Conference USA General Realignment Thread

Fresno St. Alum · **Posted:** Thu May 10, 2012 2:34 pm

From War Torn on the csn board. They NEED to make this happen.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_20589718/c...ost_viewed
UTEP AD on MWC
Here is a small part of the interview. He thinks it will only happen if the 2 conferences (C-USA and MWC) can work out an agreement but he makes no secret on what he prefers.

"While UTEP is still a member of a C-USA that currently is slated to have 13 teams in 2013, presumably it could be shifted into a soon-to-be 10-team MWC without buyout fees.
"It's emerging as a different form," Stull said. "The presidents are meeting on an ongoing basis about membership, branding, TV, management, transition.
"Our position is to work towards creating a 24-team alliance with a championship football game, east-west divisions.
"Other cracks in the road are continuing to arise. ... I hope by this summer things will be a little clearer."
As for if he sees UTEP competing in a division or conference with schools like New Mexico, Wyoming and UNLV, "That makes the most sense if things work out that way," Stull said. "That makes the most sense geographically and historically."

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7100

Article out of Hampton Roads reporting that ODU officials are denying a report from Richmond AD that they will be announcing a move to the C-USA next monday.Link at http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt ... 9568.story

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7100

Article out of Hampton Roads discussing likelihood that ODU could/should announce conference plans sometime next month.Link at http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/monarch ... out-timing

The Bishin Cutter · **Joined:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:41 am **Posts:** 568

A couple of days old, but App State's AD discusses some specifics about feasibility and C-USA.

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7100

Article out of Hampton Roads discussing today's ODU BOV meeting.All signs still point to a ODU/C-USA announcement sometime next month.Link at http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt ... 7559.story

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7100

Article out of Hampton Roads reporting that ODU/C-USA will be announcing move at this afternoon's 2:30pm ET presser.Link at http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt ... 8142.story

The Bishin Cutter · **Joined:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:41 am **Posts:** 568

ODU's splash page flashes what the presser will cover: ODU to C-USA in '13.

I guess this means JMU or W&M aren't going anywhere soon.

Fresno St. Alum · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2012 5:05 pm

The Bishin Cutter wrote:

ODU's splash page flashes what the presser will cover: ODU to C-USA in '13.

I guess this means JMU or W&M aren't going anywhere soon.

There are rumors of JMU to the MAC and W&M to the Patriot.

The Bishin Cutter · **Joined:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:41 am **Posts:** 568

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

The Bishin Cutter wrote:

ODU's splash page flashes what the presser will cover: ODU to C-USA in '13.

I guess this means JMU or W&M aren't going anywhere soon.

There are rumors of JMU to the MAC and W&M to the Patriot.

I'm not sure both happen, though. Of the two, JMU doesn't seem to be in the best spot, with WKU just waiting for a spot in the MAC and App. State actually providing evidence that they are really trying to upgrade to FBS. W&M takes a step down in both football and basketball were they to go to a Patriot that's only just starting to show signs of life (maybe they don't poach but get poached in return). And who knows...maybe the Patriot is really gunning for Richmond?

tkalmus · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:40 pm **Posts:** 1043

The Bishin Cutter wrote:

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

The Bishin Cutter wrote:

ODU's splash page flashes what the presser will cover: ODU to C-USA in '13.

I guess this means JMU or W&M aren't going anywhere soon.

There are rumors of JMU to the MAC and W&M to the Patriot.

I'm not sure both happen, though. Of the two, JMU doesn't seem to be in the best spot, with WKU just waiting for a spot in the MAC and App. State actually providing evidence that they are really trying to upgrade to FBS. W&M takes a step down in both football and basketball were they to go to a Patriot that's only just starting to show signs of life (maybe they don't poach but get poached in return). And who knows...maybe the Patriot is really gunning for Richmond?

From seanbo on CUSA thread...
"In case anyone is interested, 2011 FCS home attendance figures.
1. Appalachian St. 183,479 (26,211) (rumored to be moving up soon)
2. James Madison 125,010 (25,002) (rumored to be moving up soon)
3. Montana 199,023 (24,878) (rumored to be moving up soon)
4. Yale 118,648 (23,730)
5. Jackson St. 138,996 (23,166)
6. Old Dominion 138,726 (19,818) (CUSA)
7. Delaware 114,111 (19,019) (rumored to be moving up soon)
8. Florida A&M 74,985 (18,746)
9. South Alabama 110,654 (18,442) (Sun Belt)
10. North Dakota St. 163,284 (18,143)
11. Ga. Southern 141,605 (17,701) (rumored to be moving up soon)
12. Jacksonville 86,128 (17,226)
13. Montana St. 119,499 (17,071) (rumored to be moving up soon)
14. South Carolina St. 82,302 (16,460)
15. Liberty 98,515 (16,419) (rumored to be moving up soon)

ODU is outdrawn in their own state by James Madison.

Also Sun Belt attendance (per game)
UL Lafayette 29,171
Arkansas State 21,257
*South Alabama 18,442
Middle Tenn 18,402
Troy 17,898
FAU 17,565
WKU 16,637
UL-Monroe 15,512
*Texas State 15,106
*Georgia State 14,286"

So how is JMU not ready but App St is? 1K extra in attendance makes a difference? Its still nearly 10K above WKU...

And BTW if W&M go to the Patriot its to save $ and have easier competition...the Patriot can't poach Richmond (A10) their fb could go in Big South or SoCon if the CAA became unsuitable. Besides Fordham fb (A10) who has already said they want to changes conferences, the only schools worth poaching from the Patriot are Georgetown (Big East) and possibly Holy Cross (who would just go to NEC) who would both have to want to raise scholarships for fb and title IX sports if they wanted to move up but neither have shown interest in the past.

