Appalachian State to CUSA?

[LastMinuteman]

You have to announce you're moving by June 1 to start the two-year FBS transition process. Doing it June 2 delays it an additional year and you may as well wait until after the 2011 season is over.

[ASUMountaineer]

You have to announce you're moving by June 1 to start the two-year FBS transition process. Doing it June 2 delays it an additional year and you may as well wait until after the 2011 season is over.

That would explain why they're hoping to make the recommendation in May.

http://www2.journalnow.com/sports/2011/ ... ar-790615/

Appalachian State's feasibility-study committee, exploring the possibility of having the football program move from the championship to the bowl subdivision, is moving toward a recommendation, with a target date in May.

Of course, it doesn't explain this:

Sywassink said that the committee, which is scheduled to meet again in about a month, will continue working toward a May date to make its recommendation to Chancellor Ken Peacock, who will then make his recommendation to ASU's board of trustees, probably in June.

But, I found this to be the most interesting, and important piece:

Charlie Cobb, ASU's athletics director, said that the purpose of the consulting group and study committee is to determine if a move is in ASU's best interest.

"I think the great thing is that one of the first things we've learned in this process is it's not a matter of could we make the move — because financially we can make the move — the question is should we make the move?" Cobb said.

[T-Dog]

Here's a bit from the Committee's forum with campus groups last week.

Bad news for the stay in the FCS crowd.

The consultant group, which has done studies for more than 50 schools (from D-II to FBS and did Montana’s) met with a focus group of Alumni, the Faculty Senate Finance Chair, several football players, SGA reps, and others last week. Their findings reveal ASU is sitting pretty in many areas of concern with a possible move to FBS.

In terms of revenue streams for ticket sales, merchandise, and corporate sponsorships ASU betters all schools in the Sun Belt, MAC and is on par with many CUSA schools. The Fox Sports South television coverage costs the SoCon $400,000 annually, almost $44,500 per school. We made ZERO dollars for the ESPN game with Wofford a few years back. CUSA gets $3 million for their TV package, $250,000 per school.

The difference in NCAA basketball tournament revenues (CUSA to SoCon) is staggering, but changes annually depending on how far teams advance. They broke FBS into four levels (individual schools not by conference) based on funding and revenues. Top level are the elite BCS schools, second level lower BCS and better FBS programs (better Mountain West).

The third level most of CUSA, lower Mountain West and upper WAC schools like Boise and Hawaii. Fourth level would be most of the WAC, Sun Belt and MAC schools.

Currently ASU is ahead of all Sun Belt and MAC schools and would be near the top of the fourth level. The corporate dollars now generated by ASU would be in the top third of CUSA. The additional revenues from CUSA would move ASU solidly into the third level.

The group was shocked at ASU’s overall facilities and placed them above the Sun Belt, MAC and in solidly in CUSA. They are by far the best in FCS and indicated Montana’s do not compare.

Players said they would not trade NC rings for a bowl win, BUT would like to play at the highest level possible and much rather play a regular season schedule in CUSA verses what we do now INCLUDING THE PLAYOFFS. Everyone left the meeting with a much more comfortable and surprised opinion of how ASU stacks up.

Hate to tell you guys this but even the Faculty Rep left with a favorable opinion of moving up.

I've been hearing of a private invitation since November so I'm surprised it stayed hush-hush this long considering how much of an open secret it's been. I'm 95% convinced it's happening. We'll know for sure by June 1st.

[Fresno St. Alum]

Most likely move for App St. if they were to move up is join the Sun Belt and earn their stripes before being looked at by CUSA. Same for Montana and the MWC. They'd have to go to the WAC first and be one of the top schools for a while, then they might get an invite.

Villanova has a loophole since they are in the BE, if they move the BE has to take them period.

If there was any other school going from FCS to FBS that has any hope of skipping the step of joining the SBC, WAC, MAC it would be Charlotte to CUSA since they were a former member, but that is a HUGE IF.

[appvette]

Someone in the athletic department told me in November that we already have a private invitation from CUSA.

[SDHornet]

Most likely move for App St. if they were to move up is join the Sun Belt and earn their stripes before being looked at by CUSA. Same for Montana and the MWC. They'd have to go to the WAC first and be one of the top schools for a while, then they might get an invite.

I disagree. Not that I have any idea about what is going on other than what was posted in this thread; but if there is a significant number of CUSA members advocating for App State, there is no reason to make them play in the SB before being a CUSA member. Plus App State can always pull the Michigan card out of their back pocket and then maybe their recent National Championships to convince the CUSA folks they are a legit program.

[Fresno St. Alum]

Most likely move for App St. if they were to move up is join the Sun Belt and earn their stripes before being looked at by CUSA. Same for Montana and the MWC. They'd have to go to the WAC first and be one of the top schools for a while, then they might get an invite.

