COA doesnt affect conference affiliation. COA can be offered at FBS or FCS and a school offering or not offering COA will not affect their standing or their attractiveness to a conference.

It does affect competitive balance in the conference and JMU should be prepared, 100%, to begin to offer COA for football if/when they move up to FBS. They should have that budget line ready to go after a conference change.

If you wish to be competitive in a P5 conference you have to offer COA. However, only about 50% of G5 teams are or will offer soon. Only 3 FCS teams are offering COA for football.

COA will not be a difference maker when the MAC/CUSA/AAC are deciding whether or not to invite JMU. These conferences care more about the macroeconomics issues (markets, support, travel time, programs offered) while offering COA is more of a microeconomics issue.

(10-05-2015 10:02 AM)dukeforlife17 Wrote:  Just look at the playoff game last year vs. Liberty, nobody showed up to that (albeit it was thanksgiving break, even I didn't go to that game)

The playoff game last year was poorly attended because it was Thanksgiving weekend. Just look at all college football games, even at the FBS level. Outside of big time P5 rivalries, no one shows up on the weekend before or after thanksgiving because students don't say no to mommy and out of town fans don't see the point in traveling and telling loved ones they're ditching them for a football game.
The reason the liberty game was poorly attended was 1) thanksgiving weekend, 2) cold outside, 3) less than a week notice for fans, 4) liberty really doesn't move the needle for casual fans despite some posters claiming otherwise.

I appreciate your posting and largely agree with you, but I think SBC or MAC schools won't move the needle for any fans more than current CAA teams. CUSA has potential to great some more buzz, but even that isn't a guarantee outside of ODU. All other higher up conferences are unrealistic and are therefore not even worth talking about.

We should move up, but I'm not going to act like the very casual fan is suddenly going to start caring enough to show up to more than one or no games per season... if the weather is beautiful and it's not a weeknight.

(10-05-2015 10:14 AM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  COA doesnt affect conference affiliation. COA can be offered at FBS or FCS and a school offering or not offering COA will not affect their standing or their attractiveness to a conference.

It does affect competitive balance in the conference and JMU should be prepared, 100%, to begin to offer COA for football if/when they move up to FBS. They should have that budget line ready to go after a conference change.

If you wish to be competitive in a P5 conference you have to offer COA. However, only about 50% of G5 teams are or will offer soon. Only 3 FCS teams are offering COA for football.

COA will not be a difference maker when the MAC/CUSA/AAC are deciding whether or not to invite JMU. These conferences care more about the macroeconomics issues (markets, support, travel time, programs offered) while offering COA is more of a microeconomics issue.

Good point, didn't know that only 50% of G5 schools offer.

(10-05-2015 10:07 AM)dukeforlife17 Wrote:  Some of the major problems with support at this school is that 1. When students come here, no one has heard of JMU Athletics, they are all UVA or Tech fans (which btw is the most annoying thing on planet earth) so no one is exited to go to games. It's the national exposure which tends to hurt JMU, and you have a MUCH greater chance of increasing that at the FBS level than you do at the FCS level. 2. The competition recognition is much lower as well

You have a MUCH, MUCH greater chance of increasing national recognition by investing in your basketball program through COA, facilities, coaches and asst. coaches, recruiters and by moving the students closer to the court to create a better home field advantage.

JMU, Delaware, Richmond and Villanova have all won FCS championships in the CAA in the past 12 years. UMASS and Towson were runners up. Success in football does not bring national name recognition like basketball does. Just look at VCU, Mason and ODU who all had conference affiliation changes after NCAA tournament success.

(10-05-2015 10:18 AM)Potomac Wrote:  I appreciate your posting and largely agree with you, but I think SBC or MAC schools won't move the needle for any fans more than current CAA teams. CUSA has potential to great some more buzz, but even that isn't a guarantee outside of ODU. All other higher up conferences are unrealistic and are therefore not even worth talking about.

We should move up, but I'm not going to act like the very casual fan is suddenly going to start caring enough to show up to more than one or no games per season... if the weather is beautiful and it's not a weeknight.

+1 - thank you for your realistic assessment in the bolded part. A lot of people on here would never admit to this.

Grist for the mill:

@SandlapperSpike: Wofford hoops coach Mike Young says in this article that the school will fund full COA for his team next year: http://t.co/4sO2GuoOtg

Note that Wofford's prez signed that infamous COA letter. Go figure.

