Just thinking. Does anyone think that our athletic administration has been in touch with the AAC should the Big 12 take any of their members? Not nearly as far fetched as ECU or Arkansas State to the Big 12. Should we be acting proactively if an opportunity presents itself? I would prefer the Sun Belt over CUSA but not the AAC. Basketball and baseball could hurt us.

appfanjj wrote:Just thinking. Does anyone think that our athletic administration has been in touch with the AAC should the Big 12 take any of their members? Not nearly as far fetched as ECU or Arkansas State to the Big 12. Should we be acting proactively if an opportunity presents itself? I would prefer the Sun Belt over CUSA but not the AAC. Basketball and baseball could hurt us.

BYU would be my best guess for who the Big 12 wants. Reestablish the mountain region that once was Colorado area before they left. BYU will help make football as well as basketball competitive for the conference. Not as strong in baseball, but the Big 12 is fine with TCU and Texas whom are very dominant baseball teams.

If BYU is selected, it will have no impact on conference alignment because BYU has been independent for 5 years.

Maybe in the unlikely event that ECU goes to the Big 12, the AAC would look to keep a footprint in the Carolinas. But right now I'm not sure how attractive we are. If we live up to the hype and win the SBC Championship this year and win a bowl game and make that a habit I would think we would begin to be an attractive option int the lot. We're kind of like Marshall, we're going to have to rely on our record because we really don't have the tv market appeal.

/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09 wrote:

appfanjj wrote:Just thinking. Does anyone think that our athletic administration has been in touch with the AAC should the Big 12 take any of their members? Not nearly as far fetched as ECU or Arkansas State to the Big 12. Should we be acting proactively if an opportunity presents itself? I would prefer the Sun Belt over CUSA but not the AAC. Basketball and baseball could hurt us.

BYU would be my best guess for who the Big 12 wants. Reestablish the mountain region that once was Colorado area before they left. BYU will help make football as well as basketball competitive for the conference. Not as strong in baseball, but the Big 12 is fine with TCU and Texas whom are very dominant baseball teams.

If BYU is selected, it will have no impact on conference alignment because BYU has been independent for 5 years.

Don't forget that my alma mater, Texas Tech, has made the College World Series 2 of the last 3 years.

Do I think we've contacted the AAC yet? Probably not. Would we express interest if/when they have one or more openings? I would hope so. But it would probably be a pretty long shot.

I could absolutely see you guys in the AAC, and being competitive as well.

You might be surprised East. And to the other sports, that's not as big an issue as the lack of a full service hotel and distance from a commercial airport. Things we've all heard before. All I can say for now except there has been and will continue to be a lot of talking between the G5 AD/Admins right now. All the G5's.

firemoose wrote:You might be surprised East. And to the other sports, that's not as big an issue as the lack of a full service hotel and distance from a commercial airport. Things we've all heard before. All I can say for now except there has been and will continue to be a lot of talking between the G5 AD/Admins right now. All the G5's.

Along the lines of a full service hotel.. Have we heard anything on this front changing in Boone anytime soon? I'm wondering if the University should invest in building something specific to this where the old broyhill used to be as an example?

I would hope we have contacted the AAC, I know Ark State has, if for nothing more than letting it be known we have aspirations. We need baseball and basketball to start improving to become viable for a move up.

On the lines of a full-service hotel, what all does that include? And how is the Mariott on 105 not full-service?

Yosef10 wrote:On the lines of a full-service hotel, what all does that include? And how is the Mariott on 105 not full-service?

A restaurant is probably what they are missing.

Yosef10 wrote:I would hope we have contacted the AAC, I know Ark State has, if for nothing more than letting it be known we have aspirations. We need baseball and basketball to start improving to become viable for a move up.

On the lines of a full-service hotel, what all does that include? And how is the Mariott on 105 not full-service?

Realistically, realignment is about football and TV audience. Basketball helps a little but isn't the driving force. I don't think baseball or any other sport is really much of a factor at all, other than as something to mention in the press release.

And Moose - would be glad to be surprised in this case.

firemoose wrote:You might be surprised East. And to the other sports, that's not as big an issue as the lack of a full service hotel and distance from a commercial airport. Things we've all heard before. All I can say for now except there has been and will continue to be a lot of talking between the G5 AD/Admins right now. All the G5's.

