(05-04-2022 10:11 PM)Stugray2 Wrote: It's really whatever UCF and FIU want to do in 2023.
C-USA soccer will limp through 2022 with four (4) schools, three of whom are leaving after this year (UAB, Charlotte, FAU). I am pretty sure C-USA is not on great terms with the AAC, so the idea of the AAC taking them in for a year is probably out. They really can't let these schools go early, even for one sport after they made such a show over others leaving early. But who knows, C-USA might just pull the plug early and let those three join the AAC soccer a year early.
I don't see the AAC having affiliates. They won't need them with 8 members. They only have affiliates in women's lacrosse (and women's rowing -- but that is like bowling, a glorified club sport, doesn't really count).
Anyway, I don't think anyone at the athletic departments are losing any sleep over this.
You failed to read the
announcement that UAB, Charlotte, FAU, and FIU are going to affiliate with AAC beginning on July 1,
2022.
Let's review what has happened:
2019:
AAC (8 teams) UConn would leave to Big East, and Cincinnati would drop soccer.
CUSA (8 teams, including affiliates UK and USC)
Sun Belt (6 teams, including affiliates Central Arkansas and Howard). Appalachian State would drop soccer and Howard would move affiliation to NEC.
CAA: James Madison
MAC: Affiliates SIUE and West Virginia
2020 (because of Covid, played Spring 2021).
AAC (6 teams)
CUSA (8 teams, including affiliates UK and USC)
Sun Belt (4 teams, including affiliate Central Arkansas)
CAA: James Madison
MAC: Affiliates SIUE and West Virginia
Because the Sun Belt soccer was dead at this point, Coastal Carolina would affiliate with CUSA, Georgia State and Georgia Southern would affiliate with the MAC, and Central Arkansas was moving all of their program to the ASUN. The OVC does not sponsor soccer, the ASUN does.
2021
AAC (6 teams)
CUSA (9 teams, including affiliates UK, USC, and CoCar)
Sun Belt - Defunct
CAA: James Madison
MAC: Affiliates West Virginia, Georgia Southern, Georgia State
West Virginia had announced they were moving their affiliation to CUSA. After the realignment announcements, it was not known when ODU, Marshall, and James Madison would move. Though the Sun Belt would eventually have 6 and the CUSA two it was not known if that would be until 2023. If ODU and Marshall were stuck in CUSA, CoCar would not have left, and Georgia State and Georgia Southern would have played another season in the MAC.
Kentucky and South Carolina would not move until there was more certainty.
After Marshall and ODU agreed to pay their ransom, the Sun Belt could count on six teams. Moreover, CUSA would be down to four, with three of those leaving in 2023. It was time for Kentucky, South Carolina, and West Virginia to jump ship. With some uncertainty about UCF, the AAC was not yet an option.
With CUSA down to four, it was time for the AAC to proactively take the three teams that would move in 2023 anyhow.
This left FIU and Liberty. Liberty is still in ASUN for the 2022 season. FIU has an excellent soccer program, and the AAC grabbed them. Kentucky, South Carolina, and West Virginia have a one-year committment to play in the Sun Belt.
2022:
AAC(10 teams, including affiliates Charlotte, FAU, UAB, and FIU. The first three will be full members in 2023. UCF will leave the AAC in 2023).
CUSA(no competition).
Sun Belt(9 teams, including affiliates Kentucky, South Carolina, and West Virginia)
MAC(4 teams???)
2023:
AAC(9 teams)
Sun Belt (6 teams)
MAC(4 teams)
ASUN(7 schools)
Free Agents:
West Virginia and UCF
Kentucky and South Carolina
FIU and Liberty
FIU will stick with the AAC, unless perhaps the MAC offered FIU and Liberty a combined deal. Akron like FIU is an excellent program.
Kentucky and South Carolina will want to stick together. But there is no reason for them to not choose the better core in the AAC, with perceived schools further up the food chain than JMU, CoCar, etc.
UCF could easily stick with the teams they have been playing with for many years. There might be a small desire to be in the same soccer conference with West Virginia. But South Carolina and Kentucky have been together in the SEC for 30 years and they are actually southeastern. UCF and West Virginia will be in the Big 12 for 1 year, and they are geographical outliers to the conference. There is not the same affinity.