Hello There, Guest! (LoginRegister)


Post Reply 
The Sun Belt Final 4
Author Message
Bookmark and Share
TroyFootball05 Online
1987 Man of the Year
*

Posts: 10,669
Joined: Feb 2009
Reputation: 585
I Root For: Good Times
Location: 8-Bit Pizza Bar
Post: #61
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
I'm now hearing it's between Savannah State and the Campbell Camels as to who is the next latest and greatest SBC member.
04-18-2014 03:52 PM
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Gemofthehills Offline
All American
*

Posts: 3,144
Joined: Jan 2005
Reputation: 219
I Root For: JSU
Location:
Post: #62
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
(04-18-2014 03:03 PM)JoeJag Wrote:  
(04-18-2014 02:48 PM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  Has anyone here ever looked in a mirror?
The SB is a group of unknown underappreciated universities as are the candidates for membership.

And your purpose over on this board other than to flame, is:_______?

Not much
04-18-2014 04:28 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
asupatch Offline
2nd String
*

Posts: 442
Joined: Oct 2011
Reputation: 2
I Root For: APPY STATE!!
Location: Denver, CO
Post: #63
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
(04-18-2014 01:15 PM)TroyFootball05 Wrote:  
(04-18-2014 01:11 PM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  
(04-18-2014 12:47 PM)runamuck Wrote:  
(04-17-2014 07:37 PM)Liberty22 Wrote:  That actually makes me feel pretty excited. Most sources said it was JMU and MoSt ahead of Liberty, so I would think the order now is Liberty, EKU, Jacksonville St.

not me. those are all regional schools nobody ever heard of..will just lower the image of the conference in the eyes of the typical sports fan out there. I was hoping for nmsu all in and maybe mostate...jmu was not going to be that great of an add, but the least bad of the rest..at this point I would favor not adding any just to be adding.

What do you expect. How many on this board had ever hear of UTA before they were invited to join the conference.......I had not.

Back in 2006-2009 when Troy was giving BCS teams scares left and right I remember going on away games and fans in places like walmart would always ask me, "Troy, that's in New York isn't it?"

At least everyone in the nation knows where Liberty U is...........................the internets.
(This post was last modified: 04-18-2014 04:33 PM by asupatch.)
04-18-2014 04:32 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
LexColonel Offline
2nd String
*

Posts: 463
Joined: Aug 2013
Reputation: 36
I Root For: EKU, Louisville, NAVY
Location: Lexington
Post: #64
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
(04-18-2014 02:51 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  
(04-18-2014 02:12 PM)LexColonel Wrote:  
(04-18-2014 12:03 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  
(04-18-2014 10:42 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  
(04-17-2014 10:24 PM)Libertygrad01 Wrote:  I've written this a couple of times and I don't want to bore any of you, but EKU has some real hurdles to overcome. First is trying to get funding/bonding approval from Frankfort. This won't be easy and possibly not possible at all. KY does things a little different and the lawmakers decide funding for all KY schools, not just monies given, but also if they allow bonding. So say EKU wanted to upgrade their football stadium and was going to pay for it by borrowing the money and then making payments using the increased revenue from the suites and ticket sales. Most universities can move on their own, but in KY Frankfort gets involved and things can get ugly rather quickly. UK is only 20 miles from Richmond and if UK doesn't want it to happen they have some pull in Frankfort.

EKU needs to hire around 20 athletic positions. These are not $10 an hour type jobs. Having to field two new female teams with full rides, plus the increase of the 20 or more scholarships on the football side. If you watch the youtube video of EKU's new president he even admits that some of these things are long term goals.

I like EKU. It's a good school and does a great job of educating most kids in Central KY, but they don't be ready for years and years. One other thing, most people in the area are diehard UK fans. Lexington is the major tv market and EKU is barely a blimp on the sports coverage. EKU would have to always play around the schedule of UK if they expected large turnouts.
Yes, you have written this a couple of times as have a few others. I am not going to spend any more time going line by line refuting some of these lame arguments. We have all heard, debated it ad nauseum.
I believe EKU officials are intelligent enough to know the obstacles and tackle them head on, as matter of fact that's what they are doing. Fans on a message board with their own agenda, bias and opinions really have no clue regarding EKU and their potential or ability to get this done. It's just that, an opinion.
You want Liberty to move to FBS through the Sun Belt. We get it. Argue their merits please and leave EKU out of your campaign. I have not seen one EKU fan on here, including myself, make any negative post about Liberty, and there have been plenty on here. We have not used innuendos and personal opinions regarding LU to bolster our case.


