(10-15-2012 09:29 PM)Hammer58 Wrote: Man, I need to get this computer checked. I click on my bookmark for the Sun Belt message board and it keeps taking me to this d1aa discussion site.
I'm fine with people coming on here - every ONCE in a while - to flack their schools.
Quite frankly, I think it is mildly relevant to the SBC if Ga Southern is building a new stadium, if Appy is drawing well, or if Sam Houston State's board meets to discuss football. Quite frankly, I'm good with a post - every now and then - on the SBC BBS. Its relevent. Every once in a while.
That being said, those attempting to flack for their schools should know by this point (and most do - I'm not pointing fingers) that
1) The SBC isn't open admissions. Just because we are at 10 teams does not mean there has been a decision to go to 12 teams. We may not be taking ANYONE.
2) The SBC isn't going to take a program simply because they want to join us. We're flattered, but we can't provide a home for everyone. And we certainly aren't the "Land of the Misfit Toys" for teams that can't find a home elsewhere.
3) The SBC is more concerned with geographic compactness and STABILITY than other conferences. If you are outside the footprint, have unique characteristics that clash with the other schools, or appear to be seeking Sun Belt membership just so you can get your FBS ticket then immediately start shopping yourself to other conferences, we're not going to be particularly interested. And that isn't directed just at Liberty. There is another school that will remain nameless that is slightly outside our footprint that will have to overcome the perception (perhaps unjustified) that they really want another conference to sponsor them for FBS membership (I actually don't have a problem with that particular school - but understand that there are others who have deep reservations as to that schools motivation for seeking SBC membership).
4) We say 'congratulations' on your new stadium (by all means - let us know), your attendance (send pics by all means), your success in FCS. But there's more that goes into being a fit for the Sun Belt than that. Please spare us the pics of your Lacrosse facilities and hockey arenas. That will simply reinforce the fact that you might not be the best 'fit' for us.
5) The Sun Belt invested a lot of reputational capital into having the advantages it enjoys today. We harmed our basketball product to persue football. We had to take teams before they were ready, exposing ourselves to ridicule in football for close to a decade (largely because the teams we took outside our footprint bolted at the first opportunity forcing us to scramble). We don't owe anyone anything. We EARNED the 'golden tickets' we have now.
6) Most Sun Belt schools came from a FCS pedigree. We know what the likelihood of you turning FCS success into being a FBS success story in 2 years or so. We are quite skeptical of that.
7) Georgia State is in the Sun Belt. Its done. You aren't going to replace them in the conference so trying to tell us how much better your program is right now than theirs is isn't going to be a successful strategy. It'd be better to tell us why your are better than the other programs that you would be competing against IF the SBC chose to expand (JMU, Appy, Ga Southern, Sam Houston State, Jax State, Liberty etc.).
8) Understand that we left our footprint before. And it was a disaster.
9) Understand that there are TWO non-football members of the Sun Belt, who also get to vote in this. They place a higher priority on Oly sports. Understand that one of those schools has not ruled out starting a football program. The SBC will need to take the need of that school into account when deciding to expand and how many teams that expansion might take.
10) Understand that there are existing members of the Belt that do not wish to see the center of gravity of the Sun Belt shift to the East. Are they being selfish? Maybe. But they have a vote. Don't assume that both bids are going to come from one side of the conference.