(10-08-2015 09:54 AM)Madison 91 Forever Wrote:  Grist for the mill:

@SandlapperSpike: Wofford hoops coach Mike Young says in this article that the school will fund full COA for his team next year: http://t.co/4sO2GuoOtg

Note that Wofford's prez signed that infamous COA letter. Go figure.

Great find!! So you are saying there is hope for us.

(10-05-2015 10:19 AM)dukeforlife17 Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 10:14 AM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  COA doesnt affect conference affiliation. COA can be offered at FBS or FCS and a school offering or not offering COA will not affect their standing or their attractiveness to a conference.

It does affect competitive balance in the conference and JMU should be prepared, 100%, to begin to offer COA for football if/when they move up to FBS. They should have that budget line ready to go after a conference change.

If you wish to be competitive in a P5 conference you have to offer COA. However, only about 50% of G5 teams are or will offer soon. Only 3 FCS teams are offering COA for football.

COA will not be a difference maker when the MAC/CUSA/AAC are deciding whether or not to invite JMU. These conferences care more about the macroeconomics issues (markets, support, travel time, programs offered) while offering COA is more of a microeconomics issue.

Good point, didn't know that only 50% of G5 schools offer.

I'm pretty sure almost 100% of G5 schools have said they will offer COA. They just haven't been implemented at all schools as of this year.

(10-08-2015 09:57 AM)DolleyMadison Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 10:19 AM)dukeforlife17 Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 10:14 AM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  COA doesnt affect conference affiliation. COA can be offered at FBS or FCS and a school offering or not offering COA will not affect their standing or their attractiveness to a conference.

It does affect competitive balance in the conference and JMU should be prepared, 100%, to begin to offer COA for football if/when they move up to FBS. They should have that budget line ready to go after a conference change.

If you wish to be competitive in a P5 conference you have to offer COA. However, only about 50% of G5 teams are or will offer soon. Only 3 FCS teams are offering COA for football.

COA will not be a difference maker when the MAC/CUSA/AAC are deciding whether or not to invite JMU. These conferences care more about the macroeconomics issues (markets, support, travel time, programs offered) while offering COA is more of a microeconomics issue.

Good point, didn't know that only 50% of G5 schools offer.

I'm pretty sure almost 100% of G5 schools have said they will offer COA. They just haven't been implemented at all schools as of this year.

SUN BELT 2015-16
Louisiana-Monroe $6,056 Undecided if offering
Georgia Southern $5,880 Not offering until 2016
South Alabama $5,470
New Mexico State $4,046 Not offering in 2015 Undecided beyond that
Louisiana-Lafayette $4,036 Undecided if offering
Arkansas State $4,000
Idaho $3,604 Not offering in 2015 Undecided beyond that
Georgia State $3,570 Not offering in 2015 Undecided beyond that
Appalachian State $3,400 Not offering until 2016
Texas State $3,060 Not offering until 2016
Troy Did not provide Did not provide

(10-05-2015 10:20 AM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 10:07 AM)dukeforlife17 Wrote:  Some of the major problems with support at this school is that 1. When students come here, no one has heard of JMU Athletics, they are all UVA or Tech fans (which btw is the most annoying thing on planet earth) so no one is exited to go to games. It's the national exposure which tends to hurt JMU, and you have a MUCH greater chance of increasing that at the FBS level than you do at the FCS level. 2. The competition recognition is much lower as well

You have a MUCH, MUCH greater chance of increasing national recognition by investing in your basketball program through COA, facilities, coaches and asst. coaches, recruiters and by moving the students closer to the court to create a better home field advantage.

JMU, Delaware, Richmond and Villanova have all won FCS championships in the CAA in the past 12 years. UMASS and Towson were runners up. Success in football does not bring national name recognition like basketball does. Just look at VCU, Mason and ODU who all had conference affiliation changes after NCAA tournament success.

Yeah, I've been saying this all along but with the way our MBB program has been treated (prioritized) over the last 20 years this has obviously been lost on the admin. It starts with the investment in the head coach. COA, new arena, fancy uniforms, free tacos, etc won't help without the linchpin. VCU, Mason, ODU, Wichita State, etc all found success through their coach.

