App State's travel partner

[8993]

Since we don't have a travel partner this year, I was wondering what our fanbase was thinking on who we want next year, as the Sun Belt will almost definitely be adding a new member at that time.

Who do you want to see added? James Madison? UTC? Coastal? EKU? MSU? Liberty? A dark horse school?

[moehler]

JMU is still my first choice, but it doesn't look like their administration knows what they are doing, so not holding much hope. UTC is interesting, I have always thought they had the most potential of any SC school to make an easy transition to the FBS, but years of inept leadership, and lack of vision has probably doomed them to the FCS for a long time. As far as the rest, none appeal to me, I guess Eastern Kentucky by default.

[asu66]

Since we don't have a travel partner this year, I was wondering what our fanbase was thinking on who we want next year, as the Sun Belt will almost definitely be adding a new member at that time.

Who do you want to see added? James Madison? UTC? Coastal? EKU? MSU? Liberty? A dark horse school?

JMU is just spinning wheels. They don't want they can get; and they can't get what they want. Catch 22. In no way are Coastal and EKU ready. Facilities are lacking at both schools. Missouri State is ready in about everything but football. Their basketball and baseball facilities would put them virtually atop the Sunbelt in those two sports. They need a football stadium seating expansion in the worst of ways. Chattanooga also has the football and basketball facilities; but a few gaps otherwise. Liberty is Liberty. Resources out the ying-yang.

My choices--in order--would be JMU, Chattanooga, Missouri State and EKU. Liberty is my last resort candidate--after everything else turns up completely hopeless. No way, Jose' on CCU. They just aren't in the picture whatsoever!

Jacksonville State is out there somewhere; but their availability doesn't light my fire.

[ASUMountaineer]

If the CCG deregulation proposal passes, I say add no one and roll on.

[ASUPATCH]

Since we don't have a travel partner this year, I was wondering what our fanbase was thinking on who we want next year, as the Sun Belt will almost definitely be adding a new member at that time.

Who do you want to see added? James Madison? UTC? Coastal? EKU? MSU? Liberty? A dark horse school?

1. JMU
2. EKU
3. Coastal
4. UTC
5. MSU











6.Liberty

[kiddbrewer]

They need a football stadium seating expansion in the worst of ways.

Missouri State has started a renovation/expansion project on their football field.
http://www.missouristatebears.com/view.gal?id=156127

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mos ... ements.pdf page 9, 10, and 11

1. JMU, even today, I would like to have them in considering they think they are too good for the SunBelt. And they would be more likely to leave the SunBelt if another conference comes calling.
2. Missouri St, they won't help the "travel partner" aspect of it, but would bring in some quality sports outside of football
3. Liberty, yes Liberty. They want in and I feel like they wouldn't dart out at the drop of a hat, like JMU.
The others that have been mentioned are 2-3 years away from being ready.

As to the Conference Championship Game waiver, I would like to have 12, just for the balanced divisions and possibly a less likelihood that a team (like Georgia Southern) getting a schedule that keeps them from seeing the toughest teams in the conference.

[appbio91]

I stopped keeping up with this. Is UMASS still in the conversation at all?

[EastHallApp]

1. JMU, even today, I would like to have them in considering they think they are too good for the SunBelt. And they would be more likely to leave the SunBelt if another conference comes calling.

I don't think that's an issue, because I think every team is likely to leave the Sun Belt if another conference comes calling.

[ASUPATCH]

I stopped keeping up with this. Is UMASS still in the conversation at all?

Until they find a new home Umass will continue to be a front runner IMO.

[kiddbrewer]

1. JMU, even today, I would like to have them in considering they think they are too good for the SunBelt. And they would be more likely to leave the SunBelt if another conference comes calling.

I don't think that's an issue, because I think every team is likely to leave the Sun Belt if another conference comes calling.

In a way, I agree with you. But, if the Sun Belt's football continues to improve, and I don't see a reason why it wouldn't, along with the possible continued #1 ranking the Sun Belt had of the G5 like last year (how much additional money did that bring in for the conference?), along with the potential decline of TV revenue for the other conferences, in particular CUSA's package, it could slow down the revolving door of the Sun Belt.

[ASUMountaineer]

They need a football stadium seating expansion in the worst of ways.

Missouri State has started a renovation/expansion project on their football field.
http://www.missouristatebears.com/view.gal?id=156127

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mos ... ements.pdf page 9, 10, and 11

1. JMU, even today, I would like to have them in considering they think they are too good for the SunBelt. And they would be more likely to leave the SunBelt if another conference comes calling.
2. Missouri St, they won't help the "travel partner" aspect of it, but would bring in some quality sports outside of football
3. Liberty, yes Liberty. They want in and I feel like they wouldn't dart out at the drop of a hat, like JMU.
The others that have been mentioned are 2-3 years away from being ready.

As to the Conference Championship Game waiver, I would like to have 12, just for the balanced divisions and possibly a less likelihood that a team (like Georgia Southern) getting a schedule that keeps them from seeing the toughest teams in the conference.

Everyone just needs to remember that the "travel partner" is not for App State, but for the western teams visiting App State. So, if we are dead-set on adding a 12th member, I hope it's JMU as it would benefit App the most.