They say that but it's just code for tv market, which is the primary negotiating leverage with ESPN. Cities that have tv markets already have access to the airports and hotels. The airport thing is bogus anyway, you can fly into Johnson City and be in Boone as quickly as getting to your destination in lots of other larger airports and cities. I bet we could build a commercial airport and several full service hotels and it would not move the needle. Of course I could be wrong

fjblair wrote:

firemoose wrote:You might be surprised East. And to the other sports, that's not as big an issue as the lack of a full service hotel and distance from a commercial airport. Things we've all heard before. All I can say for now except there has been and will continue to be a lot of talking between the G5 AD/Admins right now. All the G5's.

They say that but it's just code for tv market, which is the primary negotiating leverage with ESPN. Cities that have tv markets already have access to the airports and hotels. The airport thing is bogus anyway, you can fly into Johnson City and be in Boone as quickly as getting to your destination in lots of other larger airports and cities. I bet we could build a commercial airport and several full service hotels and it would not move the needle. Of course I could be wrong

Never said it was right, only that it was what was being said. Perception is 99% of reality these days.

For those asking what a full service hotel is, it's one with a full service restaurant on premises and large, private conference rooms on site. And yes, we are looking at ways to try and correct that problem but it's going to take time to do. As for the airport, for football most teams use charter services and can fly into Hickory or even Winston Salem and, once 321 is complete, can be in Boone quicker than many trips in larger cities from their local airport to campuses due to traffic issues. It's other sports that fly commercial that people look at mileage from Greensboro, Tri-Cities, and Charlotte and see time. And a lot of teams that have flown into Tri Cities don't want to again due to road sickness from people on the drive to Boone. Those Tenn switchbacks can be a real pain. . And if one follows GPS it takes them through Banner Elk, since it's 1.9 miles shorter on most than going through Newland but a lot more curves. And that turn in the Elk is a pain in a bus. Newland is not much better on the turn but much straighter roads and all us drivers go that way.

And TV market size isn't playing as much of a part this time around as it did last time, for now. All C-USA's market fixation did was prove to everybody that all market means is the availability of that many more TV's to NOT tune into a game. Brand/Name recognition are much more in the forefront during the stages, and whether our rivals like it or not, App's name is more widely known. Every time an upset happens the game gets brought up, not just in the US but in other countries. I see it all the time in my searches.

No one knows what is going to happen yet. Could be a little, could be a lot. It all depends on what the Big 12 does. And everyone is making multiple plans to try and cover anything they might do. We'll see in time.

Nice commentary Moose

I believe the Big 12 will add at least 2 and probably 4. There will be some major restructuring of G5 conferences in the next several years. It will effect us even if we do not land in a different conference. Like where we are now though.

EastHallApp wrote:

Yosef10 wrote:I would hope we have contacted the AAC, I know Ark State has, if for nothing more than letting it be known we have aspirations. We need baseball and basketball to start improving to become viable for a move up.

On the lines of a full-service hotel, what all does that include? And how is the Mariott on 105 not full-service?

Realistically, realignment is about football and TV audience. Basketball helps a little but isn't the driving force. I don't think baseball or any other sport is really much of a factor at all, other than as something to mention in the press release.

And Moose - would be glad to be surprised in this case.

Yeah I'm with ya, I'm just saying our basketball program can't be *as* abysmal as it has recently and just expect to get into the AAC for example. The poor quality of ECUs program was a pretty big question mark for them getting into the AAC, not to mention the other programs don't like them bringing down the RPI of the conference. You're definitely right on about baseball, although the big12 is making sure the school(s) that get in at the very least have a baseball program.

firemoose wrote:

fjblair wrote:

firemoose wrote:You might be surprised East. And to the other sports, that's not as big an issue as the lack of a full service hotel and distance from a commercial airport. Things we've all heard before. All I can say for now except there has been and will continue to be a lot of talking between the G5 AD/Admins right now. All the G5's.

They say that but it's just code for tv market, which is the primary negotiating leverage with ESPN. Cities that have tv markets already have access to the airports and hotels. The airport thing is bogus anyway, you can fly into Johnson City and be in Boone as quickly as getting to your destination in lots of other larger airports and cities. I bet we could build a commercial airport and several full service hotels and it would not move the needle. Of course I could be wrong

Never said it was right, only that it was what was being said. Perception is 99% of reality these days.

