Southland Expansion

tkalmus · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:40 pm **Posts:** 1036

TexasTerror wrote:

The comments by the SLC Commissioner were intriguing and in the opinion of some, eluded to UL-Monroe, UALR and Oral Roberts. It may be too much to read into - but ULM is grossly underfunded in the Sun Belt while UALR is the lone non-football school in the conference. ULM would be an excellent addition for the SLC while UALR would assist with the foothold in Arkansas. Of course, UALR is coming off some significant NCAA success - with appearances in MBB, WBB and baseball tournament.

Oral Roberts is in a league that is getting more of a 'centralized' base and is a bit far for ORU. If there was another school close by to ORU - I could see that.

Oral Roberts makes perfect sense, the Southland is a better baseball league that is extrermely close for travel (UTA, SFA, UCA), UALR should leave before they get kicked out and the SLC with Central Arkansas make sense, ULM would be huge for the SLC, the only other possible option is the divisional vagabond New Orleans and super longshots Rice and Tulane, of course the WAC could always fold and Texas St and UTSA could come back...

Fresno St. Alum · **Posted:** Thu Jun 16, 2011 2:25 pm

according to Wright Waters (SBC Commish) they have no plans to require football as a conf. sport and UALR fills the core sports requirements and is welcome to stay.

Before that UALR was worried and was talking to the Summit about membership if the SBC made fb a requirement.

tkalmus · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:40 pm **Posts:** 1036

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

according to Wright Waters (SBC Commish) they have no plans to require football as a conf. sport and UALR fills the core sports requirements and is welcome to stay.

Before that UALR was worried and was talking to the Summit about membership if the SBC made fb a requirement.

If they get that 11th member I would expect their attitude towards the non football 12th member would change, a SBCCG would get picked up by ESPN and they really need that money...a SLC already in the area with multiple non-football members (UTA, A&M CC, and until recently UTSA) has got to look more appealing than what they are in now...Denver leaving put them in a tough spot, the only way I see them staying if the SLC gets an 11th member is if they grab another non football school so they could have a 12/14 fb/bb split.

Fresno St. Alum · **Posted:** Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:37 pm

I think if the SBC gets 11, they'll try and get Charlotte for fb only 12/12. If not maybe go 12/13 and get App St. or someone for all sports

tkalmus · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:40 pm **Posts:** 1036

So with the CUSA smarty schools, Rice and Tulane, getting routinely killed in D1-A FBS football, is their any chance they would decide to join the Southland if somehow CUSA gets ripped apart by the Big East (UCF/UH/ECSU) MWC (SMU/UTEP) and possibly MAC (Memphis/Marshall) and SBC (UAB/Tulsa/SoMiss) (I know its a longshot but theoretically) where they could better compete with the FCS schools and still be in a D1 conference? Could it just be a football only membership? Just shooting off some ideas feel free to shoot them down but from a Texas guy this doesn't sound that crazy but obviously if they could stay in CUSA (even with 5+ new members) and still get the good midmajor TV money they probably wouldn't leave but if they could win games, cut travel and save scholarships it may be more feasible and possible though not probable.

SJSUFan2010 · **Joined:** Mon Dec 06, 2010 7:52 pm **Posts:** 469

tkalmus wrote:

So with the CUSA smarty schools, Rice and Tulane, getting routinely killed in D1-A FBS football, is their any chance they would decide to join the Southland if somehow CUSA gets ripped apart by the Big East (UCF/UH/ECSU) MWC (SMU/UTEP) and possibly MAC (Memphis/Marshall) and SBC (UAB/Tulsa/SoMiss) (I know its a longshot but theoretically) where they could better compete with the FCS schools and still be in a D1 conference? Could it just be a football only membership? Just shooting off some ideas feel free to shoot them down but from a Texas guy this doesn't sound that crazy but obviously if they could stay in CUSA (even with 5+ new members) and still get the good midmajor TV money they probably wouldn't leave but if they could win games, cut travel and save scholarships it may be more feasible and possible though not probable.

I would think they'd choose a 12 team WAC before they moved down, especially since the East division would be very localized.

I like your thinking, but if C-USA is going to have that many members taken, it will be over a long period of time and they will just reload between movements. I doubt they would lose more than 3 members at one time making reloading a much simpler task with Sun Belt schools or the likes of Charlotte. Then down the road if they ever lost a couple more to say the Big East, the next replacement schools could be picked by who has been successful.

Now, if there are a lot of schools moving and C-USA reloads with more teams out East and doesn't add teams like N. Texas, they may consider moving to the Southland/WAC but I doubt that would happen. I would be stunned if N. Texas wasn't brought in after SMU left.

TexasTerror · **Joined:** Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:18 pm **Posts:** 90

Part II of Southland Conference Commissioner's answers to questions... this one discusses the league as a football entity.

http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.db ... =205177570

TexasTerror · **Joined:** Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:18 pm **Posts:** 90

On UT-A leaving...

