Appalachian State to CUSA?

[GoApps70]

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.

TOO bad that it has obviously been 21 wasted years. Sorry to hear that.

[Fresno St. Alum]

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.

TOO bad that it has obviously been 21 wasted years. Sorry to hear that.

Still not as long as it took for you to think of that useless post. moron. I also see that you struggle with using the quote button when you reply to my post.

[Mountaineer]

And other than football, are their other sports and facilities ready to make the move?

Yeah, from a previous post. Reading is fundamental.

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.

----

Currently ASU is ahead of all Sun Belt and MAC schools...The corporate dollars now generated by ASU would be in the top third of CUSA.

----

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...

----

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.

[∞∞∞]

Reading is fundamental.

What the hell is "reading?" And why is your smiley hitting on me? Who are you? WTF is going on?!!!!

[Fresno St. Alum]

Reading is fundamental.

What the hell is "reading?" And why is your smiley hitting on me? Who are you? WTF is going on?!!!!

who wouldn't want to wink and blow a kiss to that rack of yours.

[Mountaineer]

Sorry to hear that.

Back off man.

[Fresno St. Alum]

Sorry to hear that.

Back off man.

I guess you think I got fat and grew a beard . Do you have any pics of him whacking off to the simpsons in his mom's basement? That is one of his hobbies.

[kemajic]

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.

----

Currently ASU is ahead of all Sun Belt and MAC schools...The corporate dollars now generated by ASU would be in the top third of CUSA.

----

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...

----

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.

The Montana study has never been released to the public. Which raises suspicion that the study recommendations were counter to what was decided. Which raises suspicion that the study was just punching the ticket to make it look like there was substance behind the "decision." Which raises suspicion that there was no decision at all.

[ASUG8]

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

Boy, a lot of hate for ASU on the CUSA board - even from 49erfootballnow which hasn't even fielded a team yet. CUSA is hardly a premier conference anyway - it's like the land of misfit toys.

[collegesportsinfo]

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.

FSA, just to clarify for Villanova, the window for them to upgrade and join the Big East (which was issued to all non-football schools at the time like Villanova, Uconn and GTown) ended many years ago. This last invite from the Big East is something new. So if Providence decided to add football, they would not have the automatic entry.

[collegesportsinfo]

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.

It's speculation, but I do think there would be support from ECU and Marshall for App St. Both schools, as well as UCF and Memphis, have wanted a stronger eastern presence since the western expansion. North Texas appears to top the list for a number of reasons. But if adding App St. to replace say a departed UCF would keep those 3 schools happy, then it might be that the conference opts for App St. over, say, LA Tech.

[collegesportsinfo]

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.

Great post. To clarify my last post, if adding App St. keeps ECU, Marshall and Memphis happy, that would be the benefit. Granted, it's not like those 3 schools have other options. So if UCF left and CUSA said "we want NoTex", then App St. could be out of luck. But based on the level of dissatisfaction with the eastern schools about the western push (many complaints about the El Paso hosted basketball tournament), you can bet that the eastern schools have and will lobby for eastern schools. It's likely the reason the initial discussions between CUSA and Temple even occurred.

[ASUMountaineer]

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

My thought was GWU. Close enough to WCU to provide them with a travel partner. I think the SoCon would love to get Liberty, but I think their goals are higher than the SoCon.

[ASUMountaineer]

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? Probably not much, other than easing some travel on the eastern schools. And other than football, are their other sports and facilities ready to make the move? Facilities, yes. That comes from the consulting group. 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

[AppMan]

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

I seriously doubt any decision by CUSA will be based on message board opinion.

[collegesportsinfo]

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.

It's not applicable. Oregon and Oregon St. also give you then entire state of Oregon, including the Portland market. With WA and WSU, you get all of that state. Got to remember it's not about the markets the schools are in, it's the markets where the alumni live. In my oft travels from living in California, I can tell you that I often meet alumni from those schools in cities like LA, SF, Denver, Phoenix, Seattle, Portland.

