And all of that has little to do with being ready for FBS. Again you can't look at FCS titles THIRTY years ago and claim a school is FBS ready. Tell me about FBS budgets, tell me about Title IX, tell me about women's sports. Tell me if the school even wants to move up. Don't tell me about FCS titles from the 70's.

(05-13-2013 06:28 PM)Campaign4Liberty Wrote:  And all of that has little to do with being ready for FBS. Again you can't look at FCS titles THIRTY years ago and claim a school is FBS ready. Tell me about FBS budgets, tell me about Title IX, tell me about women's sports. Tell me if the school even wants to move up. Don't tell me about FCS titles from the 70's.

Why not? That's what GaSo does some, doesn't hurt them. Shows tradition and continuous achievement. A history of success. Been good in both football and basketball recently also. Few schools can say that.

Pittsburgh State University is a D2 school in Kansas... It's not in PA....

(05-13-2013 04:28 PM)Campaign4Liberty Wrote:  Do you have any idea of EKU can even afford such a move? Tell me about facilities, scholarships, staffing, Title IX, women's sports, and so on. Some of you just think all a school has to do is accept an invite and they're ready for FBS. This takes years of planning and budget preparations, not to mention the added women's scholarships and so forth. Your head is in the sand, Apps70.

Look at MSU/JMU...even with JMU's 34 million dollar budget they still need to do a feasibility study, and MSU said wait until next year, then contact us. What makes you think Eastern Kentucky of all places is further along than JMU/MSU, not to mention Liberty, who has been planning this for 5 years?

Head in sand.

Trust me, App fans do not need to be educated about what it takes to prepare for FBS. We've paid our dues and then some.

As for EKU, I'm not sure what their financial situation is. Given that we've heard next to nothing about them, it would lead me to believe that they might not be able to afford a move but that is just my speculation.

JMU could move right now if they wanted to. Yes, they are conducting study but we all know it is just a way to bide their time in hopes of a C-USA invite.

While it is not as simple as accepting an invite and immediately being FBS ready, it is also not as simple as having an abundance of cash to burn. In Liberty's case, there are institutional differences that money cannot solve. Theology aside, Liberty is a private institution looking to join a conference full of public schools. It is worth mentioning that since the DI split in the 1970's, no private school has made the move from FCS to FBS.

Also, I believe that any candidate should be a proven commodity in football and/or men's basketball. As of right now, Liberty is neither. Strong Olympic sports are a great attribute but they don't pay the bills. If having the resources for top-notch facilities has not gotten Liberty to a point where they can be a regular participant in the FCS playoffs, what is to make the SBC believe that throwing more money at football will make them a successful FBS program?

EKU is not moving. they are in a great location for the ovc, in the belt they would be a complete outlier (main reason wku left). eku is not what the belt needs...

What is the likelihood that one of the preferred expansion targets announce after 6/1 to delay transition and join a year after App State/Ga Sou?

(05-13-2013 07:37 PM)appsfan Wrote:  What is the likelihood that one of the preferred expansion targets announce after 6/1 to delay transition and join a year after App State/Ga Sou?

Very likely.

(05-13-2013 07:44 PM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 07:37 PM)appsfan Wrote:  What is the likelihood that one of the preferred expansion targets announce after 6/1 to delay transition and join a year after App State/Ga Sou?

Very likely.

Wouldn't doubt it at all. Timing is everything.

I got a feeling I'm not going to like who we add. And I don't think it's liberty.

(05-13-2013 07:48 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  I got a feeling I'm not going to like who we add. And I don't think it's liberty.

Would agree with you, do not think it will be LU. Hope we are somewhat happy at least.

(05-13-2013 05:39 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  You expect and you deserve, and if you don't pick LU then you must not believe in kittens.
Come on now.

Eastern Kentucky has a 20,000 seat football stadium.
EKU has more appearances in the FCS playoffs than any school except one.
Eastern Kentucky is in a state that the SB is losing a team.
EKU has a higher athletic budget than some SB schools.
Eastern Kentucky doesn't have any problem with the views and aspirations of other SB schools.
EKU won two FCS national championships.
Eastern Kentucky was runner up two times also in the FCS national championships.
EKU is very similar to other SB members being a state school.


Football
2012: 8-3
2011: 7-5 (Playoffs)
2010: 6-5
2009: 5-6
2008: 8-4 (Playoffs)

Basketball:
2013: 25-10 (CIT)
2012: 16-16
2011: 15-16
2010: 20-13 (CBI)
2009: 18-13

Anyone would have to have their head in a barrel to not realize there are several viable potential members, or no addition at all.

How many SBC schools have a lower budget than EKU?

Answer: 2 and they support their $12m budget with $10m in subsidy from student fees (81%).

(05-13-2013 07:11 PM)asumike83 Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 04:28 PM)Campaign4Liberty Wrote:  Do you have any idea of EKU can even afford such a move? Tell me about facilities, scholarships, staffing, Title IX, women's sports, and so on. Some of you just think all a school has to do is accept an invite and they're ready for FBS. This takes years of planning and budget preparations, not to mention the added women's scholarships and so forth. Your head is in the sand, Apps70.

Look at MSU/JMU...even with JMU's 34 million dollar budget they still need to do a feasibility study, and MSU said wait until next year, then contact us. What makes you think Eastern Kentucky of all places is further along than JMU/MSU, not to mention Liberty, who has been planning this for 5 years?

Head in sand.

