Karl Benson: "EKU and CCU have been contacted."

[AppDawg]

How about Winthrop if we're looking at a non-football? They have had more NCAA success than either of these schools, and their facilities are equal to or better than both schools across the board. Most importantly they're only 2 hours from Boone amd teams would fly into CLT for both schools.

Private school would be a hard sell in an all-public conference I think.

Agree. Also Winthrop's baseball doesn't bring much, if anything, to the table. Honeslty, baseball is the only positive I see with coastal. Its also why I think CofC should be a serious candidate - both basketball and baseball are historically solid programs and would further improve the conference as a whole. I am not interested in a one trick pony - would rather have a school that excels multiple sports. If CofC isn't it, I would be OK with NMSU as all sports member. We have their worst sport (football) and not reaping benefits of their basketball and baseball which are much better. That would pair us with GaSt - again, 300 miles, and would put GaSo with Troy instead of CofC. Not too much of a difference. Further, if no CofC, an all sports NMSU would allow divisons which would greatly reduce the amount of travel West on a rotational basis.

[JTApps1]

Winthrop is actually a public university with highly rated academics on par with App. Their baseball team has won 3 conference titles in the Big South and has a nearly 2, 000 seat stadium that was renovated in 2008. Honestly is puts our stadium to shame.

[AppDawg]

Winthrop is actually a public university with highly rated academics on par with App. Their baseball team has won 3 conference titles in the Big South and has a nearly 2, 000 seat stadium that was renovated in 2008. Honestly is puts our stadium to shame.

3 big south conf championships - watch out! The Eagles are coming! In all seriousness, you have to admit, their baseball history is non-existent (much like Ours). Sure a 2,000 seat baseball stadium is nice, but that doesn't mean the product on the field is. That's along the lines of CUSA thinking media markets create a competitive conference. Wintrop made a splash in 1995, made NCAA tourney again in 2006 and nothing since. My point is, if we are inviting olympic sports only, go after the school that offers the most. A 6k student school is a better fit for the SoCon than the SunBelt.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Winthrop is actually a public university with highly rated academics on par with App. Their baseball team has won 3 conference titles in the Big South and has a nearly 2, 000 seat stadium that was renovated in 2008. Honestly is puts our stadium to shame.

Never go to bed without learning something.

or

Glad this was not a bet of the school's status. You would have taken me to the cleaners.

[ASUPATCH]

Not sure why people are down on CCU football. Went 12- 2 and finished #5 in fcs last year. Gave NDST it toughest playoff test IMO.