(04-22-2014 10:29 AM)pjc1979 Wrote:  

(04-17-2014 04:55 PM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  

(04-17-2014 04:41 PM)TARDledo Wrote:  Where's the NDSU option?

If Liberty and UMass football-only are viable options, there is no reason not to include NDSU football-only.

NDSU football-only is probably the strongest football move the Sun Belt can make. While not ideal, it's a significantly better option than both Liberty and UMass football-only.

NDSU would be a great football add. It gives IDAHO a travel partner!

If it weren't for location, they would be my #1 pick. I have no intentions of playing in the Nationwide Conference.

Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, and North Dakota State are, and have been, the only acceptable choices. As most of you are well aware I and many on this board are football first and don't enjoy sacrificing football for a slight increase in basketball, or in some cases baseball. Those three programs are the only ones that have proven they could be competitive at this level, based on recent success. I still don't want NDSU, nut only because they're in the middle of nowhere. wasn't a fan of Idaho (or NMSU) joining either.

Add to that list:

1) Montana
2) Eastern Washington
3) Montana State

EKU's Benson made an interesting comment reference travel costs in the sports forum. Before he came to EKU he was at Southern Utah. He said it cost them $22K just to send the volleyball team to NDSU. I wonder if the NCAA the costs for the teams that traveled to NDSU for the FCS playoffs somewhere accessible?

(04-22-2014 10:39 AM)EKUSteve Wrote:  

(04-22-2014 10:29 AM)pjc1979 Wrote:  

(04-17-2014 04:55 PM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  

(04-17-2014 04:41 PM)TARDledo Wrote:  Where's the NDSU option?

If Liberty and UMass football-only are viable options, there is no reason not to include NDSU football-only.

NDSU football-only is probably the strongest football move the Sun Belt can make. While not ideal, it's a significantly better option than both Liberty and UMass football-only.

NDSU would be a great football add. It gives IDAHO a travel partner!

If it weren't for location, they would be my #1 pick. I have no intentions of playing in the Nationwide Conference.

Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, and North Dakota State are, and have been, the only acceptable choices. As most of you are well aware I and many on this board are football first and don't enjoy sacrificing football for a slight increase in basketball, or in some cases baseball. Those three programs are the only ones that have proven they could be competitive at this level, based on recent success. I still don't want NDSU, nut only because they're in the middle of nowhere. wasn't a fan of Idaho (or NMSU) joining either.

Add to that list:

1) Montana
2) Eastern Washington
3) Montana State

EKU's Benson made an interesting comment reference travel costs in the sports forum. Before he came to EKU he was at Southern Utah. He said it cost them $22K just to send the volleyball team to NDSU. I wonder if the NCAA the costs for the teams that traveled to NDSU for the FCS playoffs somewhere accessible?

I don't think you'd find those numbers. It is commonly said though that all but the biggest in FCS lose money, even hosting playoff games. Only the top 4 teams are seeded (i.e. required to host). Beyond that large factors are that schools are paired up as much as possible by location/region and to separate out fellow conference schools from each other in the 1st round.

Montana has turned down FBS not long ago. Whatever Montana does, so does Montana State.
Eastern Washington? Guess if Idaho was permanent and we wanted more long flights, and additional expense.

(04-22-2014 12:02 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  Montana has turned down FBS not long ago. Whatever Montana does, so does Montana State.
Eastern Washington? Guess if Idaho was permanent and we wanted more long flights, and additional expense.

Yes Montana did but perhaps they'd change their mind if it were for football only. Plus, for what it's worth, they could sell the advantage of continuing our rivalry with them and Georgia Southern. Football only I can see happening. If Idaho stays why the heck not. Montana State isn't too shabby either. I have no idea of the financials with EWU and NDSU, but they could be very good football adds as well. All this would have to be worth it financially of course. Could it work in that respect?

(04-22-2014 01:31 PM)pjc1979 Wrote:  

(04-22-2014 12:02 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  Montana has turned down FBS not long ago. Whatever Montana does, so does Montana State.
Eastern Washington? Guess if Idaho was permanent and we wanted more long flights, and additional expense.

Yes Montana did but perhaps they'd change their mind if it were for football only. Plus, for what it's worth, they could sell the advantage of continuing our rivalry with them and Georgia Southern. Football only I can see happening. If Idaho stays why the heck not. Montana State isn't too shabby either. I have no idea of the financials with EWU and NDSU, but they could be very good football adds as well. All this would have to be worth it financially of course. Could it work in that respect?

Like others, EWU would have some big facilities update costs. Their football stadium currently has a 8,600 capacity. There is a 2012 proposal, the "Gateway Project", for expansion to 15,000 and ultimately 22,000, but that project is on hold pending donors. Looking at the proposal, it looks like EWU would have a great upgrade in their football stadium and surrounding area.

Description of Roos Field: http://www.goeags.com/facilities/ewas-roos.html

Proposal Description Page: http://sites.ewu.edu/foundation/2012/04/...y-project/

Project on hold: http://access.ewu.edu/facilities/fp-projects/gateway

Their athletic expenses for the year ending 6/30/2013 totaled $11,538,025 according to the US Department of Education Equity in Athletics Data Analysis Cutting Tool.

Link to USDE site: http://ope.ed.gov/athletics/

Actually pretty sad, Cajun Field in 1971 brand spacing new held 26K.

http://www.ragincajuns.com/sports/2012/8...spx?id=504

Listed as 1970, but did not open until late in the 1971 season. Took my new born infant son to that game, he was probably the youngest fan to ever attend the game and it was the official first game.