First off you're not "bolstering your case" here this is a message board. No one from the SBC is ever going to make a decision on anything from reading this board.

Second, what he said has a lot of truth in it...not opinions but TRUTHS. EVERY building on the EKU campus is a STATE building...own by the state of KY and will need their approval before any bonds are sold.

Third you have yet to refute anything only to give your opinion that this new president is smarter than us good ole KY boys that seen the system and how it works for a number of years. I have no doubt he's smarter than I am but still doesn't change the fact KY is like it is and most likely always be like that. There are people on your own message board basically saying the same thing.

Yes the post you replied to is based on opinion but it's a opinion most people in KY would probably share. But at this point like ARKSTFAN and even myself pointed out EKU doesn't have to have all the upgrade funding up front. Shoot you don't even need to go full upscale on a upgrade like Western did. Spend your 10 or 15 million if the state OK the bond sale on phase 1 of a upgrade and try to get the other done over the years.

What you will need is 2 to 3 million to pay for scholarships and pay increases to your coaches. No putting that off and it's there if the state will let you do it...most likely they will. Put a $100 per semester fee on the students and you get the needed 3 million. With half of it in hand come middle Aug. Like you said your president knows this.

The needed building of the EKU campus (just like Western 15 years ago) is another matter but that probably won't stop you from getting into the SBC. Cash or building poor or not EKU is starting to build some steam in this movement. Especially with the baggage of LU.
You know I would bet that I have lived longer in the state Of KY than you. Never have lived anywhere else. I was at Western the day they dedicated the stadium in 1968 you play in now. I have been to games there more times than I can remember. You or the other poster can't tell me anything I don't already know about how things are ran in this state. I also know that western is in the same state as EKU and operates under the same rules. I have seen where western once was (no better shape than we were), so the pretending that you were somehow something other than a sister institution of EKU's, is ridiculous.
Your opinion or mine isn't worth much in the scheme of things concerning EKU and the SB or any other conference for that matter. But, every time , EVERY TIME, EKU is mentioned in a move someone from western ( or Liberty, or someone else who knows little or nothing about EKU) gets on here "preaching" about what we cannot do. I could care less about what you, wkuperson, think. What's your purpose in this discussion? WHY do you care? Never mind, I know WHY you care.


100 people could read my post on this subject and your reply and I bet most of them will say...

what the hell! is he talking about. No not the post I wrote but your reply. Why is that, because I basically agree with you in everyone of them, and not once have I said anything in one of them to make anyone (other than you) to think, "big brother-little brother" .

Now step back from your complex and really see what I wrote.

1. EKU is where WKU was 15 years ago as far as the two campus go. EKU needs major upgrades to a lot of the campus...just like Western did. Western hired a president (15 years ago) to do the same things Eastern is trying to get done today. Western didn't do it over night ...it took 10+ years to get most of it done. And there's still work to be done.

Now tell me where I'm wrong or saying anything negative about Eastern.

2. Western could not depend on the state for funding and had to get creative to get most of it. As a matter of fact Western took the led in thinking outside the box in getting all the dorms upgraded. Now uk and many other schools are using that same model. Western had to go to the state 3 or 4 times and sell them on going into partnership with BG to get 30+ million in bonds sold to help on part of the upgrade. (I have a 100+ page pdf file with the model we gave to the state showing how this money was to be paid back...so far Western had more than made what was projected)

No where have I said Eastern can't do the same...I just pointed out what Western had to go through

Now you tell me something...from someone who lived in KY their whole life (I have also..54 years) how many budget cuts on state funding do you think Eastern had in the last 8 years?

How many times has Eastern asked the state for funding to upgrade your stadium (small needed upgrades) and it was cut from the budget... 2, 3, 5 ?

Finally no where did I say Eastern couldn't do this. What I said if you do get the invite before all the funding or work is done...

the upgrades will most likely not be unscaled like it would 5 years from now if you waited/created the funding before the jump...

there are too many other expenses that will take place.