It doesn't bother me that they would be likely to leave if a better offer came along--we would too. My loyalty is with App's best interest, not the Sun Belt's.

[firemoose]

Personally I'm not too concerned, at this point, about what happens since status quo right now is going to be a distant memory in a very few years. How far and what happens is yet to be determined but with all the multitude of things happening in college sports and football in particular right at this moment we could be simply adding a 12th team to being in a completely new Division, or about a dozen different scenarios in between. Truth is no one knows what is going to happen, not even the all mighty P5 geniuses. All we can do at the moment is sit back and watch, which is probably the best option right now anyway.

[Cincy App]

Everyone just needs to remember that the "travel partner" is not for App State, but for the western teams visiting App State. So, if we are dead-set on adding a 12th member, I hope it's JMU as it would benefit App the most.

It doesn't bother me that they would be likely to leave if a better offer came along--we would too. My loyalty is with App's best interest, not the Sun Belt's.

Actually, a travel partner would significantly benefit App State as well. ASU really needs another conference mate which is an easy bus ride from Boone for cost containment purposes.

[ASUMountaineer]

Everyone just needs to remember that the "travel partner" is not for App State, but for the western teams visiting App State. So, if we are dead-set on adding a 12th member, I hope it's JMU as it would benefit App the most.

It doesn't bother me that they would be likely to leave if a better offer came along--we would too. My loyalty is with App's best interest, not the Sun Belt's.

Actually, a travel partner would significantly benefit App State as well. ASU really needs another conference mate which is an easy bus ride from Boone for cost containment purposes.

I don't disagree, and actually I did not indicate that a travel partner would not be beneficial to App State. I simply pointed out that the term "travel partner" is referring to the travel of visiting conference schools.

[AppState89]

IMO, MSU and UMass won't be a travel partner at all. Very long way to get there. Wish someone like ECU would just jumb ship to Sun Belt. That would be a good travel partner. Cheaper on the schools, but most important, cheaper on us fans to get there. I know this won't happen, but remember, it's just my opinion.

[AtlAppMan]

People always talk about "travel partners" with this notion that these teams are frequently traveling around together with another school's teams somehow achieving significant travel savings. I travel all the time, in airports all over the country and can tell you I have never seen two school's teams traveling together. I see all levels of collegiate teams (except their football) basketball, baseball, soccer, etc. going through airports everywhere taking commercial flights. I have seen Boise State labeled Alaska Air airplanes (turboprop), Oregon State, etc on the tarmac so I assume many have cut a deal to fly many of their teams via chartered flights. If you travel much and have used Googlemaps, you quickly understand that there is not much benefit to multiple teams traveling together. We are not going to be taking many bus rides anymore. App needs to cut a deal with Southwest Airlines or some smaller charter services to handle our needs in the Belt.

BTW, if you have looked at AAC and C-USA, they also face the exact same issues as the Belt from a total geographical perspective so we are in good company.

[EastHallApp]

BTW, if you have looked at AAC and C-USA, they also face the exact same issues as the Belt from a total geographical perspective so we are in good company.

Yes, unfortunately that's how conferences seek to expand now, trying to cover the most geographic area (read: TV markets) possible. Having more than one team from the same state is actually considered a bad thing now. But, you know, it's all about what's best for the student-athletes.

[goapps93]

People always talk about "travel partners" with this notion that these teams are frequently traveling around together with another school's teams somehow achieving significant travel savings. I travel all the time, in airports all over the country and can tell you I have never seen two school's teams traveling together. I see all levels of collegiate teams (except their football) basketball, baseball, soccer, etc. going through airports everywhere taking commercial flights. I have seen Boise State labeled Alaska Air airplanes (turboprop), Oregon State, etc on the tarmac so I assume many have cut a deal to fly many of their teams via chartered flights. If you travel much and have used Googlemaps, you quickly understand that there is not much benefit to multiple teams traveling together. We are not going to be taking many bus rides anymore. App needs to cut a deal with Southwest Airlines or some smaller charter services to handle our needs in the Belt.



BTW, if you have looked at AAC and C-USA, they also face the exact same issues as the Belt from a total geographical perspective so we are in good company.

I've never seen anyone post that "travel partners" travel together. The misinterpretation is usually that it means a short trip for the 2 teams to play each other. As has been mentioned already in this thread, travel partners means that other conference teams can travel to both schools in the same trip, i.e., if JMU were our "travel partner" then the SunBelt coud schedule someone like Texas State, in baseball, to play both App and JMU in the same trip, flying to a city near one, driving to the other and flying home from city near that one.

[TheMoody1]

if JMU were our "travel partner" then the SunBelt coud schedule someone like Texas State, in baseball, to play both App and JMU in the same trip, flying to a city near one, driving to the other and flying home from city near that one.

So really, App not having a travel partner effects other schools in the conference more than App.

[MAD Doctor]

Forget JMU. They think they are Notre Dame. They had their chance. Opportunity knocked. I think the best option for the Belt is
Missouri State- Football stadium expansion seals the deal. Having a quality school and sports programs trumps a desperation "travel partner" pick based on geographical proximity. For God"s sake, we are talking about a conference with a "footprint" the size of Godzilla's!