Could We Have Been Sun Belt in May 2012 ?

[GoApps70]

Have heard this several times and saw it posted by an Arkansas State poster on the Sun Belt board yesterday. They claimed App State would have been in the Sun Belt in May 2012, except for the fact that our AD was so wrapped up in us getting into CUSA.

I know the same has been mentioned on App State boards, whether here or Mountaineer Illustrated or others, but do any of you know this for sure, or have you heard the same thing. Was there an offer made to us to be in the Sun Belt a year ago, or did the SB Commissioner perceive we might not take an offer because we were concentrating on getting into CUSA so much? Did the Sun Belt presidents vote on accepting us a year ago? Any info?

[GlassOnion]

Seriously doubt it considering in November 2012 Cobb gave an interview to Tommy Bowman at the WSJ basically saying that he hadnt even been contacted by Benson at that point.

[GoApps70]

Maybe because Benson or SB conference presidents had heard CC compare the SB and MAC to being in the FCS on the radio, and those articles going into detail about us trying to get into CUSA and not mentioning the SB.

[Gonzo]

I'm confident we would have had Cobb lobbied for the SBC like he did for CUSA late last spring (radio interviews, media impact presentation ect), but there's really no way to tell. He didn't, we didn't get invited last year and its water under the bridge now.

Now next week on the other hand...

[GoApps70]

We're not even in on the Saturday the 9th if things blow up in the BE, CUSA and MWC like some are predicting. Imagine that will not happen, but let's not think of it as a done deal until the dealing is done. Have never seen Charlie Cobb or Dr. Peacock even make the statement that we would accept a Sun Belt offer, for all we know they may still have their hearts set on a CUSA offer.

Cobb had said that we could have been in an FBS conference over a year ago if we had wanted. Most perceived this to have been us turning down a WAC offer, wonder if it was a Sun Belt offer also.

[97APP]

We also have to look at the Sunbelt at that time. They wanted to add to their Texas presence in order to placate North Texas (in hopes they would stay) and add to their media markets during the media market frenzy among conferences at that time (Atlanta was the best available market).

Our administration has been up front about the need for regional rivals. The Sunbelt at that time would not have met our criteria as we would have been the only eastern addition. Now with Ga State, Ga Southern potentially James Madison (if the rumors have any legs) we have the regional rivals we require.

So I doubt we told them no, more than likely our interests didn't mesh at that time and serious talks between the Sunbelt and App wouldn't have occurred. Now the Sunbelt appears to be looking eastward and our interests are more aligned.

[GoApps70]

True. However it just seems odd that a poster from another school would make a statement like that unless that has some legs also.

[JonW]

With the split in the Big East coming, their commissioner announced yesterday they will look to add a 12th member in the new conference so that they will be able to retain a conference championship game for football.

Not saying that we'll get that spot, but someone in another FBS conference may move up to the new Big East and open another opportunity for us.

[MAD Doctor]

We may never know. The events of last May were very humbling, as we watched UNCC, with no team, join ECU in the conference in which we thought we were a shoo-in. However, almost a year later, CUSA has lost alot of its luster. While there exists an unoffical hieracrchy of conferences that gives CUSA more prestige than the SBC, it is based on market only, and certainly not program success or support. This is not sour grapes-just the state of things at the present. Let's hope for good news in a few days, so we can at least get into the game. Then the SEC, Big12, and Big 10 will eventually tell the SBC, CUSA, Big East, the ACC, and everyone else where they will end up.

[hapapp]

Just saw this posted on the Sun Belt board.

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=61 ... pid9051481

Looks like it will be App State, Ga Southern and NMSU for all sports, Idaho football only.

Guess most everyone is waiting to see what The Conference Formerly Known as the Big East does. With 11 f'ball schools on board for 2015 they obviously will add 1 more with Tulsa as the front runner. IF TCFKATBE expands to 14 grabbing S Miss and Marshall then the deck chairs get re-shuffled again. Here We Go Round In A Circle.....

[TheMoody1]

We're not even in on the Saturday the 9th if things blow up in the BE, CUSA and MWC like some are predicting.

What could happen if these conferences "blow up" that would create better options for the Sun Belt than App, GSU, ect.?

[ASUMountaineer]

Just saw this posted on the Sun Belt board.

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=61 ... pid9051481

Looks like it will be App State, Ga Southern and NMSU for all sports, Idaho football only.

Guess most everyone is waiting to see what The Conference Formerly Known as the Big East does. With 11 f'ball schools on board for 2015 they obviously will add 1 more with Tulsa as the front runner. IF TCFKATBE expands to 14 grabbing S Miss and Marshall then the deck chairs get re-shuffled again. Here We Go Round In A Circle.....

Wasn't that posted by an App State fan?

[hapapp]

Just saw this posted on the Sun Belt board.

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=61 ... pid9051481

Looks like it will be App State, Ga Southern and NMSU for all sports, Idaho football only.

Guess most everyone is waiting to see what The Conference Formerly Known as the Big East does. With 11 f'ball schools on board for 2015 they obviously will add 1 more with Tulsa as the front runner. IF TCFKATBE expands to 14 grabbing S Miss and Marshall then the deck chairs get re-shuffled again. Here We Go Round In A Circle.....

Wasn't that posted by an App State fan?

Yes it was. Wild Bill Kelso was the handle.

[GlassOnion]

Cant trust any rumors on the SB site. They know just about as much as we do, and in many cases, they get their info from our rumors, and embellish it a little till its hardly recognizable, and we take it back as new info.

Doesnt look like anything real will come out until late this weekend earliest. Beyond a few vague comments from the Troy and GSU ADs, there really has been nothing leaked. Its quite impressive really, to think 12 or so institutions may be in the know, along with a conference office, and possibly Socon officials, and the leaks appear to be zero. I know we dont like it, but it appears to be an effective operation.

[GoApps70]

We're not even in on the Saturday the 9th if things blow up in the BE, CUSA and MWC like some are predicting.

What could happen if these conferences "blow up" that would create better options for the Sun Belt than App, GSU, ect.?

That is not the question I had in mind. Something could prevent certain teams from going to the BE and or CUSA. BE is trying by tomorrow to reconcile certain aspects that could blow transfers out of kilter. Probably will not happen, but we have been so close previously do not want to see some other stupid outside event stop us again.

[Cincy App]

I'm not worried about last year at this stage. If the rumors come true as expected, ASU will join the Sunbelt soon. An invitation to the CUSA would have been accepted last May but it obviously turned into a humbling experience. I don't believe however there was enough fan or institutional support for a Sunbelt acceptance last year. Another major factor in Sunbelt 2012 was that ASU would not move up without a natural rival and GSU was mobilizing but not ready in 2012.

I do believe ASU fans collectively have warmed to the Sunbelt and FBS in general in the last 10 months. GSU is also ready now. The pain was there for folks like me who wanted a 2012 announcement but I really believe 2013 will work just fine for App State.