(06-27-2015 08:04 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 12:47 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:03 AM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 07:18 AM)Saint3333 Wrote:  Could CCU leave football in the Big South?

No offense intended, but why would we (or any FCS team) want to do that? It would increase travel cost with no competitive advantage. Most of the Olympic sports are doing just fine where they are and wouldn't be improved by moving to the SBC. At best it is a lateral move that would cost more.

In 2015 ...
Big South baseball had a bit of a stronger RPI rating than the Sun Belt

The Sun Belt RPI was slightly higher in men's bball but both are one bid leagues

Sun Belt soccer is currently held together by affiliate members and doesn't even have a 6th team lined up in two years to guarantee the autobid.

The only reason to join the Sun Belt would be for FBS football. The benefits with FBS football would outweigh any other issues with olympic sports.

Pretty simple. To move yourself to the front of the list when/if you get your football program ready for the jump. Otherwise you can continue to be lumped with EKU and JMU who at any moment could make the push.

SBC plus CCU vs. BS minus CCU baseball would be a pretty big difference.

Long term it would be a better path.

There are just too many assumptions / risks. The SBC may not need a new football member for a long time or could choose to go with someone else when that time comes.

This would have all the costs of the SBC due to increased travel but none of the benefits of additional revenue.

Our loss of Olympic sports would significantly weaken the conference we would try to stay in as FCS football only members - which could trickle into the football side of things and cause the league to fold - which could happen anyway since there are so few members.

I've pieced together from a few different sources that we do have a stadium expansion plan and will be ready to expand the stadium after this season. I'm assuming the plans are contingent on a SBC invite. It will be difficult to increase fan support playing Big South, MEAC, etc. teams.

I don't think it makes any sense to move everything but football to the SBC on a promise.

So you think CCU stadium expansion is contingent on a SBC invite ?

Probably the other way around. With EKU and Missouri State making noise about stadium upgrades & updates, that puts CCU at the end of that food chain.

This is where CCU would have to make some tough decisions and sometimes you have to spend before you reap the benefits. Or, like I was alluding to in my other post ... perhaps put some sort of skin in the game.

Perhaps moving Olympic sports into the Sun Belt w/ some sort of planned expansion and a planned timeline/exit for football would probably be possible, but every decision has some cost and some risk.

That cost and risk is what kept Georgia Southern leadership paralyzed and cemented in I-AA for 15 years while watching others roll by (USF, UCF, UConn, Troy, FIU, FAU, etc)

(06-27-2015 08:50 PM)Eagle22 Wrote:  So you think CCU stadium expansion is contingent on a SBC invite ?

Probably the other way around. With EKU and Missouri State making noise about stadium upgrades & updates, that puts CCU at the end of that food chain.

This is where CCU would have to make some tough decisions and sometimes you have to spend before you reap the benefits. Or, like I was alluding to in my other post ... perhaps put some sort of skin in the game.

Perhaps moving Olympic sports into the Sun Belt w/ some sort of planned expansion and a planned timeline/exit for football would probably be possible, but every decision has some cost and some risk.

That cost and risk is what kept Georgia Southern leadership paralyzed and cemented in I-AA for 15 years while watching others roll by (USF, UCF, UConn, Troy, FIU, FAU, etc)

They may choose to expand anyway, but I'm not sure they would choose to go to around 20,000 unless there was an offer. I'll I'm saying is make stadium expansion part of the offer / contract. There are 2 football seasons left before Coastal would begin the second year of the transition - plenty of time to upgrade. I know EKU has shovels in the ground, but Coastal will be able to upgrade quickly - probably faster than EKU.

I know you guys think you hold all of the cards - but the only benefit in joining the SBC is it is the FBS with some regional football playing members that are attractive. The other sports portion isn't any better than where we are which is in a much tighter geography.

Sure there is risk / reward - but that's true on both sides. Either you guys want Coastal or not. If so, let's do the deal and move forward together.

I have heard our AD publicly support Coastal so I feel sure you guys would have Ga Southern s support.

(06-27-2015 09:13 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 08:50 PM)Eagle22 Wrote:  So you think CCU stadium expansion is contingent on a SBC invite ?

Probably the other way around. With EKU and Missouri State making noise about stadium upgrades & updates, that puts CCU at the end of that food chain.

This is where CCU would have to make some tough decisions and sometimes you have to spend before you reap the benefits. Or, like I was alluding to in my other post ... perhaps put some sort of skin in the game.