A far as why am I making comments on this, well till July my school is at least a member of the SBC. Now the question is why are you so hell bent on being on the SBC board pimping your school to fans?

Let's just leave it at this. Unless you read every thread from back in September where the criticism of EKU began, and the can't and won't started, you will not get what I am saying. The only thing I have done is reply to those who have posted all  the can't and won't (and it has been a lot of western folks). It is just like everything else, unless you talk to someone in person there's a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding the others person's viewpoint. As far as "pimping" my school on a message board. Come on. The reason I am here in the first place, is exactly why I am still writing! A lot of misinformation, innuendoes, speculation and fabrication regarding EKU. Now if you can't understand that, I am and have been wasting my time. I am not waving a white towel by any means, I am just tired of all this. It is getting ridiculous. So if you feel the need to keep this up, have at it.
04-18-2014 04:42 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Oldyeller Online
All American
*

Posts: 3,210
Joined: Mar 2013
Reputation: 165
I Root For: Ga Southern
Location:
Post: #65
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
It's a risky move but the JMU administration could be waiting for back lash regarding the "unofficial" decline to the Sun Belt's unofficial invitation. If the fall out is too significant things could change on a dime. You heard it here first. Benson has more choices than JMU. His defensive reaction would likely come sooner than JMU's.
04-18-2014 05:38 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
msu_bears Offline
2nd String
*

Posts: 313
Joined: Jun 2011
Reputation: 10
I Root For: MO STATE
Location:
Post: #66
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
(04-18-2014 04:32 PM)asupatch Wrote:  At least everyone in the nation knows where Liberty U is...........................the internets.

I'll be honest, I have no idea what state Liberty is even in. I thought it was in Texas but people keep saying they would be app's travel partner, so they must be on the east coast somewhere...
(This post was last modified: 04-18-2014 05:49 PM by msu_bears.)
04-18-2014 05:49 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
DrGonzo Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,101
Joined: Mar 2012
Reputation: 134
I Root For: App State
Location:
Post: #67
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
(04-18-2014 05:49 PM)msu_bears Wrote:  
(04-18-2014 04:32 PM)asupatch Wrote:  At least everyone in the nation knows where Liberty U is...........................the internets.

I'll be honest, I have no idea what state Liberty is even in. I thought it was in Texas but people keep saying they would be app's travel partner, so they must be on the east coast somewhere...
LU is located between the Garden of Eden and the land of Zion.
04-18-2014 05:56 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
NewTimes Offline
All American
*

Posts: 3,107
Joined: May 2012
Reputation: 95
I Root For: Flames & Canes
Location: Rome, GA
Post: #68
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
(04-18-2014 10:42 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  
(04-17-2014 10:24 PM)Libertygrad01 Wrote:  I've written this a couple of times and I don't want to bore any of you, but EKU has some real hurdles to overcome. First is trying to get funding/bonding approval from Frankfort. This won't be easy and possibly not possible at all. KY does things a little different and the lawmakers decide funding for all KY schools, not just monies given, but also if they allow bonding. So say EKU wanted to upgrade their football stadium and was going to pay for it by borrowing the money and then making payments using the increased revenue from the suites and ticket sales. Most universities can move on their own, but in KY Frankfort gets involved and things can get ugly rather quickly. UK is only 20 miles from Richmond and if UK doesn't want it to happen they have some pull in Frankfort.

EKU needs to hire around 20 athletic positions. These are not $10 an hour type jobs. Having to field two new female teams with full rides, plus the increase of the 20 or more scholarships on the football side. If you watch the youtube video of EKU's new president he even admits that some of these things are long term goals.

