Right now, I'm ok with any of those options. However, I'm really just hoping that the rumors are true. CUSA would be a great place for ASU to land. And ECC, if you will, would be a great option in the future.PirateHeist wrote: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.AppMan wrote: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.
Appalachian State to CUSA?
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
Appalachian State Mountaineers:
National Champions: 2005, 2006, and 2007
Southern Conference Champions: 1986, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! WE'RE GONNA SHOUT IT! NOTHING'S HOTTER THAN A-S-U!
National Champions: 2005, 2006, and 2007
Southern Conference Champions: 1986, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! WE'RE GONNA SHOUT IT! NOTHING'S HOTTER THAN A-S-U!
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
App State already far outdraws EVERY member of the Sunbelt, and half of the C-USA.
Their overall athletic program is far stronger than ANY Sunbelt school.
Their overall athletic program is far stronger than ANY Sunbelt school.
Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
The thread over on ncaabbs lost all credibility when people started saying App wouldn't be an option because of facilities and their High School statium that averaged about 30K in the regular season and will hold around 33K next year. There are many arguments that suggest App State won't get an invitation to CUSA but most of those guys are clueless.
Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
I especially liked the ECU guy bashing Boone. Ever spent any time in Greenville, NC?appvette wrote:The thread over on ncaabbs lost all credibility when people started saying App wouldn't be an option because of facilities and their High School statium that averaged about 30K in the regular season and will hold around 33K next year. There are many arguments that suggest App State won't get an invitation to CUSA but most of those guys are clueless.
Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
The University of Massachusetts football program may be on the brink of upgrading to the college football Bowl Subdivision, a major move that UMass officials have been discussing the feasibility and logistics of for several months.
According to Chancellor Robert Holub, the University is expecting to announce its decision in early March.
“I think we are approaching the final stages in the process and hope to have a resolution soon,” Holub said in an e-mail. “I'm anticipating that we will be announcing something in early March.”
The decision to upgrade would be made by Holub, the University’s board of trustees and the UMass president’s office.
“The board of trustees has indicated a willingness and a desire for us to upgrade our athletics program,” said UMass Student Trustee Mike Fox. “But as I am aware, planning is being done on the campus level. The board has had discussions.”
Holub hopes to compete at the same level with other flagship universities across the nation, both athletically and academically.
“We represent the great state of Massachusetts in a way that no other institution does, and we take that responsibility seriously,” said Holub.
Regional rival Connecticut is among the schools that have upgraded to the FBS level in recent years. UConn lost to Oklahoma 48-20 in the Fiesta Bowl in January but the game marked the zenith of a remarkable rise for the Huskies.
Holub believes improving UMass’ athletics would work well to give the school greater visibility on both a state and national plain.
“That's where we want to be, and I believe that's what our students and alumni want from us as well,” he said.
While interest in upgrading the program has been expressed on many levels by personnel at the University, the decision remains unannounced.
According to UMass officials, the decision is in great part reliant on whether an invitation has been extended to the University by the Mid-American Conference. NCAA rules dictate that a team upgrading to the FBS must do so with a conference affiliation. If UMass were to upgrade, the team would upgrade as a football-only membership with the MAC.
University of Massachusetts Chancellor Robert Holub.
MAC officials declined to comment on whether an invitation to UMass to join the MAC has been extended.
However, according to Ken Mather, assistant commissioner of the MAC, MAC Commissioner Jon A. Steinbrecher met with MAC’s Council of Presidents earlier this week in Indianapolis, and membership was on the meeting’s agenda.
The mutual interest between the MAC and UMass has been well known since November. MAC officials visited UMass Dec. 14 to examine facilities on campus and at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, home of the New England Patriots.
The NCAA requires that members of the Bowl Subdivision must maintain an average attendance rate of 15,000 at games. McGuirk Stadium on the UMass-Amherst campus seats up to 17,000 and this attendance stipulation may pose a challenge for the University.
It has been reported that UMass would likely need to upgrade McGuirk Stadium if the Minutemen were to join the Bowl Subdivision and play home games there. Several media organizations have reported the Minutemen may play a portion of their home games at Gillette Stadium.
However, the number of games the team would play at Gillette is unconfirmed.
