

Now, I’ve went on the record myself as saying I don’t think UTC would leave the SoCon. They have a ton of history there and it enjoys higher prestige in most knowledgeable folks’ eyes, whether it’s earned or not. And that’s not a slam on the SoCon; but to say their *football* is the same since App State and Georgia Southern left would be kidding one’s self. Of course, football isn’t the only sport involved here. I know wrestling is important to Chattanooga, and they are offered that in the SoCon. Who knows where that would land in the ASUN. And with no baseball, they wouldn’t offer anything to our conference there.

But again - while I wouldn’t put money on the ASUN being able to reel them in, I also think it’s unwise to just laugh it off. There are a few compelling reasons for them to make the move. I suppose we’ll know by the end of this month whether those reasons were enough to pull the trigger, or not.

(02-07-2021 03:07 PM)UNAfied Wrote:  

(02-07-2021 11:47 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-07-2021 11:06 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  

(02-07-2021 09:22 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(02-07-2021 08:07 AM)lion1983 Wrote:  The Hypothetical question is, does Chatty leave the SoCon for the OVC or ASUN?

OVC- UTM, TTU, Tennessee State, Austin Peay, SEMO, Eastern Illinois, Murray State

Other than 1 or 2 Tennessee schools, is there any fan interest there?

ASUN- Jacksonville State, Kennessaw State, North Alabama, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky

Other than possibly Central Arkansas, I see fan interest all over. And maybe some interest in Central Arkansas, they have been good lately.

I love the way you word this “other than one or two Tennessee schools.” Lol. Of course there is fan interest. Alumni and students know people that went/go to all of those Tennessee schools, which there are four. Plus, UT Martin is part of the same system so don’t diminish that fact.

I get it you obviously want “Chatty” in your new conference, but don’t gloss over fanbase facts like where the majority of students and alumni are from. I’ll give you a hint, it’s not the suburbs of Atlanta, Huntsville, or Kentucky.

I know a lot of Chattanooga alum, and they do live in Huntsville and Florence. The North Alabama region actually has a lot of Chatty alum. Chattanooga also has a lot of UNA alum.

The fan interest is because of that, and a big rivalry with JSU.

I never hear any of the Chatty folks I know say that they have any interest in playing UTM, or Austin Peay to be honest. They have some interest in Tennessee Tech and some for Tennessee State but not much. They dont even look at ETSU as much of a rivalry anymore.

Say what you will, I'm just going by what alum has told me.

So you know some alum in your area and of course THEY would like to see UTC play there, but what do people in Chattanooga want to see? You know, they're the people going to the games after all. I'm just not convinced that the A-Sun offers a better slate than the OVC, much less the SoCon.

I agree with Dazzle, and I'd be surprised if they move, but I also think you're glossing over some important facts due to your hopes "Chatty" joins North Bammer.

Well, not really sure there’s a need for name calling, but as I am a “North Bammer” alum living in Chattanooga, I’ll give my $0.02.

I don’t speak to a ton of Moc fans because, well, they don’t seem to have a ton of support here. But the few I do know really enjoyed their meetings with Jacksonville State. From seeing a few JSU fans talk, both sides seem to think of it as a pretty big rivalry. I think playing every year is appealing to both sides.

Meanwhile, with Kennesaw State being a short trip down I-75, there’s good reason to believe fans of both schools would be interested in that as well. It’s a shorter drive than any SoCon road trip.

As for UNA, neither side really knows much about the other, so I won’t lie and say fans are chomping at the bit for our scheduled games. But again, an easy road trip for fans that ARE interested.

Now, I’ve went on the record myself as saying I don’t think UTC would leave the SoCon. They have a ton of history there and it enjoys higher prestige in most knowledgeable folks eyes’, whether it’s earned or not. And that’s not a slam on the SoCon; but to say their *football* is the same since App State and Georgia Southern left would be kidding one’s self. Of course, football isn’t the only sport involved here. I know wrestling is important to Chattanooga, and they are offered that in the SoCon. Who knows where that would land in the ASUN. And with no baseball, they wouldn’t offer anything to our conference there.

But again - while I wouldn’t put money on the ASUN being able to reel them in, I also think it’s unwise to just laugh it off. There are a few compelling reasons for them to make the move. I suppose we’ll know by the end of this month whether those reasons were enough to pull the trigger, or not.

Your last paragraph I agree with. That is, if this FCS super conference fabricated by the commissioner and Twitter come to fruition. Somebody mentioned it earlier, but it seems like they’re talking about it so much they will speak it into existence. An FBS conference? That’s aiming awful high.

Kennesaw St. is an upstart that I would wager most UTC students and alumni have never heard of. The university decision makers? Not sure they care. But names like Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State will attract attention and that’s why you see them on OOC schedules in many sports.

