Championship Subdivision Football | FCS Football | Stadiums | Blogs | Forums

Quite frankly, based on Coastal Carolina's and Liberty's obsession with moving up to FBS, I'm surprised this topic has not been posted yet.

Two Schools in Talks for Future Sun Belt Conference Membership

“I think Eastern Kentucky has been public in declaring their interest in moving up to FBS. I think that Coastal Carolina has not made that public statement,” Benson told The Daily Advertiser in a one-on-one interview. “So has Eastern Kentucky contacted the Sun Belt? Yes. Have we had conversation with Coastal Carolina and others? Yes. That’s about all I can say.”

Among other current FCS members, Liberty has not made any discernible progress in securing a membership invitation from the Sun Belt, James Madison has expressed it is not interest in joining the Sun Belt and buzz about Missouri State as a potential member seems to have waned lately.

Sun Belt Conference Reaches Out to Coastal Carolina

Again, Coastal Carolina has expressed in the past a desire to explore possibilities of potentially moving to a larger conference, and if the university decides to make that jump it would need to increase its football stadium capacity to meet the NCAA's FBS standard of an average paid or actual home attendance of at least 15,000 once every two years. Coastal Carolina's Brooks Stadium currently has a capacity of around 9,400, which the Chants still struggle to fill at times. The school would also take on additional travel costs for all of it's athletics teams with such a move to a more spread out conference.

I think most of the Coastal Carolina obsession comes from the fans. I think the AD and the Administration realize that a move up to FBS is at best a long way off, if ever. IMO, they want to keep the door open verbally to please the fans, but quietly they realize they aren't close. They were obsessed for a while with trying to move to the SoCon until recently when the quality and depth of the Big South proved to be on the rise.

Coastal averaged 8,729 attendance last year in a friendly home schedule when they had their 2 biggest conference rivals at home (Liberty and Charleston Southern). They will need to average 15,000 once every two years to move up to ANY FBS conference.

Also IMO, the Sun Belt is a relative abyss in the FBS. It is a conference of FBS schools irrelevant to the greater FBS picture, or they are the Power 5 whipping boys. It is a conference where schools go when they think they are too big for FCS. It is a conference that gets regularly beats up by Power 5 schools. It is a conference that FCS schools play for a payday and are somewhat competitive.

I believe AppState and Georgia Southern both made a mistake when they moved to FBS and the Sun Belt. They gave up a dominant tradition in FCS for irrelevance in the FBS. I believe it would be a mistake for Coastal and Liberty to move up and leave the Big South, which is growing and gaining a greater profile in the FCS.

CCU is in a decent place right now - good baseball, making waves in FCS Football. Not sure what they gain moving to the SB

I think it's all a farce to pressure JMU to make a commitment to join the SB.

They want JMU, not EKU or CCU.

BJuice wrote:Quite frankly, based on Coastal Carolina's and Liberty's obsession with moving up to FBS, I'm surprised this topic has not been posted yet.

Two Schools in Talks for Future Sun Belt Conference Membership

“I think Eastern Kentucky has been public in declaring their interest in moving up to FBS. I think that Coastal Carolina has not made that public statement,” Benson told The Daily Advertiser in a one-on-one interview. “So has Eastern Kentucky contacted the Sun Belt? Yes. Have we had conversation with Coastal Carolina and others? Yes. That’s about all I can say.”

Among other current FCS members, Liberty has not made any discernible progress in securing a membership invitation from the Sun Belt, James Madison has expressed it is not interest in joining the Sun Belt and buzz about Missouri State as a potential member seems to have waned lately.

Sun Belt Conference Reaches Out to Coastal Carolina

Again, Coastal Carolina has expressed in the past a desire to explore possibilities of potentially moving to a larger conference, and if the university decides to make that jump it would need to increase its football stadium capacity to meet the NCAA's FBS standard of an average paid or actual home attendance of at least 15,000 once every two years. Coastal Carolina's Brooks Stadium currently has a capacity of around 9,400, which the Chants still struggle to fill at times. The school would also take on additional travel costs for all of it's athletics teams with such a move to a more spread out conference.

I think most of the Coastal Carolina obsession comes from the fans. I think the AD and the Administration realize that a move up to FBS is at best a long way off, if ever. IMO, they want to keep the door open verbally to please the fans, but quietly they realize they aren't close. They were obsessed for a while with trying to move to the SoCon until recently when the quality and depth of the Big South proved to be on the rise.

Coastal averaged 8,729 attendance last year in a friendly home schedule when they had their 2 biggest conference rivals at home (Liberty and Charleston Southern). They will need to average 15,000 once every two years to move up to ANY FBS conference.

