Post by brandon on Dec 4, 2018 11:25:32 GMT -6
We always speculate and have opinions on how the landscape of college athletics will change and realignment probabilities and such. The past few weeks, I have contacted all the ADs in the ASun conference and basically interviewed them about the subject. I made them understand that I'm not a reporter, but just trying to provide information for fans on this board. All were very happy to talk (via emails) and feel it's very important that fans are this interested in the conference.
The first question I had was
How do you see the stability of the ASun going forward? (Paraphrasing to save time)
NJIT- they see the stability very strong going forward, they want to stay in the conference because they are seeing more value in getting their brand recognized throughout the South and that is huge in recruiting athletes and students. It gives the school and the prospective students options that they may not have known they had prior.
Second Question
How does stability affect the conference?
KSU- it assures that your athletic programs have a home. That sounds simple, but it helps set budgets and set goals for improving facilities and providing the best possible opportunities for the student athletes. If there is stability with like minded programs, you are more able to start and fund projects like building new facilities, marketing your programs and recruiting new athletes. We think the ASun is finally stable enough to pursue bigger projects and that has been talked about in conference meetings.
Question three
Do you foresee any other schools joining or exiting in the near future?
FGCU- Not to our knowledge, Upstate was no real surprise, they just needed to fit in better with their conference. Although they fit into the geographic footprint of the ASun, they didnt share the same goals as the rest of the conference for growth. The additions of Liberty and North Alabama have provided new members that share the same goals and will help the conference grow stronger. We may see another school in the near future join, but I dont thing any will leave.
Secondary question related
Liberty being in FBS and rumors of KSU wanting FBS, does that hurt stability?
FGCU- that's a great question, we have discussed that in meetings as well. Liberty likes the situation in being independent for football and ASun for a primary conference. KSU has made no mention of intent to go FBS or find a new conference for that matter. It seems all schools are finally on the same page.
Last Question
What do you feel the strengths of the ASun are?
Liberty- within the conference, it's a community of like minded schools, yes, each school is different, diversity is a great thing. Liberty is a private Christian centered University with a huge online education. On the flipside, UNA is a public state funded University in a fertile student athlete recruiting area. Two vastly different schools, with a common goal. This is the case for all ASun members. Athletically, the strength at the moment is Baseball. It's the 7th toughness conference statistically in the nation. Only behind the P5 and American. And that should only get stronger. We see all sports becoming that conference, that conference that may not be P5, but as good as a P5 conference in all sports.
The first question I had was
How do you see the stability of the ASun going forward? (Paraphrasing to save time)
NJIT- they see the stability very strong going forward, they want to stay in the conference because they are seeing more value in getting their brand recognized throughout the South and that is huge in recruiting athletes and students. It gives the school and the prospective students options that they may not have known they had prior.
Second Question
How does stability affect the conference?
KSU- it assures that your athletic programs have a home. That sounds simple, but it helps set budgets and set goals for improving facilities and providing the best possible opportunities for the student athletes. If there is stability with like minded programs, you are more able to start and fund projects like building new facilities, marketing your programs and recruiting new athletes. We think the ASun is finally stable enough to pursue bigger projects and that has been talked about in conference meetings.
Question three
Do you foresee any other schools joining or exiting in the near future?
FGCU- Not to our knowledge, Upstate was no real surprise, they just needed to fit in better with their conference. Although they fit into the geographic footprint of the ASun, they didnt share the same goals as the rest of the conference for growth. The additions of Liberty and North Alabama have provided new members that share the same goals and will help the conference grow stronger. We may see another school in the near future join, but I dont thing any will leave.
Secondary question related
Liberty being in FBS and rumors of KSU wanting FBS, does that hurt stability?
FGCU- that's a great question, we have discussed that in meetings as well. Liberty likes the situation in being independent for football and ASun for a primary conference. KSU has made no mention of intent to go FBS or find a new conference for that matter. It seems all schools are finally on the same page.
Last Question
What do you feel the strengths of the ASun are?
Liberty- within the conference, it's a community of like minded schools, yes, each school is different, diversity is a great thing. Liberty is a private Christian centered University with a huge online education. On the flipside, UNA is a public state funded University in a fertile student athlete recruiting area. Two vastly different schools, with a common goal. This is the case for all ASun members. Athletically, the strength at the moment is Baseball. It's the 7th toughness conference statistically in the nation. Only behind the P5 and American. And that should only get stronger. We see all sports becoming that conference, that conference that may not be P5, but as good as a P5 conference in all sports.
