The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Let’s see how Pensacola works. It’s a curtain-free environment so already that’s a good thing, and Pensacola has to be more fun than Frisco.

[I have absolutely no knowledge of how financing a conference tournament works. But perhaps Pensacola was chosen due to lower costs as opposed to a bigger city like Atlanta. Plus, being in Pensacola in early March, now that is a true "Sun" belt!]

(04-05-2022 08:39 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  Let’s see how Pensacola works. It’s a curtain-free environment so already that’s a good thing, and Pensacola has to be more fun than Frisco.

True story. Just having the tournament in a proper arena is a massive upgrade. The location is less important at the moment.

(04-05-2022 09:46 PM)NC ODUFan Wrote:  [I have absolutely no knowledge of how financing a conference tournament works. But perhaps Pensacola was chosen due to lower costs as opposed to a bigger city like Atlanta. Plus, being in Pensacola in early March, now that is a true "Sun" belt!]

Conferences usually don't pay for tournaments outright, at least at neutral sites. They are usually put out for bid, and whichever bid the conference receives that they deem most attractive will be chosen. So the financing of the tournament I would presume is offloaded to the tournament host that won the bid.

(04-04-2022 09:11 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(04-04-2022 08:59 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(04-04-2022 08:40 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  Unrealistic expectations by some.

There was never an avenue to the AAC.
There was never an avenue to the A10.
We might as well have aspired to the ACC, B1G, or the SEC
Staying in the CAA after VCU and Mason left was a non starter.

We had two, and possibly three choices.
1. Stay in CUSA
2. Move to the SBC
3. Possible move to the MAC.

Given the better media deal, and lower travel costs, the SBC move was a no brainer.

This may be accurate. But if so, why? Why would UNCC, UNT, UAB or FAU get invited but not ODU? There’s nothing those schools should have on us, and ODUs geography, budget and potential is arguably better. I think the AAC made a lot of sense, and we didn’t pursue it out of fear it would turn into the next CUSA. That’s just a guess, but it makes sense. The SB is fine and it’s home. But if the AAC wasn’t even an option, that’s on us for dropping from the most likely candidate when UConn left to out of consideration a few years later. I would have thought we’d be their third or fourth choice at least.

It had nothing to do with ODU not pursuing the AAC.
It had everything to do with media market size. We were the 'last man out'

In modern history, (since 2012) we were never a candidate for the A10, despite inquiries on our part.

There is some indica that the AAC had at least "feelers" out for Georgia State. My understanding is that it never got to the point of an offer, as GSU was not particularly interested, so it died quickly. Obviously, the Atlanta market falls within the ACC's continued preference for top DMAs.

I think the Sun Belt is going to be great. We now have three conference members within a reasonable drive: JMU, Coastal, and App. Marshall isn't too far away either. GA State is literally a direct flight away - Atlanta is one the most accessible places for us remote folks that have to fly to attend a game. We have history with all the SBC East members and some of the SBC West.

Football is an immediate upgrade. Basketball will be a little sub-par than it was in CUSA, but should improve. SBC will be an excellent baseball and soccer league. I think ODU will be here for long time and that's a good thing.

Soccer news.

Awesome news! Refreshing to be in a conference that makes great decisions.

(04-06-2022 11:13 AM)ODUCoach Wrote:  Soccer news.

Fantastic!

I just got back from the Final Four and you couldn't go anywhere without being reminded the Sun Belt was headquartered there. Talked to a bball coach with ties to South Alabama who was confident we will help raise the bar in the league in hoops. Got to meet lots of great fans from Sun Belt programs who are excited about us joining, Sun Belt billboards all over town proclaiming the leagues accomplishments and of course the actual HQ that is attached to the Super Dome where the games took place. Also saw a lot of ODU folks there including John Richardson and Dr Hemphill. Great trip that I highly recommend to anyone who is able to make it and I'm stoked about joining the Belt.

(04-06-2022 11:49 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  I just got back from the Final Four and you couldn't go anywhere without being reminded the Sun Belt was headquartered there. Talked to a bball coach with ties to South Alabama who was confident we will help raise the bar in the league in hoops. Got to meet lots of great fans from Sun Belt programs who are excited about us joining, Sun Belt billboards all over town proclaiming the leagues accomplishments and of course the actual HQ that is attached to the Super Dome where the games took place. Also saw a lot of ODU folks there including John Richardson and Dr Hemphill. Great trip that I highly recommend to anyone who is able to make it and I'm stoked about joining the Belt.

That’s awesome. Thanks for the report. Things like you just described would have been the farthest thing from Judy’s mind. The conference leadership in the Sun Belt is going to be as big of an upgrade as the football status and geography. Mr. Gill seems to know what he’s doing.