Also IMO, the Sun Belt is a relative abyss in the FBS. It is a conference of FBS schools irrelevant to the greater FBS picture, or they are the Power 5 whipping boys. It is a conference where schools go when they think they are too big for FCS. It is a conference that gets regularly beats up by Power 5 schools. It is a conference that FCS schools play for a payday and are somewhat competitive.

I believe AppState and Georgia Southern both made a mistake when they moved to FBS and the Sun Belt. They gave up a dominant tradition in FCS for irrelevance in the FBS. I believe it would be a mistake for Coastal and Liberty to move up and leave the Big South, which is growing and gaining a greater profile in the FCS.

It's the fans, mostly. Decenzo ( president) and Hogue (AD) are smart guys. I think a move is in the future but I'd say we are far from obsessed. Go to coastal fans.com and you'll see that most fans would welcome it, but they are realistic about what it means.

Wasn't the sun belt the 2nd worst FBS conference last season? We are just starting to have a really good streak. We're consistently in the top 10. I'd rather is being a consistent, top 10 FCS team that gets closer to the NC then a no ranked team that gets a wet fart of a bowl game.

The Cats wrote:I think it's all a farce to pressure JMU to make a commitment to join the SB.

They want JMU, not EKU or CCU.

Was it C-USA that went after JMU a few years ago? And JMU screwed themselves?

Ibanez wrote:

The Cats wrote:I think it's all a farce to pressure JMU to make a commitment to join the SB.

They want JMU, not EKU or CCU.

Was it C-USA that went after JMU a few years ago? And JMU screwed themselves?

No, but there's some delusional fans that think that.

The whole I-A thing has been CONSTANTLY talked about on the JMU board for going on 3 years now-move up rumors and teeth gnashing & incessant whining over the fact that JMU hasn't announced a move up yet. Seeps into almost every thread. Makes the board practically unreadable. I'm so sick of it that I don't even care anymore- stay in I-AA, move up, whatever.

"Do you want to play the same level of competition without the stressful hassle known as a meaningful postseason? Then you'll love it in the… Sun Belt! "

dbackjon wrote:CCU is in a decent place right now - good baseball, making waves in FCS Football. Not sure what they gain moving to the SB

This.

BJuice wrote:Also IMO, the Sun Belt is a relative abyss in the FBS. It is a conference of FBS schools irrelevant to the greater FBS picture, or they are the Power 5 whipping boys. It is a conference where schools go when they think they are too big for FCS. It is a conference that gets regularly beats up by Power 5 schools. It is a conference that FCS schools play for a payday and are somewhat competitive.

I believe AppState and Georgia Southern both made a mistake when they moved to FBS and the Sun Belt. They gave up a dominant tradition in FCS for irrelevance in the FBS. I believe it would be a mistake for Coastal and Liberty to move up and leave the Big South, which is growing and gaining a greater profile in the FCS.

Not at all. I believe that the overwhelming majority of App and GSU fans would all agree that a move to the FBS and the Sun Belt was the best move for both our institutions. Believe me, the Belt is much less of an "abyss" than the SoCon. A simple and easy comparison would be the just completed media days for both conferences. The SoCon held theirs in a hotel lobby with very little and no national press to speak of in attendance. The Sun Belt held their media day at the Mercedes Superdome with well over 100 different local and national media in attendance and streamed live on ESPN. Add to that we had 2 prime time ESPN Thursday night games, and all of our games were either streamed on ESPN3.

As "bad" and an "abyss" as the Sun Belt is, it is many times better than where we were.

From what I know and have read/been told ADs and Commissioners are very tight-lipped on this topic, and with both Hogue from CCU and the Commish from the Sun Belt vocally recognizing the conversations makes me think this is much further along that they are leading on.

Baldy wrote:

BJuice wrote:Also IMO, the Sun Belt is a relative abyss in the FBS. It is a conference of FBS schools irrelevant to the greater FBS picture, or they are the Power 5 whipping boys. It is a conference where schools go when they think they are too big for FCS. It is a conference that gets regularly beats up by Power 5 schools. It is a conference that FCS schools play for a payday and are somewhat competitive.

I believe AppState and Georgia Southern both made a mistake when they moved to FBS and the Sun Belt. They gave up a dominant tradition in FCS for irrelevance in the FBS. I believe it would be a mistake for Coastal and Liberty to move up and leave the Big South, which is growing and gaining a greater profile in the FCS.

Not at all. I believe that the overwhelming majority of App and GSU fans would all agree that a move to the FBS and the Sun Belt was the best move for both our institutions. Believe me, the Belt is much less of an "abyss" than the SoCon. A simple and easy comparison would be the just completed media days for both conferences. The SoCon held theirs in a hotel lobby with very little and no national press to speak of in attendance. The Sun Belt held their media day at the Mercedes Superdome with well over 100 different local and national media in attendance and streamed live on ESPN. Add to that we had 2 prime time ESPN Thursday night games, and all of our games were either streamed on ESPN3.

