I had plenty of "Yankee" friends while in school. Mostly hailing from NOVA, New York, and New Jersey. I can tell you that none of them ever mentioned the CAA as even being a small factor in their decision. Mostly it is the high in-state tuition rates of those states (NJ and NY) and being at the beach with a short winter.

Of course all of this is hypothetical, and I wouldn't support the move at this point.

However, I was in school when the Athletic Department threatened to cut Swimming & Diving, Track & Field, and I do believe the end goal of this was to have us at the minimum number of sports programs to be considered D1. If this ever comes close to happening again I would prefer we move to a more regionally located conference and keep those sports.

(02-26-2018 03:56 PM)Gary Miller Wrote:  However, I was in school when the Athletic Department threatened to cut Swimming & Diving, Track & Field, and I do believe the end goal of this was to have us at the minimum number of sports programs to be considered D1. If this ever comes close to happening again I would prefer we move to a more regionally located conference and keep those sports.

Whether we play in the CAA or not, we should have cut some sports. That was a poor decision. We have far too many sports for the budget we have.

If we move to cut them, and those sports want to stick around, they need to raise money. Scalf does it every single day for baseball.

Moving to the Big South is a bad idea and would severely hamper basketball.
Fortunately, I don't think we leave the CAA, especially now that we are finally in the same conference as CoC.

Realistically, the CAA needs to either go to 2 7 team divisions or one of the geographic factions needs to move on.

A round robin conference from Boston to Charleston with $0 tv money is stupid.

A T.V. deal is what the conference needs. I find it hard to believe that they can't get something better than what they have now. CAA basketball is always competitive. I catch myself streaming other conference games that have no effect on UNCW just because I know it's gonna be a good game. You can't tell me your average college basketball fan wouldn't have enjoyed CofC v. W&M this past weekend if it was on a cable network.

(02-26-2018 03:52 PM)Seahawk Nation 08 Wrote:  

(02-26-2018 03:49 PM)82hawk Wrote:  I was just addressing your specific point about out of state students. It could be that we are at a beach, but it doesn't hurt that people who go to schools up the eastern coast know of UNCW. And our out of state tuition is higher than every other UNC system school except NCSU I don't disagree related to sports. We don't have the finances to support a hit for out of state tuition for athletes.

But, I just do not see us leaving the CAA. I think we would likely stay, even if the northern schools left, and try to lure other teams to the CAA. I could see UNCG, Campbell, High Point as candidates to come on board.

That's because there's a cap on the % of out of state students who can come here, that is stricter than most, or all, other UNC System schools. We lose quality students to places like Northeastern and W&M because of it.

That came from a time when the UNC System's attitude was that the state of North Carolina has no obligation to teach out of state students, back from the Erskine Bowles days. They believed those kids would go back home after school, which has been proven wrong of late: Lots of northern kids who come here end up sticking around NC, though they tend to go to Charlotte or Raleigh instead of staying around Wilmington.

Combine that with the UNC system having no desire to let us become a research powerhouse, and that's how the cap was set, thus driving up the costs.

The % restriction is the same for all UNC system schools. And it's because the state subsidizes the cost of the UNC system far more than other states. Out of state tuition is approximately 3x in-state, so out of state tuition actually helps everyone in state pay less. UNCW has the same % limitation but a higher cost because the legislators thought we could maintain our % due to higher demand. That's a fact. We can debate why we have more demand, but we do have more demand.

I would like to see the legislature allow a greater %, especially at UNCW, where we have smaller populations and could use an influx of students who may stay, and even lure families.

I'll just offer my dissenting voice to Seahawk Nation's post. The schools in the current conference alignment are all strong academic institutions that fit together well both from an academic culture as well as from athletic budget perspective. It wouldn't surprise me if UNCW would have the lowest athletic department budget of any university in the conference.

The league offers strong competition in both Basketball and Baseball. With the addition of the Southern schools CofC and Elon, to go along with W&M, JMU and UNCW we have a nice southern division. I think we are better off than schools like GMU and ODU who have left for greener pastures and not found the new situations any better. VCU has managed just fine, but leaving isn't always a winning formula.

I honestly think the solution is a North-South division. We'd need to add a few schools to make this feasible. But you would play your division teams twice, and other division once. Rotate every other year home/away. That would cut down substantially on the travel burden, and allow this conference to build off of what's already in place.

(02-27-2018 10:53 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  I honestly think the solution is a North-South division. We'd need to add a few schools to make this feasible. But you would play your division teams twice, and other division once. Rotate every other year home/away. That would cut down substantially on the travel burden, and allow this conference to build off of what's already in place.