I like EKU. It's a good school and does a great job of educating most kids in Central KY, but they don't be ready for years and years. One other thing, most people in the area are diehard UK fans. Lexington is the major tv market and EKU is barely a blimp on the sports coverage. EKU would have to always play around the schedule of UK if they expected large turnouts.
Yes, you have written this a couple of times as have a few others. I am not going to spend any more time going line by line refuting some of these lame arguments. We have all heard, debated it ad nauseum.
I believe EKU officials are intelligent enough to know the obstacles and tackle them head on, as matter of fact that's what they are doing. Fans on a message board with their own agenda, bias and opinions really have no clue regarding EKU and their potential or ability to get this done. It's just that, an opinion.
You want Liberty to move to FBS through the Sun Belt. We get it. Argue their merits please and leave EKU out of your campaign. I have not seen one EKU fan on here, including myself, make any negative post about Liberty, and there have been plenty on here. We have not used innuendos and personal opinions regarding LU to bolster our case.
As a LU fan I agree with your point. LU fans, support your team without unfavorable comments about others.
04-18-2014 06:08 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
GE and MTS Offline
Moderator
*

Posts: 3,656
Joined: Apr 2012
Reputation: 83
I Root For: Liberty/Penn St
Location: FBS!!!
Post: #69
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
(04-18-2014 06:08 PM)Newetimes Wrote:  
(04-18-2014 10:42 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  
(04-17-2014 10:24 PM)Libertygrad01 Wrote:  I've written this a couple of times and I don't want to bore any of you, but EKU has some real hurdles to overcome. First is trying to get funding/bonding approval from Frankfort. This won't be easy and possibly not possible at all. KY does things a little different and the lawmakers decide funding for all KY schools, not just monies given, but also if they allow bonding. So say EKU wanted to upgrade their football stadium and was going to pay for it by borrowing the money and then making payments using the increased revenue from the suites and ticket sales. Most universities can move on their own, but in KY Frankfort gets involved and things can get ugly rather quickly. UK is only 20 miles from Richmond and if UK doesn't want it to happen they have some pull in Frankfort.

EKU needs to hire around 20 athletic positions. These are not $10 an hour type jobs. Having to field two new female teams with full rides, plus the increase of the 20 or more scholarships on the football side. If you watch the youtube video of EKU's new president he even admits that some of these things are long term goals.

I like EKU. It's a good school and does a great job of educating most kids in Central KY, but they don't be ready for years and years. One other thing, most people in the area are diehard UK fans. Lexington is the major tv market and EKU is barely a blimp on the sports coverage. EKU would have to always play around the schedule of UK if they expected large turnouts.
Yes, you have written this a couple of times as have a few others. I am not going to spend any more time going line by line refuting some of these lame arguments. We have all heard, debated it ad nauseum.
I believe EKU officials are intelligent enough to know the obstacles and tackle them head on, as matter of fact that's what they are doing. Fans on a message board with their own agenda, bias and opinions really have no clue regarding EKU and their potential or ability to get this done. It's just that, an opinion.
You want Liberty to move to FBS through the Sun Belt. We get it. Argue their merits please and leave EKU out of your campaign. I have not seen one EKU fan on here, including myself, make any negative post about Liberty, and there have been plenty on here. We have not used innuendos and personal opinions regarding LU to bolster our case.
As a LU fan I agree with your point. LU fans, support your team without unfavorable comments about others.

Libertygrad01 was just giving his opinion about EKU since he is familiar with them. Just because one paranoid poster got bent out of shape because every time someone mentions EKU he freaks out thinking they are out to get them. It doesn't mean Libertygrad01 was trashing EKU. He wasn't harsh or overly critical but brought up genuine points as to why EKU would have trouble getting to FBS. If EKU can't answer those questions with answers better than, "We sure do have a lot of hope in our president because he talks a good game so I trust him," then I think they are legitimate concerns.
04-19-2014 09:38 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
EKUSteve Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 1,237
Joined: Sep 2013
Reputation: 63
I Root For: EKU & A&M
Location:
Post: #70
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
(04-19-2014 09:38 AM)GE and MTS Wrote:  
(04-18-2014 06:08 PM)Newetimes Wrote:  
(04-18-2014 10:42 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  
(04-17-2014 10:24 PM)Libertygrad01 Wrote:  I've written this a couple of times and I don't want to bore any of you, but EKU has some real hurdles to overcome. First is trying to get funding/bonding approval from Frankfort. This won't be easy and possibly not possible at all. KY does things a little different and the lawmakers decide funding for all KY schools, not just monies given, but also if they allow bonding. So say EKU wanted to upgrade their football stadium and was going to pay for it by borrowing the money and then making payments using the increased revenue from the suites and ticket sales. Most universities can move on their own, but in KY Frankfort gets involved and things can get ugly rather quickly. UK is only 20 miles from Richmond and if UK doesn't want it to happen they have some pull in Frankfort.