As "bad" and an "abyss" as the Sun Belt is, it is many times better than where we were.

Facts/schmacts.

(and for the record, I'm in the Griz "move-up" crowd)....for this and many other reasons

AZGrizFan wrote:

Baldy wrote: Not at all. I believe that the overwhelming majority of App and GSU fans would all agree that a move to the FBS and the Sun Belt was the best move for both our institutions. Believe me, the Belt is much less of an "abyss" than the SoCon. A simple and easy comparison would be the just completed media days for both conferences. The SoCon held theirs in a hotel lobby with very little and no national press to speak of in attendance. The Sun Belt held their media day at the Mercedes Superdome with well over 100 different local and national media in attendance and streamed live on ESPN. Add to that we had 2 prime time ESPN Thursday night games, and all of our games were either streamed on ESPN3.

As "bad" and an "abyss" as the Sun Belt is, it is many times better than where we were.

Facts/schmacts.

(and for the record, I'm in the Griz "move-up" crowd)....for this and many other reasons

It'll happen sooner or later, but from my perspective I hope it's later. I know you don't live close enough to attend playoff games on short notice, but there's nothing FBS has to offer that can match the magic of games like SDSU and App State in '09. Not even close.

Grizalltheway wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:
Facts/schmacts.

(and for the record, I'm in the Griz "move-up" crowd)....for this and many other reasons

It'll happen sooner or later, but from my perspective I hope it's later. I know you don't live close enough to attend playoff games on short notice, but there's nothing FBS has to offer that can match the magic of games like SDSU and App State in '09. Not even close.

FBS (at least the G5) will be offering a very similar scenario in the near future...

AZGrizFan wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:
It'll happen sooner or later, but from my perspective I hope it's later. I know you don't live close enough to attend playoff games on short notice, but there's nothing FBS has to offer that can match the magic of games like SDSU and App State in '09. Not even close.

FBS (at least the G5) will be offering a very similar scenario in the near future...

Well I'd be okay with that. But if our program's goal becomes being invited to some meaningless bowl game on the other side of the country, I might take up hunting in the fall.

Remember that Conference USA is basically another Sun Belt now. It's not what it used to be. 11 of the 13 members are former I-AA/FCS programs. The other two are Rice and Southern Mississippi. Southern Mississippi has fallen off the table.

But it's basically another FBS league composed of schools that really ought to be competing in FCS. I mean just look at the list of members now. It really IS another Sun Belt.

Article in today's Sun News from CCU writer Ryan Young talking to President DeCenzo and AD Matt Hogue: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports ... 75115.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

bodoyle wrote:Article in today's Sun News from CCU writer Ryan Young talking to President DeCenzo and AD Matt Hogue: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports ... 75115.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

good read. Especially interested in the economics.

While moving to the Sun Belt could boost conference revenue from a net $50K to upwards of $1.5 million (using middle estimate), it would boost expenses:

50+ additional scholarships - (22 men, 30 women) = $1 million (if CCU added mostly in-state schollies, this would be less, but I am figuring CCU would need to boost out-of-state recruiting

CCU has enough sports, what is unknown is how many schollies in those sports are being funded, and would more be needed to reach FBS minimums

Also, would CCU need to go to FCOA in all sports to be competitive in the Sun Belt. You are looking at another $1 million for that.

Good article. I really liked the financial break down the reporter provided. That was an eye-opener.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........

DeCenzo: CCU will accept an offer from the Sun Belt Conference if it comes

Coastal Carolina University President David DeCenzo says the school will accept an offer to join the Sun Belt Conference if the opportunity presents itself

Representatives from the Sun Belt visited campus Tuesday and Wednesday to evaluate the Chanticleers

Chants prepared to expand Brooks Stadium beyond 20,000 seats if accepted into Sun Belt, FBS level


CONWAY - After hosting representatives from the Sun Belt Conference on campus earlier this week, Coastal Carolina University President David DeCenzo offered his strongest comments yet on the school’s interest in joining the league and moving up a level in football to the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision.

And his latest remarks should only further grow the fervor that has been building within the fan base for the potential move.

“I will tell you what I said to them: I will accept an offer from the Sun Belt if an offer is made,” DeCenzo told The Sun News in an exclusive interview Friday.

So that “if” – whether an official offer for membership actually comes – now remains the final hurdle in a process that has accelerated quickly over at least the last couple of months, beginning with Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson initiating contact and then publicly acknowledging in recent weeks that he had reached out to both Coastal Carolina and Eastern Kentucky about potential expansion of the league, which already boasts 11 full-fledged members stretching through Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina.

