So Miss should damn sure NOT give up.

The biggest obstacle to USM, IMHO, is the TV market argument. The results on the field and court pretty much speak for themselves...even with the 0-12 FB meltdown last season.

I suspect So Miss will be in the AAC within 4 years at worst...probably a lot sooner.

(04-05-2013 04:30 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(04-03-2013 02:45 PM)stever20 Wrote:  who knew how much clout Tulane had?

I think honestly, the split with the C7/BE happens regardless, the Tulane add was just something the presidents could latch on as a cover quite frankly.

I think not only Tulane but ECU leaving cemented the president's opinions of CUSA. I think if you gave the USM president truth serum, he'd be saying the exact same things.

I'm reminded about a year ago when I asked CUSA fans who the one that mentally would be toughest to lose. Tulsa was it overwhelmingly.

USM had only an interim president from early 2012 through April 1st, 2013. Our AD has only a one-year contract. Now that we've got an actual president in place, look for more of a strategic approach from USM. He's already hired an outside consultant to help with realignment. The AD issue will inevitably get resolved as well.

There is a strong contingent of USM fans who aspire to bigger things. We're not happy right now, but I also think we're far from giving up.

Well, I guess our "strategic approach" could be to absolutely stink at football for the next 20 + years like Tulane has (2012 was an awesome start to that), but I suspect that we'll begin to win football games again so I guess we're screwed...I'm just happy that Tulsa and Tulane can continue their Brokeback Mountain like romance...who knew?

(04-07-2013 05:40 PM)Angry Eagle Wrote:  

(04-05-2013 04:30 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(04-03-2013 02:45 PM)stever20 Wrote:  who knew how much clout Tulane had?

I think honestly, the split with the C7/BE happens regardless, the Tulane add was just something the presidents could latch on as a cover quite frankly.

I think not only Tulane but ECU leaving cemented the president's opinions of CUSA. I think if you gave the USM president truth serum, he'd be saying the exact same things.

I'm reminded about a year ago when I asked CUSA fans who the one that mentally would be toughest to lose. Tulsa was it overwhelmingly.

USM had only an interim president from early 2012 through April 1st, 2013. Our AD has only a one-year contract. Now that we've got an actual president in place, look for more of a strategic approach from USM. He's already hired an outside consultant to help with realignment. The AD issue will inevitably get resolved as well.

There is a strong contingent of USM fans who aspire to bigger things. We're not happy right now, but I also think we're far from giving up.

Well, I guess our "strategic approach" could be to absolutely stink at football for the next 20 + years like Tulane has (2012 was an awesome start to that), but I suspect that we'll begin to win football games again so I guess we're screwed...I'm just happy that Tulsa and Tulane can continue their Brokeback Mountain like romance...who knew?

I admire a little truth in advertising, because you are definitely an angry Golden Eagle fan. I get it though. USM belongs in the AAC. I've said that for a long time. I still feel that somehow USM finds a way into the conference. The realignment wheels have not stopped moving, and I'm confident that is going to mean opportunities for USM. Best of luck to you guys.

(04-03-2013 01:41 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  University of Tulsa President Steadman Upham wanted to secure a different address for the Golden Hurricane.

"We watched the steady erosion of membership in Conference USA with increasing dismay," Upham explained during a news conference at TU's Reynolds Center on Tuesday. "I think really the final straw was when Tulane left the conference. We realized we needed to take action.

"We assembled our coaches and had a pretty frank conversation about which direction the university ought to go. I'm pleased to say that we were able to pull that off."

The truth is that there are "peer levels" and you want to as much as possible stay with your peers.


I'm pretty sure those that left CUSA before the ECU, Tulane, and Tulsa moves happened envisioned a different BE collective than what awaited the latter 3 when they opted to move. I'd argue that if some of those BE schools didn't move then those CUSA schools wouldn't have moved and CUSA prior to anyone leaving could have been real solid.

At the point Tulsa moved, those invited to CUSA were arguably the best candidates available to pull from.