“The Kraft family has been very supportive of football at all levels of competition throughout New England,” said New England Patriots spokesperson Stacey James. “They are proud to have hosted Pop Warner, high school and college football games at Gillette Stadium.
“College football has a rich history in New England, and I know that the Krafts would welcome the opportunity to celebrate the college game’s rivalries and traditions at Gillette Stadium,” continued James.
The Minutemen fell to rival New Hampshire, 39-13, at Gillette Stadium in the inaugural Colonial Clash game this past fall. Stadium attendance was 32,848, setting a record for a regular season Colonial Athletic Association game.
“I think the Colonial Clash demonstrated that we can draw a large crowd if the venue and the opponents are the right ones,” Holub said. “It showed the great excitement around UMass football and the loyalty and enthusiasm of our students and alumni. Except for the results on the playing field, it was a great day for us.”
UMass is scheduled to play at least one game at Gillette next season, facing UNH in the second 'Colonial Clash' on Oct. 22.
Whether or not the University chose to upgrade, the Minutemen would remain scheduled to play within the Colonial Athletic Association next fall. Upon upgrading the program, it seems likely UMass will follow plans laid out by such teams as the University of Texas at San Antonio and spend two seasons as a transitional Football Bowl Subdivision member. In its third year, the team would become postseason eligible. UTSA plans to enter its two transitional years in 2013.
The status quo, remaining at the Football Championship Subdivision level and as part of the CAA is an option that has become less appealing over the past year. Division I-AA football may be on the decline as CAA rival Villanova is also considering a move up to the FBS level, possibly as soon as 2014. Additionally, UMass will continue to lose up to $3 million per year if it stays put.
With the University likely to make its ultimate decision known next month, the UMass football program and its fans anxiously await the outcome.
According to Chancellor Robert Holub, the University is expecting to announce its decision in early March.
“I think we are approaching the final stages in the process and hope to have a resolution soon,” Holub said in an e-mail. “I'm anticipating that we will be announcing something in early March.”
The decision to upgrade would be made by Holub, the University’s board of trustees and the UMass president’s office.
“The board of trustees has indicated a willingness and a desire for us to upgrade our athletics program,” said UMass Student Trustee Mike Fox. “But as I am aware, planning is being done on the campus level. The board has had discussions.”
Holub hopes to compete at the same level with other flagship universities across the nation, both athletically and academically.
“We represent the great state of Massachusetts in a way that no other institution does, and we take that responsibility seriously,” said Holub.
Regional rival Connecticut is among the schools that have upgraded to the FBS level in recent years. UConn lost to Oklahoma 48-20 in the Fiesta Bowl in January but the game marked the zenith of a remarkable rise for the Huskies.
Holub believes improving UMass’ athletics would work well to give the school greater visibility on both a state and national plain.
“That's where we want to be, and I believe that's what our students and alumni want from us as well,” he said.
While interest in upgrading the program has been expressed on many levels by personnel at the University, the decision remains unannounced.
According to UMass officials, the decision is in great part reliant on whether an invitation has been extended to the University by the Mid-American Conference. NCAA rules dictate that a team upgrading to the FBS must do so with a conference affiliation. If UMass were to upgrade, the team would upgrade as a football-only membership with the MAC.
University of Massachusetts Chancellor Robert Holub.
MAC officials declined to comment on whether an invitation to UMass to join the MAC has been extended.
However, according to Ken Mather, assistant commissioner of the MAC, MAC Commissioner Jon A. Steinbrecher met with MAC’s Council of Presidents earlier this week in Indianapolis, and membership was on the meeting’s agenda.
The mutual interest between the MAC and UMass has been well known since November. MAC officials visited UMass Dec. 14 to examine facilities on campus and at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, home of the New England Patriots.
The NCAA requires that members of the Bowl Subdivision must maintain an average attendance rate of 15,000 at games. McGuirk Stadium on the UMass-Amherst campus seats up to 17,000 and this attendance stipulation may pose a challenge for the University.
It has been reported that UMass would likely need to upgrade McGuirk Stadium if the Minutemen were to join the Bowl Subdivision and play home games there. Several media organizations have reported the Minutemen may play a portion of their home games at Gillette Stadium.
However, the number of games the team would play at Gillette is unconfirmed.
