Charlotte declines full CAA membership, wants football-only

[89Hen]

So did the CAA. The days of the A10 being light years ahead of the CAA are done.

Even as a fan of a CAA school, I'm not ready to jump into that boat yet. The A10 teams all got better seeds than the respective CAA teams, and there's still the small matter of what they do in the tournament that matters. And let's be honest, VCU had no business making it in over 4-5 other teams, and quite a few mid majors as well. Until the CAA, year in and year out, gets in as many teams as the A10, gets as good as seeds, and does as much damage in the tourney, then the A10 is still better than the CAA. And next year is supposed to be a real down year for the CAA as well so let's not count our chickens before they're hatched here.

Ahem.

BTW, who was the last A10 team to make the Final Four that didn't have to vacate their appearance?

[henfan]

89, now you're just picking low-hanging fruit.

[LeadBolt]

Given yesterday's performance by GMU & VCU, perhaps UNCC is afraid of trying to compete with CAA schools on a regular basis in basketball.

Fail.

Really

[89Hen]

89, now you're just picking low-hanging fruit.

Hey, I'm just reaping the seeds I've sown.

[49RFootballNow]

Let me make this easy for everyone. Charlotte will not join a basketball conference that includes any other in-state schools that are not currently in the ACC or CUSA, and that last one is only because it would be for FBS football.

[89Hen]

Let me make this easy for everyone. Charlotte will not join a basketball conference that includes any other in-state schools that are not currently in the ACC or CUSA, and that last one is only because it would be for FBS football.

You have a point there. It would be hard to be successful with another in-state school if you were up against ACC teams in-state. Could you imagine being in a conference with four other non-ACC teams. You'd really not have a chance then.

[49RFootballNow]

Really gonna go there? Comparing UVA and VT to the NC Mafia in BASKETBALL?

[collegesportsinfo]

So did the CAA. The days of the A10 being light years ahead of the CAA are done.

I'll take nothing away from the CAA. Yesterday was an historic day for your conference.

But it WAS an HISTORIC day for your conference. You guys are partying it up on CAAZone over this. The A10 views 3 teams as a disappointment. As long as the A10 has Xavier and Temple the A10 will still get multiple bids. The real question now is will the CAA get an ANNUAL multi-bid or is this a fluke year. Better hope that more than 1 team makes it to round 2 or its back to being a 1-bid conference.

No man. 3 bids is what we expect and what seems to be the average. More than 3 is great, but 3 is in no way a disappointment almost any year.

But you're right about the CAA. George Mason has a historic run to the Final Four in 2008. But in 2009 and 2010, they got zero at-large bids, with both auto qualifiers getting 11 seeds. The CAA, just like any other conference on the outside of the BCS-6, need momentum. Success is gauged over time. And in time, if there is some momentum built, than there will be a reason for Charlotte to consider the CAA.


In the meantime, I think eventually, the CAA will extend a football-only invite to Charlotte. Just playing hardball now. But if UMass and Nova follow URI out, and the CAA needs football-only replacements, there are really only 3 options:

Charlotte: wants football-only, plans on upgrading to FBS eventually
Stony Brook: wants football only or all-sports, would jump at chance for football only invite
Fordham: wants schoolies, means out of Patriot, wants to remain in A10 for other sports...CAA best option

Others:
YSU: sure, CAA might want them for football only but would YSU leave the MVFC? doubtful.
App St: would need to be all sports but AD gone public ag. CAA, saying they'll only leave SoCon for FBS conference
GA St.: would need to be all-sports, but CAA not looking all-sports
Liberty: likely same boat...would need to be all sports CAA since Big South has football
Coastal Carolina: similar to Liberty


list can go on, but really you've got 3 candidates

Maine, UNH, Towson, Delaware, JMU, W&M, ODU, GA St
If youre comfortable at 8, it's all set. If you want 9-10, I see Fordham and Stonybrook as the best bets as you can try to schedule the 4 northern schools vs each other most years.

[89Hen]

Really gonna go there? Comparing UVA and VT to the NC Mafia in BASKETBALL?

UVA and VT are no Duke or Carolina. But then again, Charlotte is no VCU or GMU.

[89Hen]

In the meantime, I think eventually, the CAA will extend a football-only invite to Charlotte.

I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

[collegesportsinfo]

In the meantime, I think eventually, the CAA will extend a football-only invite to Charlotte.

I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

Me neither. I think an 8 team CAA will work fine. And then if anyone left (like JMU to FBS) then you just bring in a new football-only member, like Charlotte.

