http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-state-sport...ment-10318

Quote:Georgia State has accepted an invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference, a person inside the conference with knowledge of the situation said on Saturday. They will become members in 2013.

The university was contacting donors on Saturday, asking them to attend a special event at 2 p.m. Monday at the Georgia Dome. An athletic department spokesperson declined to comment earlier today about the press conference.

Welcome Panthers....stAte appreciates all the wins we will be taking from you....lol! Kidding..well sort of...lol.

I just spent a while taking to someone I know in GaSt administration. He's made me feel better about the Panther's commitment to the Sun Belt.

The past I would say 7 to 12 months have seen a shift towards most people getting behind this. CUSA losing all of the schools we wanted to play was the first blow. The CAA completely screwing us every which way but sideways was the other. That an the fact thta most GSU folks over the age of 35 are familiar with the Sun Belt. I told a guy at work last week that we were moving to the SBC and he asked me who was in the SBC. I started mentioning schools asn he was like "Hey, we played all of those guys when I was in school". This is going to be fun.

(04-07-2012 03:14 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  I just spent a while taking to someone I know in GaSt administration. He's made me feel better about the Panther's commitment to the Sun Belt.

As you know, I've always thought they'd be a great fit while also giving your concerns their due -- agreed with all of them, just thought the bennies outweighed the negatives.

That said, so I can ALSO feel better, can you expand a bit on why you feel better about it please, kind sir?

Also -- WELCOME PANTHERS!

Don't get me wrong, the concerns I raised about the detrimental effects for USA, Troy, MTSU and WKU are still very possible in my mind, but I will just have to hope that I'm wrong.
What makes me feel better is that the person I spoke to, and he seems to have a good feel for the pulse of whole athletic department, seems to think that this stay will be along one. They feel that the other conferences will stabilize very soon and that there will be little opportunity to move again in the near future and so they will focus on improving what they do in hopes of improving the entire conference.

BTW, he also didn't think that Liberty was just crazy talk. They may really be considered.

Thanks for the feedback AJ!

(04-07-2012 03:39 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  BTW, he also didn't think that Liberty was just crazy talk. They may really be considered.

For the SBC? Now THAT is scary

The

(04-07-2012 03:43 PM)panama Wrote:  

(04-07-2012 03:39 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  BTW, he also didn't think that Liberty was just crazy talk. They may really be considered.

For the SBC? Now THAT is scary

The thing about the idea of bringing Liberty in that really bothers me is that if we're going that far out of footprint, I just think there are much better options. Liberty might not be a horrible addition, just cant see it when there are better options closer and again extending that far there are a lot of better options.

(04-07-2012 04:44 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  The

(04-07-2012 03:43 PM)panama Wrote:  

(04-07-2012 03:39 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  BTW, he also didn't think that Liberty was just crazy talk. They may really be considered.

For the SBC? Now THAT is scary

The thing about the idea of bringing Liberty in that really bothers me is that if we're going that far out of footprint, I just think there are much better options. Liberty might not be a horrible addition, just cant see it when there are better options closer and again extending that far there are a lot of better options.

Should keep in mind that there is a distinct possibility that schools we perceive as an "option" want nothing to do with us and therefore aren't options. Something else people should consider when criticizing Benson for jumping on GSU early. We don't know who is leaving yet and we don't know who has told us no. Benson has a better idea than we do.

Great move by the Sun Belt and Congrats. to GSU On their move to FBS...

Sunbelt is becoming the Mini Me to the SEC -which isn't a bad thing..

Also fills the gape between Ala./ Florida.. Because 1 Florida team might leave for the Alliance..

GSU should be good in few years and recruits will stay home ...

Better TV Deal ? this is about Markets now...

I just think it's a good move...

Yes they might move on in a few years; that the Con, but that just the way things our now..

(04-07-2012 04:44 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  The

(04-07-2012 03:43 PM)panama Wrote:  

(04-07-2012 03:39 PM)AtlantaJag Wrote:  BTW, he also didn't think that Liberty was just crazy talk. They may really be considered.

For the SBC? Now THAT is scary

The thing about the idea of bringing Liberty in that really bothers me is that if we're going that far out of footprint, I just think there are much better options. Liberty might not be a horrible addition, just cant see it when there are better options closer and again extending that far there are a lot of better options.

Don't see them as a cultural fit at all. TWT

Don't want Appalachian State in the Sun Belt if they take Liberty into it.
Their views alone on 9/11 made us stop playing them.

They are going to be a controversial add to most any conference no matter how big they make their stadium.

(04-07-2012 02:17 PM)panama Wrote:  http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-state-sport...ment-10318

Quote:Georgia State has accepted an invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference, a person inside the conference with knowledge of the situation said on Saturday. They will become members in 2013.

The university was contacting donors on Saturday, asking them to attend a special event at 2 p.m. Monday at the Georgia Dome. An athletic department spokesperson declined to comment earlier today about the press conference.

Congrats Panama.

Now you know we are going to rag you guys and the Sun Belt after you guys go 0-8 in the CAA next year? State better win in the CAA or the running joke will be if you can't compete in the FCS, then move to the Sun Belt.

All kidding aside, Ga State got the job done. Do you think playing in the Sun Belt will increase attendance or will it be about the same as this year?

(04-07-2012 08:57 PM)panama Wrote:  They are going to be a controversial add to most any conference no matter how big they make their stadium.

I would only see Liberty University being taken into some conference that has a total lack of understanding of their beliefs or unless someone personally is making millions as kick backs recommending them.

Liberty University is not something anyone not named Rick Perry or Santorum want to be associated with.

(04-07-2012 09:06 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(04-07-2012 02:17 PM)panama Wrote:  http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-state-sport...ment-10318

Quote:Georgia State has accepted an invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference, a person inside the conference with knowledge of the situation said on Saturday. They will become members in 2013.

The university was contacting donors on Saturday, asking them to attend a special event at 2 p.m. Monday at the Georgia Dome. An athletic department spokesperson declined to comment earlier today about the press conference.

Congrats Panama.

Now you know we are going to rag you guys and the Sun Belt after you guys go 0-8 in the CAA next year? State better win in the CAA or the running joke will be if you can't compete in the FCS, then move to the Sun Belt.

All kidding aside, Ga State got the job done. Do you think playing in the Sun Belt will increase attendance or will it be about the same as this year?

Will eventually increase it. People in Atlanta know these schools. Alumni over 35 remember playing Troy, FIU, FAU etc before we joined the CAA 7 years ago. Plus we will be able to schedule OOC home games vs. some SEC and ACC schools. For this year I think we will definitely have better attendance. Have heard we wil have 2 Thurs Night games and some later Saturday starts.

(04-07-2012 09:06 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(04-07-2012 08:57 PM)panama Wrote:  They are going to be a controversial add to most any conference no matter how big they make their stadium.

I would only see Liberty University being taken into some conference that has a total lack of understanding of their beliefs or unless someone personally is making millions as kick backs recommending them.

agreed. Doesnt Liberty still have a rule that prohibits public display's of affection?