What's next for the Socon?

[BJuice]

GW and Chuck South aren't on the short list?

I would love to see Charleston Southern join the SoCon. We play SoCon schools in every sport and compete consistently at that level with exception to football. We haven't had as much success as many of us would like against the SoCon teams we have competed against, but it is coming. As far as football goes, our talent level (recruiting) is getting closer to the SoCon level, and as far as talent and skill, I believe we are very close to the SoCon. Unfortunately, our facilities are not to that level just yet. As everybody knows, we have work to do to get our facilities up to SoCon standards. That is coming too.

I believe the SoCon would be a great fit and a great home for Charleston Southern. We have natural rivalries with several schools in the SoCon, two in the same city of Charleston (The Citadel and College of Charleston). We fit the smaller (but growing) private school profile.

[jcmanson]

What makes you think the SoCon would offer Liberty an invitation?

Never said they would. The OP stated he'd like to see LU in the Socon, and I'm just pointing out if asked, we wouldn't accept.

[Sly Fox]

I agree with jcmanson. The SoCon has had opportunities to make the call to Lynchburg in the past and passed. I think many in the league may now regret that mistake. But Liberty has moved on. And a SoCon without ASU & GSU has nothing to offer either LU or CCU. Frankly a return of VMI would probably be the best call for everyone involved.

[jcmanson]

Sly, I'd go so far as to say a SoCon WITH ASU & GSU has little to offer LU. Sure, it would help in the short term in football, but the Big South is fairly competitive in all other sports. Needless to say, our eyes are focused higher than the SoCon.

[phoenixphanatic21]

Sly, I'd go so far as to say a SoCon WITH ASU & GSU has little to offer LU. Sure, it would help in the short term in football, but the Big South is fairly competitive in all other sports. Needless to say, our eyes are focused higher than the SoCon.

And the SoCon isn't competitive in all other sports? Must've missed that.

Anyway, I say if App leaves, go after SC State, Coastal, KSU, Liberty or Charlotte, if we can talk them into staying in the FCS.

Also, let's see if we can talk Richmond and/or William and Mary into coming back to the SoCon. Who's with me?

[jcmanson]

Sly, I'd go so far as to say a SoCon WITH ASU & GSU has little to offer LU. Sure, it would help in the short term in football, but the Big South is fairly competitive in all other sports. Needless to say, our eyes are focused higher than the SoCon.

And the SoCon isn't competitive in all other sports? Must've missed that.

Guess I should have said "the Big South is fairly competitive (with the SoCon) in all other sports."

[youngterrier]

Mind clarifying this? Not sure what you mean.

Football runs the college athletic world, The SoCon and CAA are equals on the football field (and one could even give the edge to the CAA there). In other words, they wouldn't be gaining much from switching from the CAA to the Socon from a football standpoint. And honestly, the CAA is probably better than the Socon in most other sports (but I say that as more of an assumption). So, right now, they don't gain much

[BullDog85]

Jacksonville U will not be coming to SoCon. Their president already said earlier this year in an interview they don't have money to fund Title IX crap, so they are staying where they are at in a no-scholly league.

[State Line Liquors]

GW and Chuck South aren't on the short list?

I would love to see Charleston Southern join the SoCon. We play SoCon schools in every sport and compete consistently at that level with exception to football. We haven't had as much success as many of us would like against the SoCon teams we have competed against, but it is coming. As far as football goes, our talent level (recruiting) is getting closer to the SoCon level, and as far as talent and skill, I believe we are very close to the SoCon. Unfortunately, our facilities are not to that level just yet. As everybody knows, we have work to do to get our facilities up to SoCon standards. That is coming too.

I believe the SoCon would be a great fit and a great home for Charleston Southern. We have natural rivalries with several schools in the SoCon, two in the same city of Charleston (The Citadel and College of Charleston). We fit the smaller (but growing) private school profile.

No question, Chuck South is a private hair away from having the SoCon drooling all over them. I'd be lying if I said I knew for a fact that the Buccos weren't on the SoCon's very short list when for when the world starts spinning.

[PenthouseClosedEnd]

No question, Chuck South is a private hair away from having the SoCon drooling all over them.

