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JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 12:29 pm
by appst89
Sun Belt board reports that a tweet from the AJC is saying JMU will also be invited to the SBC.
That must mean WKU is as good as gone.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 12:40 pm
by tigersef
JMU is a far better long term option than Western Kentucky and a great rival for App to have in the Sun Belt. The new eastern division of the Sun Belt is looking fantastic!
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 12:43 pm
by JTApps1
JMU would be the best add for ASU, but I wonder if their folks are willing to get off their high horse and join? Perhaps the rumor about Delaware and Northeastern leaving the CAA for the A-10 was enough to finally force their hand???
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 12:45 pm
by ASUMountaineer
JTApps1 wrote:JMU would be the best add for ASU, but I wonder if their folks are willing to get off their high horse and join? Perhaps the rumor about Delaware and Northeastern leaving the CAA for the A-10 was enough to finally force their hand???
Along with GMU already gone.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 12:48 pm
by BeauFoster
appst89 wrote:Sun Belt board reports that a tweet from the AJC is saying JMU will also be invited to the SBC.
That must mean WKU is as good as gone.
Would another east coast team joining the SB in any way push App to the western division of the conference? That would really be a death sentence.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:00 pm
by moehler
JMU is in the same boat as us, at this time SBC is not an ideal conference, but with the CAA crashing and burning, they dont have a choice, if the SBC offers, they got to take it. I would love to see them join, easy trip, would be a great rival.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:00 pm
by Maddog1956
BeauFoster wrote:appst89 wrote:Sun Belt board reports that a tweet from the AJC is saying JMU will also be invited to the SBC.
That must mean WKU is as good as gone.
Would another east coast team joining the SB in any way push App to the western division of the conference? That would really be a death sentence.
Just looking at the map JMU would replace WKU, that would still only be six teams in the east. That seems like the magic number. I think except for JMU, APP is the east most team. IMHO, APP in the west is very, very unlikely.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:07 pm
by skjellyfetti
JMU's statement today. Definitely keeping the door open:
In speaking for the institution and many of our fans, we are extremely disappointed in this decision, as GMU, a founding member of the CAA, represents the key characteristics by which we judge our own conference affiliation.
This news comes at a time when instability and movement within conference membership continues across the country. The immediate strategy by the conference involves the CAA continuing to look at potential new members, a process that began earlier this year with the addition of the College of Charleston.
From our internal athletics perspective, we are actively engaged in a strategic planning process as a component of the University’s Madison Future Commission. In pursuing this plan, we are working with Carr Sports Consulting to assist us in establishing a comprehensive strategic plan that addresses all of our programs and long-term actions. While this process is set to conclude this summer, our planning is fluid and will help position and prepare us for important long-term decisions that are in the best interest of our student-athletes, coaches and the institution.
We look forward to working with our many constituents, both on campus, and around the country, in developing and sharing a strategic plan which positions our institution for long-term success.
Jonathan Alger Jeff Bourne
President Director of Athletics
http://www.jmusports.com/ViewArticle.db ... =206935161
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:11 pm
by appgrad
Beau...we will be the Easternmost school in the SBC for now...if JMU joins, 2nd most. They aren't putting us in the west. Whoever initially posted that is a moron...they'd put South Alabama before anyone.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:11 pm
by RankinApp
The SB
thread is gold. The Louisiana-Lafayette, and to a lesser extent, Arkansas State, peeps are in full on panic mode.
Other than the moniker, FCS - GSU, App and JMU are heads and shoulders better programs with better fan support than the schleps that were plucked to C-USA (hello North Texas).

Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:19 pm
by appgrad
But...but...Market Size! Going to love outdrawing all the schools in large markets that don't care about them.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:24 pm
by YesAppCan
Rankin,
I believe that as an FCS program, we, (us, Geo. Sou., JMU) get thrown in with the perception of the league as a whole and it seems more and more difficult in FBS fans and conferences-to some extent to separate really good programs in FCS from the FCS image as a whole. I applaude the Sun Belt for doing what C-USA couldn't find a grasp on.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:29 pm
by RankinApp
I think so too, Yes.
And I believe the current SB members are going to be for quite the surprise on how well the new additions will be able to compete in conference.
I mean, if they're shocked at the influx of members on the message board, just wait till things really get rolling next year.

Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:59 pm
by Maddog1956
Wasn't too excited about the SB early on, but with GSU already in and maybe JMU coming too, I can't help but think of the football lineup in the SB East. AppState, GSU and JMU! I see some good games coming.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 2:12 pm
by appgrad
Maddog1956 wrote:Wasn't too excited about the SB early on, but with GSU already in and maybe JMU coming too, I can't help but think of the football lineup in the SB East. AppState, GSU and JMU! I see some good games coming.
Don't get the fans that get more excited about playing old FCS teams than they do FBS teams. I like the proximity, but it doesn't make the league appreciably better.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 2:24 pm
by Kgfish
Wouldn't get too excited about JMU. Have been told they aren't in the right political state at this time to make the move. New president installed about 2 weeks ago and the former guy did nothing (out of respect for the new guy) to lay the groundwork for a move. For some reason most JMU fans think they have a shot at joining the former Big East group or the MAC. With the owners of A T Williams Insurance and Amway writing the checks Liberty is the odds on favorite to make a move before JMU.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 2:35 pm
by appgrad
They did expand the stadium...but as far as money to make the move, you're probably right...Liberty has it.
That said...JMU in a similar position to us. Passed over for a downstate school in a "better market". Find it hard to believe, with GMU & VCU leaving CAA & ODU joining FBS, that JMU fans wouldn't want something to crow about, or any state level official would rightly stand in their way.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 3:22 pm
by appbio91
appgrad wrote:Maddog1956 wrote:Wasn't too excited about the SB early on, but with GSU already in and maybe JMU coming too, I can't help but think of the football lineup in the SB East. AppState, GSU and JMU! I see some good games coming.
Don't get the fans that get more excited about playing old FCS teams than they do FBS teams. I like the proximity, but it doesn't make the league appreciably better.
You know bringing two good rivalries into this greatly increases fan interest. Also makes for at least two away games that are not too heavy on the travel budget. I don't get people who want to be high and mighty about this move and think UNC or even ECU are going to be standing in line to play us now. Who will draw a bigger crowd in Boone JMU or some team from Arkansas that most fans have never heard of? I would bet you that an FCS JMU would still out draw a lesser known FBS team.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 3:46 pm
by Appersrule
Both Liberty and JMU would be great options that would make this move alot more attractive.
Re: JMU, too?
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 3:47 pm
by ASUTodd
JMU ... yes.... Liberty??? Not no, but HELL no...