Divisions are the key!

6 teams divisions would work but I think 7 would be ideal.

(02-27-2018 10:53 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  I honestly think the solution is a North-South division. We'd need to add a few schools to make this feasible. But you would play your division teams twice, and other division once. Rotate every other year home/away. That would cut down substantially on the travel burden, and allow this conference to build off of what's already in place.

With that being said... This would open many options. Especially, when you add the fact that the conference is moving to travel partners next year. Here are two scenarios that just came off the top of my head.

If the conference would handle expansion based on bringing in good basketball programs. I think the best two schools to add would be Vermont, and UNCG. Vermont has a great basketball program and they would be competitive right away. UNCG has shown a lot of promise the last couple of years and they are in a hot bed for recruiting in the state.

South- CofC, UNCW, UNCG, Elon, W&M, JMU
North- Towson, Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, Northeastern, Vermont

If the conference would handle expansion based on travel partners. I think you add two programs up North. Boston University and Manhattan I think would make the most sense because they could pair with the other schools in the same city.

South- CofC, UNCW, Elon, W&M, JMU, Towson
North- Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, Manhattan, Northeastern, Boston U.

The second scenario could make for some great weekend trips to Boston or NY for fans too. Especially if the conference stays on a Thursday/Saturday schedule. Which would help somewhat with the attendance problem in the conference.

(02-27-2018 11:23 AM)Gary Miller Wrote:  

(02-27-2018 10:53 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  I honestly think the solution is a North-South division. We'd need to add a few schools to make this feasible. But you would play your division teams twice, and other division once. Rotate every other year home/away. That would cut down substantially on the travel burden, and allow this conference to build off of what's already in place.

With that being said... This would open many options. Especially, when you add the fact that the conference is moving to travel partners next year. Here are two scenarios that just came off the top of my head.

If the conference would handle expansion based on bringing in good basketball programs. I think the best two schools to add would be Vermont, and UNCG. Vermont has a great basketball program and they would be competitive right away. UNCG has shown a lot of promise the last couple of years and they are in a hot bed for recruiting in the state.

South- CofC, UNCW, UNCG, Elon, W&M, JMU
North- Towson, Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, Northeastern, Vermont

If the conference would handle expansion based on travel partners. I think you add two programs up North. Boston University and Manhattan I think would make the most sense because they could pair with the other schools in the same city.

South- CofC, UNCW, Elon, W&M, JMU, Towson
North- Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, Manhattan, Northeastern, Boston U.

The second scenario could make for some great weekend trips to Boston or NY for fans too. Especially if the conference stays on a Thursday/Saturday schedule. Which would help somewhat with the attendance problem in the conference.

option one looks significantly better to me.

(02-27-2018 11:28 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  

(02-27-2018 11:23 AM)Gary Miller Wrote:  

(02-27-2018 10:53 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  I honestly think the solution is a North-South division. We'd need to add a few schools to make this feasible. But you would play your division teams twice, and other division once. Rotate every other year home/away. That would cut down substantially on the travel burden, and allow this conference to build off of what's already in place.

With that being said... This would open many options. Especially, when you add the fact that the conference is moving to travel partners next year. Here are two scenarios that just came off the top of my head.

If the conference would handle expansion based on bringing in good basketball programs. I think the best two schools to add would be Vermont, and UNCG. Vermont has a great basketball program and they would be competitive right away. UNCG has shown a lot of promise the last couple of years and they are in a hot bed for recruiting in the state.

South- CofC, UNCW, UNCG, Elon, W&M, JMU
North- Towson, Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, Northeastern, Vermont

If the conference would handle expansion based on travel partners. I think you add two programs up North. Boston University and Manhattan I think would make the most sense because they could pair with the other schools in the same city.

South- CofC, UNCW, Elon, W&M, JMU, Towson
North- Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, Manhattan, Northeastern, Boston U.

The second scenario could make for some great weekend trips to Boston or NY for fans too. Especially if the conference stays on a Thursday/Saturday schedule. Which would help somewhat with the attendance problem in the conference.

option one looks significantly better to me.

I like Option 1 as well and you could make the work with travel partners.
Boston U isn't going to leave the Patriot League either

Guys NU isn’t going to the NEC, MAAC or America Least so forget it.

If we’re leaving it’s for something bigger and better because we have the 6th largest market in the country and If you want fans to come out it has to be a names attraction.

I’m sorry ... it doesn’t matter if CofC, UNCW whoever in our league is in first place or battling with NU for first, it’s never going to be a big draw. Most casual fans have no ideas where exactly some of these schools are and they certainly don’t know their players or their history.

