CCU troubles

[hapapp]

Has anybody been following the trouble Coastal has had with their stadium expansion? Apparently they have met some state resistance to their financing plans. Their AD has expressed concerns about their ability to make the transition.

[moehler]

state resistance huh? Translation, Clemson and or South Carolina, has quietly expressed their concerns that this money would be better spent, on projects other than the expansion of CCU stadium. As far as what the AD said, it doesn't surprise me, I thought it was a bad idea for the SBC to offer membership to them at this time, nothing against them, I just thought it was too big of a jump in terms of increased expenses, and lack of fan base. Honestly, the odds are that they will struggle just to keep their heads above water for the immediate future, and other than baseball, are going to have a hard time being competitive.

[CVAPP]

Maybe deep-pockets Joe will toss in some bucks. CCU should be competitive in golf. I don't follow them but it stands to reason that Dustin Johnson is not the only talented player that chose to hone their skills in Conway.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

I thought men's soccer was also a strong program for CCU and a program that the SB needs to keep at 6 schools next year.

[hapapp]

Actually, they have quite a few programs beyond baseball that will be competitive in the Sun Belt.

[hapapp]

state resistance huh? Translation, Clemson and or South Carolina, has quietly expressed their concerns that this money would be better spent, on projects other than the expansion of CCU stadium. As far as what the AD said, it doesn't surprise me, I thought it was a bad idea for the SBC to offer membership to them at this time, nothing against them, I just thought it was too big of a jump in terms of increased expenses, and lack of fan base. Honestly, the odds are that they will struggle just to keep their heads above water for the immediate future, and other than baseball, are going to have a hard time being competitive.

Actually, I heard had more to do with the fiasco at SC State than the P5 programs interceding.

[hotrod2001]

Meanwhile they're in the CWS

[Gonzo]

As far as what the AD said, it doesn't surprise me, I thought it was a bad idea for the SBC to offer membership to them at this time, nothing against them, I just thought it was too big of a jump in terms of increased expenses, and lack of fan base. Honestly, the odds are that they will struggle just to keep their heads above water for the immediate future, and other than baseball, are going to have a hard time being competitive.

Really?

Their basketball program has made the dance two years in a row. They only missed the FCS playoffs once since 2010. Of course their baseball program might be a national champion in 12 hours. This is the best all-sports addition the SBC has ever made, including the last two, especially in regards to timing. Their fan base will come along, and I'm far more concerned with the strength of their sports teams.

[APPdiesel]

Coastal has a great product all around. Arguably a much more well rounded product than App (yeah, I said it). What they don't have is big time fan support. But guess what - winning builds fan support the right way.

What a way to announce your arrival to the SBC by potentially coming in as NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. It already is, but that would be massive.

twitter.com/DieselOnRadio

[moehler]

I have fully supported CCU's baseball program as a positive for the SBC, but I still have strong reservations about their other programs especially football. Someone mention men's basketball, well that great the made the big dance two years in a row, but lets be honest, the Big South isn't exactly a powerhouse conference, and I don't believe they did much if anything in the tournament, they wont bring the conference down, but don't expect them to be a major positive going forward. My big problem is with the football program. and specifically, can they form a fanbase that will support the team. I live in South Florida, and I know first hand that when you have a program that must compete with many other outdoor activites, in 100 degree weather, you will struggle to find a large group of people willing to sit on metal blechers for 4 hours in 100 degrees when they could be sitting at the beach, playing golf etc. I see FAU, FIU, even Miami struggle to put butts in the seats, even when they are winning. Bottom line, football drives the bus, in terms of financial gains, and national attention for your conference. I hope Im wrong but, right now, they are averaging around 5-7 thousand fans per game, in an area where they are going to have to fight and scratch for every person, hopefully they will get there, but I don't see it happening anytime soon.

[mountaineerman]

Great addition to the sunbelt! Remember they also have only two Fbs schools to recruit against in A talent rich state..... Where we have 7(-:

[APPdiesel]

someone mention men's basketball, well that great the made the big dance two years in a row, but lets be honest, the Big South isn't exactly a powerhouse conference, and I don't believe they did much if anything in the tournament, they wont bring the conference down, but don't expect them to be a major positive going forward.

We were middle of the pack in a meh southern conference. What's your point? I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you Mo, but I don't think we've earned the right yet to turn our noses up at the new kids on the block.

twitter.com/DieselOnRadio

[hapapp]

Their overall athletic program may turn out to be the best in the SBC. Football may take some time but I think they will be more than competitive. At the moment, head to head they would have a decided advantage in all other sports.

[appbio91]

With what App revenue sports has done across the board except football curious how we can judge any addition to the SB. Coastal is a great addition. I mean damn look at the FB attendance of most of the Belt and that is the biggest revenue generator.

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[moehler]

I guess it comes down to what is your top priority for bringing in CCU. If its a more rounded athletic program, that's solid in almost every sport except football, then it makes a lot of sense, but, if your of the mindset, that, whether you like it or not, Football is the premium sport that drives the conference, and therefore we need schools, like App and GS, who were fully prepared for the move, not only on field competitiveness, but also a more than solid fanbase, and facilities, than you have to atleast question the move. I will say this, they will have plenty of time to grow the football program before the SBC needs them to become a respectable program. Unlike CUSA who unrealistically needed ODU, UNCC, to be competitive immediately, the SBC has, in any given year, 3 or 4 quality bowl teams, and 2 or 3 solid programs. I will finish in saying I believe they will eventually become a solid program, I just question whether they will ever build a significant fanbase, where 20-25 thousand will show up almost every Sat for the home game.

[aussie86]

As long as they have facilities that suffice, 20-25k is achievable whenever GS or App are playing in Conway. Not sure about anyone else in our conference.

[Gonzo]

In what way is CCU football not solid? They've been to the FCS playoffs 4 of the last 5 years and spent considerable time ranked #1 this past season.

[asu66]

I don't like CCU for my own very logical reasons , but they will be a handful in the Fun Belt...much to my chagrin. As previously noted, they *always* enjoy national rankings in men's soccer and baseball. Their FB program isn't FBS quality, but it isn't exactly chopped liver, either. Ol' Cliff keeps winning basketball games--and frequently beats teams that should run the Chants off the court. The latter, getting run off the court, is a rarity. App should be so fortunate.

[moehler]

first, making it to the FCS tournament isn't that hard to do, they take 16 teams, sometimes 2 or 3 with records just over 500, and we are talking about the Big South, again not traditionally a great conference for football powers, just finish in the top 2 and your in. I'll agree it was nice seeing them ranked number 1, but once they got to the tournament, and faced some quality teams, they were shown the door. Like I said I believe they can build a solid mid major program, just doubt whether they can ever see the support from the community.

[Gonzo]

first, making it to the FCS tournament isn't that hard to do, they take 16 teams, sometimes 2 or 3 with records just over 500, and we are talking about the Big South, again not traditionally a great conference for football powers, just finish in the top 2 and your in. I'll agree it was nice seeing them ranked number 1, but once they got to the tournament, and faced some quality teams, they were shown the door. Like I said I believe they can build a solid mid major program, just doubt whether they can ever see the support from the community.

I don't see many FCS teams outside of Fargo and Missoula that would meet your standard, but fair enough.

I'm with you regarding their current support being disappointing, but I don't see any reason why that won't improve with the FBS move and sustained success in various sports. This baseball run alone will help temendously in raising alumni and local interest in their athletic department.