Bye Bye Villanova?

[FargoBison]

Villanova nearing deal to join Big East

Villanova is closing in on a decision to move its football program to the Football Bowl Subdivision level and join the Big East.

A Big East source told Sporting News that Villanova is the “clear leader” in the conference’s goal of expanding to 10 teams, but that the university still is trying to complete a revenue plan of $25-30 million in startup costs.
Villanova football coach Andy Talley speaks to reporters.

Villanova announced it would have a decision by April, but the process could be moving along faster than expected. VUhoops.com reported last week that members of the athletic administration held a meeting for “major boosters” at the Syracuse basketball game.

That meeting included a speech from Villanova coach Andrew Talley as well as pledges from some donors. VUhoops.com also reported that “prominent” Board of Trustees members have been “telegraphing” their votes to major donors.

Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-footba ... z1FTwsqFxv" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[JBB]

Shame to see them leave. There must be something beneficial in the move? If its practical for them to make the move it must be practical for other schools too.

[FargoBison]

JBB invites to BCS conferences aren't common, just gotta wonder if Nova can pull off the support needed to be a competitive BCS program.

[dbackjon]

JBB invites to BCS conferences aren't common, just gotta wonder if Nova can pull off the support needed to be a competitive BCS program.

Exactly - any FCS team would look long and hard at a BCS invite.

[JBB]

Well no, thats the only way you can go to the FBS. No more Troy States. If they accept, and it looks like they will, there must be some support and benefits to make it worthwhile. I doubt they are going to do a und type move-up: make the move then figure it out.

It would be interesting to know exactly what is motivating them and how those motivations would apply to other FCS schools that might have an eye on soliciting an invite.

Just read the Bison Media Blog article on this move and they brought up an interesting point concerning the domino affect and the MVFC.

I’ve heard from several people that Youngstown State is on the Colonial radar.
http://bisonmedia.areavoices.com/

They are saying 9 is not a good number. Losing YSU to the Colonial would leave the MVFC at 9, a number that used to be seen as ideal. What's up with that and would the MVFC be looking for a replacement?

[Grizalltheway]

Well no, thats the only way you can go to the FBS. No more Troy States. If they accept, and it looks like they will, there must be some support and benefits to make it worthwhile. I doubt they are going to do a und type move-up: make the move then figure it out.

It would be interesting to know exactly what is motivating them and how those motivations would apply to other FCS schools that might have an eye on soliciting an invite.

Just read the Bison Media Blog article on this move and they brought up an interesting point concerning the domino affect and the MVFC.

I’ve heard from several people that Youngstown State is on the Colonial radar.
http://bisonmedia.areavoices.com/

They are saying 9 is not a good number. Losing YSU to the Colonial would leave the MVFC at 9, a number that used to be seen as ideal. What's up with that and would the MVFC be looking for a replacement?

Money, you rube. Money.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

JBB invites to BCS conferences aren't common, just gotta wonder if Nova can pull off the support needed to be a competitive BCS program.

Exactly - any FCS team would look long and hard at a BCS invite.

Which is exactly why I've never once questioned a Nova move to the Big East. That is an easy move for anybody to see a school making.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Exactly - any FCS team would look long and hard at a BCS invite.

Which is exactly why I've never once questioned a Nova move to the Big East. That is an easy move for anybody to see a school making.

Makes a ton of sense - only question (probably answered already elsewhere) will they play at the Linc? upgrade their current home? rent Franklin Field?

[JBB]

Money in, money out, fame, fortune BCS, FBS, its all there. If its not a BCS how many of those advantages do they lose? If they are BCS ready what in the world are they doing in the FCS anyway? Go on, get outta here!

In the meantime the MFVC may be in for some changes.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Which is exactly why I've never once questioned a Nova move to the Big East. That is an easy move for anybody to see a school making.

Makes a ton of sense - only question (probably answered already elsewhere) will they play at the Linc? upgrade their current home? rent Franklin Field?

I think the subject was broached but I can't remember the answer to that one. Some things to sort out with Temple if I remember correctly but it all seemed pretty doable.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Money in, money out, fame, fortune BCS, FBS, its all there. If its not a BCS how many of those advantages do they lose? If they are BCS ready what in the world are they doing in the FCS anyway? Go on, get outta here!

In the meantime the MFVC may be in for some changes.

You are out your fuckin' mind son. There is a big difference between what Nova is looking at and what most of the FBS move uppers are looking at.

The move uprs always try to sell everyone that an FBS move is interchangeable with a BCS move and that's just pie in the sky shit right there.

[dbackjon]

Money in, money out, fame, fortune BCS, FBS, its all there. If its not a BCS how many of those advantages do they lose? If they are BCS ready what in the world are they doing in the FCS anyway? Go on, get outta here!

In the meantime the MFVC may be in for some changes.

You are out your fuckin' mind son. There is a big difference between what Nova is looking at and what most of the FBS move uppers are looking at.

The move uprs always try to sell everyone that an FBS move is interchangeable with a BCS move and that's just pie in the sky shit right there.

He'll change his tune when NDSU gets the inevitable invite to the Big 12

[JBB]

I agree that a BCS invite is better than an FBS move to a lower level conference, in general, but not always. A move up to the FBS could have a huge impact for some programs just like the move to the FCS had a huge impact on NDSUs program. Unfortunately by looking at UND its easy to see its not always the case.