For those asking what a full service hotel is, it's one with a full service restaurant on premises and large, private conference rooms on site. And yes, we are looking at ways to try and correct that problem but it's going to take time to do. As for the airport, for football most teams use charter services and can fly into Hickory or even Winston Salem and, once 321 is complete, can be in Boone quicker than many trips in larger cities from their local airport to campuses due to traffic issues. It's other sports that fly commercial that people look at mileage from Greensboro, Tri-Cities, and Charlotte and see time. And a lot of teams that have flown into Tri Cities don't want to again due to road sickness from people on the drive to Boone. Those Tenn switchbacks can be a real pain. . And if one follows GPS it takes them through Banner Elk, since it's 1.9 miles shorter on most than going through Newland but a lot more curves. And that turn in the Elk is a pain in a bus. Newland is not much better on the turn but much straighter roads and all us drivers go that way.

And TV market size isn't playing as much of a part this time around as it did last time, for now. All C-USA's market fixation did was prove to everybody that all market means is the availability of that many more TV's to NOT tune into a game. Brand/Name recognition are much more in the forefront during the stages, and whether our rivals like it or not, App's name is more widely known. Every time an upset happens the game gets brought up, not just in the US but in other countries. I see it all the time in my searches.

No one knows what is going to happen yet. Could be a little, could be a lot. It all depends on what the Big 12 does. And everyone is making multiple plans to try and cover anything they might do. We'll see in time.

I wonder if the school and town could work together to draw a full service hotel? I know Ark. State put money towards the new convention center in Jonesboro that is located right beside their campus. I believe it has a fs hotel attached.

JTApps1 wrote:

firemoose wrote:

fjblair wrote:

firemoose wrote:You might be surprised East. And to the other sports, that's not as big an issue as the lack of a full service hotel and distance from a commercial airport. Things we've all heard before. All I can say for now except there has been and will continue to be a lot of talking between the G5 AD/Admins right now. All the G5's.

They say that but it's just code for tv market, which is the primary negotiating leverage with ESPN. Cities that have tv markets already have access to the airports and hotels. The airport thing is bogus anyway, you can fly into Johnson City and be in Boone as quickly as getting to your destination in lots of other larger airports and cities. I bet we could build a commercial airport and several full service hotels and it would not move the needle. Of course I could be wrong

Never said it was right, only that it was what was being said. Perception is 99% of reality these days.

For those asking what a full service hotel is, it's one with a full service restaurant on premises and large, private conference rooms on site. And yes, we are looking at ways to try and correct that problem but it's going to take time to do. As for the airport, for football most teams use charter services and can fly into Hickory or even Winston Salem and, once 321 is complete, can be in Boone quicker than many trips in larger cities from their local airport to campuses due to traffic issues. It's other sports that fly commercial that people look at mileage from Greensboro, Tri-Cities, and Charlotte and see time. And a lot of teams that have flown into Tri Cities don't want to again due to road sickness from people on the drive to Boone. Those Tenn switchbacks can be a real pain. . And if one follows GPS it takes them through Banner Elk, since it's 1.9 miles shorter on most than going through Newland but a lot more curves. And that turn in the Elk is a pain in a bus. Newland is not much better on the turn but much straighter roads and all us drivers go that way.

And TV market size isn't playing as much of a part this time around as it did last time, for now. All C-USA's market fixation did was prove to everybody that all market means is the availability of that many more TV's to NOT tune into a game. Brand/Name recognition are much more in the forefront during the stages, and whether our rivals like it or not, App's name is more widely known. Every time an upset happens the game gets brought up, not just in the US but in other countries. I see it all the time in my searches.

No one knows what is going to happen yet. Could be a little, could be a lot. It all depends on what the Big 12 does. And everyone is making multiple plans to try and cover anything they might do. We'll see in time.

I wonder if the school and town could work together to draw a full service hotel? I know Ark. State put money towards the new convention center in Jonesboro that is located right beside their campus. I believe it has a fs hotel attached.

That would be the most logical answer. But I do believe the city hates what the university has become and wants nothing to do with enhancing it further. Just one guys opinion though.

Pretty much a foregone conclusion but Brett McMurphy of ESPN on Twitter: "East Carolina says it was informed by Big 12 it is no longer an expansion candidate."

I can't believe they turned down the entire state of NC.