Perhaps moving Olympic sports into the Sun Belt w/ some sort of planned expansion and a planned timeline/exit for football would probably be possible, but every decision has some cost and some risk.

That cost and risk is what kept Georgia Southern leadership paralyzed and cemented in I-AA for 15 years while watching others roll by (USF, UCF, UConn, Troy, FIU, FAU, etc)

They may choose to expand anyway, but I'm not sure they would choose to go to around 20,000 unless there was an offer. I'll I'm saying is make stadium expansion part of the offer / contract. There are 2 football seasons left before Coastal would begin the second year of the transition - plenty of time to upgrade. I know EKU has shovels in the ground, but Coastal will be able to upgrade quickly - probably faster than EKU.

I know you guys think you hold all of the cards - but the only benefit in joining the SBC is it is the FBS with some regional football playing members that are attractive. The other sports portion isn't any better than where we are which is in a much tighter geography.

Sure there is risk / reward - but that's true on both sides. Either you guys want Coastal or not. If so, let's do the deal and move forward together.

Surely you don't believe the only advantage to the Sun Belt is being an FBS league. Without a doubt across the board the SBC is considered a superior conference and a step up.

(06-27-2015 09:20 PM)ARSTATEFAN1986 Wrote:  Surely you don't believe the only advantage to the Sun Belt is being an FBS league. Without a doubt across the board the SBC is considered a superior conference and a step up.

I like the schools and their commitment to athletics in the SBC better for sure - so that is another advantage. But for the sports that are important to me (and I assume most Coastal fans) the SBC today isn't much different competitively than the Big South. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, just look at the facts.

Men's Basketball - your RPI was a little higher but both are one bid leagues.

Baseball - Big South RPI was a little higher this year

Soccer - the SBC only has 3 full-time members and 2 affiliates. It would be a step down here.

Then factor in additional travel costs. Without FBS, including all of the perks like the CFP payout and money games) I don't see the advantage with going Olympic only. But I'm open to see your side if you want to present your facts.

(06-27-2015 08:50 PM)Eagle22 Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 08:04 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 12:47 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:03 AM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 07:18 AM)Saint3333 Wrote:  Could CCU leave football in the Big South?

No offense intended, but why would we (or any FCS team) want to do that? It would increase travel cost with no competitive advantage. Most of the Olympic sports are doing just fine where they are and wouldn't be improved by moving to the SBC. At best it is a lateral move that would cost more.

In 2015 ...
Big South baseball had a bit of a stronger RPI rating than the Sun Belt

The Sun Belt RPI was slightly higher in men's bball but both are one bid leagues

Sun Belt soccer is currently held together by affiliate members and doesn't even have a 6th team lined up in two years to guarantee the autobid.

The only reason to join the Sun Belt would be for FBS football. The benefits with FBS football would outweigh any other issues with olympic sports.

Pretty simple. To move yourself to the front of the list when/if you get your football program ready for the jump. Otherwise you can continue to be lumped with EKU and JMU who at any moment could make the push.

SBC plus CCU vs. BS minus CCU baseball would be a pretty big difference.

Long term it would be a better path.

There are just too many assumptions / risks. The SBC may not need a new football member for a long time or could choose to go with someone else when that time comes.

This would have all the costs of the SBC due to increased travel but none of the benefits of additional revenue.

Our loss of Olympic sports would significantly weaken the conference we would try to stay in as FCS football only members - which could trickle into the football side of things and cause the league to fold - which could happen anyway since there are so few members.

I've pieced together from a few different sources that we do have a stadium expansion plan and will be ready to expand the stadium after this season. I'm assuming the plans are contingent on a SBC invite. It will be difficult to increase fan support playing Big South, MEAC, etc. teams.

I don't think it makes any sense to move everything but football to the SBC on a promise.

So you think CCU stadium expansion is contingent on a SBC invite ?

Probably the other way around. With EKU and Missouri State making noise about stadium upgrades & updates, that puts CCU at the end of that food chain.

This is where CCU would have to make some tough decisions and sometimes you have to spend before you reap the benefits. Or, like I was alluding to in my other post ... perhaps put some sort of skin in the game.

Perhaps moving Olympic sports into the Sun Belt w/ some sort of planned expansion and a planned timeline/exit for football would probably be possible, but every decision has some cost and some risk.

