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Benson interview 5-19-14 - Dman - 05-19-2014 10:04 AM
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/05/sun_belt_conference_commission_1.htm
DESTIN, Fla. - The Sun Belt Conference is holding its annual spring meetings at the Sandestin Beach Hilton this week. Coaches and administrators for the league's 11 members started gathering Sunday for meetings and discussions about the league and its future.
During a long day of meetings and other duties, Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson took a few minutes to talk with the Alabama Media Group's Tommy Hicks to talk about some of the issues facing the league and its future.
Q: Will there be any movement this week on conference membership?
A: I'm not expecting that any decision will be made and that we will continue to evaluate and assess. As much as I've gone on record and indicated a strong desire to get to 12 teams, not just for football, but for all sports, I don't think we need to rush to a decision. We're still in a period of transition. We're adding App State (Appalachian State) and Georgia Southern. These meetings are the first time in three years that there isn't somebody serving a lame duck season. All 11 teams are in the Sun Belt and planning and preparing and trying to build the Sun Belt. We finally have a full set of members around the table here this week and as we go into next season, everyone is in and that's what we should be focusing on and building what we have.
Q: Is there a preferred timetable or an existing timetable for adding another team to the league?
A: It's usually done in the January, February, March, April quarter of the year. Not that it can't happen some other time of the year, but that's the traditional time.
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - Redwolves06 - 05-19-2014 10:14 AM
Well there's our answer!
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - MWC Tex - 05-19-2014 10:14 AM
Doesn't sound like NMSU for all sports is on the agenda....
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - BruceMcF - 05-19-2014 10:27 AM
I was guessing before the meeting a 2:1 chance or higher of no add happening at this time, and with this I'd bump that way up.
(05-19-2014 10:04 AM)Dman Wrote: A: I'm not expecting that any decision will be made and that we will continue to evaluate and assess.Inside Voice: I've whipped the votes and the votes are not there for any expansion.
Quote: As much as I've gone on record and indicated a strong desire to get to 12 teams, not just for football, but for all sports, I don't think we need to rush to a decision.IV: One of our 12/12 options does not require beating an FCS transition deadline, so I'm going turn to whipping the vote for the Fall meeting.
Quote: We're still in a period of transition. We're adding App State (Appalachian State) and Georgia Southern. These meetings are the first time in three years that there isn't somebody serving a lame duck season. All 11 teams are in the Sun Belt and planning and preparing and trying to build the Sun Belt. We finally have a full set of members around the table here this week and as we go into next season, everyone is in and that's what we should be focusing on and building what we have.IV: Some people have been saying we need to figure out where we want to go rather than blindly charging forward, and they seem to have enough votes that I'm going to go ahead an agree with them in public. And maybe if it looks like we are going somewhere, it'll be easier to get the 12/12 model set up.
(05-19-2014 10:14 AM)MWC Tex Wrote: Doesn't sound like NMSU for all sports is on the agenda....Not now, and if Benson gets his way, not independent of another move ... "As much as I've gone on record and indicated a strong desire to get to 12 teams, not just for football, but for all sports," has scope for NMSU to move up to all sport (1) with a new FB-only member or (2) with Idaho replaced by an Olympic-sports member adding FBS Football, or (3) Idaho and an Olympic sports member replaced by an all-sports member. Its 12/14 that has scope for NMSU to move up alongside two all-sports invites, one replacing Idaho (or, hypothetically, an all-sports add with NMSU all-sports to get to 12/13 and an Olympic sport add to get to 12/14, but that seems implausible).
Since Idaho has a 4yr+ agreement with two years notice, only (1) has the opportunity to happen prior to 2018. I don't know the timeline for a move like (2), but I assume it could well stretch beyond 2018 to get started anyway.
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - slycat - 05-19-2014 10:40 AM
Sounds like Benson wants 12 now and that means Liberty since he always pushes for them. The Presidents aren't in the same hurry and can't agree who to add so no one gets enough votes.