And then there is the principle of power brands. Alabama doesn't offer much in the form of market, but the brand is strong, gives you the entire state, etc. Not like CUSA would turn down Alabama

[collegesportsinfo]

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.

Exactly, that's the problem. The only thing App St. brings is a smile to the faces of ECU, Marshall and Memphis because they get a close trip for all their sports. No knock on App st., love them, love the fan support. But is App St. football a better product than all the benefits some other schools would bring for all their sports and market penetration? Probably not.

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

[collegesportsinfo]

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

Boy, a lot of hate for ASU on the CUSA board - even from 49erfootballnow which hasn't even fielded a team yet. CUSA is hardly a premier conference anyway - it's like the land of misfit toys.

I wouldnt' ever knock CUSA. They've done a good job in refocusing their conference. They used to be a misfit conference...merger of Metro with some Great Midwest schools. And the Metro was essentially all the D1A schools that werent' in other conferences at the time. Now, it's a Texas based conference with a school in OK, LA, TN, MS, AL...all nearby. Only ECU and Marhsall are a bit outside. And UCF, well, it's Florida...but at least they are in the middle of the state.


At this point, the only misfit conference is the WAC, which always has been with LA Tech.

[PirateHeist]

Several possibilities for App to either CUSA or a CUSA East split IMO.

1) If C-USA really becomes CTEX with the addition of more Texas/Mexico (UTEP) schools after a departure of 1 or 2 east schools, then the east schools may want to split and form a new conference. ECU AD Terry Holland is a big supporter of regional rivalries and the fan/tv appeal that comes with it.

2) If ECU leaves as a football only member of the BE, App St would be a good choice to replace them as they have a similar loyalty among their fan base. Fan base may not be brought up much because of "television markets" but it does make a difference in conference revenue. I'd be willing to bet that CUSA would take a TV deal hit if either UCF or ECU leave with the 2 largest CUSA fan bases.

3) CUSA decides to be proactive and go to 14/16 (if going to 14 might as well go to 16 and only have a cross divisional meeting at the championship game). App and ODU would be good choices to bridge the ECU/Marshall gap and consolidate the East.


I think App has as good a shot at CUSA as any S-belt/MAC school. While there are some ECU fans that think adding App takes us back to our SoCon days, there are quite a few that would be happy to have a close rivalry game that is fan travel friendly. A neutral site game at Charlotte BOA stadium could be a $$$ maker for both schools in the future. Marshall, ECU, and UCF would probably be supportive of adding App because of the traveling and rivalry benefits but I'm not sure about the rest of CUSA.

[Saint3333]

If ASU were to annouce a move to the FBS I believe they could compete in the playoffs in 2011. The rule is based on the number of scholarships. Most transitional teams announce in 20X1 at 63 grants and are eligible for the playoffs, have 74 grants in 20X2 and can't participate in the playoffs, and then go to 85 grants in 20X3 and play a full schedule of FBS opponents.

[Sir William]

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

My thought was GWU. Close enough to WCU to provide them with a travel partner. I think the SoCon would love to get Liberty, but I think their goals are higher than the SoCon.

Liberty would not have the support needed from enough SoCon schools to get an invite. Besides, Liberty strategically has their sights set on FBS (hard to believe, but true!) and the $$ and booster base to eventually make it happen.

It's not far-fetched to speculate that SC State might very well be a front-runner for an eventual SoCon invite. State is becoming slowly but surely more and more disenfranchised with the MEAC. The Bulldogs would be a great addition to the SoCon for many reason.

Coastal Carolina would also be a great addition. Unfortunately, in previous years they lacked support with the SoCon family (namely Furman and Wofford).

Heaven help the SoCon if they add GW or PC. Wouldn't be long before GSU and Chatty moved out, leaving the SoCon as a glorified SAC conference (IMO).

