Sun Belt to Discuss Our Membership March 9th

[GoApps70]

The Sun Belt will discuss our membership March 9th according to the below article:

http://toppatime.wordpress.com/2013/02/ ... ss-future/

[GlassOnion]

Cant wait for this to be over.

[Saint3333]

We are not in the current footprint.

[GlassOnion]

We are not in the current footprint.

Neither is Georgia Southern really. The Florida scools are on their way out. WKU is kind of out on an island. They'd probably not mind the trip to App.

[Cincy App]

We are not in the current footprint.

We are the 2nd closest to the footprint of the schools listed in the article behind GSU. I would consider us within the footprint provided that WKU stays in the Sunbelt. Technically, the articles states "within geographic range" which ASU satisfies IMO. Would be a nice birthday present for me.

[MountainMan]

We are not in the current footprint.

May depend on how one defines the "current footprint". If you draw lines to connect the outer most schools, I'm not sure any of the teams mentioned fall into such a footprint -- not Delaware, Georgia Southern, Idaho, James Madison or New Mexico State. If you include states that currently have Sun Belt schools, that pulls in Georgia Southern (assuming you count Georgia State as being "in"). If you interpret it to mean general geographic region it may only exclude Idaho. Bottom line, to me, I'm not sure this excludes (or includes) App State. Further, it only said that "one source" indicated this -- who knows. The drama continues.

[GlassOnion]

I think App, JMU and GSU would be a tremendous move.

[Saint3333]

I would rather add JMU than GSU, getting both would be amazing, I just don't see JMU in the Belt.

[appsfan]

Interesting bio info on the writer:
About Chad Bishop
A 2006 graduate of Georgia Southern University, Chad is the Western Kentucky University beat writer for the Bowling Green Daily News

[GlassOnion]

Agreed.

I really feel like the SB may be looking to make a bold move. NMSU is a weak move, Idaho is weak, and those two lack any major potential. Delaware isnt going to happen. The SB has taken a big step forward on the field, App, GSU JMU, that just would be a very strong move, and I think they could pull it off. If they did, CUSA's place on the foodchain would rank just above the sloth.

[Rekdiver]

"go east young man"
.......that's where the tv's are.

[Kgfish]

This is the info I received today. Was asked not to say anything but since it is out here goes. According to what I was told SB Presidents will be presented with 4 expansion scenarios. A: No expansion. B: Add ASU & GSU. C: Add ASU, GSU, N Mex State & Idaho. D: Add ASU, GSU, JMU & Delaware. I'm rooting for D but is Del or JMU even interested?

[GlassOnion]

JMU is possible, but I highly doubt Delaware. Highly.

Could do 3 east and NMSU.

[firemoose]

This is the info I received today. Was asked not to say anything but since it is out here goes. According to what I was told SB Presidents will be presented with 4 expansion scenarios. A: No expansion. B: Add ASU & GSU. C: Add ASU, GSU, N Mex State & Idaho. D: Add ASU, GSU, JMU & Delaware. I'm rooting for D but is Del or JMU even interested?

Kgfish-Can you tell me if your source is in Boone or not? Mine for this is in Boone. If yours is not then we know we have the same thing from different sources. I won't ask anything more specific. Say only if you want to.

This was the same thing I was told. I posted in another thread that I was told we had a 3 in 4 chance, I just didn't say what that meant. These happen to be the 3 in 4. The one positive I take from this, if the sources are correct, is that we are included in every expansion scenario. The only one we're not in is no expansion and I don't think that will happen or if it does that it will stay that way. The SB has to expand once movements begin again or they're done as a conference. If these are indeed the options that Benson plans to present then it appears he believes that the App-GaSou package comes together and are an integral part of the SB future. Anything could happen and usually does but at least it looks like we're deep in the conversation.

[moehler]

It looks like Delware is having alot of financial problems, they are dropping next years ticket prices, trying to get fans back in the seats, and their stadium is old and in need of repairs. It looks like they are at a low point in terms of interest in the athletics, and fundraising. Get the feeling they are not going anywhere. As far as JM, I would love to be in a conference with them, I'll take them over GS anytime, but unless we both end up in the MAC (highly unlikely) or USA, probably not going to happen.

[T-Dog]

Benson has said that he wants to secure the eastern footprint first since there's only four true eastern teams left (WKU, Troy, USA, G-State) so that's not surprising.

It has been a matter of time for a while now. The big questions are now logisticals. Where do men's soccer and wrestling go? How will we keep up with Title IX (which was addresed in the Strategic Report)? What's the transition period going to be? Will we go for a National Championship in 2013? Will the Sun Belt make us eligible in 2014? Those are the big questions now.

[moehler]

I worry about nonrevenue sports such as wrestling. Apps athletic budget is going to increase, one way to save money is to cut sports, got a feeling wrestling would be at the top of the list.

[Yosef84]

I worry about nonrevenue sports such as wrestling. Apps athletic budget is going to increase, one way to save money is to cut sports, got a feeling wrestling would be at the top of the list.

I'm afraid you're right. I just really hate to see a program get cut when it has been so consistently successful.

[JCline0429]

I worry about nonrevenue sports such as wrestling. Apps athletic budget is going to increase, one way to save money is to cut sports, got a feeling wrestling would be at the top of the list.

I'm afraid you're right. I just really hate to see a program get cut when it has been so consistently successful.

Same here. I believe we have a lot of alumni around the state who might not have had good jobs if it wasn't for wrestling.

[Kgfish]

This is the info I received today. Was asked not to say anything but since it is out here goes. According to what I was told SB Presidents will be presented with 4 expansion scenarios. A: No expansion. B: Add ASU & GSU. C: Add ASU, GSU, N Mex State & Idaho. D: Add ASU, GSU, JMU & Delaware. I'm rooting for D but is Del or JMU even interested?

Kgfish-Can you tell me if your source is in Boone or not? Mine for this is in Boone. If yours is not then we know we have the same thing from different sources. I won't ask anything more specific. Say only if you want to.

This was the same thing I was told. I posted in another thread that I was told we had a 3 in 4 chance, I just didn't say what that meant. These happen to be the 3 in 4. The one positive I take from this, if the sources are correct, is that we are included in every expansion scenario. The only one we're not in is no expansion and I don't think that will happen or if it does that it will stay that way. The SB has to expand once movements begin again or they're done as a conference. If these are indeed the options that Benson plans to present then it appears he believes that the App-GaSou package comes together and are an integral part of the SB future. Anything could happen and usually does but at least it looks like we're deep in the conversation.

Not from Boone. Based on a question you asked in a previous topic I think you have an idea who my info comes from. His sources have been developed over years and have been proven right more often than not.