[death dealer]

Honestly, I can't think of a school I find less appealing to bring into the SOCON than Liberty. I mean, really? What do they have to offer us. They apparently can't wait to join the Marsha's of the FBS cellar in obscurity and irrelevance. And they're Liberty for heavens sake! The school that hatred, bigotry, and religious fanaticsm built. Hell, we're still trying to forget our ties to the guy that justified slavery with scripture. The last thing we need is to associate ourselves with anything that nut, Falwell, had any connection to.

[AZGrizFan]

Honestly, I can't think of a school I find less appealing to bring into the SOCON than Liberty. I mean, really? What do they have to offer us. They apparently can't wait to join the Marsha's of the FBS cellar in obscurity and irrelevance. And they're Liberty for heavens sake! The school that hatred, bigotry, and religious fanaticsm built. Hell, we're still trying to forget our ties to the guy that justified slavery with scripture. The last thing we need is to associate ourselves with anything that nut, Falwell, had any connection to.

Couldn't agree more. Liberty would be a HUGE mistake, IMHO.

[CID1990]

Honestly, I can't think of a school I find less appealing to bring into the SOCON than Liberty. I mean, really? What do they have to offer us. They apparently can't wait to join the Marsha's of the FBS cellar in obscurity and irrelevance. And they're Liberty for heavens sake! The school that hatred, bigotry, and religious fanaticsm built. Hell, we're still trying to forget our ties to the guy that justified slavery with scripture. The last thing we need is to associate ourselves with anything that nut, Falwell, had any connection to.

I dunno. I kind of like the idea of a Liberty-Furman rivalry. You guys can argue over who God likes more, who has more stringent anti-dancin' rules, and the most student marriages.

[Fresno St. Alum]

1. Coastal Carolina
2. Liberty
3. Jacksonville St.
4. Kennesaw St. (if you want a start up near a big city)

If the private schools win out then it would be Liberty, if the Public win, it depends on if C of C , Furman, Wofford and Citadel want another S.Car school.

[OL FU]

What makes you so sure Appalachian is leaving the SoCon?

A 'privately funded' study which suggests 'corporate sponsors' and 'ticket fees' will finance the move?

Just because the BCS is forming up in super-conferences does not mean a free ticket to FBS for Appalachian without a viable financing plan. Chancellor Cheerleader, even while blind, could see the drop-off in attendance last week after our spanking by VPI.

App fans are far from fair-weather, but the opening-day crowd was down 5k from previous years -- possibly the lowest in 5 years. I hope they were conservative in estimating the revenue from those 'ticket fees' in that study (which has not been released to the public to my knowledge).

Liberty would not accept an invitation from the Socon. We'd jump to the CAA, but that's the only FCS league we'd accept an invite from.

What makes you think the SoCon would offer Liberty an invitation?

I agree. I think the only way Liberty gets and invite is if the conference gets decimated by schools leaving. and if that happens I doubt larger schools would be interested in accepting an invite. The too is the only way PC gets invited. god I hope it doesn't come to that.

[death dealer]

I guess my list would start with recruiting some old members, namely W&M, Richmond, and ETSU. Then we could look to Coastal, and SCSt. But for God's sake don't let it be Liberty or UNCC. And I hope it's a moot point, and neither Appy or the Eaglets leave the fold.

[CID1990]

1. Coastal Carolina
2. Liberty
3. Jacksonville St.
4. Kennesaw St. (if you want a start up near a big city)

If the private schools win out then it would be Liberty, if the Public win, it depends on if C of C , Furman, Wofford and Citadel want another S.Car school.

Cofc can stick it in their a$$. They dont play football and therefore should have no say. That goes for uncg and Davidson too, for that matter. Especially Davidson. If they want to come whip a little butt in basketball then getting their own tails kicked in football should be the price of admission.

Either way, none of those schools should have one iota of voting stock when it comes to the addition of football schools to the SoCon.

[CID1990]

As for CSU, the price of admission should be proving that they can at least beat their Pioneer League opponents before becoming the SoCon doormat. (see Jacksonville)