But that doesn't change the basics that if the CAA loses UMass and Nova and OPTS to expand beyond 8, it's a 3 horse race: Stony Brook, Fordham and Charlotte.

I'll exclude my preference since as a UMass fan, the conference wouldn't mean a thing to me if we left. But the remaining CAA members and their fans have those really just those 3 schools to look at. Are you saying 89, that you'd prefer no expansion, or adding 1-2 teams being Stony Brook and Fordham? Their fans here would be happy to get some backing from current CAA fans.

[∞∞∞]

Charlotte needs to stop thinking about how the CAA is a downgrade in basketball and how their membership will legitimize and help grow the CAA even further. Hell, Charlotte leaving the A-10 might even send a strong message in the athletic community that the CAA is where the future is, and that move in itself would help Charlotte because of the publicity they would garner for the themselves and their new conference. Face it, what has the A-10 done in the past few years other than basketball? The CAA consistently beats FBS and BCS opponents, sends wrestlers to Nationals, wins NCAA Tournament games, and sends multiple teams to the NCAA soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, and field hockey tournaments. Even one win by a Charlotte football team over a BCS program would garner more attention than what your irrelevant basketball program has done over the past few years combined. The Big South will NEVER let you achieve that and might even be a detriment in your growth for football. Your place might be in Conference-USA, but that's not an option right now. All I know is that you don't belong in the A-10, but instead with the large public universities that share the same vision. ODU, UD, JMU, GSU, and even Towson (and possibly GMU and VCU) all want to grow our athletic programs beyond what we have now and Charlotte can join and help us achieve that.

[89Hen]

Are you saying 89, that you'd prefer no expansion, or adding 1-2 teams being Stony Brook and Fordham? Their fans here would be happy to get some backing from current CAA fans.

Ideally I'd like to see 9 and I'd rather an invite be for a full membership. It used to be that we had to worry what the original non-football schools would say, but that's down to VCU and Mason, so who cares. I never liked the addition of Northeastern and they proved me right. Losing UMass, VU and URI only gets me closer to my idea of an all sport CAA... something I've wanted for UD for MANY years.

[49RFootballNow]

Are you saying 89, that you'd prefer no expansion, or adding 1-2 teams being Stony Brook and Fordham? Their fans here would be happy to get some backing from current CAA fans.

Ideally I'd like to see 9 and I'd rather an invite be for a full membership. It used to be that we had to worry what the original non-football schools would say, but that's down to VCU and Mason, so who cares. I never liked the addition of Northeastern and they proved me right. Losing UMass, VU and URI only gets me closer to my idea of an all sport CAA... something I've wanted for UD for MANY years.

To me the reason "mixed conferences" exist below the BCS level is a matter of survival. There simply aren't enough teams that match each other academically, geographically, financially or athletically to put together an all-sports conference below a certain level. What positive benefits do you believe an all-sports CAA would offer to it's 9-ish remaining schools?

[89Hen]

To me the reason "mixed conferences" exist below the BCS level is a matter of survival. There simply aren't enough teams that match each other academically, geographically, financially or athletically to put together an all-sports conference below a certain level. What positive benefits do you believe an all-sports CAA would offer to it's 9-ish remaining schools?

I don't disagree with the notion that it is survival. This is my ideal world I'm talking about. The CAA is solid conference and almost has enough teams to be an all-sports conference. When I say all sports, that means if you have the sport, it must be in the CAA, ie. Northeastern, Hofstra, Drexel are all fine to stay.

It's for identity purposes, and building rivalries. Not playing Richmond, UMass, Nova... in other sports just erodes any rivalry potential. Nova is UD's football "rival" but it's an extremely weak rivalry. Drexel was a "rival" in bball for a few years, but I'm not sure that's the case anymore. DelSt? Please.

[collegesportsinfo]

Charlotte needs to stop thinking about how the CAA is a downgrade in basketball and how their membership will legitimize and help grow the CAA even further. Hell, Charlotte leaving the A-10 might even send a strong message in the athletic community that the CAA is where the future is, and that move in itself would help Charlotte because of the publicity they would garner for the themselves and their new conference. Face it, what has the A-10 done in the past few years other than basketball? The CAA consistently beats FBS and BCS opponents, sends wrestlers to Nationals, wins NCAA Tournament games, and sends multiple teams to the NCAA soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, and field hockey tournaments. Even one win by a Charlotte football team over a BCS program would garner more attention than what your irrelevant basketball program has done over the past few years combined. The Big South will NEVER let you achieve that and might even be a detriment in your growth for football. Your place might be in Conference-USA, but that's not an option right now. All I know is that you don't belong in the A-10, but instead with the large public universities that share the same vision. ODU, UD, JMU, GSU, and even Towson (and possibly GMU and VCU) all want to grow our athletic programs beyond what we have now and Charlotte can join and help us achieve that.