EKU needs to hire around 20 athletic positions. These are not $10 an hour type jobs. Having to field two new female teams with full rides, plus the increase of the 20 or more scholarships on the football side. If you watch the youtube video of EKU's new president he even admits that some of these things are long term goals.

I like EKU. It's a good school and does a great job of educating most kids in Central KY, but they don't be ready for years and years. One other thing, most people in the area are diehard UK fans. Lexington is the major tv market and EKU is barely a blimp on the sports coverage. EKU would have to always play around the schedule of UK if they expected large turnouts.
Yes, you have written this a couple of times as have a few others. I am not going to spend any more time going line by line refuting some of these lame arguments. We have all heard, debated it ad nauseum.
I believe EKU officials are intelligent enough to know the obstacles and tackle them head on, as matter of fact that's what they are doing. Fans on a message board with their own agenda, bias and opinions really have no clue regarding EKU and their potential or ability to get this done. It's just that, an opinion.
You want Liberty to move to FBS through the Sun Belt. We get it. Argue their merits please and leave EKU out of your campaign. I have not seen one EKU fan on here, including myself, make any negative post about Liberty, and there have been plenty on here. We have not used innuendos and personal opinions regarding LU to bolster our case.
As a LU fan I agree with your point. LU fans, support your team without unfavorable comments about others.

Libertygrad01 was just giving his opinion about EKU since he is familiar with them. Just because one paranoid poster got bent out of shape because every time someone mentions EKU he freaks out thinking they are out to get them. It doesn't mean Libertygrad01 was trashing EKU. He wasn't harsh or overly critical but brought up genuine points as to why EKU would have trouble getting to FBS. If EKU can't answer those questions with answers better than, "We sure do have a lot of hope in our president because he talks a good game so I trust him," then I think they are legitimate concerns.

Guys,

Some of the quotes about what needs to happen at EKU sounded a bit condescending as like our admin our us had no idea what we needed to do. It bugged some of us because the link to the brief done for the EKU athletics forum had already be put out on one of the threads (I believe it is on the EKU Doing What They Need to Do thread) showing all the budget increases to include scholarships for football, the equivalent number increase for women's sports and the number of athletic department positions we will need to add as well.

One of the big questions has always been the bonding approval for funding of improvements to the athletic facilities. In the Athletics Forum briefing, President Benson showed where the State approved our bonding for the capital improvements of $15 million. We are going to have to get additional private funding to do what we need to build the new stadium seating with boxes, etc, that has been verbally described. To help pay for these, there was a proposed $50/ semester student athletics fee, which is in line in our state to what UofL charges. There was also an additional $50/semester fee for general capital improvements for the school for the rest of the school plant.

The things I would like to see is what the new plan is for the stadium and an announcement of the private funding. I think the new stadium side could go up in the 9 months between seasons based on what I'm seeing occur with the stadium renovation for where I went to grad school, Texas A&M. Since the last home game in Nov, the east side lower level seating has been totally demolished and rebuilt. Right now they are working to enclose the south end of Kyle Field with a three deck stand. After next season the whole west side will be demolished and rebuilt before our first home game in 2015 to include luxury boxes, etc.

If the Sun Belt is going to go to 12, then I see the competition is among Liberty, EKU and JSU. Much of it will come down to who will/has sold themselves as bringing the best value to the conference. It sounds like most of all three fan bases want to do this.

Anyway, sorry for the long post but just wanted to lay out a few things. Thanks for letting us post on this board even though we are not in the conference at this time.
04-19-2014 10:55 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
JSUFan Offline
Water Engineer
*

Posts: 61
Joined: Mar 2013
Reputation: -1
I Root For: Jacksonville St
Location:
Post: #71
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
EKUSteve.....Do you think that EKU is a consideration for the MAC?
04-19-2014 11:51 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
EKUSteve Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 1,237
Joined: Sep 2013
Reputation: 63
I Root For: EKU & A&M
Location:
Post: #72
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
(04-19-2014 11:51 AM)JSUFan Wrote:  EKUSteve.....Do you think that EKU is a consideration for the MAC?