Now, our new AD is supposed to be really good and creative with marketing plans and finding ways to get fans excited about coming to games. We’ll see what he comes up with over the summer.

Right now, he has a lot to cheer about and witness. Our men’s hoops team won a regular season title, our men’s hockey team is headed towards another NCAA appearance with a legit chance for a possible Frozen Four appearance, our women’s team is about to have its highest league finish since joining the CAA and baseball really believes they have a NCAA tournament team.

I know he’s been pleasantly thrilled at the success so far and he’s already had multiple meetings with his new staff on coming up with new plans.

(02-27-2018 02:23 PM)geewizNU Wrote:  Guys NU isn’t going to the NEC, MAAC or America Least so forget it.

If we’re leaving it’s for something bigger and better because we have the 6th largest market in the country and If you want fans to come out it has to be a names attraction.

I’m sorry ... it doesn’t matter if CofC, UNCW whoever in our league is in first place or battling with NU for first, it’s never going to be a big draw. Most casual fans have no ideas where exactly some of these schools are and they certainly don’t know their players or their history.

Now, our new AD is supposed to be really good and creative with marketing plans and finding ways to get fans excited about coming to games. We’ll see what he comes up with over the summer.

Right now, he has a lot to cheer about and witness. Our men’s hoops team won a regular season title, our men’s hockey team is headed towards another NCAA appearance with a legit chance for a possible Frozen Four appearance, our women’s team is about to have its highest league finish since joining the CAA and baseball really believes they have a NCAA tournament team.

I know he’s been pleasantly thrilled at the success so far and he’s already had multiple meetings with his new staff on coming up with new plans.

It's all hypothetical my man. I think I can speak for everyone here, that we have thoroughly enjoyed the games we have played against Northeastern the past 4 years. I won't argue that your school is consistently good in all sports and brings a lot to the conference, but don't pull the "bigger market" card on us, and say the "fans" don't know where the opposing schools in the conference are. That's BS, and I will call you on it. Even with the recent success of the basketball program, Northeastern is still the 3rd best college basketball program in your "Market." I wish your AD success because your school has tons of potential, but don't get it twisted Northeastern needs the CAA just as much as the CAA needs them.

(02-27-2018 03:04 PM)Gary Miller Wrote:  

(02-27-2018 02:23 PM)geewizNU Wrote:  Guys NU isn’t going to the NEC, MAAC or America Least so forget it.

If we’re leaving it’s for something bigger and better because we have the 6th largest market in the country and If you want fans to come out it has to be a names attraction.

I’m sorry ... it doesn’t matter if CofC, UNCW whoever in our league is in first place or battling with NU for first, it’s never going to be a big draw. Most casual fans have no ideas where exactly some of these schools are and they certainly don’t know their players or their history.

Now, our new AD is supposed to be really good and creative with marketing plans and finding ways to get fans excited about coming to games. We’ll see what he comes up with over the summer.

Right now, he has a lot to cheer about and witness. Our men’s hoops team won a regular season title, our men’s hockey team is headed towards another NCAA appearance with a legit chance for a possible Frozen Four appearance, our women’s team is about to have its highest league finish since joining the CAA and baseball really believes they have a NCAA tournament team.

I know he’s been pleasantly thrilled at the success so far and he’s already had multiple meetings with his new staff on coming up with new plans.

It's all hypothetical my man. I think I can speak for everyone here, that we have thoroughly enjoyed the games we have played against Northeastern the past 4 years. I won't argue that your school is consistently good in all sports and brings a lot to the conference, but don't pull the "bigger market" card on us, and say the "fans" don't know where the opposing schools in the conference are. That's BS, and I will call you on it. Even with the recent success of the basketball program, Northeastern is still the 3rd best college basketball program in your "Market." I wish your AD success because your school has tons of potential, but don't get it twisted Northeastern needs the CAA just as much as the CAA needs them.

I agree with most of what you said, but honestly, in it's current state, NE is the best hoops program in that city.

Record wise, you can argue that they are. More people in Boston are going to BC or Harvard games before Northeastern, that's where I was coming from. I will recognize Northeastern's success on the court, but the atmosphere was awful. If you expect your school to go on to bigger and better things with a basketball fan base like that, you're sorely mistaken.