I disagree. Not that I have any idea about what is going on other than what was posted in this thread; but if there is a significant number of CUSA members advocating for App State, there is no reason to make them play in the SB before being a CUSA member. Plus App State can always pull the Michigan card out of their back pocket and then maybe their recent National Championships to convince the CUSA folks they are a legit program.

No one is pulling for them from CUSA. If UCF leaves the only names I have heard are FIU, FAU, UNT, Temple. Not even La Tech like their fans wish and hope for.

App St. beat Michigan and lost to all the other BCS schools since. No one gets a conf. invite off of 1 game. Boise St.(the god of move ups) started in the Big West, then WAC now MWC.

Quinn and I follow this stuff me for 21 years. I posted how it would most likely go for anyone moving FCS to FBS on my last post.

[SDHornet]

I thought I saw a post saying some schools would prefer App over some other candidates. I must have misinterpreted it.

[Fresno St. Alum]

I thought I saw a post saying some schools would prefer App over some other candidates. I must have misinterpreted it.

On here, I'm sure you did as there are 100s of App fans and no FIU/FAU/temple fans.

If I were a betting man, and I am. If UCF gets invited to the BE, CUSA takes FIU. maybe FAU but I think FIU. Why they are in Miami and can keep a foot in the door on the Fla recruits, plus most of the CUSA schools are in bigger urban areas, which Boone isn't. S.Miss, ECU, Marshall would be the exceptions

[ASUMountaineer]

I thought I saw a post saying some schools would prefer App over some other candidates. I must have misinterpreted it.

On here, I'm sure you did as there are 100s of App fans and no FIU/FAU/temple fans.

If I were a betting man, and I am. If UCF gets invited to the BE, CUSA takes FIU. maybe FAU but I think FIU. Why they are in Miami and can keep a foot in the door on the Fla recruits, plus most of the CUSA schools are in bigger urban areas, which Boone isn't. S.Miss, ECU, Marshall would be the exceptions

So, do I understand you correctly that Josh Buchanan and our two resident FCS insiders (that have posted in this thread) are misinformed? I don't know one way or the other (just what I've read here and other sites), I'm just curious as to what inside knowledge you have of ASU not having any chance to go to CUSA...thanks.

[Fresno St. Alum]

On here, I'm sure you did as there are 100s of App fans and no FIU/FAU/temple fans.

If I were a betting man, and I am. If UCF gets invited to the BE, CUSA takes FIU. maybe FAU but I think FIU. Why they are in Miami and can keep a foot in the door on the Fla recruits, plus most of the CUSA schools are in bigger urban areas, which Boone isn't. S.Miss, ECU, Marshall would be the exceptions

So, do I understand you correctly that Josh Buchanan and our two resident FCS insiders (that have posted in this thread) are misinformed? I don't know one way or the other (just what I've read here and other sites), I'm just curious as to what inside knowledge you have of ASU not having any chance to go to CUSA...thanks.

You mean all those people that know everything like ESPN that was running that SJSU and Utah St. were getting invited to the MWC. You mean when ESPN ran that Missouri, ND, Nebraska, Rutgers were going to the Big 10.

My 21 years of following this tells me they are most likely wrong. The CUSA board is having a chuckle about this thread right now on ncaabbs. None of them have heard anything about App coming either.

I do think App St. belongs in FBS. I think they'd be great in the SBC. If they run things there and a spot comes open in CUSA then maybe they get an invite. If Villanova moves up and the BE stops at 10, CUSA aint going to 13 for any lower tier FBS school or App.

You think CUSA cares about those insiders of yours. All the USU insiders posted Utah St. was in the MWC in their news paper(desert news), are they?

[ASUMountaineer]

So, do I understand you correctly that Josh Buchanan and our two resident FCS insiders (that have posted in this thread) are misinformed? I don't know one way or the other (just what I've read here and other sites), I'm just curious as to what inside knowledge you have of ASU not having any chance to go to CUSA...thanks.

You mean all those people that know everything like ESPN that was running that SJSU and Utah St. were getting invited to the MWC. You mean when ESPN ran that Missouri, ND, Nebraska, Rutgers were going to the Big 10.

My 21 years of following this tells me they are most likely wrong. The CUSA board is having a chuckle about this thread right now on ncaabbs. None of them have heard anything about App coming either.

I do think App St. belongs in FBS. I think they'd be great in the SBC. If they run things there and a spot comes open in CUSA then maybe they get an invite. If Villanova moves up and the BE stops at 10, CUSA aint going to 13 for any lower tier FBS school or App.

