BruceMcF
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RE: Why UMass?
(04-30-2014 09:10 PM)TheRevSWT Wrote: To any of the UMass folks... I think we all agree that your ultimate goal is the AAC (please correct if I am wrong). What is keeping you from joining? Is it an AAC university? Performance? Attendance? Something else?
In simplest terms, when the American was looking for members, they didn't invite UMass, and now the American is not looking for members.
And now there'd also the divisional issues ... there are five schools on or west of the Mississippi ~ Houston, SMU, Tulsa, Memphis and Tulane; three in the Northeast ~ UConn, Temple and Navy; two in Florida ~ UCF & USF; one halfway between the Northeastern schools and the Western schools in UC; and one halfway between the Northeastern schools and the Florida schools in ECU. When the American hashes out there divisional structure, they probably are not going to want to revisit that except for a compelling add.
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05-01-2014 01:56 AM |
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EmeryZach
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RE: Why UMass?
(04-30-2014 09:10 PM)TheRevSWT Wrote: To any of the UMass folks... I think we all agree that your ultimate goal is the AAC (please correct if I am wrong). What is keeping you from joining? Is it an AAC university? Performance? Attendance? Something else?
And then a follow up: What is the administration doing to overcome those hurdles?
For one there just isn't a spot for us right now. But probably the biggest thing holding us back is UConn. They have historically not wanted us in the same conference as them for basketball. I also think they want to wait and see how well we do with our continuing renovations of our on campus stadium. I'm hearing that round two of renovations will start after this season.
The only way we're getting into the AAC is if a team leaves or if Army wants to join along with us.
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05-01-2014 07:16 AM |
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EmeryZach
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RE: Why UMass?
(04-30-2014 09:14 PM)Pony94 Wrote: (04-30-2014 09:10 PM)TheRevSWT Wrote: To any of the UMass folks... I think we all agree that your ultimate goal is the AAC (please correct if I am wrong). What is keeping you from joining? Is it an AAC university? Performance? Attendance? Something else?
And then a follow up: What is the administration doing to overcome those hurdles?
We have 12 schools don't need another. And like you, most are mid-Atlantic to southern so they would be an Idaho.
Saying we'd be an Idaho when UConn's football stadium is 45 minutes from Amherst is just a little bit off, dontcha think?
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05-01-2014 07:18 AM |
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BruceMcF
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RE: Why UMass?
(05-01-2014 07:18 AM)EmeryZach Wrote: Saying we'd be an Idaho when UConn's football stadium is 45 minutes from Amherst is just a little bit off, dontcha think?
And at least four all-sports members and a FB-only member over under half the distance to Amherst than Idaho is to the closest Sunbelt all-sports members.
After all, UMass, UConn, Temple and Navy make a much tighter set of schools than Houston, SMU, Tulsa, Memphis and Tulane ... and even though the next two closest schools in ECU and UC are a good ways away, its not "UIdaho to the Sunbelt" far. Look at the Google Driving time from Amherst to Greenville (11 hrs), or Amherst to UC (12hrs), versus the Google Driving time from Moscow ID to San Marcos, TX (30hrs), or Monroe, LA (32hrs).
But that is a moot point anyway, since by all indications the American is focused on their expansion to 12 in FB with Navy and the fight to have their champion as the Go5 schools in the Access Bowl.
(This post was last modified: 05-02-2014 12:11 AM by BruceMcF.)
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05-02-2014 12:09 AM |
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carolinaknights
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RE: Why UMass?
(05-01-2014 07:16 AM)EmeryZach Wrote: (04-30-2014 09:10 PM)TheRevSWT Wrote: To any of the UMass folks... I think we all agree that your ultimate goal is the AAC (please correct if I am wrong). What is keeping you from joining? Is it an AAC university? Performance? Attendance? Something else?
And then a follow up: What is the administration doing to overcome those hurdles?
For one there just isn't a spot for us right now. But probably the biggest thing holding us back is UConn. They have historically not wanted us in the same conference as them for basketball. I also think they want to wait and see how well we do with our continuing renovations of our on campus stadium. I'm hearing that round two of renovations will start after this season.
The only way we're getting into the AAC is if a team leaves or if Army wants to join along with us.
Keep the upgrades moving on and your day will come for AAC admission probably under one of your two predictions. Don't see the AAC going past 12 unless BYU or Army put in an application. Hide out in the Sunbelt until then unless you can come to terms in the next 2 years to stay in the MAC. Think the Sunbelt is a good landing spot for UMass for now if you can get the opening to to get them to 12 and a Championship Game.
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05-04-2014 10:24 AM |
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