(02-23-2018 11:08 AM)Usajags Wrote:  They could go the route of the rebirthed UAb program of funding. Basically get the city and businesses in the city to support the program.

If they decide to startup, UTA needs to restart as well. But I do like the idea of NMSU all sports and FGCU for oly sports too.

But if they add now, they will be ful FBS by 2022/23, time for the next round of conference jumping.

I'd guess that it would be hard to get the City of Little Rock to assist financially.

They lost the Travellers to North Little Rock and they turned their nose up at a bowl game even though it was the UALR AD pushing for it.

Maybe things have changed, but there isn't a history of that sort of thing.

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(02-23-2018 11:08 AM)Usajags Wrote:  They could go the route of the rebirthed UAb program of funding. Basically get the city and businesses in the city to support the program.

If they decide to startup, UTA needs to restart as well. But I do like the idea of NMSU all sports and FGCU for oly sports too.

But if they add now, they will be ful FBS by 2022/23, time for the next round of conference jumping.

HA, The City of Little Rock assisting. That's mildly hilarious.

This is the city that lost a minor league baseball team, turned down a project to build a major arena, is refusing to spend a dime to keep Razorback football in Little Rock, and wouldn't help support a bowl game. Three of those literally moved to a neighboring city across the river. They also turned down Fed Ex back before they located to Memphis.

Little Rock doesn't help anyone.

(02-23-2018 01:58 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(02-23-2018 11:08 AM)Usajags Wrote:  They could go the route of the rebirthed UAb program of funding. Basically get the city and businesses in the city to support the program.

If they decide to startup, UTA needs to restart as well. But I do like the idea of NMSU all sports and FGCU for oly sports too.

But if they add now, they will be ful FBS by 2022/23, time for the next round of conference jumping.

HA, The City of Little Rock assisting. That's mildly hilarious.

This is the city that lost a minor league baseball team, turned down a project to build a major arena, is refusing to spend a dime to keep Razorback football in Little Rock, and wouldn't help support a bowl game. Three of those literally moved to a neighboring city across the river. They also turned down Fed Ex back before they located to Memphis.

Little Rock doesn't help anyone.

They have a helluva trailer-looking museum for Bubba.

Now now. We've been busy building a multi-jurisdictional task force to deal with the gang wars in south Little Rock that no one wanted to talk about until there were 28 people shot in that night club. A certain former Razorback/NFL player's family being on one side of that fence. No time for supporting sports that might give a kid from the hood a chance to get a scholly, a degree and get out of that sewer.

(02-23-2018 04:16 PM)sdcritter Wrote:  Now now. We've been busy building a multi-jurisdictional task force to deal with the gang wars in south Little Rock that no one wanted to talk about until there were 28 people shot in that night club. A certain former Razorback/NFL player's family being on one side of that fence. No time for supporting sports that might give a kid from the hood a chance to get a scholly, a degree and get out of that sewer.

I was always amazed that in a few hundred roaming yards of Vino's or Whitewater I was VERY uncomfortable and threatened. Of course I was usually threatened by gentrification and uncomfortable due to the hipster food I had eaten that evening - but there were a few times this honkey was asked if he was lost. I never was. The wrong side of the tracks in Jacksonville was always far worse.

(02-23-2018 09:58 AM)ark30inf Wrote:  

(02-23-2018 12:03 AM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-22-2018 11:31 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Guys, Little Rock is not starting a football program. There's just no way. They are doing what they are doing to pacify the locals who know they are about to lose their beloved Razorbacks.

I tend to agree. I think it is good they are doing a formal study. I assume the results will show it is not feasible. Then we won't have to hear about the possibility of UALR football for, at least, the next 20 years. If I am wrong, I will support it to the best of my ability. But, I can state with 99% confidence that there is no "fix" in. Our AD will weight the results of the consulting firm and make a decision based on that.

If they anticipate the report saying that it is not feasible then why are they publicly trying to build up some excitement about the possibility? If they then decide not to its just going to be a big disappointment for their supporters.

They are giving me the impression that they expect it to be positive.



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The fact that the school brings in a group to present a study indicates the school is giving positive thoughts to the issue. Most often the study is just a platform to say "yes". I fully expect LR to move on football if they can get the money.

(02-23-2018 05:39 PM)Florida RedWolf Wrote:  

(02-23-2018 09:58 AM)ark30inf Wrote:  

(02-23-2018 12:03 AM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-22-2018 11:31 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Guys, Little Rock is not starting a football program. There's just no way. They are doing what they are doing to pacify the locals who know they are about to lose their beloved Razorbacks.