“The Kraft family has been very supportive of football at all levels of competition throughout New England,” said New England Patriots spokesperson Stacey James. “They are proud to have hosted Pop Warner, high school and college football games at Gillette Stadium.
“College football has a rich history in New England, and I know that the Krafts would welcome the opportunity to celebrate the college game’s rivalries and traditions at Gillette Stadium,” continued James.
The Minutemen fell to rival New Hampshire, 39-13, at Gillette Stadium in the inaugural Colonial Clash game this past fall. Stadium attendance was 32,848, setting a record for a regular season Colonial Athletic Association game.
“I think the Colonial Clash demonstrated that we can draw a large crowd if the venue and the opponents are the right ones,” Holub said. “It showed the great excitement around UMass football and the loyalty and enthusiasm of our students and alumni. Except for the results on the playing field, it was a great day for us.”
UMass is scheduled to play at least one game at Gillette next season, facing UNH in the second 'Colonial Clash' on Oct. 22.
Whether or not the University chose to upgrade, the Minutemen would remain scheduled to play within the Colonial Athletic Association next fall. Upon upgrading the program, it seems likely UMass will follow plans laid out by such teams as the University of Texas at San Antonio and spend two seasons as a transitional Football Bowl Subdivision member. In its third year, the team would become postseason eligible. UTSA plans to enter its two transitional years in 2013.
The status quo, remaining at the Football Championship Subdivision level and as part of the CAA is an option that has become less appealing over the past year. Division I-AA football may be on the decline as CAA rival Villanova is also considering a move up to the FBS level, possibly as soon as 2014. Additionally, UMass will continue to lose up to $3 million per year if it stays put.
With the University likely to make its ultimate decision known next month, the UMass football program and its fans anxiously await the outcome.
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
welcome to CSMALVES21 wrote:The University of Massachusetts football program may be on the brink of upgrading to the college football Bowl Subdivision, a major move that UMass officials have been discussing the feasibility and logistics of for several months.
According to Chancellor Robert Holub, the University is expecting to announce its decision in early March.
“I think we are approaching the final stages in the process and hope to have a resolution soon,” Holub said in an e-mail. “I'm anticipating that we will be announcing something in early March.”
The decision to upgrade would be made by Holub, the University’s board of trustees and the UMass president’s office.
“The board of trustees has indicated a willingness and a desire for us to upgrade our athletics program,” said UMass Student Trustee Mike Fox. “But as I am aware, planning is being done on the campus level. The board has had discussions.”
Holub hopes to compete at the same level with other flagship universities across the nation, both athletically and academically.
“We represent the great state of Massachusetts in a way that no other institution does, and we take that responsibility seriously,” said Holub.
Regional rival Connecticut is among the schools that have upgraded to the FBS level in recent years. UConn lost to Oklahoma 48-20 in the Fiesta Bowl in January but the game marked the zenith of a remarkable rise for the Huskies.
Holub believes improving UMass’ athletics would work well to give the school greater visibility on both a state and national plain.
“That's where we want to be, and I believe that's what our students and alumni want from us as well,” he said.
While interest in upgrading the program has been expressed on many levels by personnel at the University, the decision remains unannounced.
According to UMass officials, the decision is in great part reliant on whether an invitation has been extended to the University by the Mid-American Conference. NCAA rules dictate that a team upgrading to the FBS must do so with a conference affiliation. If UMass were to upgrade, the team would upgrade as a football-only membership with the MAC.
University of Massachusetts Chancellor Robert Holub.
MAC officials declined to comment on whether an invitation to UMass to join the MAC has been extended.
However, according to Ken Mather, assistant commissioner of the MAC, MAC Commissioner Jon A. Steinbrecher met with MAC’s Council of Presidents earlier this week in Indianapolis, and membership was on the meeting’s agenda.
The mutual interest between the MAC and UMass has been well known since November. MAC officials visited UMass Dec. 14 to examine facilities on campus and at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, home of the New England Patriots.
The NCAA requires that members of the Bowl Subdivision must maintain an average attendance rate of 15,000 at games. McGuirk Stadium on the UMass-Amherst campus seats up to 17,000 and this attendance stipulation may pose a challenge for the University.