(10-08-2015 11:58 AM)2Buck Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 10:20 AM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 10:07 AM)dukeforlife17 Wrote:  Some of the major problems with support at this school is that 1. When students come here, no one has heard of JMU Athletics, they are all UVA or Tech fans (which btw is the most annoying thing on planet earth) so no one is exited to go to games. It's the national exposure which tends to hurt JMU, and you have a MUCH greater chance of increasing that at the FBS level than you do at the FCS level. 2. The competition recognition is much lower as well

You have a MUCH, MUCH greater chance of increasing national recognition by investing in your basketball program through COA, facilities, coaches and asst. coaches, recruiters and by moving the students closer to the court to create a better home field advantage.

JMU, Delaware, Richmond and Villanova have all won FCS championships in the CAA in the past 12 years. UMASS and Towson were runners up. Success in football does not bring national name recognition like basketball does. Just look at VCU, Mason and ODU who all had conference affiliation changes after NCAA tournament success.

Yeah, I've been saying this all along but with the way our MBB program has been treated (prioritized) over the last 20 years this has obviously been lost on the admin. It starts with the investment in the head coach. COA, new arena, fancy uniforms, free tacos, etc won't help without the linchpin. VCU, Mason, ODU, Wichita State, etc all found success through their coach.

The admin sabotaged MBB primarily through poor coaching hires and intentionally "toning down" the atmosphere in the Convo by pushing students away from the action. It's disgraceful. There was a time when big name visiting teams FEARED playing at the Convo due to noise and intensity. Basketball is a sport where "home court advantage" can be a huge factor, the Convo used to have this. Now it doesn't - and that's completely on the admin. Fix that, and maybe I'd consider donating to a new arena. For now, I feel the $ would be better directed to football.

(10-08-2015 12:19 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(10-08-2015 11:58 AM)2Buck Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 10:20 AM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 10:07 AM)dukeforlife17 Wrote:  Some of the major problems with support at this school is that 1. When students come here, no one has heard of JMU Athletics, they are all UVA or Tech fans (which btw is the most annoying thing on planet earth) so no one is exited to go to games. It's the national exposure which tends to hurt JMU, and you have a MUCH greater chance of increasing that at the FBS level than you do at the FCS level. 2. The competition recognition is much lower as well

You have a MUCH, MUCH greater chance of increasing national recognition by investing in your basketball program through COA, facilities, coaches and asst. coaches, recruiters and by moving the students closer to the court to create a better home field advantage.

JMU, Delaware, Richmond and Villanova have all won FCS championships in the CAA in the past 12 years. UMASS and Towson were runners up. Success in football does not bring national name recognition like basketball does. Just look at VCU, Mason and ODU who all had conference affiliation changes after NCAA tournament success.

Yeah, I've been saying this all along but with the way our MBB program has been treated (prioritized) over the last 20 years this has obviously been lost on the admin. It starts with the investment in the head coach. COA, new arena, fancy uniforms, free tacos, etc won't help without the linchpin. VCU, Mason, ODU, Wichita State, etc all found success through their coach.

The admin sabotaged MBB primarily through poor coaching hires and intentionally "toning down" the atmosphere in the Convo by pushing students away from the action. It's disgraceful. There was a time when big name visiting teams FEARED playing at the Convo due to noise and intensity. Basketball is a sport where "home court advantage" can be a huge factor, the Convo used to have this. Now it doesn't - and that's completely on the admin. Fix that, and maybe I'd consider donating to a new arena. For now, I feel the $ would be better directed to football.

100% agree. Our admin has taken for granted our student support ever since the move from Godwin. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm thinking the students have never had the lower seats in the Convo. I graduated December of the first season in the Convo, therefore, I have very few memories of the place (Godwin ROCKED) I just remember feeling so far from the action when moving to the Convo. Students are the very best customers JMU has and should always be given priority over all but the largest contributors.

(10-10-2015 09:00 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(10-08-2015 12:19 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(10-08-2015 11:58 AM)2Buck Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 10:20 AM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 10:07 AM)dukeforlife17 Wrote:  Some of the major problems with support at this school is that 1. When students come here, no one has heard of JMU Athletics, they are all UVA or Tech fans (which btw is the most annoying thing on planet earth) so no one is exited to go to games. It's the national exposure which tends to hurt JMU, and you have a MUCH greater chance of increasing that at the FBS level than you do at the FCS level. 2. The competition recognition is much lower as well

You have a MUCH, MUCH greater chance of increasing national recognition by investing in your basketball program through COA, facilities, coaches and asst. coaches, recruiters and by moving the students closer to the court to create a better home field advantage.