I tend to agree. I think it is good they are doing a formal study. I assume the results will show it is not feasible. Then we won't have to hear about the possibility of UALR football for, at least, the next 20 years. If I am wrong, I will support it to the best of my ability. But, I can state with 99% confidence that there is no "fix" in. Our AD will weight the results of the consulting firm and make a decision based on that.

If they anticipate the report saying that it is not feasible then why are they publicly trying to build up some excitement about the possibility? If they then decide not to its just going to be a big disappointment for their supporters.

They are giving me the impression that they expect it to be positive.



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The fact that the school brings in a group to present a study indicates the school is giving positive thoughts to the issue. Most often the study is just a platform to say "yes". I fully expect LR to move on football if they can get the money.

Thats the question. Nobody can see where they will get the money. They must have an idea where or they wouldn't even be going down this road...or shouldn't.

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(02-23-2018 06:22 PM)ark30inf Wrote:  

(02-23-2018 05:39 PM)Florida RedWolf Wrote:  

(02-23-2018 09:58 AM)ark30inf Wrote:  

(02-23-2018 12:03 AM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-22-2018 11:31 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Guys, Little Rock is not starting a football program. There's just no way. They are doing what they are doing to pacify the locals who know they are about to lose their beloved Razorbacks.

I tend to agree. I think it is good they are doing a formal study. I assume the results will show it is not feasible. Then we won't have to hear about the possibility of UALR football for, at least, the next 20 years. If I am wrong, I will support it to the best of my ability. But, I can state with 99% confidence that there is no "fix" in. Our AD will weight the results of the consulting firm and make a decision based on that.

If they anticipate the report saying that it is not feasible then why are they publicly trying to build up some excitement about the possibility? If they then decide not to its just going to be a big disappointment for their supporters.

They are giving me the impression that they expect it to be positive.



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The fact that the school brings in a group to present a study indicates the school is giving positive thoughts to the issue. Most often the study is just a platform to say "yes". I fully expect LR to move on football if they can get the money.

Thats the question. Nobody can see where they will get the money. They must have an idea where or they wouldn't even be going down this road...or shouldn't.

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Folks have been "talking" about the possibility of UALR football for years. The AD wanted to get a reputable firm to see if it was feasible. The athletic department only had to put up one third of the 100K it cost. There is no fix in and it is very far from a done deal. If the firm's study says it is feasible, the university may start to move forward. If not, we won't have to hear talk of UALR football for, at least, the next couple of decades. I have a hard time seeing it happen. I felt slightly more positive when it looked like the hogs were leaving Little Rock for good. I think with the change in coach and AD, UAF may decide to keep playing a game in Little Rock for the foreseeable future.

I thought the Sun Belt had open spots for UALR and/or UT-Arlington as football members if they chose to add football. Has that changed?

(02-23-2018 09:59 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  I thought the Sun Belt had open spots for UALR and/or UT-Arlington as football members if they chose to add football. Has that changed?

No. If they are a FBS program then they have an automatic SBC spot.

if LRU decided to bring in football, why not just join the Southland conference and then they can have FCS football and all other sports are the same. Less scholarships and costs and not much difference between Southland and Sun Belt in other sports. Easier travel for all of their programs. None of their fans care about the opponent in basketball games unless it is stAte, and I'm sure that stAte would come for a non-conference game anyway. For that matter, they could also pick up a nice check for driving up to Jonesboro for a non-conf. football game just like UCA and UAPB

(02-24-2018 09:37 AM)Rik Flair Wrote:  if LRU decided to bring in football, why not just join the Southland conference and then they can have FCS football and all other sports are the same. Less scholarships and costs and not much difference between Southland and Sun Belt in other sports. Easier travel for all of their programs. None of their fans care about the opponent in basketball games unless it is stAte, and I'm sure that stAte would come for a non-conference game anyway. For that matter, they could also pick up a nice check for driving up to Jonesboro for a non-conf. football game just like UCA and UAPB

Some of what you say makes sense. I agree most of our fans wouldn't know the difference between a Southland or Sun Belt team. The costs are likely less for FCS football. However, I believe that if UA-Little Rock moves forward the only option they will consider is FBS. Not sure if FBS football would draw in LR, but I can guarantee you that FCS football wouldn't draw flies.

(02-24-2018 11:04 AM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-24-2018 09:37 AM)Rik Flair Wrote:  if LRU decided to bring in football, why not just join the Southland conference and then they can have FCS football and all other sports are the same. Less scholarships and costs and not much difference between Southland and Sun Belt in other sports. Easier travel for all of their programs. None of their fans care about the opponent in basketball games unless it is stAte, and I'm sure that stAte would come for a non-conference game anyway. For that matter, they could also pick up a nice check for driving up to Jonesboro for a non-conf. football game just like UCA and UAPB

Some of what you say makes sense. I agree most of our fans wouldn't know the difference between a Southland or Sun Belt team. The costs are likely less for FCS football. However, I believe that if UA-Little Rock moves forward the only option they will consider is FBS. Not sure if FBS football would draw in LR, but I can guarantee you that FCS football wouldn't draw flies.