It has been reported that UMass would likely need to upgrade McGuirk Stadium if the Minutemen were to join the Bowl Subdivision and play home games there. Several media organizations have reported the Minutemen may play a portion of their home games at Gillette Stadium.
However, the number of games the team would play at Gillette is unconfirmed.
“The Kraft family has been very supportive of football at all levels of competition throughout New England,” said New England Patriots spokesperson Stacey James. “They are proud to have hosted Pop Warner, high school and college football games at Gillette Stadium.
“College football has a rich history in New England, and I know that the Krafts would welcome the opportunity to celebrate the college game’s rivalries and traditions at Gillette Stadium,” continued James.
The Minutemen fell to rival New Hampshire, 39-13, at Gillette Stadium in the inaugural Colonial Clash game this past fall. Stadium attendance was 32,848, setting a record for a regular season Colonial Athletic Association game.
“I think the Colonial Clash demonstrated that we can draw a large crowd if the venue and the opponents are the right ones,” Holub said. “It showed the great excitement around UMass football and the loyalty and enthusiasm of our students and alumni. Except for the results on the playing field, it was a great day for us.”
UMass is scheduled to play at least one game at Gillette next season, facing UNH in the second 'Colonial Clash' on Oct. 22.
Whether or not the University chose to upgrade, the Minutemen would remain scheduled to play within the Colonial Athletic Association next fall. Upon upgrading the program, it seems likely UMass will follow plans laid out by such teams as the University of Texas at San Antonio and spend two seasons as a transitional Football Bowl Subdivision member. In its third year, the team would become postseason eligible. UTSA plans to enter its two transitional years in 2013.
The status quo, remaining at the Football Championship Subdivision level and as part of the CAA is an option that has become less appealing over the past year. Division I-AA football may be on the decline as CAA rival Villanova is also considering a move up to the FBS level, possibly as soon as 2014. Additionally, UMass will continue to lose up to $3 million per year if it stays put.
With the University likely to make its ultimate decision known next month, the UMass football program and its fans anxiously await the outcome.
thanks for the post. can you toss a link in there, so we know where this came from?
North Dakota State University Bison 2011 and 2012 National Champions
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
2010 Football Attendance
C-USA average: 28,454
ECU: 49,665
UCF: 39,614
Houston: 31,728
Southern Miss: 29,400
UTEP: 29,350
Marshall: 27,046
APPALACHIAN STATE: 25,715
Rice: 25,571
Memphis: 23,918
SMU: 23,515
Tulane: 23,220
TUlsa: 20,374
UAB: 18,360
FIU: 19:828
North Texas: 17,718
FAU: 14,025
C-USA average: 28,454
ECU: 49,665
UCF: 39,614
Houston: 31,728
Southern Miss: 29,400
UTEP: 29,350
Marshall: 27,046
APPALACHIAN STATE: 25,715
Rice: 25,571
Memphis: 23,918
SMU: 23,515
Tulane: 23,220
TUlsa: 20,374
UAB: 18,360
FIU: 19:828
North Texas: 17,718
FAU: 14,025
Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
I'm calling BS on that one. Football attendance, yeah, I'll give you that one, but that goes hand in hand with football success. Many Sun Belt schools would draw like they do if they won at the clip they do.dbackjon wrote:App State already far outdraws EVERY member of the Sunbelt, and half of the C-USA.
Their overall athletic program is far stronger than ANY Sunbelt school.
But far stronger athletic program? Dream on.
Current RPIs for App State
MBB-192 which puts them behind FAU(113), North Texas(135), Middle Tennessee(184) and Arkansas State(191) and just ahead of WKU(194) and UALR(198)
WBB-41 which is quite strong put still behind Middle Tennessee(36) and not too far ahead of UALR(52)
Baseball(2010)-29 which is better than anyone in the Sun Belt, but not FAR better than everyone. ULL(44) WKU(45) FAU(53) Troy(59) Middle Tennessee(66) FIU(80). The Sun Belt and SoCon are both really strong baseball leagues, in 2010 the Sun Belt ranked 7th in conference RPI and SoCon 9th.
