Brand new SoCon 2013

[catamount man]

Assuming 2012 sends Appalachian State into the FCS sunset, and I'll even throw GSU in there as well, how does the SoCon shape up?

You'd need to add 2 members to get to the 9 needed for even home and away football games. Common sense would dictate rape the BIG SOUTH for G-W and Coastal or do you hold out for Kennesaw State in 2014?

Gonna be interesting and make no mistakes, I doubt very seriously if WCU would ever play App again. They would take the series, the Jug and life would go on. As much as I love WCU, I have no doubt our current administration, if it wouldn't cost them d1 basketball status, would've dropped to the d2 South Atlantic Conference years ago.

Here's hoping WCU's new chancellor has the wherewithal and the passion to lead our school the way Ken Peacock has led App.State.

GO CATS!!!

[chantzilla]

I don't know if Coastal would get any consideration if a spot in the SoCon became available. But judging by some recent remarks made by our AD, it seems our administration isn't all too confident/thrilled about our affiliation with the Big South.

I retrieved the following quotes from a Sun News article (released last month):

Asked about CCU's plan for future conference affiliation, Yurachek acknowledges that nothing is locked in for the long term.

"Right now, the Big South Conference is the best conference for Coastal Carolina," Yurachek says. "Now whether five years from now the Big South will still be the best conference for Coastal Carolina, I can't sit here and tell you that.

"Again, we have aspirations to be the premier FCS institution in the country. Can we do that from the Big South? I'm not sure we can. Does that mean that we're moving conferences? It doesn't. ... Only time will tell."

http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/01/22/19 ... -year.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Redwyn]

Big South will have major problems going forward it seems. Liberty has made little attempt to hide its ambition for greener pastures (although it's clear groups have major problems scheduling them for multiple reasons), and Stony Brook's not likely to become a fixture. We've made it clear that this was a marriage of convenience, and while it's clear we enjoy the affiliation the second a better opportunity presents itself we're gone. This is especially true as we've upped our facilities yet again and have increasingly ambitious schedules. Coastal leaving too would nuke the conference or force the league to beg Campbell, Charlotte, Kennesaw St., or others to replace.

[Ibanez]

I don't know if Coastal would get any consideration if a spot in the SoCon became available. But judging by some recent remarks made by our AD, it seems our administration isn't all too confident/thrilled about our affiliation with the Big South.

I retrieved the following quotes from a Sun News article (released last month):

Asked about CCU's plan for future conference affiliation, Yurachek acknowledges that nothing is locked in for the long term.

"Right now, the Big South Conference is the best conference for Coastal Carolina," Yurachek says. "Now whether five years from now the Big South will still be the best conference for Coastal Carolina, I can't sit here and tell you that.

"Again, we have aspirations to be the premier FCS institution in the country. Can we do that from the Big South? I'm not sure we can. Does that mean that we're moving conferences? It doesn't. ... Only time will tell."

http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/01/22/19 ... -year.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It has not been a secret that Coastal would move to a better Conference, given the chance. Our AD is tip-toeing around, trying to be politically correct. If the SoCon invites us in, there would be little to no hesitation.

[OL FU]

I could be wrong but I don't think GSU is going anywhere in the near term which means one team leaves. One Option, add no one. Football goes back to 8 and basketball is lopsided. Option two, add another non-football playing member. Besides not really know who a good candidate would be I also hope not. Option three, add additional team. I am certainly hoping for Coastal. Not only add potentially a good football team but golf and baseball would get a big lift.

[phoenixphanatic21]

I could be wrong but I don't think GSU is going anywhere in the near term which means one team leaves. One Option, add no one. Football goes back to 8 and basketball is lopsided. Option two, add another non-football playing member. Besides not really know who a good candidate would be I also hope not. Option three, add additional team. I am certainly hoping for Coastal. Not only add potentially a good football team but golf and baseball would get a big lift.

Baseball would be sick if Coastal was to join. College of Charleston, Western, El Cid, Elon and Coastal?

[AshevilleApp]

We ain't gone yet.

[youngterrier]

Adding CCU would be good for pretty much every SoCon Sport. But not academics I don't think

[OL FU]

Adding CCU would be good for pretty much every SoCon Sport. But not academics I don't think

We got Brain Power. When ASU leaves, they take the best men's athletic department in the conference with them. Can't remember how many Commissioner's Cups they have won. We need to replace with a school that (1) can compete in many sports day 1 and (2) one that will make the publics happy.

[OL FU]

We ain't gone yet.

And I would like to see you stay but have believed for more than a few years it is just a matter of time. Same with Georgia Southern, just a little bit more time for them.

[Sir William]

I am certainly hoping for Coastal. Not only add potentially a good football team but golf and baseball would get a big lift.

And basketball, too. Coastal is rockin' on the hardcourt this year.

[Skjellyfetti]

Can't remember how many Commissioner's Cups they have won

only 5 in a row... but, 30 out of the last 33 years.

[huthuthut]

I could be wrong but I don't think GSU is going anywhere in the near term which means one team leaves. One Option, add no one. Football goes back to 8 and basketball is lopsided. Option two, add another non-football playing member. Besides not really know who a good candidate would be I also hope not. Option three, add additional team. I am certainly hoping for Coastal. Not only add potentially a good football team but golf and baseball would get a big lift.

This is a right on post and I can see any of the three scenarios playing out. Personally I think option 3 makes the most sense and would produce a couple of interesting rivalry games. Coach Bennett has done a good job, the University has demonstrated a big commitment to football and the Chants have always been at or near the top of the Big Suck.