Completely defeats the purpose if you're talking about Charlotte. They want to eventually be FBS, the CAA is FCS. So why switch conferences only to leave 4-5 years later? Alternatively, you just sit back where you're at, no harm no foul, and then get ready for FBS. It's not like Charlotte being in the CAA would be any type of help in the FBS pursuit. Reality is that the schools they are associated with now in the A10 are at least in higher conference discussions, albeit longshots: Temple had prelim talks with CUSA and if Big East football split (seemingly an extreme longshot now) you have Xavier, St. Louis, Richmond and Dayton considered the top candidates to team with Big East non-football schools. There just isn't anything at all for Charlotte to leverage a CAA all-sports membership into for their FBS plans.

[collegesportsinfo]

Are you saying 89, that you'd prefer no expansion, or adding 1-2 teams being Stony Brook and Fordham? Their fans here would be happy to get some backing from current CAA fans.

Ideally I'd like to see 9 and I'd rather an invite be for a full membership. It used to be that we had to worry what the original non-football schools would say, but that's down to VCU and Mason, so who cares. I never liked the addition of Northeastern and they proved me right. Losing UMass, VU and URI only gets me closer to my idea of an all sport CAA... something I've wanted for UD for MANY years.

Interesting. I know dukie was always hoping for the same thing. Real tough for the CAA right now though as there are so many non-football schools (NU, Hofstra, GMU, VCU, UNCW)...luckily ODU and GA St. have given football the advantage.

So for a 9th, you didn't mention a specific school. Would I be foolish to assume that App St. is the school you'd WANT to see added for all-sports (taking Charlotte off the list since they apparently aren't interested)? And if the App St. comments held true (no CAA since no FBS football), that means for CAA all-sports, you'd have Stony Brook, Liberty, Coastal Carolina and maybe GA Southern as all-sports options.

[collegesportsinfo]

Ideally I'd like to see 9 and I'd rather an invite be for a full membership. It used to be that we had to worry what the original non-football schools would say, but that's down to VCU and Mason, so who cares. I never liked the addition of Northeastern and they proved me right. Losing UMass, VU and URI only gets me closer to my idea of an all sport CAA... something I've wanted for UD for MANY years.

To me the reason "mixed conferences" exist below the BCS level is a matter of survival. There simply aren't enough teams that match each other academically, geographically, financially or athletically to put together an all-sports conference below a certain level. What positive benefits do you believe an all-sports CAA would offer to it's 9-ish remaining schools?

So true. That's why there are so many hodge-podges out there: SoCon = some football, some without, some private, some public...CAA in the same boat with football/non-football but with a real tough geography (Boston to Atlanta for all-sports) and the A10 with mostly privates and 2 state schools.

[89Hen]

Ideally I'd like to see 9 and I'd rather an invite be for a full membership. It used to be that we had to worry what the original non-football schools would say, but that's down to VCU and Mason, so who cares. I never liked the addition of Northeastern and they proved me right. Losing UMass, VU and URI only gets me closer to my idea of an all sport CAA... something I've wanted for UD for MANY years.

Interesting. I know dukie was always hoping for the same thing. Real tough for the CAA right now though as there are so many non-football schools (NU, Hofstra, GMU, VCU, UNCW)...luckily ODU and GA St. have given football the advantage.

So for a 9th, you didn't mention a specific school. Would I be foolish to assume that App St. is the school you'd WANT to see added for all-sports (taking Charlotte off the list since they apparently aren't interested)? And if the App St. comments held true (no CAA since no FBS football), that means for CAA all-sports, you'd have Stony Brook, Liberty, Coastal Carolina and maybe GA Southern as all-sports options.

See above... NU, HU, et al are fine. They have all their sports in the CAA. I wouldn't like the notion of a Villanova, ND or G'town where they actually have football but not in their home conference. Basically if you have a sport, it plays in the CAA, end of story.

AppSt... nah. Too far away AND remote. Don't need another football powerhouse. I think Albany might be my first choice of teams that I think would actually do it. Charlotte would certainly be a good choice, but I think it's clear they're not interested.

[dbackjon]

To me the reason "mixed conferences" exist below the BCS level is a matter of survival. There simply aren't enough teams that match each other academically, geographically, financially or athletically to put together an all-sports conference below a certain level. What positive benefits do you believe an all-sports CAA would offer to it's 9-ish remaining schools?