In the 2010 NACDA Director's Cup App State ranked 150th out of the 283 Division 1 schools they ranked. Which is better than most of the Sun Belt, but not better than
Middle Tennessee-79
FIU-128
ULL-144
Personally I'm skeptical of App State's invite to CUSA, but it wouldn't shock me if it happened, I would be surprised though based on market if nothing else. That said, App State is a fine athletic program with great football, but saying that they have a far better athletic than any Sun Belt school is patently untrue.
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
yeah... they're CUSA alright... hell, by this standard Montana is MWC level and the Bison (limited by 10,000 fewer seats) are Sun Belt... though in good years lower CUSA...dbackjon wrote:2010 Football Attendance
C-USA average: 28,454
ECU: 49,665
UCF: 39,614
Houston: 31,728
Southern Miss: 29,400
UTEP: 29,350
Marshall: 27,046
APPALACHIAN STATE: 25,715
Rice: 25,571
Memphis: 23,918
SMU: 23,515
Tulane: 23,220
TUlsa: 20,374
UAB: 18,360
FIU: 19:828
North Texas: 17,718
FAU: 14,025
i dont know why but i really thought their attendance was better than this...
North Dakota State University Bison 2011 and 2012 National Champions
Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
The University of Massachusetts football program may be on the brink of upgrading to the college football Bowl Subdivision, a major move that UMass officials have been discussing the feasibility and logistics of for several months.
According to Chancellor Robert Holub, the University is expecting to announce its decision in early March.
“I think we are approaching the final stages in the process and hope to have a resolution soon,” Holub said in an e-mail. “I'm anticipating that we will be announcing something in early March.”
The decision to upgrade would be made by Holub, the University’s board of trustees and the UMass president’s office.
“The board of trustees has indicated a willingness and a desire for us to upgrade our athletics program,” said UMass Student Trustee Mike Fox. “But as I am aware, planning is being done on the campus level. The board has had discussions.”
Holub hopes to compete at the same level with other flagship universities across the nation, both athletically and academically.
“We represent the great state of Massachusetts in a way that no other institution does, and we take that responsibility seriously,” said Holub.
Regional rival Connecticut is among the schools that have upgraded to the FBS level in recent years. UConn lost to Oklahoma 48-20 in the Fiesta Bowl in January but the game marked the zenith of a remarkable rise for the Huskies.
Holub believes improving UMass’ athletics would work well to give the school greater visibility on both a state and national plain.
“That's where we want to be, and I believe that's what our students and alumni want from us as well,” he said.
While interest in upgrading the program has been expressed on many levels by personnel at the University, the decision remains unannounced.
According to UMass officials, the decision is in great part reliant on whether an invitation has been extended to the University by the Mid-American Conference. NCAA rules dictate that a team upgrading to the FBS must do so with a conference affiliation. If UMass were to upgrade, the team would upgrade as a football-only membership with the MAC.
University of Massachusetts Chancellor Robert Holub.
MAC officials declined to comment on whether an invitation to UMass to join the MAC has been extended.
However, according to Ken Mather, assistant commissioner of the MAC, MAC Commissioner Jon A. Steinbrecher met with MAC’s Council of Presidents earlier this week in Indianapolis, and membership was on the meeting’s agenda.
The mutual interest between the MAC and UMass has been well known since November. MAC officials visited UMass Dec. 14 to examine facilities on campus and at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, home of the New England Patriots.
The NCAA requires that members of the Bowl Subdivision must maintain an average attendance rate of 15,000 at games. McGuirk Stadium on the UMass-Amherst campus seats up to 17,000 and this attendance stipulation may pose a challenge for the University.
It has been reported that UMass would likely need to upgrade McGuirk Stadium if the Minutemen were to join the Bowl Subdivision and play home games there. Several media organizations have reported the Minutemen may play a portion of their home games at Gillette Stadium.
However, the number of games the team would play at Gillette is unconfirmed.
“The Kraft family has been very supportive of football at all levels of competition throughout New England,” said New England Patriots spokesperson Stacey James. “They are proud to have hosted Pop Warner, high school and college football games at Gillette Stadium.
“College football has a rich history in New England, and I know that the Krafts would welcome the opportunity to celebrate the college game’s rivalries and traditions at Gillette Stadium,” continued James.