JMU, Delaware, Richmond and Villanova have all won FCS championships in the CAA in the past 12 years. UMASS and Towson were runners up. Success in football does not bring national name recognition like basketball does. Just look at VCU, Mason and ODU who all had conference affiliation changes after NCAA tournament success.

Yeah, I've been saying this all along but with the way our MBB program has been treated (prioritized) over the last 20 years this has obviously been lost on the admin. It starts with the investment in the head coach. COA, new arena, fancy uniforms, free tacos, etc won't help without the linchpin. VCU, Mason, ODU, Wichita State, etc all found success through their coach.

The admin sabotaged MBB primarily through poor coaching hires and intentionally "toning down" the atmosphere in the Convo by pushing students away from the action. It's disgraceful. There was a time when big name visiting teams FEARED playing at the Convo due to noise and intensity. Basketball is a sport where "home court advantage" can be a huge factor, the Convo used to have this. Now it doesn't - and that's completely on the admin. Fix that, and maybe I'd consider donating to a new arena. For now, I feel the $ would be better directed to football.

100% agree. Our admin has taken for granted our student support ever since the move from Godwin. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm thinking the students have never had the lower seats in the Convo. I graduated December of the first season in the Convo, therefore, I have very few memories of the place (Godwin ROCKED) I just remember feeling so far from the action when moving to the Convo. Students are the very best customers JMU has and should always be given priority over all but the largest contributors.

When the Convo opened, the students had the entire small section 104 and all of section 105. We also had the lower bleachers behind the baskets at both ends, though it was partially shared with cheerleaders/Dukettes. The bleachers were much larger than the crap that's there now. We also took up the entire upper level bleachers ( behind both baskets). The band took up maybe a quarter of that area. The rest of the student seating was upper level bleachers behind press row. Students would line up early to get the prime seats back then. It appears from this map that they've finally gone back to giving the students some prime seats down low in 104 and 105. My recollection is that those were taken from the students around the time that Lefty arrived.

(10-10-2015 09:00 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(10-08-2015 12:19 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(10-08-2015 11:58 AM)2Buck Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 10:20 AM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 10:07 AM)dukeforlife17 Wrote:  Some of the major problems with support at this school is that 1. When students come here, no one has heard of JMU Athletics, they are all UVA or Tech fans (which btw is the most annoying thing on planet earth) so no one is exited to go to games. It's the national exposure which tends to hurt JMU, and you have a MUCH greater chance of increasing that at the FBS level than you do at the FCS level. 2. The competition recognition is much lower as well

You have a MUCH, MUCH greater chance of increasing national recognition by investing in your basketball program through COA, facilities, coaches and asst. coaches, recruiters and by moving the students closer to the court to create a better home field advantage.

JMU, Delaware, Richmond and Villanova have all won FCS championships in the CAA in the past 12 years. UMASS and Towson were runners up. Success in football does not bring national name recognition like basketball does. Just look at VCU, Mason and ODU who all had conference affiliation changes after NCAA tournament success.

Yeah, I've been saying this all along but with the way our MBB program has been treated (prioritized) over the last 20 years this has obviously been lost on the admin. It starts with the investment in the head coach. COA, new arena, fancy uniforms, free tacos, etc won't help without the linchpin. VCU, Mason, ODU, Wichita State, etc all found success through their coach.

The admin sabotaged MBB primarily through poor coaching hires and intentionally "toning down" the atmosphere in the Convo by pushing students away from the action. It's disgraceful. There was a time when big name visiting teams FEARED playing at the Convo due to noise and intensity. Basketball is a sport where "home court advantage" can be a huge factor, the Convo used to have this. Now it doesn't - and that's completely on the admin. Fix that, and maybe I'd consider donating to a new arena. For now, I feel the $ would be better directed to football.

100% agree. Our admin has taken for granted our student support ever since the move from Godwin. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm thinking the students have never had the lower seats in the Convo. I graduated December of the first season in the Convo, therefore, I have very few memories of the place (Godwin ROCKED) I just remember feeling so far from the action when moving to the Convo. Students are the very best customers JMU has and should always be given priority over all but the largest contributors.

I graduated in the Lefty era, and I never remember students in lower seats other than those under the basket along the end line. That said, we had that upper section of bleachers swaying and rocking- thank goodness they didn't come apart from the wall-