That cost and risk is what kept Georgia Southern leadership paralyzed and cemented in I-AA for 15 years while watching others roll by (USF, UCF, UConn, Troy, FIU, FAU, etc)

This is what you folks still don't get. There is NO making noise about it. EKU has STARTED the process! The football stadium is underway. Upgrades across the board, athletics as well as academics and over all campus life and living. BOR just approved a increase in the athletic budget. The baseball coach was let go at the end of the season, his production was not up to snuff. 3 new dorms will be built as well as single parent housing complex has been given the go ahead. New tennis courts have just been finished next to the indoor tennis courts. A new student activity center planned. A new college of education complex that will house a K-12 Lab School. The second part of a the new science complex is under way now. New entrance to the campus, that includes some kind of elaborate garden areas designed by John Carloftis (he was featured in Southern Living magazine recently). These are just a few of the projects I remember. So there is no IF they really mean it, IF their president isn't just blowing smoke...if, if, if.....not in our vocabulary. This iis happening regardless of what the sun belt decides. If CCU is the flavor of the month, so be it. We can't change that.

(06-27-2015 09:13 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 08:50 PM)Eagle22 Wrote:  So you think CCU stadium expansion is contingent on a SBC invite ?

Probably the other way around. With EKU and Missouri State making noise about stadium upgrades & updates, that puts CCU at the end of that food chain.

This is where CCU would have to make some tough decisions and sometimes you have to spend before you reap the benefits. Or, like I was alluding to in my other post ... perhaps put some sort of skin in the game.

Perhaps moving Olympic sports into the Sun Belt w/ some sort of planned expansion and a planned timeline/exit for football would probably be possible, but every decision has some cost and some risk.

That cost and risk is what kept Georgia Southern leadership paralyzed and cemented in I-AA for 15 years while watching others roll by (USF, UCF, UConn, Troy, FIU, FAU, etc)

They may choose to expand anyway, but I'm not sure they would choose to go to around 20,000 unless there was an offer. I'll I'm saying is make stadium expansion part of the offer / contract. There are 2 football seasons left before Coastal would begin the second year of the transition - plenty of time to upgrade. I know EKU has shovels in the ground, but Coastal will be able to upgrade quickly - probably faster than EKU.

I know you guys think you hold all of the cards - but the only benefit in joining the SBC is it is the FBS with some regional football playing members that are attractive. The other sports portion isn't any better than where we are which is in a much tighter geography.

Sure there is risk / reward - but that's true on both sides. Either you guys want Coastal or not. If so, let's do the deal and move forward together.

Okay, I misread what you were saying I guess.

Every day that passes, is a day that your program can move forward. Others aren't standing still, and whether you join the Sun Belt or not if you aren't improving you are losing ground, because others are improving.

It would not surprise me one bit to see Chattanooga a more serious possibility and maybe come into the picture IF they were to build on their recent football success and build their donor base up. When they were last queried, they were without an AD and no interim is going to make that call to switch leagues.

Coastal is not in any driver's seat, not that you outright suggested that.

That said, I don't think we (SBC) hold all the cards, but we seem to be a port for some of those FCS boats seeking a safe harbor. That makes the SBC at least somewhat attractive, but there are only so many slips.

Timelines almost never go in favor of a single school, IMO. Georgia Southern most likely had to make a move 12 months sooner than we would have liked.

(06-27-2015 09:56 PM)LexColonel Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 08:50 PM)Eagle22 Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 08:04 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 12:47 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:03 AM)rokamortis Wrote:  No offense intended, but why would we (or any FCS team) want to do that? It would increase travel cost with no competitive advantage. Most of the Olympic sports are doing just fine where they are and wouldn't be improved by moving to the SBC. At best it is a lateral move that would cost more.

In 2015 ...
Big South baseball had a bit of a stronger RPI rating than the Sun Belt

The Sun Belt RPI was slightly higher in men's bball but both are one bid leagues

Sun Belt soccer is currently held together by affiliate members and doesn't even have a 6th team lined up in two years to guarantee the autobid.

The only reason to join the Sun Belt would be for FBS football. The benefits with FBS football would outweigh any other issues with olympic sports.

Pretty simple. To move yourself to the front of the list when/if you get your football program ready for the jump. Otherwise you can continue to be lumped with EKU and JMU who at any moment could make the push.

SBC plus CCU vs. BS minus CCU baseball would be a pretty big difference.

Long term it would be a better path.

There are just too many assumptions / risks. The SBC may not need a new football member for a long time or could choose to go with someone else when that time comes.