You think CUSA cares about those insiders of yours. All the USU insiders posted Utah St. was in the MWC in their news paper(desert news), are they?

Dude, why so defensive? I was asking if you had inside knowledge as they claim to. I even acknowledged that I have no idea. No need to be a girl about it. I didn't say I doubted your statements...but, when you say you know something, people tend to ask how you know.

I don't think CUSA cares about those "insiders" (not mine) anymore than they care about what you or I think. As to the CUSA board, they're more than welcome to have a chuckle at this thread, especially in the off-chance ASU does get invited to CUSA.

[Fresno St. Alum]

You mean all those people that know everything like ESPN that was running that SJSU and Utah St. were getting invited to the MWC. You mean when ESPN ran that Missouri, ND, Nebraska, Rutgers were going to the Big 10.

My 21 years of following this tells me they are most likely wrong. The CUSA board is having a chuckle about this thread right now on ncaabbs. None of them have heard anything about App coming either.

I do think App St. belongs in FBS. I think they'd be great in the SBC. If they run things there and a spot comes open in CUSA then maybe they get an invite. If Villanova moves up and the BE stops at 10, CUSA aint going to 13 for any lower tier FBS school or App.

You think CUSA cares about those insiders of yours. All the USU insiders posted Utah St. was in the MWC in their news paper(desert news), are they?

Dude, why so defensive? I was asking if you had inside knowledge as they claim to. I even acknowledged that I have no idea. No need to be a girl about it. I didn't say I doubted your statements...but, when you say you know something, people tend to ask how you know.

I don't think CUSA cares about those "insiders" (not mine) anymore than they care about what you or I think. As to the CUSA board, they're more than welcome to have a chuckle at this thread, especially in the off-chance ASU does get invited to CUSA.

Sorry I sound defensive. I love your school at I voted your stadium #1 when they had that who has the best FCS stadium. That was pre red turf at EWU. App still wins though. I would LOVE to be wrong and you guys get an invite so I can ask all the SBC guys wtf happened. I wouldn't mind every one of the App fans telling me to suck it, if I am. I just don't think I'm wrong. You won't if get an I told you so from me if I'm right. Because I'm supposed to know this stuff and you guys are just fans that follow your team.

[Fresno St. Alum]

To make the Appys Happy. This is how you guys could get a CUSA invite. If BE goes to 12/20 and the MWC then takes SMU and UTEP. leaving 4 spots open. You could be 1 of the 4. It would be even more likely to be one of the 4 if you move up now to the SBC so you're at the FBS level. You'd still have to compete with 4 SBC schools and Temple.

Another way is that somehow the W/E split and form new conf.(not likely) then the Eastern 6 could take you guys and probably JMU along with Temple, UMass and 2 SBC schools.

[89Hen]

Sorry if this is a stupid question... doesn't the C-USA already have 12 teams?

[nwFL Griz]

I tend to agree with FSA on this. I have also been a big follower of conference alignment stuff (definitely not as long as he though), and the one thing I've learned...is that there has to be a reason for the conference to invite a team. The only exception to this is the WAC. That was pure survival mode.

The thing is, what benefit does App St add to CUSA? This can be measured in recruiting access, television markets, and to a lesser degree academic prowess. Unfortunately, at this point, I don't think App St can really add any of those things to CUSA that couldn't be matched by FIU or FAU.

[Fresno St. Alum]

Sorry if this is a stupid question... doesn't the C-USA already have 12 teams?

that is the most important question. answer is yes. Everyone is getting excited because if Nova says no thanks to the BE they'll likely invite UCF opening a hole in CUSA which would probably be filled by FIU or FAU to get back in Fla. If not them, then Temple.

[Fresno St. Alum]

I tend to agree with FSA on this. I have also been a big follower of conference alignment stuff (definitely not as long as he though), and the one thing I've learned...is that there has to be a reason for the conference to invite a team. The only exception to this is the WAC. That was pure survival mode.

The thing is, what benefit does App St add to CUSA? This can be measured in recruiting access, television markets, and to a lesser degree academic prowess. Unfortunately, at this point, I don't think App St can really add any of those things to CUSA that couldn't be matched by FIU or FAU.

Exactly. Look how good Boise St. is, but they'd never get an invite to the Pac 12, they bring nothing in academics or population/media market. They are stuck in the MWC unless the B12 wants to invite them and BYU(mainly for fb reasons) down the road. I really think BSU would still get passed over by the B12 if they ever add 2 more which they said they have no intention of doing for a long time.

BE needed a football power in TCU, plus Dallas/FT is a huge market for them to get and it puts them in the recruiting hot bed of TX. If TCU was in N.Dakota or Idaho or a smaller city like Manhattan KS they don't get the invite.