Only on the condition that they get rid of that hideous teal turf.

Baldy wrote:Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........

DeCenzo: CCU will accept an offer from the Sun Belt Conference if it comes

Coastal Carolina University President David DeCenzo says the school will accept an offer to join the Sun Belt Conference if the opportunity presents itself

Representatives from the Sun Belt visited campus Tuesday and Wednesday to evaluate the Chanticleers

Chants prepared to expand Brooks Stadium beyond 20,000 seats if accepted into Sun Belt, FBS level


CONWAY - After hosting representatives from the Sun Belt Conference on campus earlier this week, Coastal Carolina University President David DeCenzo offered his strongest comments yet on the school’s interest in joining the league and moving up a level in football to the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision.

And his latest remarks should only further grow the fervor that has been building within the fan base for the potential move.

“I will tell you what I said to them: I will accept an offer from the Sun Belt if an offer is made,” DeCenzo told The Sun News in an exclusive interview Friday.

So that “if” – whether an official offer for membership actually comes – now remains the final hurdle in a process that has accelerated quickly over at least the last couple of months, beginning with Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson initiating contact and then publicly acknowledging in recent weeks that he had reached out to both Coastal Carolina and Eastern Kentucky about potential expansion of the league, which already boasts 11 full-fledged members stretching through Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina.

Only on the condition that they get rid of that hideous teal turf.

I'm not sure I like this. I'd rather us continue to be strong in the FCS

Baldy wrote:Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........

DeCenzo: CCU will accept an offer from the Sun Belt Conference if it comes

Coastal Carolina University President David DeCenzo says the school will accept an offer to join the Sun Belt Conference if the opportunity presents itself

Representatives from the Sun Belt visited campus Tuesday and Wednesday to evaluate the Chanticleers

Chants prepared to expand Brooks Stadium beyond 20,000 seats if accepted into Sun Belt, FBS level


CONWAY - After hosting representatives from the Sun Belt Conference on campus earlier this week, Coastal Carolina University President David DeCenzo offered his strongest comments yet on the school’s interest in joining the league and moving up a level in football to the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision.

And his latest remarks should only further grow the fervor that has been building within the fan base for the potential move.

“I will tell you what I said to them: I will accept an offer from the Sun Belt if an offer is made,” DeCenzo told The Sun News in an exclusive interview Friday.

So that “if” – whether an official offer for membership actually comes – now remains the final hurdle in a process that has accelerated quickly over at least the last couple of months, beginning with Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson initiating contact and then publicly acknowledging in recent weeks that he had reached out to both Coastal Carolina and Eastern Kentucky about potential expansion of the league, which already boasts 11 full-fledged members stretching through Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina.

Only on the condition that they get rid of that hideous teal turf.

Is it REALLY worse than Blood Alley or even UCA's place?

SuperHornet wrote:

Baldy wrote:Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........

DeCenzo: CCU will accept an offer from the Sun Belt Conference if it comes



Only on the condition that they get rid of that hideous teal turf.

Is it REALLY worse than Blood Alley or even UCA's place?

No. It's not. Nothing is worse than the Roo field.

Ibanez wrote:

SuperHornet wrote:
Is it REALLY worse than Blood Alley or even UCA's place?

No. It's not. Nothing is worse than the Roo field.

Shut your pirate hooker mouth, SH Jr.

Ibanez wrote:

SuperHornet wrote:
Is it REALLY worse than Blood Alley or even UCA's place?

No. It's not. Nothing is worse than the Roo field.

I walked out on the field yesterday. I can say that it looks really good. It's bright as hell but looks good. I was against the idea of teal turf from the beginning, even when I saw the pics. Went out there yesterday and I changed my mind, I like it (still would have prefered a traditional green but I like it).

Also, I never realized how soft an artificial turf field was. It was like walking on a cloud.

I'm all for CCU moving to the Sun Belt, I'm ready for new opponents at Brooks Stadium

DKHardee wrote:

Ibanez wrote:
No. It's not. Nothing is worse than the Roo field.

I walked out on the field yesterday. I can say that it looks really good. It's bright as hell but looks good. I was against the idea of teal turf from the beginning, even when I saw the pics. Went out there yesterday and I changed my mind, I like it (still would have prefered a traditional green but I like it).

Also, I never realized how soft an artificial turf field was. It was like walking on a cloud.

I'm all for CCU moving to the Sun Belt, I'm ready for new opponents at Brooks Stadium

I have no issue with moving up...but why now? We don't have the enrollment, or the game attendance. Sure, we'll be good with all other sports b/c we play at that level already, but football? We have just begun to become good and respected in the FCS. The Big South may be the joke of the FCS, but the SunBelt isn't any rosier.

The grass isn't that much greener.