NC A&T Looks to go FBS

[TheMoody1]

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-f ... mp-to-fbs/

[Appster99]

How many times has A&T participated in the FCS playoffs and played the top tier non-HBCU schools? I can't find a single time and I assume it is due to the self imposed designation. Please correct me if I am wrong. Its surprisingly hard to find info on the topic. Yes, they upset us during our transition period, but that was an anomaly in our long history of FCS success.

[NavyApp]

For what it's worth over the past three years they have wins against ECU, Charlotte, and Kent State and a very powerful FCS Jacksonville State. Yes I know 3 out of 4 are not great FBS programs but it shows the program can at the very least compete at this level. Wish them the best of luck.

[Yosef84]

My first reaction is that it would be a big mistake for NCA&T to try to move up, but many people outside the App fan base believed the same thing about us....a some within. I've caught a few A&T games that were on tv and kept track of them because a former employee and friend is an alum. They are a legit top tier FCS program right now. I thought that they might drop off again when Coach Broadway retired but he had set up a nice transition for them and they haven't missed a beat.

The MEAC's decision to put their top team in the Celebration Bowl rather than the FCS playoffs makes it hard to compare them to some of the other top tier programs. The Elite of FCS if very small these days with NDSU and JMU dominating the playoffs. NCA&T has been in the same category in terms of record, but their competition in the MEAC isn't particularly strong. Those OOC wins mentioned above are nothing to sneeze at though. They could probably be a mid tier team in either the SunBelt or CUSA very quickly.

[Goapps15]

The issue for A&T is money. I don’t see how they can do it financially.

[NewApp]

The issue for A&T is money. I don’t see how they can do it financially.

Personally, I thought the same thing about Coastal Carolina when they were going from FCS to FBS.

[Goapps15]

The issue for A&T is money. I don’t see how they can do it financially.

Personally, I thought the same thing about Coastal Carolina when they were going from FCS to FBS.

The thing that saved Coastal is they are very good in baseball historically and have larger donors I would think. A&T would likely have to go the route of independent

[Yosef84]

Money is the issue with every team that moves up. I assumed that would be their biggest barrier also, but I honestly don't know their financial position. They have a pretty good fan following and better attendance than CCU though. Other sports would be significantly behind.

[SayYesToTheRock]

The last HBCU to attempt a FBS move was Florida A&M. That went poorly. After their failed attempt, the NCAA adopted the rule that schools must have a FBS conference invite.

I doubt NC A&T will be able to acquire a waiver as Moneybags Liberty did. And who would extend A&T an invite? None of the G5 conferences are looking to expand.

Regardless of the results of their study, I think A&T is SOL, and should concentrate on contending for a FCS championship, if they ever get sick of winning the HBCU Bowl.

[Nugget49]

I agree with The Rock, and think their fans would be unhappy losing the chance to play their historic rivals as often. It would however, up the quality of marching bands in the G5 if they joined.

[GregPercussion]

I agree with The Rock, and think their fans would be unhappy losing the chance to play their historic rivals as often. It would however, up the quality of marching bands in the G5 if they joined.

The Blue & Gold Marching Machine is totally the best college band in North Carolina.
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Making the jump could be worth it, but I agree the historic rivals is a huge deal, and I'm sure a decision wont be made lightly.

[WVAPPeer]

Did anyone else stay post-game (can't remember which A&T game it was) when both bands were on the field and had a "battle of the bands, so to speak"? My wife and I sat back down and enjoyed the whole thing - It was great and we still talk about it today

[BeauFoster]

Part of me wonders if this is a negotiation ploy to try and force their conference into allowing the champion to choose between the bowl game and the playoffs. Basically a “give us what we want or we leave” kinda deal. I just can’t see them truly moving up (but you never know).

[Yosef84]

It remains to be seen if NCA&T actually makes the push to move up and, if they do whether they receive an invitation...which I would see as a very long shot. If they wanted to move up as an independent and applied for a waiver, the NCAA is in a pretty precarious position. Liberty has the deep pockets, but they got their waiver because the NCAA didn't want to fight accusation of discrimination on religious basis. I would find it hard to believe that they would want to fight that fight against an HBCU on a race basis either. It could get interesting.

[Rick83]

They are not actually pursuing the move up yet. The Chancellor was just "planing a seed" for discussion.

This was in today's Greensboro paper:

https://www.greensboro.com/sports/colle ... 786cf.html

[Yosef84]

I will actually be pretty surprised if they move up, especially if they chose to attempt moving up as an independent. I just don't see how that would be a good move, but I've been wrong plenty.

[Appster99]

They are not actually pursuing the move up yet. The Chancellor was just "planing a seed" for discussion.

This was in today's Greensboro paper:

https://www.greensboro.com/sports/colle ... 786cf.html

I guess the old adage that no press is bad press. It certainly got us talking here.

[hotrod2001]

For what it's worth over the past three years they have wins against ECU, Charlotte, and Kent State and a very powerful FCS Jacksonville State. Yes I know 3 out of 4 are not great FBS programs but it shows the program can at the very least compete at this level. Wish them the best of luck.

Not to mention they have a win over us during our FBS transition.

They'd be the first HBCU to make the jump to FBS yes? I wonder how that would work out for them with leaving the rest of the MEAC behind.

[1ASU78]

I have a friend that played FB for the Aggies. Doesn't think they will move. They find out about their metal when they travel to NDSU in 2020? I think. shoukd be a good one if they both stay on track.

[Yosef84]

For what it's worth over the past three years they have wins against ECU, Charlotte, and Kent State and a very powerful FCS Jacksonville State. Yes I know 3 out of 4 are not great FBS programs but it shows the program can at the very least compete at this level. Wish them the best of luck.

Not to mention they have a win over us during our FBS transition.

They'd be the first HBCU to make the jump to FBS yes? I wonder how that would work out for them with leaving the rest of the MEAC behind.

Yes, unfortunately several teams had wins over us during that transition period of 2013 through the first half of 2014. That was the first year Coach Broadway was there and was certainly an indicator that he was putting them back on track but beating App during that period doesn't offer much to brag about if taken in context.

They wouldn't be the first HBCU to move up. Florida A&M moved up briefly in 2004 but they had some financial scandals that caused them to move back down. I believe that was part of the NCAA's motive in requiring a conference invitation for a team to move up.