(02-27-2018 03:20 PM)Gary Miller Wrote:  Record wise, you can argue that they are. More people in Boston are going to BC or Harvard games before Northeastern, that's where I was coming from. I will recognize Northeastern's success on the court, but the atmosphere was awful. If you expect your school to go on to bigger and better things with a basketball fan base like that, you're sorely mistaken.

from solely an attendance perspective, yes they are the worst of those 3, but that's like comparing which midget is the tallest

When it comes to divisions, I think the majority of UNCW supporters would agree that UNCG is probably the best available for a southern school. I wonder if William and Mary or JMU fans would prefer a VA school?

GeewizNu - who would NE prefer to round out a northern division?

(02-27-2018 03:34 PM)solohawks Wrote:  When it comes to divisions, I think the majority of UNCW supporters would agree that UNCG is probably the best available for a southern school. I wonder if William and Mary or JMU fans would prefer a VA school?

GeewizNu - who would NE prefer to round out a northern division?

I'm gonna say it again, because nobody is listening.

Nobody should care what JMU or JMU fans want. The reality is they don't WANT to be in the CAA anyways. So making any moves to appease them is a mistake from the start. The second they get an opportunity they are going to bounce. Whether it turns out good or bad for them in the long run is beside the point. The fact is... they have no interest in the CAA. They want out.

I'd rather listen to WM and WM fans. They have interesting in the CAA and staying with it. I know this is all hypothetical, but they're the ones we should trust to be around a while.

(02-27-2018 03:51 PM)CG_Hawk06 Wrote:  

(02-27-2018 03:34 PM)solohawks Wrote:  When it comes to divisions, I think the majority of UNCW supporters would agree that UNCG is probably the best available for a southern school. I wonder if William and Mary or JMU fans would prefer a VA school?

GeewizNu - who would NE prefer to round out a northern division?

I'm gonna say it again, because nobody is listening.

Nobody should care what JMU or JMU fans want. The reality is they don't WANT to be in the CAA anyways. So making any moves to appease them is a mistake from the start. The second they get an opportunity they are going to bounce. Whether it turns out good or bad for them in the long run is beside the point. The fact is... they have no interest in the CAA. They want out.

I'd rather listen to WM and WM fans. They have interesting in the CAA and staying with it. I know this is all hypothetical, but they're the ones we should trust to be around a while.

I agree the fanbase may want out but the fact of the matter is they had an out to go to FBS with a Sunbelt invite and turned it down. So while their fanbase may want it, their administration is still pro FCS and therefore pro CAA.

Then again, I think we all know why you want to listen to W&M

(02-27-2018 03:04 PM)Gary Miller Wrote:  

(02-27-2018 02:23 PM)geewizNU Wrote:  Guys NU isn’t going to the NEC, MAAC or America Least so forget it.

If we’re leaving it’s for something bigger and better because we have the 6th largest market in the country and If you want fans to come out it has to be a names attraction.

I’m sorry ... it doesn’t matter if CofC, UNCW whoever in our league is in first place or battling with NU for first, it’s never going to be a big draw. Most casual fans have no ideas where exactly some of these schools are and they certainly don’t know their players or their history.

Now, our new AD is supposed to be really good and creative with marketing plans and finding ways to get fans excited about coming to games. We’ll see what he comes up with over the summer.

Right now, he has a lot to cheer about and witness. Our men’s hoops team won a regular season title, our men’s hockey team is headed towards another NCAA appearance with a legit chance for a possible Frozen Four appearance, our women’s team is about to have its highest league finish since joining the CAA and baseball really believes they have a NCAA tournament team.

I know he’s been pleasantly thrilled at the success so far and he’s already had multiple meetings with his new staff on coming up with new plans.

It's all hypothetical my man. I think I can speak for everyone here, that we have thoroughly enjoyed the games we have played against Northeastern the past 4 years. I won't argue that your school is consistently good in all sports and brings a lot to the conference, but don't pull the "bigger market" card on us, and say the "fans" don't know where the opposing schools in the conference are. That's BS, and I will call you on it. Even with the recent success of the basketball program, Northeastern is still the 3rd best college basketball program in your "Market." I wish your AD success because your school has tons of potential, but don't get it twisted Northeastern needs the CAA just as much as the CAA needs them.

First of all, I never said we wanted to leave the CAA or that we’re too big for the CAA.

So don’t get it twisted Gary.

Long before you ever started posting on here I’ve said plenty of times NU’s fans have always been about regionalism and familiarity when it comes to teams. We get more fans for local teams around the region than we do for Elon or JMU.

And we’re not the 3rd best in Boston. That’s debatable. The Ivy League is not the CAA. The Ivy is good but RPI wise it’s not better. So Harvard, like Vermont, can dominate the league year after year and in case you forgot we blew out Harvard this year.