(04-06-2022 11:49 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  I just got back from the Final Four and you couldn't go anywhere without being reminded the Sun Belt was headquartered there. Talked to a bball coach with ties to South Alabama who was confident we will help raise the bar in the league in hoops. Got to meet lots of great fans from Sun Belt programs who are excited about us joining, Sun Belt billboards all over town proclaiming the leagues accomplishments and of course the actual HQ that is attached to the Super Dome where the games took place. Also saw a lot of ODU folks there including John Richardson and Dr Hemphill. Great trip that I highly recommend to anyone who is able to make it and I'm stoked about joining the Belt.

Very refreshing and exciting to hear. Appreciate your updates and contributions!

Very cool to hear about your experiences at the Final Four and happy for you that you were able to go. I'd like to go next year since I'm sure ODU will be in it.

It may not be this year, but at some point this move to the SBC is going to be huge for ODU. For me personally, it feels like ODU football is getting primed to make a really big run. When that happens you'll have ESPN pimping you instead of Facebook. Which makes all the difference when trying to slide into the access bowl slot.

We talked about potential a lot in CUSA. I feel like CUSA and the AAC went chasing after the next "UCF" by adding schools like Charlotte, FIU, and FAU. But from my point of view there is one school out there that can become a monster so to speak because of its location, money, and already having a solid fanbase. That is ODU. At some point you all are going to make the SBC look brilliant and the AAC is going to be wringing their hands for not adding you.

The SBC is on its way up, and honestly I believe it will be the best G5 in the matter of 5 years or so. I just hope Marshall can do our part to help it grow, and get back to winning at a high level like we are capable of.

(04-07-2022 09:16 AM)HTOWN_HERD Wrote:  It may not be this year, but at some point this move to the SBC is going to be huge for ODU. For me personally, it feels like ODU football is getting primed to make a really big run. When that happens you'll have ESPN pimping you instead of Facebook. Which makes all the difference when trying to slide into the access bowl slot.

We talked about potential a lot in CUSA. I feel like CUSA and the AAC went chasing after the next "UCF" by adding schools like Charlotte, FIU, and FAU. But from my point of view there is one school out there that can become a monster so to speak because of its location, money, and already having a solid fanbase. That is ODU. At some point you all are going to make the SBC look brilliant and the AAC is going to be wringing their hands for not adding you.

The SBC is on its way up, and honestly I believe it will be the best G5 in the matter of 5 years or so. I just hope Marshall can do our part to help it grow, and get back to winning at a high level like we are capable of.

Thanks for the kind words. From ODU's perspective we have always wanted a regional setup and even if AAC was interested i believe ODU admin might not have gone for it again hypotheticals but our admin really don't want to make the same mistake twice. The AAC, ODU wanted to join and what we would've joined are different significantly and with a possible realignment coming our admin might have thought rolling dice at that juncture on such a widely spread conference might be ill-advised and fiscally bad. Either way I am happy we didn't lose you guys and are gaining rest of the SBC east as regional rivals. Lets get this going in the new FunBelt.

(04-07-2022 09:16 AM)HTOWN_HERD Wrote:  It may not be this year, but at some point this move to the SBC is going to be huge for ODU. For me personally, it feels like ODU football is getting primed to make a really big run. When that happens you'll have ESPN pimping you instead of Facebook. Which makes all the difference when trying to slide into the access bowl slot.

We talked about potential a lot in CUSA. I feel like CUSA and the AAC went chasing after the next "UCF" by adding schools like Charlotte, FIU, and FAU. But from my point of view there is one school out there that can become a monster so to speak because of its location, money, and already having a solid fanbase. That is ODU. At some point you all are going to make the SBC look brilliant and the AAC is going to be wringing their hands for not adding you. I’m glad the Monarchs future is in a conference with the Herd.

The SBC is on its way up, and honestly I believe it will be the best G5 in the matter of 5 years or so. I just hope Marshall can do our part to help it grow, and get back to winning at a high level like we are capable of.

FWIW, I thought the AAC should have added UAB and Marshall and stopped. None of the SB3 are at our best right now in either main sport. But we will be back at some point. And when it happens, the Belt is going to be very happy about adding us.

If ODU wants to be in the CAA, Hampton may put in a good word for ODU

(04-07-2022 02:05 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  If ODU wants to be in the CAA, Hampton may put in a good word for ODU

I knew this was coming...the optics of this thread are terrible.

Don't let a very very very small contingent of people who love only basketball fool you about what we want.

If we can right the ship in MBB like we did with FB, I think the Sun Belt is going to be a lot of fun.

(04-07-2022 02:20 PM)ShenValleyMonarch12 Wrote:  

(04-07-2022 02:05 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  If ODU wants to be in the CAA, Hampton may put in a good word for ODU

I knew this was coming...the optics of this thread are terrible.

Don't let a very very very small contingent of people who love only basketball fool you about what we want.

Indeed!
ODU Sports in general, both men's and women's, is in very good shape.