So true. That's why there are so many hodge-podges out there: SoCon = some football, some without, some private, some public...CAA in the same boat with football/non-football but with a real tough geography (Boston to Atlanta for all-sports) and the A10 with mostly privates and 2 state schools.

this is one thing I have loved about the Big Sky - all teams are all sports members. Changing a bit with Cal-Poly-Davis as football affiliates, but still will have 11 all sports members, all playing football

[89Hen]

So true. That's why there are so many hodge-podges out there: SoCon = some football, some without, some private, some public...CAA in the same boat with football/non-football but with a real tough geography (Boston to Atlanta for all-sports) and the A10 with mostly privates and 2 state schools.

this is one thing I have loved about the Big Sky - all teams are all sports members. Changing a bit with Cal-Poly-Davis as football affiliates, but still will have 11 all sports members, all playing football

See? I'm not so crazy.

[dbackjon]

this is one thing I have loved about the Big Sky - all teams are all sports members. Changing a bit with Cal-Poly-Davis as football affiliates, but still will have 11 all sports members, all playing football

See? I'm not so crazy.

Nope - in total agreement. Makes for a better conference, IMNSHO

[Fresno St. Alum]

I'll take nothing away from the CAA. Yesterday was an historic day for your conference.

But it WAS an HISTORIC day for your conference. You guys are partying it up on CAAZone over this. The A10 views 3 teams as a disappointment. As long as the A10 has Xavier and Temple the A10 will still get multiple bids. The real question now is will the CAA get an ANNUAL multi-bid or is this a fluke year. Better hope that more than 1 team makes it to round 2 or its back to being a 1-bid conference.

No man. 3 bids is what we expect and what seems to be the average. More than 3 is great, but 3 is in no way a disappointment almost any year.

But you're right about the CAA. George Mason has a historic run to the Final Four in 2008. But in 2009 and 2010, they got zero at-large bids, with both auto qualifiers getting 11 seeds. The CAA, just like any other conference on the outside of the BCS-6, need momentum. Success is gauged over time. And in time, if there is some momentum built, than there will be a reason for Charlotte to consider the CAA.


In the meantime, I think eventually, the CAA will extend a football-only invite to Charlotte. Just playing hardball now. But if UMass and Nova follow URI out, and the CAA needs football-only replacements, there are really only 3 options:

Charlotte: wants football-only, plans on upgrading to FBS eventually
Stony Brook: wants football only or all-sports, would jump at chance for football only invite
Fordham: wants schoolies, means out of Patriot, wants to remain in A10 for other sports...CAA best option

Others:
YSU: sure, CAA might want them for football only but would YSU leave the MVFC? doubtful.
App St: would need to be all sports but AD gone public ag. CAA, saying they'll only leave SoCon for FBS conference
GA St.: would need to be all-sports, but CAA not looking all-sports
Liberty: likely same boat...would need to be all sports CAA since Big South has football
Coastal Carolina: similar to Liberty


list can go on, but really you've got 3 candidates

Maine, UNH, Towson, Delaware, JMU, W&M, ODU, GA St
If youre comfortable at 8, it's all set. If you want 9-10, I see Fordham and Stonybrook as the best bets as you can try to schedule the 4 northern schools vs each other most years.

Georgia St. is a full member of the CAA. You know this

CAA is impressive in the Tourney. Its a class/ladder thing though. Even when Boise and Hawaii were kicking ass in football, both would rather be in the MWC than the WAC. You are fans of CAA schools so you defend your conf. it's a great conf. but if ODU or VCU or whoever got an invite to the A10 their Prez would take it. Plus ODU or any other school could/would stay in the CAA for fb anyway. CAA used to have Richmond, you still have them for football and you don't seem to miss them in basketball.

[89Hen]

if ODU or VCU or whoever got an invite to the A10 their Prez would take it. Plus ODU or any other school could/would stay in the CAA for fb anyway. CAA used to have Richmond, you still have them for football and you don't seem to miss them in basketball.

If Richmond were still in the CAA and the offer from the A10 came today, I'm not sure they leave.

[Fresno St. Alum]

if ODU or VCU or whoever got an invite to the A10 their Prez would take it. Plus ODU or any other school could/would stay in the CAA for fb anyway. CAA used to have Richmond, you still have them for football and you don't seem to miss them in basketball.

If Richmond were still in the CAA and the offer from the A10 came today, I'm not sure they leave.

Homer talk. I am sure. I'm not defending Charlotte or any other A10 school. just stating the conf ladder "rules". I don't have a dog in the fight and I follow conf. movement.