We wanted a regional conference. I highly doubt we would have blocked anyone from VA

Just curious what laws you are referencing. Purdue & Arizona State must be worried about getting hauled off to the pokey at any moment. Not many in the Liberty community were enthusiastic about joining CUSA. Frankly they weren't enthusiastic about joining in league in this round of realignment aside from the AAC which wasn't happening. But most of us have come to terms with our new situation. I am just glad that WKU & MTSU are sticking aorund.

(11-09-2021 11:54 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:51 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:43 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:55 AM)monarx Wrote:  Im happiest for UTEP and NMSU. I think they make out the best. I dont think Liberty makes much sense at all now that Marshall and ODU are gone. But if they're happy, and the rest of the conference doesnt mind playing at a disadvantage financially (which translates into facilities, recruiting etc), then so be it. The only ones I feel bad for are FIU, WKU and LaTech.

If only ODU and Marshall would have voted yes for them.

My understanding is that both schools actually lobbied hard for Liberty (and JMU) and it was other (unknown to me) CUSA schools that voted no. Once that happened Marshall said "we're outta here" which started the dominos falling of ODU following and JMU following.

My understanding is the opposite. As soon as Marshall and ODU left we were able to get the votes needed for Liberty to join.

Yeah this isn't making sense. So while Marshall and ODU were around we didn't have the votes and when they left we had the votes? Soooooooo either a team that stuck around screwed themselves or the folks that left are the ones that voted no. I'm pretty sure WKU voted no.

(11-09-2021 11:11 AM)All4One Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:55 AM)monarx Wrote:  Im happiest for UTEP and NMSU. I think they make out the best. I dont think Liberty makes much sense at all now that Marshall and ODU are gone. But if they're happy, and the rest of the conference doesnt mind playing at a disadvantage financially (which translates into facilities, recruiting etc), then so be it. The only ones I feel bad for are FIU, WKU and LaTech.

Say it with me. Old Dominion is Liberty's b****. You'll feel better when you recognize the truth.

http://www.winsipedia.com/games/old-dominion/vs/liberty

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(11-09-2021 12:02 PM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:54 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:51 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:43 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:55 AM)monarx Wrote:  Im happiest for UTEP and NMSU. I think they make out the best. I dont think Liberty makes much sense at all now that Marshall and ODU are gone. But if they're happy, and the rest of the conference doesnt mind playing at a disadvantage financially (which translates into facilities, recruiting etc), then so be it. The only ones I feel bad for are FIU, WKU and LaTech.

If only ODU and Marshall would have voted yes for them.

My understanding is that both schools actually lobbied hard for Liberty (and JMU) and it was other (unknown to me) CUSA schools that voted no. Once that happened Marshall said "we're outta here" which started the dominos falling of ODU following and JMU following.

My understanding is the opposite. As soon as Marshall and ODU left we were able to get the votes needed for Liberty to join.

Yeah this isn't making sense. So while Marshall and ODU were around we didn't have the votes and when they left we had the votes? Soooooooo either a team that stuck around screwed themselves or the folks that left are the ones that voted no. I'm pretty sure WKU voted no.

Maybe USM voted no?

(11-09-2021 12:01 PM)SlyFox Wrote:  Just curious what laws you are referencing. Purdue & Arizona State must be worried about getting hauled off to the pokey at any moment. Not many in the Liberty community were enthusiastic about joining CUSA. Frankly they weren't enthusiastic about joining in league in this round of realignment aside from the AAC which wasn't happening. But most of us have come to terms with our new situation. I am just glad that WKU & MTSU are sticking aorund.

Don't all school profit off federal loans? Why would a online program make it illegal?

(11-09-2021 12:03 PM)Ewglenn Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 12:02 PM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:54 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:51 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:43 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  If only ODU and Marshall would have voted yes for them.

My understanding is that both schools actually lobbied hard for Liberty (and JMU) and it was other (unknown to me) CUSA schools that voted no. Once that happened Marshall said "we're outta here" which started the dominos falling of ODU following and JMU following.

My understanding is the opposite. As soon as Marshall and ODU left we were able to get the votes needed for Liberty to join.

Yeah this isn't making sense. So while Marshall and ODU were around we didn't have the votes and when they left we had the votes? Soooooooo either a team that stuck around screwed themselves or the folks that left are the ones that voted no. I'm pretty sure WKU voted no.

Maybe USM voted no?

Weren't they already out the door by then? I think they ran to the SBC with haste. Or did they say nah we sticking around voted no but needed a pack of smokes and a gallon of milk from the store but just kept driving to the SBC HQ?