As for the name calling... nobody from Chattanooga refers to the city as Chatty.

(02-07-2021 05:34 PM)esayem Wrote:  nobody from Chattanooga refers to the city as Chatty.

Does anyone call it "Nooga"? Or "The Noog"?

(02-07-2021 05:59 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(02-07-2021 05:34 PM)esayem Wrote:  nobody from Chattanooga refers to the city as Chatty.

Does anyone call it "Nooga"? Or "The Noog"?

Maybe on t-shirts

You’ve really got a lot of things in play right now in FCS:

The ASUN is on the prowl—they want football schools who buy into their vision

Meanwhile you’ve got the SoCon—home of the school most sought after by the ASUN, UT Chattanooga

Chattanooga is in a position where I think they can make some demands on the SoCon to keep them there (even if they aren’t truly interested in leaving, the can certainly leverage their position as a sought after program to get some travel friendly companions)

Which brings us to Belmont, one of those desirable programs. Meanwhile, the Bruins have a competing suitor in the MVC.

WIU is probably going to move to the OVC, leaving a vacancy in the Summit that I give Augustana about a 90% chance of filling and Northern Colorado a 10% chance.

Tenn St is a school that I think is guaranteed to land on their feet because if everything goes sour for them in the OVC, I think the SWAC would take them in.

All in all, I think UT Chattanooga and Belmont are the two schools who are really in a position to shape the directions that several conferences end up taking.

Thought some rumors would be out by now.

https://thesouthern.com/sports/college/s...b.amp.html

Spoiler alert: SIU won't be joining the OVC

(02-12-2021 10:42 AM)solohawks Wrote:  https://thesouthern.com/sports/college/s...b.amp.html

Spoiler alert: SIU won't be joining the OVC

I imagine the SIU officials laughed and hung up when the OVC called.

(02-12-2021 11:03 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(02-12-2021 10:42 AM)solohawks Wrote:  https://thesouthern.com/sports/college/s...b.amp.html

Spoiler alert: SIU won't be joining the OVC

I imagine the SIU officials laughed and hung up when the OVC called.

No kidding. The MVC is 15 spots higher than the OVC yearly. Why in God’s name would an article even be wasted on this? I don’t think there’s been a single realignment move in D1 history where one school moved from one conference to another 15 spots below them.

It amazes me how poor the journalism is for some of these schools. You pretty much have to keep tabs on Matt Brown because you’re not getting anything of value otherwise.

Ha. SIU board is pissed at the writer.
https://saluki-insider.com/index.php/com...m-by-todd/

(02-07-2021 02:43 PM)solohawks Wrote:  I'm rooting for the ASun to get Chatty, ETSU, and Western i just don't think its likely with the SoCon being so strong right now

There has always been somewhat of a divide between the privates (including The Citadel) and state universities. It's very subtle, but shows up particularly in voting. The SoCon has undergone a dramatic shift from football to basketball and the new commissioner's basketball background tells you that's where the membership is focused. It obviously depends on the leadership at ETSU, UTC & WCU but it wouldn't be a shock if those three joined with more like minded public schools in the ASUN.

(02-13-2021 03:38 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(02-07-2021 02:43 PM)solohawks Wrote:  I'm rooting for the ASun to get Chatty, ETSU, and Western i just don't think its likely with the SoCon being so strong right now

There has always been somewhat of a divide between the privates (including The Citadel) and state universities. It's very subtle, but shows up particularly in voting. The SoCon has undergone a dramatic shift from football to basketball and the new commissioner's basketball background tells you that's where the membership is focused. It obviously depends on the leadership at ETSU, UTC & WCU but it wouldn't be a shock if those three joined with more like minded public schools in the ASUN.

May it be so.

Off topic but ...

... Chattanooga is a fantastic small city. Because it retained many of its pre-World War II-constructed buildings, the city offers an old school vibe and "plays bigger" than its population would suggest (the opposite of this can be seen in Huntsville, Alabama, a fantastic craft beer city with a modest level of urban man-made fabric that contradicts its rather noteworthy population). Walking in the heart of Nooga is very enjoyable.

Chattanooga offers multiple urban districts (the North Shore, Southside, MLK, Orchard Knob, etc.) that are walkable and vibrant. Though smallish, the zoo and art museum are strong (relatively speaking), and the aquarium — as some of you might know — is big time. Another huge plus: the UT-Chattanooga campus is located within an easy walk of the city's epicenter (and not in a somewhat isolated area like, for example, UNC-Asheville).

And because Chattanooga is located on a major river and near small mountains — and because it is home to lots of cool young people who like outdoorsy activities and craft beer — it offers a somewhat Portland, Oregon, vibe (on a smaller scale, of course).

I would strongly recommend a visit to the Chattanooga.