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Post by northalaspectator on Mar 19, 2020 23:40:41 GMT -6
Been notified that Gumbart and some ADs have been in discussions for media deals if the UAC deal goes through. Was told that the ASUN(12) and the UAC(8) would share media opportunities and sponsorships. Supposedly, having more markets (20) is more attractive for sponsors and media deals. If whatever deals come to fruition, it will supposedly make or break the whole ASUN(12) and UAC(8). Glad to here some movement is underway. My number one concern right now is, what if the NCAA doesn’t approve the CCSA as an Multi- Conference. What then would the approach be?
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Post by brandon on Mar 27, 2020 9:42:37 GMT -6
If the UAC deal dont work out. We do know that regardless of the outcome, the ASUN wants to expand. We also know that apparently, the ASUN wants a hand in FCS football.
The Big South, wants a extremely tight geographic footprint, and doesn't exactly fit the football schools in the ASUN (leaving out Stetson for this).
So, the UAC dont happen, I'm leaning towards the ASUN makes a huge push to invite 6 football schools and have a 16 school conference. I dont think any of those schools will come from the Big South, i think they stay with MEAC schools that want out.
I also think if this happens, it causes NJIT to start looking for the NEC or whatever other conference they can join in the North East. But with football, and the potential schools that would have joined because of football, should be easy enough to replace NJIT to remain at 16.
With all that out on my thinking, my list of reasonable candidates and why...(all candidates, not just 6)
(JSU)- UNA, KSU, JSU is right between a historical rival and a regional rival. They are the outlier in the OVC and have expressed more than one reason they want out.
(UTC)- geographical rivals with JSU, potential rivals with both UNA and KSU. With the potential of a conference that has UNA, JSU, UTC, and KSU, you make a rival laden, easy drivable football set up that would (should) draw good numbers and exciting atmospheres.
(ETSU)- the used to be in the ASUN, some fans say that they didnt like the ASUN, but, watching old footage of basketball games, they seemed pretty excited. They have a history is the point, and, the only reason I can find that they left the ASUN was purely football. They would not want to separate from their historic rival Chattanooga. Not to mention, the SoCon has turned into a wine tasting conference that used to be a good mix of wine, beer and whiskey schools....
(Murray State)- it is no secret that Murray has wanted out of the OVC to join the MVC. But it has dragged on and Murray, a very proud school, has been passed up, twice I think. With Bellarmine in the ASUN, and if you didnt know, Bellarmine has a top notch basketball program, it may not be a stretch to think Murray would join, no, I dont think the two schools have much in common or a history, but being Kentucky schools, and both love basketball like Kentucky schools do, not to mention playing in Florida, and having one of the better (this is not a political thing) basketball programs in D1 (Liberty) in the ASUN. It may be a compelling deal for Murray.
(Austin Peay)- Murray States closest rival. Quickly becoming a football school in a basketball centric conference. With the possibility of Murray and JSU moving, and the proximity of UNA and having Chattanooga and ETSU, Austin Peay may be looking at this situation and saying, wait a minute, you mean we can play in a conference that actually wants football, has good basketball and get to recruit Florida? Sign me up...
(UTM)- who knows, I'm not high on them, although I know a lot of UNA folks are. But they do have a history with UNA, JSU, Murray, and AP. Dont know about UTC or ETSU. So there is a possibility.
(SEMO)- not far travels for Murray, AP and even UNA and JSU. If this was a UAC deal and not a 16 school ASUN, it would make more sense. But I will include them and the next school on the list of possibilities anyway. They have a history with all the OVC schools. And for reasons with most of the OVC schools, most football schools dont like the fact the the OVC seems like they have been steadily ignoring football as a conference. SEMO has a good football program and seems like they want to make it better.