(11-09-2021 12:02 PM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:54 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:51 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:43 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:55 AM)monarx Wrote:  Im happiest for UTEP and NMSU. I think they make out the best. I dont think Liberty makes much sense at all now that Marshall and ODU are gone. But if they're happy, and the rest of the conference doesnt mind playing at a disadvantage financially (which translates into facilities, recruiting etc), then so be it. The only ones I feel bad for are FIU, WKU and LaTech.

If only ODU and Marshall would have voted yes for them.

My understanding is that both schools actually lobbied hard for Liberty (and JMU) and it was other (unknown to me) CUSA schools that voted no. Once that happened Marshall said "we're outta here" which started the dominos falling of ODU following and JMU following.

My understanding is the opposite. As soon as Marshall and ODU left we were able to get the votes needed for Liberty to join.

Yeah this isn't making sense. So while Marshall and ODU were around we didn't have the votes and when they left we had the votes? Soooooooo either a team that stuck around screwed themselves or the folks that left are the ones that voted no. I'm pretty sure WKU voted no.

Some random Marshall fan wanted to act like they were Jesus and were trying very hard to save CUSA. Apparently the Devil, UTEP, wanted to add four Texas FCS schools and make CUSA a Texas centric conference. Everyone believed the wolf in sheepskin. Now that we've seen everything played out we know he was an apostate spreading lies...

Liberty Needs every CUSA to do well, Because the tougher the conference is the better shot we all have to get a great Bowl Game or even a invite to the Tournament in the further. It is going to take all of us to make the next CUSA champion a worthy team.

(11-09-2021 11:47 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:38 AM)farmfanucdgrad Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:55 AM)monarx Wrote:  Im happiest for UTEP and NMSU. I think they make out the best. I dont think Liberty makes much sense at all now that Marshall and ODU are gone. But if they're happy, and the rest of the conference doesnt mind playing at a disadvantage financially (which translates into facilities, recruiting etc), then so be it. The only ones I feel bad for are FIU, WKU and LaTech.

I think that Liberty is going to force everyone else to step up as a result. I'm thinking like how Marshall forced the entire MAC to step up their competition level in football (1997 to 2003) except that Liberty will do this in every sport and with overwhelming facility, recruiting and financial resources. It will 100% be better for the conference and everyone will naturally despise Liberty for it. Liberty will become the Darth Vader of CUSA. It's win/win.

Perhaps. I was hoping for LU and JMU to get invited to CUSA when Marshall and ODU were still in it. Their sports are currently having a nice run and they'll compete in CUSA from the start. I just hate that they're an outlier geographically, and that they have financial advantage over the state schools. I dont think there is much the other CUSA teams can do to raise their game as a result of LU. Its not like they can start massive open enrollment online programs and funnel all of that student loan money into athletic facilities and coaches salaries. There are laws against it for state schools. Good on LU for it, its not illegal for them. But I think the other teams will start to resent it. I know for a fact an AD at another conference (not a CUSA related school) said they'd never want to be in a league with LU for that reason. Nothing to do with religion or politics, it was all about the uneven financial playing field. I fully expect the Flames will do very well in CUSA, but they wont like being there very long. I have lots of friends who are alumni of their on campus program, and most of them would have preferred to remain independent. Especially without Marshall, ODU and JMU in the league.

Liberty's athletic budget right now is slightly less than JMU's. And near even to Delaware's. Despite them having a large endowment.

(11-09-2021 12:09 PM)Sakatalonzo Wrote:  Liberty Needs every CUSA to do well, Because the tougher the conference is the better shot we all have to get a great Bowl Game or even a invite to the Tournament in the further. It is going to take all of us to make the next CUSA champion a worthy team.

Wait....."Liberty needs every CUSA to do well".....how many CUSA's are there!!!!!!

(11-09-2021 11:24 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:17 AM)wkufirst Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:11 AM)TroyTBoy Wrote:  I'm especially excited for Liberty and NMSU fans, and how they get to tell their story in a solid Conference USA.
Independence is tough and they weathered that storm to ultimately make CUSA better.
Conference USA has a gritty set of bookends.
The NMSU-UTEP rivalry (especially in basketball) is going to elevate CUSA hoops. It's awesome to see, especially now that apparently the WKU-MTSU rivalry will add more flavor to a very nice hoops league.
Liberty is going to push everyone. Perhaps no other school fits as perfectly with the CUSA name than Liberty.
The conference has great identity going forward.
The best part is now these schools have the reward of making something bigger. They took on the challenge of staying viable through independence and they won.
Sure, there is work to be done but the identity and nucleus is there. Their success is a testament to the ideals contained in the conference brand.

I’m happy for MTSU. I hope they rot.