I'm not sure we are. The academic profile is not the same plus I'm not sure they are really going to go past 12. I could be wrong and I would be surprised. I would prefer the MAC for selfish reason, mainly because I live in Indiana and could get to some of the away games easier.

All the briefings the Admin has been doing is about the Sun Belt. My thought is that when we had discussions with the Sun Belt and the MAC, the MAC gave the indication they were not expanding...
04-19-2014 12:06 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
ChooChoo Offline
Sun Belt Nationalist
*

Posts: 1,406
Joined: May 2005
Reputation: 121
I Root For: Georgia State
Location: Okefenokee Swamp
Post: #73
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
Well here is another 2¢ comment. I would personally like to see the conference expand into an adjacent state. TN offers UTC, TN St, TN Tech, ETSU. I think UTC would be ideal for the east but there appears to be no interest and the others are just too small. We know EKU and Liberty are the only apparent options from KY and VA with both of their strengths and issues. No other school in NC has been seriously discussed to my knowledge and I've been watching this stuff for years. As for SC, there is lots of potential. The Citadel could be huge. Furman or Wofford could be our Vandy, Northwestern, or Baylor. Costal has location, growth, and money. SC St has a huge base but HBCU bowl barriers and money issues. If that state wasn't so polarizing and Clemson/USC centric any of those could be dark horse winners with the right push. Florida has no current options. In 15 years Florida Tech, West Florida, UNF, and FGCU may be options but those don't help for 2015.
That really brings us back around to what other east options are out there. The only viable option in all the eastern conference states appears to be JSU. I have all kinds of issues with JSU. Its location is too close to my school in GA. It would be the 6th FBS school in AL and 3rd in the SBC. Its confusing that Jacksonville is not in FL for 90% of the nation. But honestly, all that being said they would be a great fit. Good fans, great band, nice stadium, easy travel, built in rivals. If they were over the TN border they'd be money. So I guess my point is, should we let their location keep us from taking the best fit for our conference? I'll endorse JSU if they change their name to Alabama Tech :). Honestly, they're more prepared and fit culturally than most anyone else.
04-19-2014 12:43 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
JSUFan Offline
Water Engineer
*

Posts: 61
Joined: Mar 2013
Reputation: -1
I Root For: Jacksonville St
Location:
Post: #74
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
(04-19-2014 12:43 PM)ChooChoo Wrote:  Well here is another 2¢ comment. I would personally like to see the conference expand into an adjacent state. TN offers UTC, TN St, TN Tech, ETSU. I think UTC would be ideal for the east but there appears to be no interest and the others are just too small. We know EKU and Liberty are the only apparent options from KY and VA with both of their strengths and issues. No other school in NC has been seriously discussed to my knowledge and I've been watching this stuff for years. As for SC, there is lots of potential. The Citadel could be huge. Furman or Wofford could be our Vandy, Northwestern, or Baylor. Costal has location, growth, and money. SC St has a huge base but HBCU bowl barriers and money issues. If that state wasn't so polarizing and Clemson/USC centric any of those could be dark horse winners with the right push. Florida has no current options. In 15 years Florida Tech, West Florida, UNF, and FGCU may be options but those don't help for 2015.
That really brings us back around to what other east options are out there. The only viable option in all the eastern conference states appears to be JSU. I have all kinds of issues with JSU. Its location is too close to my school in GA. It would be the 6th FBS school in AL and 3rd in the SBC. Its confusing that Jacksonville is not in FL for 90% of the nation. But honestly, all that being said they would be a great fit. Good fans, great band, nice stadium, easy travel, built in rivals. If they were over the TN border they'd be money. So I guess my point is, should we let their location keep us from taking the best fit for our conference? I'll endorse JSU if they change their name to Alabama Tech :). Honestly, they're more prepared and fit culturally than most anyone else.

Choo Choo...that is pretty much how I see it for JSU. What is your opinion of EKU?
04-19-2014 12:54 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
GSU Eagles Offline
Heisman
*

Posts: 5,010
Joined: Aug 2009
Reputation: 76
I Root For: GeorgiaSouthern
Location:
Post: #75
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
JSU and EKU are only good options if the conference is in survival mode. Outside of that, they don't bring enough to the table and given the possibility of stipends for athletes, both would be in survival mode in FBS. JSU and EKU get invites if we drop below 9 football programs.
04-19-2014 12:59 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
ChooChoo Offline
Sun Belt Nationalist
*

Posts: 1,406
Joined: May 2005
Reputation: 121
I Root For: Georgia State
Location: Okefenokee Swamp
Post: #76
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
Quote:Choo Choo...that is pretty much how I see it for JSU. What is your opinion of EKU?