(Missouri State)- has been getting killed by the Dakota schools for too long, if SEMO was to join a conference like this, they may be ripe to make a geographic change as well. Missouri is not that bad of a stretch for schools in Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Liberty dont mind travel. And the Florida schools, who knows. This is where NJIT would have issues though. As for football, the MVFC is the strongest, but that comes with a cost to schools like Missouri State, Western Illinois and Youngstown State. They, like us, have to compete with P5 and G5 schools in their states for recruiting, fans and state money. The Dakota schools have no competition, and that may be a decisive factor for a conference change. (Wouldnt be suprising to see Youngstown and Western Illinois backfill the OVC if any of this happens) the MVFC dont even play everyone in conference ever year. They need to lose some weight.
I'm going to lump these 4 into 1.
(Mcneese State, Nichols State, SE Louisiana, Northwestern State)- honestly, the Southland has way too many football schools. And seems like a Texas league that allows Louisiana and Arkansas to play. There is history with these and some of the other schools mentioned. This would help set up nice North/South divisions in the ASUN as they would be grouped with the Florida schools. And if this drives out NJIT, easy replacement in New Orleans, and I think they would fit in with the ASUN nicely, and give another nice market to the conference.
Staying in the Southland,
(Central Arkansas)- same conference reason as above, but would fill in nicely with SEMO, Missouri State, Murray and Austin. Has a history with UNA, and would probably turn back into a nice little rivalry. I hate to say it, but I kinda miss traveling to Arkansas... but, if they dont get rid of that awful looking football feild, (please dont do anything like this UNA) I will never attend a game there nor watch on TV.
Finally
(West Florida)- they are obviously an ASUN school but have football,, so this would be the perfect setup for them. The conference would have to have 7 current D1 NCAA eligible schools to qualify for playoffs. West Florida would have to go through a transition, like we are currently doing. So I think the ASUN goes ahead and expands to the 16, with 8 football schools, waits for NJIT to leave, and invites UWF for number 9 and stay at a total of 16. And no, I dont think anyone would mind playing at the Blue Wahoos stadium on the bay in FCS football. I would rather them put the money in Basketball arena and baseball.
There are many possibilities and combinations. But I think the probability is that the schools will come from this list. And I think there are legitimate reasons behind this.
No matter what the combination is, it will be a fun, rivalry filled, strong football conference that will also help other sports.
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Post by brandon on May 7, 2020 10:47:26 GMT -6
Just a thought...
This question brings me to my thoughts,
Why would the Big South not sever the football deal with the ASUN if the ASUN is trying to pull 2 out of 8 teams?
My answer...
The Big South is about to add more MEAC schools...
They added Hampton and now NCA&T, it's no secret that Campbell has SoCon aspirations. A chunk of the MEAC is in the Big South footprint.
My theory is, the Big South, ASUN and the SoCon (because of their leanings for Private and military schools) have come together along with schools from the MEAC to basically rearrange the conferences.
UT Chattanooga moves to the new UAC with KSU, UNA and JSU. Campbell moves from the Big South to the Socon.
The Big South adds a MEAC school.
The UAC adds ETSU and Western Carolina, the SoCon adds Gardner Webb and Charlston Southern.
Big South adds 2 more MEAC schools.
The UAC is at 6, UNA, Chattanooga, JSU, KSU, ETSU and Western Carolina.
So far, the OVC has only lost 1, the UAC needs 2 more for the 8. The UAC goes for EKU for 7. Without raiding the OVC for the 8th, the UAC invites West Florida. (And the UAC plays all their championships in Pensacola at the beach, that's just my fun throw in)
The MEAC disband, the rest of the MEAC, along with a couple of D2 HBCUs join the SWAC for 1 big HBCU conference and the SWAC championship game gets the HBCU national championship.