Quote:

Southland commissioner Tom Burnett said Friday that he had heard and read "rumors and things floating around the Internet" that the WAC was pursuing UTA, but didn't learn until this week UTA would accept the invitation.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/07/08/3209804/ut-arlington-considers-moving.html

TexasTerror · **Joined:** Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:18 pm **Posts:** 90

Corpus Christi Times-Caller article... http://www.caller.com/news/2011/jul/11/ ... er-member/

Quinn · **Joined:** Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:05 am **Posts:** 3757

Southland is in a spot where they do indeed really need to consider other options. While none might seem like additions that would boost the SL from the lowest ranks in basketball, they can make moves that would maintain the current status and bring stability to the football product.

The addition of football at HBU would be the 1st big step...would open the SL door fairly quick. Oral Roberts is a likely non-football target if it ever got to that need. Same with UALR who perhaps could be convinced to join...but unlikely unless the Sun Belt kicked them out.

I'll refer to an earlier article on just some of the Southland options:
http://collegesportsinfo.com/2010/09/30 ... e-options/

Fresno St. Alum · **Posted:** Mon Jul 11, 2011 7:42 pm

schools interested in the SLC

UTPA
HBU
ORU
ACU (D-II)?

TexasTerror · **Joined:** Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:18 pm **Posts:** 90

I posted this on AGS... since posting, I may change my order to HBU ahead of Tarleton State. Obviously, HBU would probably be much higher up in the eyes of the SLC because of the Houston market and commitment to football. UALR is dependent on the Sun Belt wanting to go all football, so not likely... just stating reasoning behind them.

If I am the Southland, I approach schools in this order.

1) ULM - A football school in Louisiana, a former SLC member. They would be downgrading from FBS, but outside of name... there struggles are worse than most FBS.

2) UALR - A travel partner for UCA would be just what the Dr. ordered. Best basketball facility in the SLC upon its arrival in some eyes. Solidifies Arkansas. There would not be football anytime soon though.

3a, 3b) Texas Southern/Prairie View - why the hell not? Both schools are HBCUs in Houston and they have budgets that trump most of the SWAC. TxSo's football facility will be top five in all of FCS (thanks Dynamo) and could be a potential place to move to Div I football championship game to. If the SLC is interested in the Houston market and wants to add programs that have penetration (sorry HBU - you do not), this is the way to go.

4) Oral Roberts - a straight up non-football for non-football replacement for UT-Arlington. I still believe adding another football school should be a priority so that you present yourself from having a situation should Lamar (and/or SHSU) leave the league. ORU would allow league into Oklahoma market, but it still is a hike.

5) Abilene Christian - charter member of SLC; have expressed an off-and-on interest in making move to Div I. Decent facilities that would fit right in. Opens league to new market in Texas and perhaps serves as encouragement for future D2 upgrades in Texas that would be better moves than adding HBU or UT-Pan American.

6) Tarleton State - May as well. D2 school that originally had D1 in their plans. Many of the same virtues as ACU, plus is as close an option to getting back into DFW market for SLC.

7) Houston Baptist - I would not be too thrilled about this nor would many others, but if they are bringing football - why not? They are clearly still behind numerous other options, but it would be difficult to pass up a school that guarantees to add football. Put a condition in on this one that if they are not playing in the SLC by year #3 of joining the conference, they are OUT.

dbackjon · **Joined:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:50 pm **Posts:** 267

Southland may soon be in the WAC position, and won't be able to be choosy, and just need warm bodies.

HBU and UTPA may be the only ones available to keep the conference afloat.

Quinn · **Joined:** Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:05 am **Posts:** 3757

dbackjon wrote:

Southland may soon be in the WAC position, and won't be able to be choosy, and just need warm bodies.

HBU and UTPA may be the only ones available to keep the conference afloat.

Think they actually will have more options. They won't need much remember. HBU adding football is likely enough to replace the 1 departing football school, Texas St. And we know about schools like Oral Roberts who would likely make the move. UALR might be a stretch, but not completely outside the realm of thought.

The key for the southland is that there are all those strong D2 schools that until now, just haven't had a conference asking them to upgrade. That will no longer be the case.

And yes, UTPA is available too for non-football. Not an awful UTA or UTSA replacement.

dbackjon · **Joined:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:50 pm **Posts:** 267

Quinn wrote:

dbackjon wrote:

Southland may soon be in the WAC position, and won't be able to be choosy, and just need warm bodies.

HBU and UTPA may be the only ones available to keep the conference afloat.

Think they actually will have more options. They won't need much remember. HBU adding football is likely enough to replace the 1 departing football school, Texas St. And we know about schools like Oral Roberts who would likely make the move. UALR might be a stretch, but not completely outside the realm of thought.

The key for the southland is that there are all those strong D2 schools that until now, just haven't had a conference asking them to upgrade. That will no longer be the case.

And yes, UTPA is available too for non-football. Not an awful UTA or UTSA replacement.

Not sure I see the benefit for ORU to leave the Summit for the Southland.

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