I am torn on EKU. I think EKU would work best if the conference were adding a VA or TN school as well. I think regional rivals are whats going to help this conference grow and get more competitive. A combo of EKU/LU/App or UTC/App/EKU or ideally EKU/JMU/App St would stand to strengthen that region as SBC country and not just EKU by itself in a non-adjacent state. To me they just seem isolated otherwise and not impactful.
So all that being said, of the 3 options seemingly on the board I'd say 1.Liberty , 2.Liberty and EKU, 3.JSU, 4.Just EKU. But will LU ever have the votes?
I'm still big on a MO St invite down the road. Gotta believe there is something still there.
04-19-2014 02:01 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
JSUFan Offline
Water Engineer
*

Posts: 61
Joined: Mar 2013
Reputation: -1
I Root For: Jacksonville St
Location:
Post: #77
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
Why do people not like Liberty? Is it because it is a Christian school? Is the Sun Belt run by atheists?
04-19-2014 02:14 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
SoCalBobcat78 Offline
All American
*

Posts: 3,859
Joined: Jan 2014
Reputation: 302
I Root For: TXST, UCLA, CBU
Location:
Post: #78
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
(04-17-2014 09:01 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote:  Benson has consistently said for months now and it has been said by others that the goal is to add a 12th all sports member by June 1. I am not at all convinced that UMass has the votes to get in. I am not sure Liberty does either. We will see by June 1 if Liberty can get 9 votes. I think most would agree Liberty is more ready for FBS than either Jacksonville St. or EKU right now.

If the goal is a 12th all-sports member, then UMASS is out. JSU, EKU and Liberty will not be any different a year from now. Either you like them or you don't.

No school the SBC picks is going to be perfect. Not now or in the future. Liberty is the easy transition because of their money. Virginia is a good state for the SBC to be in and it fits the two division, travel partner concept that the Sun Belt wants. Liberty has the most upside. Of the three, it should be Liberty.
04-19-2014 03:21 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
GSU Eagles Offline
Heisman
*

Posts: 5,010
Joined: Aug 2009
Reputation: 76
I Root For: GeorgiaSouthern
Location:
Post: #79
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
Who would have thought we'd have a man from California (Benson) having to make a hard sell for a Southern Baptist school (Liberty) to a group of schools in the heart of the Southern Baptist belt (GA, AL, TX, AR) ? Ah, the irony.
04-19-2014 03:29 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
ARSTATEFAN1986 Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 1,036
Joined: May 2013
Reputation: 12
I Root For: Arkansas State
Location:
Post: #80
RE: The Sun Belt Final 4
(04-19-2014 03:29 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  Who would have thought we'd have a man from California (Benson) having to make a hard sell for a Southern Baptist school (Liberty) to a group of schools in the heart of the Southern Baptist belt (GA, AL, TX, AR) ? Ah, the irony.

At this point...the possibilities are:

1. Liberty, UMASS football only and NMSU full member.
2. EKU, UMASS football only and NMSU full member.
3. Liberty
4. No one now...but later EKU, Missouri State, and NMSU full member.
04-19-2014 09:20 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 




User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)


Copyright © 2002-2024 Collegiate Sports Nation Bulletin Board System (CSNbbs), All Rights Reserved.
CSNbbs is an independent fan site and is in no way affiliated to the NCAA or any of the schools and conferences it represents.
This site monetizes links. FTC Disclosure.
We allow third-party companies to serve ads and/or collect certain anonymous information when you visit our web site. These companies may use non-personally identifiable information (e.g., click stream information, browser type, time and date, subject of advertisements clicked or scrolled over) during your visits to this and other Web sites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services likely to be of greater interest to you. These companies typically use a cookie or third party web beacon to collect this information. To learn more about this behavioral advertising practice or to opt-out of this type of advertising, you can visit http://www.networkadvertising.org.
Powered By MyBB, © 2002-2024 MyBB Group.