[AppMan]

Terry Holland is a big advocate of ASU being admitted to CUSA. I honestly think he would be thrilled to see the Texas schools break away and do their own thing. UAB, Memphis, Tulane, and So Miss are all within close proximity of each other and not that far from Houston. They could all be a part of the break away. It appears UCF is a lock for the BE. If they leave the closest conference school to ECU & Marshall would be UAB and that is quite a haul. Next closest is Memphis which is basically Arkansas. MTSU and possibly Troy could be involved, which would open a door for Jax State in SunBelt, if a large shake up took place. The reality is, but will not happen due to ego's, is ECU and Marshall need to get involved with ASU, JMU, Delaware, ODU, Charlotte, and Ga State. Fairly close to each other with UD to GSU the exception.

[Sir William]

As for all the speculation about App going to CUSA...here's my , and it ain't worth that much:

UCF will eventually go to BE, joining brethren USF; either Houston or UTEP gets a MWC invite.

CUSA adds North Texas and App State.

App State will expand Kidd Brewer to 30,000K+; they will have no problem raising the $$ to do it quickly, and no problem filling those seats to capacity with a majority of their own fans (especially with a CUSA schedule in place).

[PirateHeist]

Terry Holland is a big advocate of ASU being admitted to CUSA. I honestly think he would be thrilled to see the Texas schools break away and do their own thing. UAB, Memphis, Tulane, and So Miss are all within close proximity of each other and not that far from Houston. They could all be a part of the break away. It appears UCF is a lock for the BE. If they leave the closest conference school to ECU & Marshall would be UAB and that is quite a haul. Next closest is Memphis which is basically Arkansas. MTSU and possibly Troy could be involved, which would open a door for Jax State in SunBelt, if a large shake up took place. The reality is, but will not happen due to ego's, is ECU and Marshall need to get involved with ASU, JMU, Delaware, ODU, Charlotte, and Ga State. Fairly close to each other with UD to GSU the exception.

Agree Appman... but $$$ along with Egos will be the deal breaker. If the east schools are going to break off it will have to be more than ECU/Marshall. ASU, ODU, JMU (in that order) would be my first choices if bringing in FCS schools but Memphis, USM, and UCF(assuming the BE doesn't pick them up) are necessary components from a tv $ and perception slant - UAB is a leach so they can be let go. Picking up at least 1 more Florida school would have to happen as well (FIU or FAU) for a new east centric conference to happen.

[ASUG8]

Terry Holland is a big advocate of ASU being admitted to CUSA. I honestly think he would be thrilled to see the Texas schools break away and do their own thing. UAB, Memphis, Tulane, and So Miss are all within close proximity of each other and not that far from Houston. They could all be a part of the break away. It appears UCF is a lock for the BE. If they leave the closest conference school to ECU & Marshall would be UAB and that is quite a haul. Next closest is Memphis which is basically Arkansas. MTSU and possibly Troy could be involved, which would open a door for Jax State in SunBelt, if a large shake up took place. The reality is, but will not happen due to ego's, is ECU and Marshall need to get involved with ASU, JMU, Delaware, ODU, Charlotte, and Ga State. Fairly close to each other with UD to GSU the exception.

Agree Appman... but $$$ along with Egos will be the deal breaker. If the east schools are going to break off it will have to be more than ECU/Marshall. ASU, ODU, JMU (in that order) would be my first choices if bringing in FCS schools but Memphis, USM, and UCF(assuming the BE doesn't pick them up) are necessary components from a tv $ and perception slant - UAB is a leach so they can be let go. Picking up at least 1 more Florida school would have to happen as well (FIU or FAU) for a new east centric conference to happen.

That's a fair assessment, but it will certainly take a number of years for all of that to transpire. Geographically, C-USA makes little sense as it stands today. JMU's stadium enhancement schedule will have them on a FBS trajectory within a couple of years, and I think App could enclose one or both ends of KBS to get to 35K+. ODU would sell 30K tickets if they had the capacity and would be a good addition.