https://hbcusports.com/2021/05/10/kentuc...join-meac/

This is interesting. Virginia State is usually competent in football and basketball, Kentucky State less so.

It's good they have identified likely candidates

Both members would provide numbers to sports in need like Baseball and golf and most importantly help preserve football.

While Kentucky State would stretch the footprint a bit it wouldn't be unbearable

I can confirm this report, and am working on publishing an update, perhaps as soon as next week.

I can just say this...based on what I've been told and the documents I've seen so far, I'd be a little surprised if either school actually went through with this. But both schools went through the feasibility study process and did their due diligence

Kentucky State is really struggling money wise and I do not see how they could go to D1-- even if it is the MEAC.

I’m curious just how serious these conversations are. Are their presidents just being polite by not outright turning down a meeting with the MEAC or are they genuinely thinking about a jump?

At least in the case of Kentucky State, I can tell you those were *serious* conversations.

Kentucky St has 2300 students—how are they going to afford it?

Virginia St at least has 7K in enrollment that they can milk for a higher athletic fee to bankroll the move up.

Virginia St was a flashing neon target from the get-go. Terrific BB facility and I don’t recall then publicly shooting D1 down like WSSU or Bowie.

Kentucky St has ancient history but an 8+ hour bustrip to all MEAC schools. Unless O’Hare is airlifted into Frankfort, accessibility/expenses seem to make this a non-starter.

Virginia State at least has facilities, the basketball arena's nice and new, and the baseball/softball parks aren't bad. Football stadium could do with a refresh but it won't be an eyesore in the MEAC at least. Plus they have a long history with Norfolk State and North Carolina Central, and I'm sure they'll land on Hampton's schedule as well. None of which means they can make a move, just that they do have some things going for them

How about Virginia Union? They are long time rivals of Virginia State but their facilities are not as good from what I've seen.

(05-10-2021 10:19 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  How about Virginia Union? They are long time rivals of Virginia State but their facilities are not as good from what I've seen.

VUU can’t afford the $1.7 million to move up plus doubling their budget. They have <1100 full-time undergrads.

WSSU and Bowie are pretty much the 2nd and 3rd most prepared CIAA schools - and if neither of them can make it work - that takes the whole non-VSU CIAA off the table.

Between geography, enrollment, budget, & facilities, I’m surprised KSU is getting this much run.

Virginia State resides in the county in which I do. My kids' HS graduations are held at the basketball arena there. While not a VSU fan, if they are capable of moving up and not bankrupting the university, I wish them nothing but the best of success. MEAC is a tough road, but today's MEAC looks an awful lot like yesterday's CIAA, sans Hampton.

KSU is gaining students before the pandemic, but if they are going? Central State Ohio might be interested in jumping as well. I know they mentioned going to D1 as well. Both KSU and CSOU are in the southern HBCU conference than the CIAA. Moving to the MEAC would saved both schools money on travel.

Kentucky St is just too small to be viable. I think it would be disastrous if they jumped.

VSU has been struggling financially for a LONG time. They have no business pursuing D1 athletics.

(05-11-2021 08:18 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  VSU has been struggling financially for a LONG time. They have no business pursuing D1 athletics.

Exactly, but that won't stop them. Just wondering who they will blame for their impending bankruptcy?

Virginia State in December received a $30 million dollar donation. If they want FCS ball, they can manage it.

(05-10-2021 09:02 PM)MattBrownEP Wrote:  At least in the case of Kentucky State, I can tell you those were *serious* conversations.

And FWIW, I'm not making an editorial judgement as to the wisdom of those conversations, or how successful KSU would be at a MEAC member. I'm just saying that those conversations were not idle chit-chat.

(05-11-2021 10:34 AM)Yosef Himself Wrote:  Virginia State in December received a $30 million dollar donation. If they want FCS ball, they can manage it.

$30 million doesn't even begin to touch their financial issues. They ran a $26 million deficit in 2020. Enrollment is off nearly 35% over the last decade...Division 1 athletics in the MEAC isn't going to help enrollment all that much.

http://richmondfreepress.com/news/2020/j...ment-drop/