This would have all the costs of the SBC due to increased travel but none of the benefits of additional revenue.

Our loss of Olympic sports would significantly weaken the conference we would try to stay in as FCS football only members - which could trickle into the football side of things and cause the league to fold - which could happen anyway since there are so few members.

I've pieced together from a few different sources that we do have a stadium expansion plan and will be ready to expand the stadium after this season. I'm assuming the plans are contingent on a SBC invite. It will be difficult to increase fan support playing Big South, MEAC, etc. teams.

I don't think it makes any sense to move everything but football to the SBC on a promise.

So you think CCU stadium expansion is contingent on a SBC invite ?

Probably the other way around. With EKU and Missouri State making noise about stadium upgrades & updates, that puts CCU at the end of that food chain.

This is where CCU would have to make some tough decisions and sometimes you have to spend before you reap the benefits. Or, like I was alluding to in my other post ... perhaps put some sort of skin in the game.

Perhaps moving Olympic sports into the Sun Belt w/ some sort of planned expansion and a planned timeline/exit for football would probably be possible, but every decision has some cost and some risk.

That cost and risk is what kept Georgia Southern leadership paralyzed and cemented in I-AA for 15 years while watching others roll by (USF, UCF, UConn, Troy, FIU, FAU, etc)

This is what you folks still don't get. There is NO making noise about it! EKU has STARTED the process! The football stadium is underway. Upgrades across the board, athletic's as well as academics and over all campus life and living. BOR just approved a increase in the athletic budget. The baseball coach was let go at the end of the season, his production was not up to snuff. 3 new dorms will be built as well as single parent housing complex has been given the go ahead. New tennis courts have just been finished next to the indoor tennis courts. A new student activity center planned. A new college of education complex that will house a K-12 Lab School. The second part of a the new science complex is under way now. New entrance to the campus, that includes some kind of elaborate garden areas designed by John Carloftis (he was featured in Southern Living magazine recently). These are just a few of the projects I remember. So there is no IF they really mean it, IF their president is just blowing smoke...if, if, if.....not in our vocabulary. This is is happening regardless of what the sun belt decides. If CCU is the flavor of the month, so be it. We can't change that.

Calm down. By making noise, I meant garnering attention. Not just talking.

I had read the articles back in August 2014 of the Dizney's donations .... you have any links to any cams or photo galleries ? Would love to take a peek at how it is coming along.

Been many, many years since I went to Roy Kidd stadium ... was an undergrad back when Georgia Southern and Eastern Kentucky played several times.

(06-27-2015 10:03 PM)Eagle22 Wrote:  Okay, I misread what you were saying I guess.

Every day that passes, is a day that your program can move forward. Others aren't standing still, and whether you join the Sun Belt or not if you aren't improving you are losing ground, because others are improving.

It would not surprise me one bit to see Chattanooga a more serious possibility and maybe come into the picture IF they were to build on their recent football success and build their donor base up. When they were last queried, they were without an AD and no interim is going to make that call to switch leagues.

Coastal is not in any driver's seat, not that you outright suggested that.

That said, I don't think we (SBC) hold all the cards, but we seem to be a port for some of those FCS boats seeking a safe harbor. That makes the SBC at least somewhat attractive, but there are only so many slips.

Timelines almost never go in favor of a single school, IMO. Georgia Southern most likely had to make a move 12 months sooner than we would have liked.

I certainly don't think Coastal is in the driver's seat, I just don't think we have to accept what I perceive as a bad deal to leave football FCS but move all other sports to the SBC.

Take this with a grain of salt - but below is something that I heard that addresses your point about timeline but also why I think the SBC is willing to work with Coastal ... but we shall see.

Coastal wasn't looking to move to the FBS until a few months ago when someone affiliated with the SBC approached us asking if we had any interest and that got the ball rolling. We had to develop a stadium expansion plan and submit.

So I think there is a lot going on behind the scenes. I was concerned that things were quiet from our end but I was finally able to confirm a few weeks ago. I think the admin learned from some of our past mistakes, as well as others, and are just waiting to make anything public until it is clear that we will get an offer. If we don't get offered, then I think it stays quiet.

(06-27-2015 10:03 PM)Eagle22 Wrote:  Coastal is not in any driver's seat, not that you outright suggested that.

Could you tell us which potential candidate you think is in the "driver's seat?"