Trust me, App fans do not need to be educated about what it takes to prepare for FBS. We've paid our dues and then some.

As for EKU, I'm not sure what their financial situation is. Given that we've heard next to nothing about them, it would lead me to believe that they might not be able to afford a move but that is just my speculation.

JMU could move right now if they wanted to. Yes, they are conducting study but we all know it is just a way to bide their time in hopes of a C-USA invite.

While it is not as simple as accepting an invite and immediately being FBS ready, it is also not as simple as having an abundance of cash to burn. In Liberty's case, there are institutional differences that money cannot solve. Theology aside, Liberty is a private institution looking to join a conference full of public schools. It is worth mentioning that since the DI split in the 1970's, no private school has made the move from FCS to FBS.

Also, I believe that any candidate should be a proven commodity in football and/or men's basketball. As of right now, Liberty is neither. Strong Olympic sports are a great attribute but they don't pay the bills. If having the resources for top-notch facilities has not gotten Liberty to a point where they can be a regular participant in the FCS playoffs, what is to make the SBC believe that throwing more money at football will make them a successful FBS program?

Guess we fooled them all then.

(05-13-2013 07:49 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 07:48 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  I got a feeling I'm not going to like who we add. And I don't think it's liberty.

Would agree with you, do not think it will be LU. Hope we are somewhat happy at least.

I see the same type of situation unfolding next year. JMU isn't going to give their money from the CAA. JMU is still in the Cat Bird seat. IMO, they more then anyone are worried about LU. On the one hand they are scared to death that LU will beat them to the FBS punch, but on the other will look down at any FBS conference who would take LU.
Benson wants numbers more then anything, which is why he wants LU. But next year I can see JMU saying they won't join the SBC if LU is involved. It has nothing to do with politics or creationism, but everything to do with perception. JMU wants to be the 'up and comer' and keep LU from doing the same.

(05-13-2013 07:48 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  I got a feeling I'm not going to like who we add. And I don't think it's liberty.

Are you thinking of a particular school with this statement, or are you just speaking generally?

Just wait Benson, rushing into decisions has already given us Idaho.

EKU has serious budget issues and talking about cutting or reducing academic programs and some of you want them to join the SB. App70 you're better than that. :)

http://www.kentucky.com/2013/03/19/25639...sider.html

(05-13-2013 08:15 PM)6FlagsOverGeorgiaSouthern Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 07:48 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  I got a feeling I'm not going to like who we add. And I don't think it's liberty.

Are you thinking of a particular school with this statement, or are you just speaking generally?

Sounds to me like he might think JSU is coming.

Wow, was looking at the fact that EKU used to have crowds over 20k.
Maybe they are tired of playing teams that bring nobody, I think a move to FBS might be what it takes to fire their fans back up. I know WKU would hate to see it, but might a good thing for us. I like their history... By the way GoApps.. our Championships and deep playoff runs are much more recent than theirs. Anyway, if they already have a budget higher than some Belt programs - THEN they already have an "FBS" budget and might move faster than anybody considering they are headed the wrong direction in attendance.

I am one who never really heard of MoState until I read this board. I'm not against them joining, but I'm ready for somebody to pull the trigger. What worries me about them is that the average less than 10k in attendance. And when they had a chance to play #1 at Home!!!!! They had their lowest attended game all year! Only 6,253 people came out to see them playing the #1 Ranked defending National Champions. What kind of fan support are they going to have? Heck, I'd almost rather take the Citadel at nearly 13,000.
UTC is over 10k.


Looking at the top 15 in attendances of FCS programs in 2009.
JMU was 11th, Liberty was 12th, MoState was 39 whiile EKU was 54.
Only about 3,000 Difference between MoState and EKU.

I think my pref. order right now would be:

1.JMU
2.Delaware
3.Liberty
4.JSU (Almost 18k!)
5.EKU
6.MOState.

Assuming we couldnt pull a big our of pocket in Montana,NDSU.
Those two might add some good football power to the conference, which is what I'm most interested in. That is my biggest knock on Liberty. They have the $, they have the facilities... WHY don't they have the FCS wins? EKU can do it, JSU can do it, UD/JMU can do it.
Why not Liberty? They dont have $ strap excuses that MO State could list. If they can't compete very well in the FCS, what is to make us believe they can help our football strength in the FBS? I think those guys need to throw all the $ they can now into their football program and WIN SOME DANG GAMES. IF those guys were sitting on top of 4 or 5 National Championships, multiple conference titles and sever other deep playoff runs, close or very competitive games against any FBS programs.. some of us might be willing to overlook our differences. I dont want to add a weak football program.

I'm agreeing that JSU is looking VERY good about right now to me. Only giving LU a slight edge over JSU because they bring a new state, market and might help the TV deal. But if they are going to be bad in football, that would offset by far any gains they would give us there. .. Should have had JSU/LU tied for 3/4. I wouldnt have an issue with JSU if we didnt already have Alabama already saturated with Sun Belt programs.

From what I heard Appalachian was unanimously approved for membership. Georgia Southern had 1 vote against (presumably Georgia State) and that 1 No vote was amended to a Yes vote. So does this mean for any new addition there must be 100% support from the schools who are in the SB?

Also it's not all on Benson. The school Pres. have to approve the new additions. Benson didn't add Idaho on his own.

Benson is going to have some tough questions to answer if they don't get to 12 soon. They knew Western was leaving, so why did they add NMSU and Idaho if they were not going to have support for a 12th team. Would the SBC be better off at 9 ?