http://blog.al.com/wire/2011/06/universi..._tr_3.html

FLORENCE, Alabama — The University of North Alabama board of trustees has voted to move up to Division I in athletics.

Another dominoe. With UNA moving to FCS I can see Delta State, Valdosta State along with a new West Florida football program going to the Southland conference. Plus Jacksonville State may leave the OVC to the SLC.


Potential new Southland FCS conference within 4 years.

West

Central Arkansas
Lamar
McNeese State
Nicholls State
Sam Houston State
Stephen F. Austin

East

Delta State
Jacksonville State
North Alabama
Southeastern Louisiana
Valdosta State
West Florida

Was on their campus a couple of weeks ago. I was impressed with their campus, but their football stadium needs some work (looked as if it was an old city-owned stadium)

They have a very nice lion habitat on their campus, complete with waterfall, etc

LiveCam :

http://lioncam.una.edu/view/view.shtml

Cool Lion cave. No to FBS.

(06-13-2011 02:24 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  Cool Lion cave. No to FBS.

FBS is not an option for UNA. I do not believe that it will ever have the resources to compete at the FBS level. This is a good move for them since they will have ready rivals with Samford (Birmingham) and Jacksonville State. All three programs will benefit.

This also provides cover for Delta State to move up. Delta State will benefit with games against Central Arkansas and Southeast Louisiana.

Provides incentive for Valdosta State to do the same. UWF's detailed plans supports FCS football.

UNA to Division I? This doesn't make much sense to me. Alabama's population to support 6 Div. I teams? Only Texas, Florida, California and Ohio would have more Div. I teams!

(06-13-2011 02:59 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  UNA to Division I? This doesn't make much sense to me. Alabama's population to support 6 Div. I teams? Only Texas, Florida, California and Ohio would have more Div. I teams!

Division 1 as in FCS. NOT FBS.

(06-13-2011 03:05 PM)Vobserver Wrote:  

(06-13-2011 02:59 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  UNA to Division I? This doesn't make much sense to me. Alabama's population to support 6 Div. I teams? Only Texas, Florida, California and Ohio would have more Div. I teams!

Division 1 as in FCS. NOT FBS.

LOL I read the headline and that was it. I guess they are Div II. I thought they were already FCS...

(06-13-2011 03:15 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(06-13-2011 03:05 PM)Vobserver Wrote:  

(06-13-2011 02:59 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  UNA to Division I? This doesn't make much sense to me. Alabama's population to support 6 Div. I teams? Only Texas, Florida, California and Ohio would have more Div. I teams!

Division 1 as in FCS. NOT FBS.

LOL I read the headline and that was it. I guess they are Div II. I thought they were already FCS...

They are in the Gulf South Conference with West Alabama.

The Arkansas schools that remained in the GSC recently left to form a new conference with schools from OK. Might as well move the remaining schools to the Southland to reunite with UCA and fill the gap left by Texas St. and UTSA. The Southland might just end up better than the WAC.

(06-13-2011 03:41 PM)Crump1 Wrote:  The Arkansas schools that remained in the GSC recently left to form a new conference with schools from OK. Might as well move the remaining schools to the Southland to reunite with UCA and fill the gap left by Texas St. and UTSA. The Southland might just end up better than the WAC.

I do not think that West Georgia and West Alabama can make the move to FCS.

That will make 5 Division I-AA (FCS) teams in the state of Alabama. Alabama State and Alabama A&M are members of the SWAC.

It means another possible FCS game for most teams in the footprint. I like having another possible team to mix it up with.

Bet Auburn and BAMMER will play UNA, but not Troy.