The Minutemen fell to rival New Hampshire, 39-13, at Gillette Stadium in the inaugural Colonial Clash game this past fall. Stadium attendance was 32,848, setting a record for a regular season Colonial Athletic Association game.
“I think the Colonial Clash demonstrated that we can draw a large crowd if the venue and the opponents are the right ones,” Holub said. “It showed the great excitement around UMass football and the loyalty and enthusiasm of our students and alumni. Except for the results on the playing field, it was a great day for us.”
UMass is scheduled to play at least one game at Gillette next season, facing UNH in the second 'Colonial Clash' on Oct. 22.
Whether or not the University chose to upgrade, the Minutemen would remain scheduled to play within the Colonial Athletic Association next fall. Upon upgrading the program, it seems likely UMass will follow plans laid out by such teams as the University of Texas at San Antonio and spend two seasons as a transitional Football Bowl Subdivision member. In its third year, the team would become postseason eligible. UTSA plans to enter its two transitional years in 2013.
The status quo, remaining at the Football Championship Subdivision level and as part of the CAA is an option that has become less appealing over the past year. Division I-AA football may be on the decline as CAA rival Villanova is also considering a move up to the FBS level, possibly as soon as 2014. Additionally, UMass will continue to lose up to $3 million per year if it stays put.
With the University likely to make its ultimate decision known next month, the UMass football program and its fans anxiously await the outcome.
According to Chancellor Robert Holub, the University is expecting to announce its decision in early March.
“I think we are approaching the final stages in the process and hope to have a resolution soon,” Holub said in an e-mail. “I'm anticipating that we will be announcing something in early March.”
The decision to upgrade would be made by Holub, the University’s board of trustees and the UMass president’s office.
“The board of trustees has indicated a willingness and a desire for us to upgrade our athletics program,” said UMass Student Trustee Mike Fox. “But as I am aware, planning is being done on the campus level. The board has had discussions.”
Holub hopes to compete at the same level with other flagship universities across the nation, both athletically and academically.
“We represent the great state of Massachusetts in a way that no other institution does, and we take that responsibility seriously,” said Holub.
Regional rival Connecticut is among the schools that have upgraded to the FBS level in recent years. UConn lost to Oklahoma 48-20 in the Fiesta Bowl in January but the game marked the zenith of a remarkable rise for the Huskies.
Holub believes improving UMass’ athletics would work well to give the school greater visibility on both a state and national plain.
“That's where we want to be, and I believe that's what our students and alumni want from us as well,” he said.
While interest in upgrading the program has been expressed on many levels by personnel at the University, the decision remains unannounced.
According to UMass officials, the decision is in great part reliant on whether an invitation has been extended to the University by the Mid-American Conference. NCAA rules dictate that a team upgrading to the FBS must do so with a conference affiliation. If UMass were to upgrade, the team would upgrade as a football-only membership with the MAC.
University of Massachusetts Chancellor Robert Holub.
MAC officials declined to comment on whether an invitation to UMass to join the MAC has been extended.
However, according to Ken Mather, assistant commissioner of the MAC, MAC Commissioner Jon A. Steinbrecher met with MAC’s Council of Presidents earlier this week in Indianapolis, and membership was on the meeting’s agenda.
The mutual interest between the MAC and UMass has been well known since November. MAC officials visited UMass Dec. 14 to examine facilities on campus and at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, home of the New England Patriots.
The NCAA requires that members of the Bowl Subdivision must maintain an average attendance rate of 15,000 at games. McGuirk Stadium on the UMass-Amherst campus seats up to 17,000 and this attendance stipulation may pose a challenge for the University.
It has been reported that UMass would likely need to upgrade McGuirk Stadium if the Minutemen were to join the Bowl Subdivision and play home games there. Several media organizations have reported the Minutemen may play a portion of their home games at Gillette Stadium.
However, the number of games the team would play at Gillette is unconfirmed.
“The Kraft family has been very supportive of football at all levels of competition throughout New England,” said New England Patriots spokesperson Stacey James. “They are proud to have hosted Pop Warner, high school and college football games at Gillette Stadium.
“College football has a rich history in New England, and I know that the Krafts would welcome the opportunity to celebrate the college game’s rivalries and traditions at Gillette Stadium,” continued James.