Looks like we will have to endure another round of this next spring. Oh joy.
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - LUcanesfan - 05-19-2014 10:50 AM
The ACC's de-regulation proposal threw a major monkey wrench in Liberty's quest for FBS.
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - BruceMcF - 05-19-2014 10:54 AM
(05-19-2014 10:40 AM)slycat Wrote: Sounds like Benson wants 12 now and that means Liberty since he always pushes for them.The way he phrased that is careful to include the UMass FB-only, NMSU all-sports option. "get to 12, not just for football but for all-sports" is more general than "add an all-sports member to get to 12 for both football and all-sports".
Quote: The Presidents aren't in the same hurry and can't agree who to add so no one gets enough votes.And, indeed, with the option of UMass FB-only, NMSU all-sports on the table, they don't have to be in a hurry, since that option is going to be there.
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - Tom in Lazybrook - 05-19-2014 11:19 AM
(05-19-2014 10:50 AM)LUcanesfan Wrote: The ACC's de-regulation proposal threw a major monkey wrench in Liberty's quest for FBS.
Not just Liberty, but EKU, Missouri State, and JMU. And has complicated UMass' potential bid for affiliation.
Idaho is very lucky this wasn't coming down the pike last year.
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - GoApps70 - 05-19-2014 11:23 AM
Just seems to eliminate Liberty since the time line before June 1st is so close.
May be no adds this year, but still think something will happen. Too much
passion for adding NMSU all sports not to happen.
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - LUcanesfan - 05-19-2014 11:43 AM
(05-19-2014 11:19 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:(05-19-2014 10:50 AM)LUcanesfan Wrote: The ACC's de-regulation proposal threw a major monkey wrench in Liberty's quest for FBS.
Not just Liberty, but EKU, Missouri State, and JMU. And has complicated UMass' potential bid for affiliation.
Idaho is very lucky this wasn't coming down the pike last year.
Agreed Tom, but out of all the schools mentioned, Liberty was still on the SB president's "least-preferred" list despite being the most FBS-ready and most willing to move up...
Oh well, there's always next year or maybe even the WAC.
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - Cat79 - 05-19-2014 11:43 AM
His answer is focused on FCS additions. In other words there will be no FCS additions.
The additions of NMSU and UMASS can be added anytime to the conference (this is working in concert with UMASS's exit strategy from the MAC).
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - GoApps70 - 05-19-2014 11:49 AM
(05-19-2014 11:43 AM)LUcanesfan Wrote:There is the MAC and CUSA also(05-19-2014 11:19 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:(05-19-2014 10:50 AM)LUcanesfan Wrote: The ACC's de-regulation proposal threw a major monkey wrench in Liberty's quest for FBS.
Not just Liberty, but EKU, Missouri State, and JMU. And has complicated UMass' potential bid for affiliation.
Idaho is very lucky this wasn't coming down the pike last year.
Agreed Tom, but out of all the schools mentioned, Liberty was still on the SB president's "least-preferred" list despite being the most FBS-ready and most willing to move up...
Oh well, there's always next year or maybe even the WAC.
.
![[Image: 9HcWSzo_zpsae1bd64f.jpg~original]](http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/CRE48/media/FOOTBALL%20Only/9HcWSzo_zpsae1bd64f.jpg.html)
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - Liberty Fan - 05-19-2014 12:23 PM
(05-19-2014 11:49 AM)GoApps70 Wrote: There is the MAC and CUSA also
I think Liberty's first choice has always been the Sun Belt because of the foot print. Lots of Christian Academies to recruit.
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - GoApps70 - 05-19-2014 12:47 PM
(05-19-2014 12:23 PM)Liberty Fan Wrote:(05-19-2014 11:49 AM)GoApps70 Wrote: There is the MAC and CUSA also
I think Liberty's first choice has always been the Sun Belt because of the foot print. Lots of Christian Academies to recruit.
