Delaware AD: App/GSU not moving up
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 11:53 am
Two men’s programs from Delaware’s conference, the Colonial Athletic Association, reached that hallowed Final Four destination – George Mason in 2006 and VCU in 2011. Both later parlayed those into moves to a higher-profile league for basketball, the Atlantic 10, with VCU moving this year and Mason following next year.
With the constant movement of schools to different leagues that has taken place lately, Ziady was asked if the success of the women’s basketball team could have a similar affect for Delaware. It should be noted that neither Mason nor VCU plays football. Delaware rejected a move to the Atlantic 10 in the early 1990s because, while it was beneficial for basketball, it wasn’t for other sports.
“We’re very cognizant of the things that are out there and the things that could develop over time,” Ziady said, “but we’re not rushing into something because it pleases someone that there’s activity. Activity doesn’t mean success or it doesn’t mean advancement.”
Two FCS football powers, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State, announced last week they’re planning a move to the FBS Sun Belt Conference.
“When you get back to that equation of what are you “moving up” to, you have to really look at what you’re moving up to,” said Ziady, hired as Delaware AD in November after a long stint at ACC member Boston College. “We’re not [receiving] offers from the ACC or the Big Ten. Everybody’s emailing me about what Georgia Southern and Appalachian State are doing. That’s not moving up. It’s a designation that signifies you’re moving up but you’re not moving up.’’
The Atlantic 10, which had 16 members this season, is losing Butler and Xavier to the revamped Big East, Temple to the unnamed conference of former Big East football schools, and Charlotte to Conference USA. With other defections possible, it may seek other additions.
The CAA will have nine full members next year with the departures of George Mason, Old Dominion and Georgia State and the addition of the College of Charleston. Albany and Stony Brook are coming in for football only.
“We’re proud members in the Colonial Athletic Association and are working with the Colonial schools to strengthen our conference as best we can,” Ziady said.
With the constant movement of schools to different leagues that has taken place lately, Ziady was asked if the success of the women’s basketball team could have a similar affect for Delaware. It should be noted that neither Mason nor VCU plays football. Delaware rejected a move to the Atlantic 10 in the early 1990s because, while it was beneficial for basketball, it wasn’t for other sports.
“We’re very cognizant of the things that are out there and the things that could develop over time,” Ziady said, “but we’re not rushing into something because it pleases someone that there’s activity. Activity doesn’t mean success or it doesn’t mean advancement.”
Two FCS football powers, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State, announced last week they’re planning a move to the FBS Sun Belt Conference.
“When you get back to that equation of what are you “moving up” to, you have to really look at what you’re moving up to,” said Ziady, hired as Delaware AD in November after a long stint at ACC member Boston College. “We’re not [receiving] offers from the ACC or the Big Ten. Everybody’s emailing me about what Georgia Southern and Appalachian State are doing. That’s not moving up. It’s a designation that signifies you’re moving up but you’re not moving up.’’
The Atlantic 10, which had 16 members this season, is losing Butler and Xavier to the revamped Big East, Temple to the unnamed conference of former Big East football schools, and Charlotte to Conference USA. With other defections possible, it may seek other additions.
The CAA will have nine full members next year with the departures of George Mason, Old Dominion and Georgia State and the addition of the College of Charleston. Albany and Stony Brook are coming in for football only.
“We’re proud members in the Colonial Athletic Association and are working with the Colonial schools to strengthen our conference as best we can,” Ziady said.