[chantzilla]

If App indeed does go FBS, that leaves the SoCon at 11 teams.

Would Coastal be the top candidate to fill the void?

[ASUMountaineer]

Dude, why so defensive? I was asking if you had inside knowledge as they claim to. I even acknowledged that I have no idea. No need to be a girl about it. I didn't say I doubted your statements...but, when you say you know something, people tend to ask how you know.

I don't think CUSA cares about those "insiders" (not mine) anymore than they care about what you or I think. As to the CUSA board, they're more than welcome to have a chuckle at this thread, especially in the off-chance ASU does get invited to CUSA.

Sorry I sound defensive. I love your school at I voted your stadium #1 when they had that who has the best FCS stadium. That was pre red turf at EWU. App still wins though. I would LOVE to be wrong and you guys get an invite so I can ask all the SBC guys wtf happened. I wouldn't mind every one of the App fans telling me to suck it, if I am. I just don't think I'm wrong. You won't if get an I told you so from me if I'm right. Because I'm supposed to know this stuff and you guys are just fans that follow your team.

It's cool, I love my school too. I hope you're wrong, but I have no idea what will happen. I will also admit to being heavily biased towards CUSA because of former rivals ECU and Marshall. Plus, I would prefer not to go SunBelt. Who knows, stranger things have happened, right? I'm going to keep hope alive.

[ASUMountaineer]

If App indeed does go FBS, that leaves the SoCon at 11 teams.

Would Coastal be the top candidate to fill the void?

Not if recent history is any indication (though I think Coastal would be a great addition). It seems the SoCon really likes small, private schools.

[kemajic]

I tend to agree with FSA on this. I have also been a big follower of conference alignment stuff (definitely not as long as he though), and the one thing I've learned...is that there has to be a reason for the conference to invite a team. The only exception to this is the WAC. That was pure survival mode.

The thing is, what benefit does App St add to CUSA? This can be measured in recruiting access, television markets, and to a lesser degree academic prowess. Unfortunately, at this point, I don't think App St can really add any of those things to CUSA that couldn't be matched by FIU or FAU.

Exactly. Look how good Boise St. is, but they'd never get an invite to the Pac 12, they bring nothing in academics or population/media market. They are stuck in the MWC unless the B12 wants to invite them and BYU(mainly for fb reasons) down the road. I really think BSU would still get passed over by the B12 if they ever add 2 more which they said they have no intention of doing for a long time.

BE needed a football power in TCU, plus Dallas/FT is a huge market for them to get and it puts them in the recruiting hot bed of TX. If TCU was in N.Dakota or Idaho or a smaller city like Manhattan KS they don't get the invite.

You're probably right about academics, but maybe you should compare the population of Boise to Pullman, Corvallis and Eugene before you try to use that lever.

[youngterrier]

If App indeed does go FBS, that leaves the SoCon at 11 teams.

Would Coastal be the top candidate to fill the void?

Not if recent history is any indication (though I think Coastal would be a great addition). It seems the SoCon really likes small, private schools.

that would mean PC would be a leading candidate or maybe gardner webb. i don't like that for football

[∞∞∞]

Has anyone actually read the CUSA message boards. It seems like most CUSA fans don't want the Mountaineers to join. In a poll there, Temple, ODU, and North Texas had more support than ASU among CUSA fans. Reading the arguments there, it kinda makes sense too. What would ASU bring that CUSA doesn't already have? And other than football, are their other sports and facilities ready to make the move? I think ASU would fit the Sunbelt Conference more that it'd fit CUSA.

That said, CUSA fans aren't the ones making the decisions.

edit: CUSA message board: http://ncaabbs.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=439&page=1
Poll I referenced: http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=480959

[Fresno St. Alum]

Exactly. Look how good Boise St. is, but they'd never get an invite to the Pac 12, they bring nothing in academics or population/media market. They are stuck in the MWC unless the B12 wants to invite them and BYU(mainly for fb reasons) down the road. I really think BSU would still get passed over by the B12 if they ever add 2 more which they said they have no intention of doing for a long time.

BE needed a football power in TCU, plus Dallas/FT is a huge market for them to get and it puts them in the recruiting hot bed of TX. If TCU was in N.Dakota or Idaho or a smaller city like Manhattan KS they don't get the invite.

You're probably right about academics, but maybe you should compare the population of Boise to Pullman, Corvallis and Eugene before you try to use that lever.

There wasn't a big TV pull let alone TVs back when WSU(joined 1917), Oregon(joined 1915) and OSU(joined 1915) joined the Pac 10. So if you think market has nothing to do with current movement, more power to you. Even Nebraska is a national draw so little ole Lincoln is just part of the national fan base of Nebraska, which includes me.