That could also be an argument for going Southland. a 6 to 7k crowd for a Southland football game is typical. That wouldn't look so good in WMS, but drawing less than 10 for most games and maybe a bigger crowd for a game against UCA/UAPB might make it feasible. Mix in a half million dollar road game against an FBS and it might work.

(02-24-2018 01:21 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(02-23-2018 09:59 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  I thought the Sun Belt had open spots for UALR and/or UT-Arlington as football members if they chose to add football. Has that changed?

No. If they are a FBS program then they have an automatic SBC spot.

Okay, maybe this is just semantics but if UALR tells the NCAA they are planning to become an FBS program, they would go the same route as Charlotte. They would play year one an FCS indy for year 1. Transition in year two and likely be in the SBC like Ga Southern and Apps first transition years. Then SBC year 3. Why would they consider any other route? You have to think the idea is to get CFP money.

Would the MVC be interested in UALR if they add an FCS program? The MVC has better basketball and Mo St is looking for a school that would serve as its travel partner. Presumably, Murray St would join as its 11th member. Could UALR be its 12th?

(02-25-2018 10:01 AM)NoDak Wrote:  Would the MVC be interested in UALR if they add an FCS program? The MVC has better basketball and Mo St is looking for a school that would serve as its travel partner. Presumably, Murray St would join as its 11th member. Could UALR be its 12th?

The MVC per se isn’t interested in football, but the MVFC (technically a separate entity) is interested in football. The only problem is that North Dakota is already onboard as the 11th member in 2020, presumably saving the 12th spot for Murray State.

If the Summit splits off and sponsors football itself - a distinct possibility given the lack of schools sponsoring baseball in the Summit’s footprint - then the MVFC could add he Trojans. The only problem is that the MVC itself might have 12 members, especially since Murray State would likely be accompanied by a school like Illinois-Chicago or Milwaukee.

The real question is if Little Rock goes FBS, would Missouri State join the Sun Belt?

(02-25-2018 10:01 AM)NoDak Wrote:  Would the MVC be interested in UALR if they add an FCS program? The MVC has better basketball and Mo St is looking for a school that would serve as its travel partner. Presumably, Murray St would join as its 11th member. Could UALR be its 12th?

An angle I hadn't considered. Making football moves to improve its basketball position is an angle that would at least makes some sense as a rationale for them exploring it.

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(02-25-2018 11:52 AM)ark30inf Wrote:  

(02-25-2018 10:01 AM)NoDak Wrote:  Would the MVC be interested in UALR if they add an FCS program? The MVC has better basketball and Mo St is looking for a school that would serve as its travel partner. Presumably, Murray St would join as its 11th member. Could UALR be its 12th?

An angle I hadn't considered. Making football moves to improve its basketball position is an angle that would at least makes some sense as a rationale for them exploring it.

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The UALR admin would be wise to have a study showing that FBS isn't an option that is financially viable if it ever left he Belt. The MVC would take them sans football. Missouri State wants a viable travel partner as the Mo St President heads the expansion committee. If UALR moves, they can point to the study as proof that they have looked into football but it was not viable. The timing is right, as the MVC probably needs a school to go to 12 after Murray St.

I think UALR can come up with the $13 to $25 million needed for facilities even with the stadium in place. UALR will need a practice field, weight room able to accommodate 100 players (the one at the Jack cannot), offices for the coaches, team meeting rooms, locker room to dress for practice, sports medicine space to rehab injuries. Nice but not essential an indoor practice facility next to the practice facility.

It is very plausible there are people who will be willing to put their name of those buildings and the money will be found.

The bigger issue is operating costs. UALR will have to spend $7 million more per year every year to be competitive.
https://247sports.com/college/arkansas-s...-101450794

If Arkansas renews with Little Rock, and their past AD laid out the criteria to do that. A problem arises. War Memorial can't do a deal like Mobile did with USA to take concessions and parking in lieu of rent in the early days without creating tension with Arkansas who pays $75,000.

(02-23-2018 09:59 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  I thought the Sun Belt had open spots for UALR and/or UT-Arlington as football members if they chose to add football. Has that changed?

The last thing we want is them starting football. Yes they have spots only because they are members and we cant stop them. Two more mouths to feed and little chance of being successful as with most startups and move ups. The optimal number is ten hope it stays that way.