[BJuice]

This is why important people in the SoCon don't want Coastal in their conference. Yes, this article doesn't mention football, but football could be impacted if major sanctions are enforced. Coastal has a history of being a dirty athletic program and apparently things have not changed.

Coastal Carolina Struggles on Way to Tournament

The SoCon does not want a dirty program to bring bad publicity to a very strong and tradition-rich conference.

[youngterrier]

Coastal is a party school. I don't think the SoCon would want to be affiliated with them quite frankly, especially if App State/GSU left

[huthuthut]

Coastal has serious image problems and honestly doesn't measure up to the standards of the other SoCons. The Chants not only had several of their athletes jailed this past season for various infractions, I believe I read that the NCAA may be investigating some questionable eligibility issues. Their entrance requirements are much lower than the SoCons and their academic reputation is weak in comparison. In short Coastal is a lower tier school academically with a party school reputation and an unruly student population.

So, I'm sure you question why I'm promoting the Chants for SoCon membership.

Because I could see a great yearly rivalry football game with my alma mater, The Citadel. It would be a natural. It would easily become like the annual Carolina-Clemson game and perhaps as big! What a great shot in the arm that would be for FCS ball in the Southeast!

I could also see a basketball rivalry developing between College of Charleston and the Chants.

So what? Party school with a poor reputation academically---how about Appy? Western Carolina? It seems to me Coastal is no better, no worse than those monsters of academia!

[ASUMountaineer]

Coastal has serious image problems and honestly doesn't measure up to the standards of the other SoCons. The Chants not only had several of their athletes jailed this past season for various infractions, I believe I read that the NCAA may be investigating some questionable eligibility issues. Their entrance requirements are much lower than the SoCons and their academic reputation is weak in comparison. In short Coastal is a lower tier school academically with a party school reputation and an unruly student population.

So, I'm sure you question why I'm promoting the Chants for SoCon membership.

Because I could see a great yearly rivalry football game with my alma mater, The Citadel. It would be a natural. It would easily become like the annual Carolina-Clemson game and perhaps as big! What a great shot in the arm that would be for FCS ball in the Southeast!

I could also see a basketball rivalry developing between College of Charleston and the Chants.

So what? Party school with a poor reputation academically---how about Appy? Western Carolina? It seems to me Coastal is no better, no worse than those monsters of academia!

[BJuice]

Because I could see a great yearly rivalry football game with my alma mater, The Citadel. It would be a natural. It would easily become like the annual Carolina-Clemson game and perhaps as big! What a great shot in the arm that would be for FCS ball in the Southeast!

Instead of trying to create and develop a rivalry with Coastal (2 hrs. away), your alma mater should concentrate on making a yearly date with Charleston Southern a priority. That is an instant cross-town rivalry (30 min. away). Charleston Southern, College of Charleston, and The Citadel compete regularly in almost all other sports. Football should be the same.

Don't try to use our lack of facilities as an excuse. We have played The Citadel several times already and each time has been at The Citadel. It is clear we are willing to play at your place every year until our facilities expand to the point where we can host.

[OL FU]

IF CCU has problems following the rules then they shouldn't be invited. I hate that.

While I understand the appreciation some have for the idea, I don't want to become a conference of just private schools. I know the Citadel isn't private but it certainly acts like it in many ways and feels like it in even more.

If the CAA were to bust up Richmond and or W&M would be a good choice, except they would do what I just said I don't want to do.

The problem is who do you take. We have two small private colleges within 40 miles of each other. I don't think we want to add GW 40 miles or so from Sparkle City or PC 40 miles from Greenville. There just aren't many quality larger public institutions in the footprint that make sense or would seem likely to join if invited.

[huthuthut]

Because I could see a great yearly rivalry football game with my alma mater, The Citadel. It would be a natural. It would easily become like the annual Carolina-Clemson game and perhaps as big! What a great shot in the arm that would be for FCS ball in the Southeast!

Instead of trying to create and develop a rivalry with Coastal (2 hrs. away), your alma mater should concentrate on making a yearly date with Charleston Southern a priority. That is an instant cross-town rivalry (30 min. away). Charleston Southern, College of Charleston, and The Citadel compete regularly in almost all other sports. Football should be the same.

Don't try to use our lack of facilities as an excuse. We have played The Citadel several times already and each time has been at The Citadel. It is clear we are willing to play at your place every year until our facilities expand to the point where we can host.

I agree! Back in my day we referred to Baptist as "Dogpatch". It has certainly come a long way from those days. If not for the "financial problem" CSU would probably have that new facility already. I, and others of my ilk, would welcome a series between the cross town rivals. It makes a lot of sense, but often things that make sense don't work out. Let's hope it does in this case.

[elcid83]

Why the NY Times went out of their way to report this is beyond me. No way CCU gets in the Southern Conference with this kind of reputation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/25/sport ... basketball

[OL FU]

Why the NY Times went out of their way to report this is beyond me. No way CCU gets in the Southern Conference with this kind of reputation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/25/sport ... basketball

Yep Forget Coastal. All the FU profs read it religiously

[OL FU]

OK Let's go with South Carolina State.

[catamount man]

I would welcome SCSU to the SoCon with open arms.

[Appaholic]

Coastal has serious image problems and honestly doesn't measure up to the standards of the other SoCons. The Chants not only had several of their athletes jailed this past season for various infractions, I believe I read that the NCAA may be investigating some questionable eligibility issues.

Sounds like they're headed to the Big Sky....