=====================

We already have facilities compatible to most SBC schools (i.e., baseball, basketball, etc). Regarding our football stadium, we could possibly add the seats we need for FBS in one offseason. We employ metal seats at Brooks Stadium. Currently, we already have footers in place for additional seating expansion. Wouldn't be that hard.

(06-27-2015 09:35 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(06-27-2015 09:20 PM)ARSTATEFAN1986 Wrote:  Surely you don't believe the only advantage to the Sun Belt is being an FBS league. Without a doubt across the board the SBC is considered a superior conference and a step up.

I like the schools and their commitment to athletics in the SBC better for sure - so that is another advantage. But for the sports that are important to me (and I assume most Coastal fans) the SBC today isn't much different competitively than the Big South. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, just look at the facts.

Men's Basketball - your RPI was a little higher but both are one bid leagues.

Baseball - Big South RPI was a little higher this year

Soccer - the SBC only has 3 full-time members and 2 affiliates. It would be a step down here.

Then factor in additional travel costs. Without FBS, including all of the perks like the CFP payout and money games) I don't see the advantage with going Olympic only. But I'm open to see your side if you want to present your facts.

As for as baseball...the Sun Belt was down this year...but if you look at the last several years the SBC was consistantly one of the stronger mid-major leagues and even higher rated year in and year out over the Big 10.

Do you think FBS schools will pay you the 1.3 million or 1.6 million that ASU will be getting for some FBS money games? I don't think so.

(06-28-2015 12:43 AM)ARSTATEFAN1986 Wrote:  As for as baseball...the Sun Belt was down this year...but if you look at the last several years the SBC was consistantly one of the stronger mid-major leagues and even higher rated year in and year out over the Big 10.

Do you think FBS schools will pay you the 1.3 million or 1.6 million that ASU will be getting for some FBS money games? I don't think so.

The last several years before a number of the members left? The last 2 years looks like the Big 10 has been over the SBC. So perhaps these are down years or could be the new normal - there was so much change it is hard to draw comparisons too many years back.

The FBS money game question - is that if we are FCS or FBS? If FCS, we won't play any FBS money games so it is moot. If FBS, I'm sure we'll try to get as much as we can, I would expect somewhere between $1-1.25 million per game or more - but could be wrong.

(06-26-2015 09:57 AM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:14 AM)Eagle22 Wrote:  Are you saying that based on an opinion, or is that a bylaw issue w/ the Big South that requires them to keep all sports in the conference ?

I'll give you my take - I already posted about why I don't think we would want to do it so won't revisit it but will address the other question.

I think it could technically be possible - there are affiliate members now, but here are where it could be a problem.
1) It has to be approved. It would take the other members to vote for it and they may not be on board with it.
2) I have concerns about stability and I believe others do as well as there are rumors that Liberty is going FBS one way or another and one or more of the private schools may go non-scholarship.

Ultimately though, I think it comes down to not being advantageous. Ask yourself - would App or Georgia Southern have gone Olympic sports only to join the Sun Belt and kept football in the SoCon?

I think it makes perfect sense with a timeline for FBS football.
Coastal can expand the stadium and prepare for the transition.
The Big South wouldn't have any choice but to work with them.

(06-28-2015 12:05 PM)MJG Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:57 AM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:14 AM)Eagle22 Wrote:  Are you saying that based on an opinion, or is that a bylaw issue w/ the Big South that requires them to keep all sports in the conference ?

I'll give you my take - I already posted about why I don't think we would want to do it so won't revisit it but will address the other question.

I think it could technically be possible - there are affiliate members now, but here are where it could be a problem.
1) It has to be approved. It would take the other members to vote for it and they may not be on board with it.
2) I have concerns about stability and I believe others do as well as there are rumors that Liberty is going FBS one way or another and one or more of the private schools may go non-scholarship.

Ultimately though, I think it comes down to not being advantageous. Ask yourself - would App or Georgia Southern have gone Olympic sports only to join the Sun Belt and kept football in the SoCon?

I think it makes perfect sense with a timeline for FBS football.
Coastal can expand the stadium and prepare for the transition.
The Big South wouldn't have any choice but to work with them.

A reasonable timeline would help - I can't see a delayed football move happening without some sort of agreement of expectations from both sides.

The problem then is the Big South - they don't have to work with Coastal. Or even if they allow Coastal to stay they could vote to not allow us to be eligible for conference championship / auto bid. Not saying it would happen but it could as stranger things have happened. Can you imagine the butthurt from the member schools - especially Liberty?