The Minutemen fell to rival New Hampshire, 39-13, at Gillette Stadium in the inaugural Colonial Clash game this past fall. Stadium attendance was 32,848, setting a record for a regular season Colonial Athletic Association game.
“I think the Colonial Clash demonstrated that we can draw a large crowd if the venue and the opponents are the right ones,” Holub said. “It showed the great excitement around UMass football and the loyalty and enthusiasm of our students and alumni. Except for the results on the playing field, it was a great day for us.”
UMass is scheduled to play at least one game at Gillette next season, facing UNH in the second 'Colonial Clash' on Oct. 22.
Whether or not the University chose to upgrade, the Minutemen would remain scheduled to play within the Colonial Athletic Association next fall. Upon upgrading the program, it seems likely UMass will follow plans laid out by such teams as the University of Texas at San Antonio and spend two seasons as a transitional Football Bowl Subdivision member. In its third year, the team would become postseason eligible. UTSA plans to enter its two transitional years in 2013.
The status quo, remaining at the Football Championship Subdivision level and as part of the CAA is an option that has become less appealing over the past year. Division I-AA football may be on the decline as CAA rival Villanova is also considering a move up to the FBS level, possibly as soon as 2014. Additionally, UMass will continue to lose up to $3 million per year if it stays put.
With the University likely to make its ultimate decision known next month, the UMass football program and its fans anxiously await the outcome.
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
Only one Sunbelt team drew over 20K - ULM at 20,808
App's facilities are very strong - on par with most C-USA schools.
App's facilities are very strong - on par with most C-USA schools.
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
AppMan wrote: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.
I'm with ya! Holland is an interesting character. There is nobody who wants and thinks ECU should be in the Big East than him. But he's seemed flexible in some of the long term ideas about other schools in the region. I'm not a mindreader of Holland, just seems he might actually prefer such a future, like a partial old SoCon, with schools like ECU, Marshall, App St., GA State, Charlotte, Delaware, along with Memphis, UAB, USM.
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
ULM's number is deceiving to boot. That number includes a "home" game against Arkansas in Little Rock. 2010 was a down year for the Sun Belt in football, but several schools usually average right around 20,000 every year and Middle Tennessee was, IIRC, over 21,000 in average in 2009. 2011 should be a record breaking year for Middle Tennessee as we have Georgia Tech at home as well as Memphis(who we set our single game attendance record against in 2009).dbackjon wrote:Only one Sunbelt team drew over 20K - ULM at 20,808
App's facilities are very strong - on par with most C-USA schools.
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
Sir William wrote: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).
MWC has been there, done that. Houston and UTEP both rejected overtures already. That is why the MWC even considered the next tier of schools, Utah St. and SJSU...which they passed on. I guess things could change like if CUSA lost 3 schools to the Big East and crippled the conference. But for now, Houston and UTEP have opted in favor of CUSA over the MWC.
But it does seem like it's only time for UCF to be in the Big east. Nova out, UCF in. Nova in, then UCF might have to wait a long time, but will likely be the top dog.
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
For the one sport of football, sure. Not exactly the case for other sports like hoops.dbackjon wrote:Only one Sunbelt team drew over 20K - ULM at 20,808
App's facilities are very strong - on par with most C-USA schools.
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
MTPiKapp wrote:ULM's number is deceiving to boot. That number includes a "home" game against Arkansas in Little Rock. 2010 was a down year for the Sun Belt in football, but several schools usually average right around 20,000 every year and Middle Tennessee was, IIRC, over 21,000 in average in 2009. 2011 should be a record breaking year for Middle Tennessee as we have Georgia Tech at home as well as Memphis(who we set our single game attendance record against in 2009).dbackjon wrote:Only one Sunbelt team drew over 20K - ULM at 20,808
App's facilities are very strong - on par with most C-USA schools.
2009 - only one Sunbelt team over 19K - MTSU at 20,517
Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
Not all that important to the argument as I conceded attendance in my previous post, but again, stating that App State has a FAR stronger athletic program than ANY sun belt school is patently untrue and an insult to Middle Tennessee who's overall program is FAR stronger than App State's.dbackjon wrote:MTPiKapp wrote:
ULM's number is deceiving to boot. That number includes a "home" game against Arkansas in Little Rock. 2010 was a down year for the Sun Belt in football, but several schools usually average right around 20,000 every year and Middle Tennessee was, IIRC, over 21,000 in average in 2009. 2011 should be a record breaking year for Middle Tennessee as we have Georgia Tech at home as well as Memphis(who we set our single game attendance record against in 2009).