Big South football Monmouth Hampton NCA&T SC State Howard Delaware state
SoCon football Furman Mercer Samford Charlston Southern Citadel VMI Campbell Gardner Webb Wofford
UAC UNA JSU KSU Chattanooga ETSU Western Carolina EKU West Florida
SWAC West Division Texas Southern PVAM APBU Grambling Southern Jackson State Alcorn State
East Division Alabama A&M Alabama State Florida A&M Bethune Cookman D2 HBCU D2 HBCU D2 HBCU
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Post by brandon on Jun 1, 2020 14:41:15 GMT -6
Radical theory...
Is UAH really dropping Hockey to afford to move to the ASUN when the expansion and split happens?
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Post by northalaspectator on Jun 1, 2020 16:15:14 GMT -6
Radical theory... Is UAH really dropping Hockey to afford to move to the ASUN when the expansion and split happens? That’s my thinking. They have been possible added one more year for hockey if doesn’t make it after the additional year. Yes!
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Post by unafied on Jun 12, 2020 15:04:27 GMT -6
So... NJIT is leaving the ASUN. Like, almost immediately.
Doesn’t this create problems for the whole UAC idea, since the so-called “ASUN 7” or whatever, being a group of teams that were together for a certain period of time, was required to be able to form a new conference? The whole idea was so confusing that I’m not even sure if that’s true or not.
I’m already sick of the ASUN. We’re a bottom feeder conference that everyone just passes through. Really hope we can eventually move somewhere else since the UAC feels like more of a long shot now.
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Post by brandon on Jun 12, 2020 16:19:44 GMT -6
So... NJIT is leaving the ASUN. Like, almost immediately. Doesn’t this create problems for the whole UAC idea, since the so-called “ASUN 7” or whatever, being a group of teams that were together for a certain period of time, was required to be able to form a new conference? The whole idea was so confusing that I’m not even sure if that’s true or not. I’m already sick of the ASUN. We’re a bottom feeder conference that everyone just passes through. Really hope we can eventually move somewhere else since the UAC feels like more of a long shot now. I dont mind the ASUN, we all have known this would happen with NJIT eventually. It's good for them, and provides an opportunity to find another in our real footprint. I dont see much bad in that. Even if we dont, we have 9, it's not a huge issue. As for the UAC, the commissioner tweeted when someone asked and he replied that yes, the UAC deal as was first planned is dead. But they are still working on something. (I did not quote, just around about what he said) I will however, when things kinda settle down, email him and find out what kind of plans he has. I do know before the UAC thing was announced, he had told me that he was "putting out feelers for football options outside of the Big South."
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Post by unalions on Jun 12, 2020 16:48:40 GMT -6
They are much closer to those schools and it's a good league. Looks like they were an Associate Member of that conference for women's tennis back from 2013-15.
It also shrinks the ASUN footprint a good bit.
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Post by unafied on Jun 12, 2020 17:56:28 GMT -6
I agree with both of you that NJIT is not a loss - they are definitely better off in the AEC, as is the ASUN without them.
My bigger concern is the UAC, because I guess I had foolishly allowed myself to think that scenario was beginning to seem more possible. In light of the pandemic, I truly believe most schools are looking for conferences that fit in a tighter footprint. Hope we don’t get left behind in some of this shuffling.
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Post by brandon on Jun 12, 2020 18:41:32 GMT -6
I agree with both of you that NJIT is not a loss - they are definitely better off in the AEC, as is the ASUN without them. My bigger concern is the UAC, because I guess I had foolishly allowed myself to think that scenario was beginning to seem more possible. In light of the pandemic, I truly believe most schools are looking for conferences that fit in a tighter footprint. Hope we don’t get left behind in some of this shuffling. There is still some hope for football. We may have to weather the storm, so to speak. But with FAMU going to the SWAC, there is speculation of Tennessee State possibly joining the SWAC as well. And Murray State is public about wanting in the MVC/MVFC. That would be 2 spots open in the OVC. They could pull us in as all sports or football only. KSU could go as well in either situation. But who knows.
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Post by northalaspectator on Jun 12, 2020 18:41:37 GMT -6
If Kennesaw State leaves the ASUN & Big South for the OVC, should North Alabama follow and do the same.