Glad to see some saltiness from our friends up north. Should make our rivalry more heated lol.

There is no rivalry. Your program is dead. I’ll never step foot on MTSU’s campus again.

(11-09-2021 10:55 AM)monarx Wrote:  Im happiest for UTEP and NMSU. I think they make out the best. I dont think Liberty makes much sense at all now that Marshall and ODU are gone. But if they're happy, and the rest of the conference doesnt mind playing at a disadvantage financially (which translates into facilities, recruiting etc), then so be it. The only ones I feel bad for are FIU, WKU and LaTech.

I think C-USA should take Texas State from the sun belt in exchange for FIU and solve both of you problems!

(11-09-2021 11:38 AM)farmfanucdgrad Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:55 AM)monarx Wrote:  Im happiest for UTEP and NMSU. I think they make out the best. I dont think Liberty makes much sense at all now that Marshall and ODU are gone. But if they're happy, and the rest of the conference doesnt mind playing at a disadvantage financially (which translates into facilities, recruiting etc), then so be it. The only ones I feel bad for are FIU, WKU and LaTech.

I think that Liberty is going to force everyone else to step up as a result. I'm thinking like how Marshall forced the entire MAC to step up their competition level in football (1997 to 2003) except that Liberty will do this in every sport and with overwhelming facility, recruiting and financial resources. It will 100% be better for the conference and everyone will naturally despise Liberty for it. Liberty will become the Darth Vader of CUSA. It's win/win.

(11-09-2021 11:51 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:43 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:55 AM)monarx Wrote:  Im happiest for UTEP and NMSU. I think they make out the best. I dont think Liberty makes much sense at all now that Marshall and ODU are gone. But if they're happy, and the rest of the conference doesnt mind playing at a disadvantage financially (which translates into facilities, recruiting etc), then so be it. The only ones I feel bad for are FIU, WKU and LaTech.

If only ODU and Marshall would have voted yes for them.

My understanding is that both schools actually lobbied hard for Liberty (and JMU) and it was other (unknown to me) CUSA schools that voted no. Once that happened Marshall said "we're outta here" which started the dominos falling of ODU following and JMU following.

This is EXACTLY as it happened, though I know some are wanting to act like we were the ones blocking Liberty. Liberty and JMU were exactly what we wanted and were pushing CUSA to do, and said if it doesn't happen then we will look at the Sun Belt. Liberty couldn't get the support from the rest of the league, CUSA called our supposed bluff about the Sun Belt, so we left. Only after CUSA lost the 3 to the Sun Belt were the other schools willing to let Liberty in. If they'd done so earlier, along with JMU, then Marshall and ODU would likely still be in CUSA too. USM was gone either way. I know many don't like the facts of how it played out, that that's what happened.

(11-09-2021 12:02 PM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:54 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:51 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:43 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:55 AM)monarx Wrote:  Im happiest for UTEP and NMSU. I think they make out the best. I dont think Liberty makes much sense at all now that Marshall and ODU are gone. But if they're happy, and the rest of the conference doesnt mind playing at a disadvantage financially (which translates into facilities, recruiting etc), then so be it. The only ones I feel bad for are FIU, WKU and LaTech.

If only ODU and Marshall would have voted yes for them.

My understanding is that both schools actually lobbied hard for Liberty (and JMU) and it was other (unknown to me) CUSA schools that voted no. Once that happened Marshall said "we're outta here" which started the dominos falling of ODU following and JMU following.

My understanding is the opposite. As soon as Marshall and ODU left we were able to get the votes needed for Liberty to join.

Yeah this isn't making sense. So while Marshall and ODU were around we didn't have the votes and when they left we had the votes? Soooooooo either a team that stuck around screwed themselves or the folks that left are the ones that voted no. I'm pretty sure WKU voted no.

Once Marshall/USM/ODU left and with WKU and MT targeted by the MAC, CUSA needed whatever schools they could get just to survive. I’d bet that none of the schools heading to CUSA would have won a vote three years ago or even three months ago. I don’t know who voted for what but it’s not unreasonable to think a no from a school in a stable conference becomes a yes in an unstable one.

(11-09-2021 12:02 PM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:54 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:51 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:43 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:55 AM)monarx Wrote:  Im happiest for UTEP and NMSU. I think they make out the best. I dont think Liberty makes much sense at all now that Marshall and ODU are gone. But if they're happy, and the rest of the conference doesnt mind playing at a disadvantage financially (which translates into facilities, recruiting etc), then so be it. The only ones I feel bad for are FIU, WKU and LaTech.

If only ODU and Marshall would have voted yes for them.

