Are you enjoying D1?

[leoanduna]

I am not enjoying Division 1 and the constant losing in all sports. It seems as if this will be the normal situation.

[unafied]

That’s an interesting question. Honestly, for me? It’s hard to say.

I feel that schools on the football side of the ASUN are more of our peers than West Alabama and Delta State are. So in some ways we had outgrown today’s D2. You can’t stay stagnant forever. Sports actually do drive enrollment and donations, and UNA could use more of both. I didn’t necessarily agree with moving up, but looking back I’ve come to accept I was wrong and it needed to be done.

Now, the truth is we should’ve done it 25 years ago. But that’s another argument, and one that is just depressing to even talk about.

I’m excited about certain aspects of D1, but I think the truth is we may never again really compete in some sports. D1 is too big, and there are too many schools out there with quadruple (or a lot more) our athletic budget that we’ll simply never have a chance against. There’s no reason we can’t eventually be as successful as Jacksonville State was in football. I think a sport like softball has potential to occasionally make noise. Most of the others, we should focus on winning a conference championship and accept that anything beyond that is gravy. I’m honestly not trying to be pessimistic. I just think these are the realistic expectations for a school in our position.

Now, maybe the Power 5 schools eventually break off and form their own thing, and we will be on a more level playing field with what’s left. Maybe.

Sorry for being so long-winded. To answer the question, I’m not happy at the moment. We have definitely had our hands tied by the transition. I can cut some slack to most of our programs. But next year we need some positive results, for sure. I fear we still have a D2 attitude (and budget) in a lot of aspects of the AD. Hopefully Looney will change that in time.

[roaringsince96]

It has been great so far…ok here out my great. I knew going in we were not going to win the majority of games in our league. I do enjoy the access of ESPN+ and being able to consistently watch our Lions play. Sure most of the time those aren’t great events to watch, but there has been some positives and the exposure for our program will help with a much brighter future. We are doing things now to bring our athletic program closer to other D1 programs that are established and have funding we haven’t been privy too. Mens basketball has been exciting playing in some big games. He would have thought it at this point in the transition that womens hoops would have the biggest win at Vandy or baseball having a win at Ole Miss? We will have more of those type wins, but also more losses. We have those opportunities now and would never get that at D2 level and rightfully so. The next fall season will come with excitement as we are eligible to participate for titles, playoffs, and actual bragging rights! Really only 5 months left and then let the games begin! 4 years of surviving the punishment, I mean transition from the NCAA protocols and bam it is here. I can see coach Pujols getting North Alabama to the dance within the next two to three years. Football has a chance to challenge for the conference next year. I hope this time next year your experience for our Lions will be better. We warned going into this it was going to be tough. It was. Lions are tough and we didn’t back down from any challenge. We have a lot of reasons to be excited.

[unalions]

I enjoyed the first couple of seasons. The newness of it all and wins by certain teams were fun! Now, it’s difficult to watch the losses accumulate.

I hope next year is different.

[tuna85]

Well it's a big hill to climb but I am happy with the move. Short term we will pay our dues. This move was necessary for the long term and I'm talking ten to twenty years out. If I'm still around the actuarial charts will have taken a hit. Anyway the fuse has been lit for this region of Alabama and UNA has to get ahead of the curve or get left behind and I'm not just talking athletics. The athletics is a strong contributing part to supporting the whole but other areas need to plan ahead and step it up. Marketing efforts are improving but the goals and direction of the school need to be out front and center. Alumni base needs to be strengthened. When your alums choose to wear Purple/Gold on Fridays, as opposed to Crimson/White or Blue/Orange, then you have evidence of buy in. You are starting to see this at UAB. Potential students need to have UNA on their radar in the same way as UAT, UAB, and AU. Lots of heavy lifting to be done but nothing happens if you don't start. The move to D1 is a start. In football, strive to be the next NDSU. Strive to own the ASun in all sports, get that AQ and be a mid major to be feared. Don't be an afterthought. Brag about and publicize the academic prowess of the school. Challenge and do not settle!

[brandon]

Yes, I'm enjoying it...