The past two season most of the Lions teams have been taking that hour and half or more bus ride to the Nashville airport and flying from there.
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Post by brandon on Jun 12, 2020 19:46:38 GMT -6
If Kennesaw State leaves the ASUN & Big South for the OVC, should North Alabama follow and do the same. The past two season most of the Lions teams have been taking that hour and half or more bus ride to the Nashville airport and flying from there. If KSU gets an invite, I have to imagine we do too. And yes, we should take it. But I dont think we should actively pursue the OVC. Like I've said before, I like the ASUN. But football is a huge part of UNA, and if a better solution for football dont come, we will have no choice.
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Post by brandon on Jun 13, 2020 6:33:44 GMT -6
The problem with the Big South football, in my opinion, is not the schools we will play, as an institution or what they are about. It's the travel disparity.
The full members are in a tight footprint, they play the majority of their away games in that footprint. While UNA, KSU and Monmouth have to travel heavy, lots of plane trips.
It's not that I dont think we can do it, it's more of a deal that the other schools dont have to do it as often. That a disadvantage for UNA and even KSU.
I know we fly to Florida in a couple of instances, but I dont mind the footprint of the ASUN, especially without NJIT.
Louisville ain't bad, and Virginia ain't bad.
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Post by unafied on Jun 13, 2020 13:44:02 GMT -6
The problem with the Big South football, in my opinion, is not the schools we will play, as an institution or what they are about. It's the travel disparity. The full members are in a tight footprint, they play the majority of their away games in that footprint. While UNA, KSU and Monmouth have to travel heavy, lots of plane trips. It's not that I dont think we can do it, it's more of a deal that the other schools dont have to do it as often. That a disadvantage for UNA and even KSU. I know we fly to Florida in a couple of instances, but I dont mind the footprint of the ASUN, especially without NJIT. Louisville ain't bad, and Virginia ain't bad. I tend to agree, partly because football is the marquee sport, but the ASUN for “Olympic sports” is not terrible. Especially while we are building our programs to compete in D1. I think the Big South was actually more attractive at 6 or 7 members than what they’re becoming. At least with a smaller conference schedule we were able to have the flexibility to add fun regional non-conference games. If they keep adding members - NCA&T, now potentially Robert Morris in Pittsburgh - it’s not only going to increase travel costs, but also that ability to be creative with scheduling. More than ever I just wish the NCAA would blow up conferences and start all over.
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Post by brandon on Jun 13, 2020 16:17:49 GMT -6
The problem with the Big South football, in my opinion, is not the schools we will play, as an institution or what they are about. It's the travel disparity. The full members are in a tight footprint, they play the majority of their away games in that footprint. While UNA, KSU and Monmouth have to travel heavy, lots of plane trips. It's not that I dont think we can do it, it's more of a deal that the other schools dont have to do it as often. That a disadvantage for UNA and even KSU. I know we fly to Florida in a couple of instances, but I dont mind the footprint of the ASUN, especially without NJIT. Louisville ain't bad, and Virginia ain't bad. I tend to agree, partly because football is the marquee sport, but the ASUN for “Olympic sports” is not terrible. Especially while we are building our programs to compete in D1. I think the Big South was actually more attractive at 6 or 7 members than what they’re becoming. At least with a smaller conference schedule we were able to have the flexibility to add fun regional non-conference games. If they keep adding members - NCA&T, now potentially Robert Morris in Pittsburgh - it’s not only going to increase travel costs, but also that ability to be creative with scheduling. More than ever I just wish the NCAA would blow up conferences and start all over. I wonder how we would do as independents in football? Wouldn't it be nice if the OVC would make the deal with the ASUN that the Big South did? It would be even nicer if Chattanooga would join the ASUN. Then the OVFC (Ohio Valley Football Conference) would have 12 teams. A north and south division. I know, I'm dreaming.
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