My understanding is that both schools actually lobbied hard for Liberty (and JMU) and it was other (unknown to me) CUSA schools that voted no. Once that happened Marshall said "we're outta here" which started the dominos falling of ODU following and JMU following.

My understanding is the opposite. As soon as Marshall and ODU left we were able to get the votes needed for Liberty to join.

Yeah this isn't making sense. So while Marshall and ODU were around we didn't have the votes and when they left we had the votes? Soooooooo either a team that stuck around screwed themselves or the folks that left are the ones that voted no. I'm pretty sure WKU voted no.

You are right, it didn't make sense. We wanted ya'll, and JMU, to form a good solid eastern block. However, we couldn't get the votes, as other schools didn't want to see it reform that way. CUSA leadership didn't really believe that ODU and Marshall would go to the Sun Belt, thought there was some bluffing, and called our 'bluff', so we left. Only after CUSA was down to 5 (or looking like maybe 3) did the schools who refused to vote for Liberty change their minds, partly because the balance of power wouldn't be so eastern focused. It was easy to add a Liberty to replace the departing Marshall and ODU as the balance didn't then shift eastward. I know some of the western fans don't like it, but not being able to bring in JMU and Liberty when Marshall and ODU were pushing for it was what sent us out the door.

In the end it doesn't really matter, as what is done is done. But CUSA could have kept Marshall and ODU if they'd been willing to bring in Liberty and JMU at the time. But that clearly didn't happen.

(11-09-2021 11:54 AM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:51 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:43 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:55 AM)monarx Wrote:  Im happiest for UTEP and NMSU. I think they make out the best. I dont think Liberty makes much sense at all now that Marshall and ODU are gone. But if they're happy, and the rest of the conference doesnt mind playing at a disadvantage financially (which translates into facilities, recruiting etc), then so be it. The only ones I feel bad for are FIU, WKU and LaTech.

If only ODU and Marshall would have voted yes for them.

My understanding is that both schools actually lobbied hard for Liberty (and JMU) and it was other (unknown to me) CUSA schools that voted no. Once that happened Marshall said "we're outta here" which started the dominos falling of ODU following and JMU following.

And after yall left we had the votes to join?

Desperate times changed the other schools minds? Just saying what I was told. Personally, I thought adding JMU and LU to CUSA was the right move and would keep MU, ODU and WKU in the fold. I also thought that might be strong enough to eventually bring App and CCU to CUSA. Obviously it didnt happen, but thats what I was hoping for. Especially as a basketball fan, because lets face it, SB hoops isnt all that.

(11-09-2021 12:04 PM)Curtisc83 Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 12:01 PM)SlyFox Wrote:  Just curious what laws you are referencing. Purdue & Arizona State must be worried about getting hauled off to the pokey at any moment. Not many in the Liberty community were enthusiastic about joining CUSA. Frankly they weren't enthusiastic about joining in league in this round of realignment aside from the AAC which wasn't happening. But most of us have come to terms with our new situation. I am just glad that WKU & MTSU are sticking aorund.

Don't all school profit off federal loans? Why would a online program make it illegal?

Its not the online aspect. Its illegal for a state school to take money earned from academic programs and put it into athletics. Athletics money has to come from fees (which are highly regulated) or from donations. So for state schools online program money and tuition money in general cant support athletics. The only reason online is relevant is because Liberty makes so much money (most of it from federal loans) from their massive online enrollment and then is able to (legally) use it for athletics.

(11-09-2021 12:14 PM)wkufirst Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 11:24 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:17 AM)wkufirst Wrote:  

(11-09-2021 10:11 AM)TroyTBoy Wrote:  I'm especially excited for Liberty and NMSU fans, and how they get to tell their story in a solid Conference USA.
Independence is tough and they weathered that storm to ultimately make CUSA better.
Conference USA has a gritty set of bookends.
The NMSU-UTEP rivalry (especially in basketball) is going to elevate CUSA hoops. It's awesome to see, especially now that apparently the WKU-MTSU rivalry will add more flavor to a very nice hoops league.
Liberty is going to push everyone. Perhaps no other school fits as perfectly with the CUSA name than Liberty.
The conference has great identity going forward.
The best part is now these schools have the reward of making something bigger. They took on the challenge of staying viable through independence and they won.
Sure, there is work to be done but the identity and nucleus is there. Their success is a testament to the ideals contained in the conference brand.

I’m happy for MTSU. I hope they rot.

Glad to see some saltiness from our friends up north. Should make our rivalry more heated lol.

There is no rivalry. Your program is dead. I’ll never step foot on MTSU’s campus again.

I'm sure someone from Bowling Green, KY will. You wouldn't be missed.