Fresno St. Alum · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2012 10:24 pm

tkalmus wrote:

The Bishin Cutter wrote:

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

The Bishin Cutter wrote:

ODU's splash page flashes what the presser will cover: ODU to C-USA in '13.

I guess this means JMU or W&M aren't going anywhere soon.

There are rumors of JMU to the MAC and W&M to the Patriot.

I'm not sure both happen, though. Of the two, JMU doesn't seem to be in the best spot, with WKU just waiting for a spot in the MAC and App. State actually providing evidence that they are really trying to upgrade to FBS. W&M takes a step down in both football and basketball were they to go to a Patriot that's only just starting to show signs of life (maybe they don't poach but get poached in return). And who knows...maybe the Patriot is really gunning for Richmond?

From seanbo on CUSA thread...
"In case anyone is interested, 2011 FCS home attendance figures.
1. Appalachian St. 183,479 (26,211) (rumored to be moving up soon)
2. James Madison 125,010 (25,002) (rumored to be moving up soon)
3. Montana 199,023 (24,878) (rumored to be moving up soon)
4. Yale 118,648 (23,730)
5. Jackson St. 138,996 (23,166)
6. Old Dominion 138,726 (19,818) (CUSA)
7. Delaware 114,111 (19,019) (rumored to be moving up soon)
8. Florida A&M 74,985 (18,746)
9. South Alabama 110,654 (18,442) (Sun Belt)
10. North Dakota St. 163,284 (18,143)
11. Ga. Southern 141,605 (17,701) (rumored to be moving up soon)
12. Jacksonville St. 86,128 (17,226)(rumored to be moving up soon)
13. Montana St. 119,499 (17,071) (rumored to be moving up soon)
14. South Carolina St. 82,302 (16,460)
15. Liberty 98,515 (16,419) (rumored to be moving up soon)

ODU is outdrawn in their own state by James Madison.

Also Sun Belt attendance (per game)
UL Lafayette 29,171
Arkansas State 21,257
*South Alabama 18,442
Middle Tenn 18,402
Troy 17,898
FAU 17,565
WKU 16,637
UL-Monroe 15,512
*Texas State 15,106
*Georgia State 14,286"

So how is JMU not ready but App St is? 1K extra in attendance makes a difference? Its still nearly 10K above WKU...

And BTW if W&M go to the Patriot its to save $ and have easier competition...the Patriot can't poach Richmond (A10) their fb could go in Big South or SoCon if the CAA became unsuitable. Besides Fordham fb (A10) who has already said they want to changes conferences, the only schools worth poaching from the Patriot are Georgetown (Big East) and possibly Holy Cross (who would just go to NEC) who would both have to want to raise scholarships for fb and title IX sports if they wanted to move up but neither have shown interest in the past.

I think he meant JSU not Jacksonville

As for the Patriot, now that they are allowing schollies, Fordham seems happy and Richmond could go for fb only if they want.

tkalmus · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:40 pm **Posts:** 1043

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

I think he meant JSU not Jacksonville

As for the Patriot, now that they are allowing schollies, Fordham seems happy and Richmond could go for fb only if they want.

JSU not JMU I'm guessing is what you meant to type...that would be true JSU just started looking into FBS...

I thought I saw that Fordham was interested in the CAA, or was it the other way around...

And why would Richmond fb want to move to the Patriot when they are already very successful in one of the top league in the country? The Patriot would be a downgrade...

Fresno St. Alum · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2012 12:46 am

tkalmus wrote:

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

I think he meant JSU not Jacksonville

As for the Patriot, now that they are allowing schollies, Fordham seems happy and Richmond could go for fb only if they want.

JSU not JMU I'm guessing is what you meant to type...that would be true JSU just started looking into FBS...

I thought I saw that Fordham was interested in the CAA, or was it the other way around...

And why would Richmond fb want to move to the Patriot when they are already very successful in one of the top league in the country? The Patriot would be a downgrade...

I don't think they would, I'm just saying they could if they want, now that they have schollies. I thought Fordham was okay w/ PL now. Dback can clear this up for us. On the FCS board the CAA options that keep coming(all sports no fb only like Fordham would be) are CCU, Liberty, Albany, Stony Brook. If they added 3 of those schools(12 full members), they'd have 11 fb so Fordham could slide in for 12.

The Bishin Cutter · **Joined:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:41 am **Posts:** 568

James Madison has locale issues, much like Youngstown State. And I just haven't seen or heard the sort of logistics conversations for the Dukes that I've seen coming from programs like Appalachian State, Old Dominion, Villanova, Charlotte, and UMass. A big stadium isn't enough to warrant the suspicions, nor attendance figures.

For W&M, I think it has to be worth their while. Being the southernmost Patriot League school will get old fast if the Patriot doesn't get to the same footing as CAA, and I don't know if the Patriot is all that appealing when Georgetown is so flaky and the conference so strict on Fordham (I believe they are still banned from the conference title). It's tough to figure what the PL wants: all-sports or more associate members. I think that's a big identity issue. If W&M commits all sports to the Patriot, and then G-Town, Army, and Navy "peace-out," that won't bode well for the Tribe.

So it's not that I think both programs are out of the realignment conversation. They aren't. I think they both need more time to see how other factors unfold...in real-time and not hypotheticals.

sec03 · **Joined:** Sat May 20, 2006 2:09 pm **Posts:** 1241

With ODU now official to C-USA, ECU gets some nearby company.

Conference USA General Realignment Thread

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