2009 - only one Sunbelt team over 19K - MTSU at 20,517
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
Our basketball facilities are excellent as welll... though, we do have attendance problems in basketball... the facilities are there without a doubt.
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
http://www.capitalonecup.com/assets/sta ... ndings.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;MTPiKapp wrote:Not all that important to the argument as I conceded attendance in my previous post, but again, stating that App State has a FAR stronger athletic program than ANY sun belt school is patently untrue and an insult to Middle Tennessee who's overall program is FAR stronger than App State's.dbackjon wrote:
2009 - only one Sunbelt team over 19K - MTSU at 20,517
Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
In case you missed it in my earlier post, last year's NACDA Director's Cup had Middle Tennessee ranked 79 and App State ranked 150.mcveyrl wrote:http://www.capitalonecup.com/assets/sta ... ndings.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;MTPiKapp wrote:
Not all that important to the argument as I conceded attendance in my previous post, but again, stating that App State has a FAR stronger athletic program than ANY sun belt school is patently untrue and an insult to Middle Tennessee who's overall program is FAR stronger than App State's.
Unlike the Capital One cup, the Director's cup doesn't seperate sports into men's and women's, it also doesn't weigh some sports more than others. Don't get me wrong, that's a great accomplishment by App State being ranked that highly, but as far as an unbiased ranking of overall athletic programs, the Director's cup is clearly a significantly better system.
Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
If ASU were playing ECU and Marshall in football they could draw 40K for football.
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
I would not blame Appy for joining CUSA, don't want to see that unless there is a future East Coast CUSA planned and the Dukes are invloved... Just say no to the Sunbelt, this is not mean spirited but joining the Sunbelt is like...just not going there...
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
If you say so, but if CUSA won't take them straight from FCS, the Sun Belt would not be a bad stopover, at least it's FBS. If the conference was the same that it was in 2001, or heck even 2005, I might at least see where you're coming from, but conference has grown leaps and bounds in the first 10 years. Heck, 2010 was a down year for the conference and we had 3 teams bowling, two of which were 6-6. The Sun Belt, while still the lowest rung of FBS(an honor that may soon be at least shared with, if not taken over by, the WAC) it is not the doormat or deadend that it once was.JMUpurplehazed wrote:I would not blame Appy for joining CUSA, don't want to see that unless there is a future East Coast CUSA planned and the Dukes are invloved... Just say no to the Sunbelt, this is not mean spirited but joining the Sunbelt is like...just not going there...
EDIT: By at least it's FBS, I meant at least it's a foot in the door, did not mean that as a slam at FCS.
Last edited by MTPiKapp on Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
Quinn, you know as well as I do that if CUSA loses UCF, they'll probably go after FIU or FAU or Temple. Don't be afraid to feel the hate from the stong App fan base. You know damn well even if ECU, Marshall, UAB wanted App over the others, they are just 3 of 11 votes. You also know G'town & Prov have no desire to play BE football. If G'town was Nova like in it's FCSness then they'd be on the table as well. Taking Nova over UCF shows that they basically have to take the school already in conf. over the school that is already FBS. It would be nice if they took both but I see 10/17 over 11/18. They still may have an ultimate goal of 12/20.
Dback, I think Montana outdrew Nevada and Nevada was 12-1. It's just a small factor. Montana's stadium, is much prettier than Nevada's too. You gotta earn your stripes.
Dback, I think Montana outdrew Nevada and Nevada was 12-1. It's just a small factor. Montana's stadium, is much prettier than Nevada's too. You gotta earn your stripes.
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Re: Appalachian State to CUSA?
A lot of this App to CUSA talk is to get App motivated to want to move up. The fans on here have said they'd rather be SoCon than SBC. Same thing is going on with UNA right now. They are talking about going to the SBC to get back with Troy. We all know they can't do that unless they go to the OVC first. The fans are more motivated to be at Tory's level then Jax St. level.