So it's really just been about our souls not sports.
![[Image: campus_green_zps461aaa1a.jpg~original]](http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/CRE48/media/FOOTBALL%20Only/campus_green_zps461aaa1a.jpg.html)
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - Colonels12 - 05-19-2014 01:03 PM
(05-19-2014 11:43 AM)Cat79 Wrote: His answer is focused on FCS additions. In other words there will be no FCS additions.
The additions of NMSU and UMASS can be added anytime to the conference (this is working in concert with UMASS's exit strategy from the MAC).
Sounds like something a certain somebody said in Richmond, KY about a month ago.
Of course he was called a liar by Liberty fans.
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - BruceMcF - 05-19-2014 01:05 PM
(05-19-2014 11:49 AM)GoApps70 Wrote: There is the MAC and CUSA alsoCUSA is standing pat unless they are raided, and if they are raised would not be looking for an FCS-transition as their first preference.
And then there's Liberty in the MAC ...
... 'tis a fine sense of humor you have, to be sure.
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - GoApps70 - 05-19-2014 01:09 PM
(05-19-2014 01:03 PM)Colonels12 Wrote:There were several who were dismissive of that statement.(05-19-2014 11:43 AM)Cat79 Wrote: His answer is focused on FCS additions. In other words there will be no FCS additions.
The additions of NMSU and UMASS can be added anytime to the conference (this is working in concert with UMASS's exit strategy from the MAC).
Sounds like something a certain somebody said in Richmond, KY about a month ago.
Of course he was called a liar by Liberty fans.
Evidently chickens came home to roost.
![[Image: Wallpaper25_zpsfad57447.jpg~original]](http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/CRE48/media/FOOTBALL%20Only/Wallpaper25_zpsfad57447.jpg.html)
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - GoApps70 - 05-19-2014 01:15 PM
(05-19-2014 01:05 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:(05-19-2014 11:49 AM)GoApps70 Wrote: There is the MAC and CUSA alsoCUSA is standing pat unless they are raided, and if they are raised would not be looking for an FCS-transition as their first preference.
And then there's Liberty in the MAC ...
You guys laugh but we know you have wanted to add them for years.
Even the JMU board has mentioned both JMU and Liberty to the MAC as a pair.
![[Image: 2014realignment_130530_zps369b483f2_zps6...g~original]](http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/CRE48/media/FOOTBALL%20Only/2014realignment_130530_zps369b483f2_zps669a5ba3.png.html)
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - BruceMcF - 05-19-2014 01:20 PM
(05-19-2014 01:15 PM)GoApps70 Wrote: You guys laugh but we know you have wanted to add them for years.Oh, well, if the JMU board has mentioned it, that settles it. I'd see the Bricks and Buffalo voting no at the outset, so you only need one more no vote to block the move. Kent seems a likely fourth, and that's before you start collecting yes votes.
Even the JMU board has mentioned both JMU and Liberty to the MAC as a pair.
RE: Benson interview 5-19-14 - BRtransplant - 05-19-2014 01:23 PM
(05-19-2014 11:49 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:(05-19-2014 11:43 AM)LUcanesfan Wrote:There is the MAC and CUSA also(05-19-2014 11:19 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:(05-19-2014 10:50 AM)LUcanesfan Wrote: The ACC's de-regulation proposal threw a major monkey wrench in Liberty's quest for FBS.
Not just Liberty, but EKU, Missouri State, and JMU. And has complicated UMass' potential bid for affiliation.
Idaho is very lucky this wasn't coming down the pike last year.
Agreed Tom, but out of all the schools mentioned, Liberty was still on the SB president's "least-preferred" list despite being the most FBS-ready and most willing to move up...
Oh well, there's always next year or maybe even the WAC.
.
Not likely, since CUSA normally takes it's pick of whoever it wants out of the SBC or the WAC.