(06-28-2015 12:24 PM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(06-28-2015 12:05 PM)MJG Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:57 AM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:14 AM)Eagle22 Wrote:  Are you saying that based on an opinion, or is that a bylaw issue w/ the Big South that requires them to keep all sports in the conference ?

I'll give you my take - I already posted about why I don't think we would want to do it so won't revisit it but will address the other question.

I think it could technically be possible - there are affiliate members now, but here are where it could be a problem.
1) It has to be approved. It would take the other members to vote for it and they may not be on board with it.
2) I have concerns about stability and I believe others do as well as there are rumors that Liberty is going FBS one way or another and one or more of the private schools may go non-scholarship.

Ultimately though, I think it comes down to not being advantageous. Ask yourself - would App or Georgia Southern have gone Olympic sports only to join the Sun Belt and kept football in the SoCon?

I think it makes perfect sense with a timeline for FBS football.
Coastal can expand the stadium and prepare for the transition.
The Big South wouldn't have any choice but to work with them.

A reasonable timeline would help - I can't see a delayed football move happening without some sort of agreement of expectations from both sides.

The problem then is the Big South - they don't have to work with Coastal. Or even if they allow Coastal to stay they could vote to not allow us to be eligible for conference championship / auto bid. Not saying it would happen but it could as stranger things have happened. Can you imagine the butthurt from the member schools - especially Liberty?

With the opportunity to move up to FBS perhaps closing...there are options available that can be agreed upon by some school. The SBC can be selective and not just settle.

Rok the SBC does have the cards.

Which ever programs steps up will make the cut. CCU can put themselves in the driver seat, but not expanding the stadium while at least two others are is putting your program on the outside looking in. My proposal helps you leap frog them and then you don't have to worry about the chicken/egg, stadium/SBC invite situation you have now. Move all but football in 2016 with the understanding that by 2018 or 2019 with improvements to football facilities you move then.

As usual eagle22 is spot on in his assessment.

(06-28-2015 07:25 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  Rok the SBC does have the cards.

Which ever programs steps up will make the cut. CCU can put themselves in the driver seat, but not expanding the stadium while at least two others are is putting your program on the outside looking in. My proposal helps you leap frog them and then you don't have to worry about the chicken/egg, stadium/SBC invite situation you have now. Move all but football in 2016 with the understanding that by 2018 or 2019 with improvements to football facilities you move then.

As usual eagle22 is spot on in his assessment.

As I said above, if there is a timeline from both sides then I can see it. But just to park football with no guarantee and increased travel seems foolish. That's what I thought was proposed, but if there is an agreed upon timeline with an agreed upon minimum capacity then I think we would be good, even if it means a couple of more year before transitioning - especially if it is a result of us needing more time for construction.

Since the transition takes so long, I'm ok with moving olympics in 2016. Ideally 2016 would be the first year of transition. Then 2017 be the second year of transition. With the understanding / contract that we must meet the minimum capacity before the second year of transition can begin. If we think the construction would take longer, then we probably push the FBS transition back because that's on us.

As far as the stadium discussion goes, I'm sure the folks behind the scenes know all of the ins and outs but just because things aren't public doesn't mean they aren't moving forward. We have an easily expandable stadium and money for capital improvements - so we could move pretty swiftly.

My understanding is that Coastal has submitted a stadium expansion plan to the SBC. I haven't seen it and don't know the details but a secondary source claims it will increase the stadium to a total seated capacity of 19,500 and will start after this season. Our expansion won't take as long as others and may be completed before theirs even though they already started.

I haven't seen the plan so don't know for certain, but seems reasonable. There are 2 seasons of football before Coastal would be in their second year of transition (FBS). That should be plenty of time to complete.

I don't see the Sun Belt offering an Olympics move, with football to come in a few years. There's too many other options that are just as good to bother doing it like that.

(06-28-2015 09:00 PM)TheRevSWT Wrote:  I don't see the Sun Belt offering an Olympics move, with football to come in a few years. There's too many other options that are just as good to bother doing it like that.

I agree. I think Coastal either has to get it built in time or will get out of the running as the SBC focuses on those that will. I think there is a will and a way on our end to make it happen.

The stands in the endzone can be easily expanded out to connect to the bottom layer of seats on the north/south side. The teal seats (like you see in the north stands) could be added to south stands so that both sides are mirrored. Since we have metal seats, construction for seating expansion wouldn't take long at all. The money is already there.