Its obvious on the surface what motivates NOVA, but to a certain extent the advantages they are seeing could apply to any market. The move to FCS made NDSU a lot of money and gave them more exposure. It also improved the OOC games. Playing an FBS game every year is the highlight of the season for me.

I dont think its correct to say an FBS move is always bad. The advantages for Nova can be extrapolated to different situations.

As far as NDSU goes, after talking about it for a couple years I dont think its possible at least until there is some sign that a new stadium could be built. If that happened there is no doubt in my mind that NDSU could go. MONEY would be the reason. If a move makes money its worth it,

Right now SDSU is in the best position with their stadium and the ability to expand and improve on existing infrastructure. NDSU is faced with a lot of extra expense to prepare a stadium site and get it built.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I agree that a BCS invite is better than an FBS move to a lower level conference, in general, but not always. A move up to the FBS could have a huge impact for some programs just like the move to the FCS had a huge impact on NDSUs program. But, by looking at UND its easy to see its not always the case.

Its obvious on the surface what motivates NOVA, but to a certain extent the advantages they are seeing could apply to any market. The move to FCS made NDSU a lot of money and gave them more exposure. It also improved the OOC games. Playing an FBS game every year is the highlight o the season for me.

I dont think its correct to say and FBS move is always bad. The advantages for Nova can be extrapolated to different situations.

JB, I don't think anyone is saying that an FBS is move is always bad. Don't confuse that with the fact that on lots of threads many of argue that is not always good. Some on the boards are hell bent on the FBS because in their minds that's the only ticket and therefore to them it is always good and should be done even though there are many facts pointing out hat is not always a good move.

If you haven't seen some of those discussions like the App/CUSA one going on right now you will see that it's not a money maker for most schools...it's a money loser.

A BCS conference gets way more money than those outside of the BCS. Just being a doormat in a BCS is worth it because you will be getting paid pretty well for it. There is a big difference between Nova's situation and UMass or App's situation as far as conferences go right now.

[JBB]

That makes sense and we agree.

NDSU moved to the FCS because they had done the homework and the money was there. But just like moving to the FBS moving to the FCS is not always good. Attendance has actually gone down for some of the recent move ups and costs have soared.

[JBB]

An FBS move for NDSU is out of the question because of our stadium. We have no upside in our revenue stream because we are in the same position as Montana. We are near sold out every week. When we moved to the FCS we had about 10,000 extra tickets every week to sell. Thats a nice brass ring. Thats not there for us if we moved to the FBS now. We need to add 10,000 seats to consider it.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

That makes sense and we agree.

NDSU moved to the FCS because they had done the homework and the money was there. But just like moving to the FBS moving to the FCS is not always good. Attendance has actually gone down for some of the recent move ups and costs have soared.

Dead on my man.

[JBB]

Right now the NOVA move could present a challenge to the MVFC if we lose YSU. Maybe USD was added because there was some knowledge this was going to happen? On the other hand maybe they want to be at 10 and will need a replacement?

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Right now the NOVA move could present a challenge to the MVFC if we lose YSU. Maybe USD was added because there was some knowledge this was going to happen? On the other hand maybe they want to be at 10 and will need a replacement?

It is very likely that conferences have "what if's" played out in many different scenarios like that so they ain't left holding the bag. Seeing what has happened to the WAC in the last year probably got everybody sharpening their pencils and figuring how to have some cushion. At first appearance the CAA looks like it could have trouble coming but when you weigh in the fact that there are so many teams in their area that would love to be CAA members that moves the problems down the line to the lower tier in their areas. BSC & MVFC don't have that luxury so pre-emptive moves needed to be made and the fledgling Big West was easy pickings at that point. The MVFC still has leverage no matter which way they want to go. UND is there and given a move by YSU it would not be a big deal to the BSC or the MVFC members if UND were to move over there is a couple of years. Both the BSC and the MVFC have a little wiggle room at this point.

[DJH]

Right now the NOVA move could present a challenge to the MVFC if we lose YSU. Maybe USD was added because there was some knowledge this was going to happen? On the other hand maybe they want to be at 10 and will need a replacement?

How would that present a challenge? Who gives a fuck if YSU were to ever leave? We would still then have 9 teams which is the number that we would all like to be at anyway.

All of this is just stupid talk anyways. There is not a single credible source linking YSU to leaving the conf. What incentive would they have to make a lateral move to another FCS conference?

[JBB]

UND in the MVFC would be a definite plus for UND and the BSC as well. YSUs departure would eliminate at least one opponent to their membership. It doesnt make much sense to have the BSC spread out so much and some members at least would be happy to see them go. They are an outlier and Its a nightmare for BB and minor sports with regard to travel costs. It all depends on how comfortable the MVFC is with 9 members. It was the magic number just a few yrs ago and they may be comfortable with it again?

If the conference commissioners are at the top of their game, just like a good chess player, they are playing several moves ahead. The Summit looked like it had a crystal ball with its moves and the last shuffle with USD and UND also had a little predestination look to it. The only twist was USD. They may have been a wild card and skillfully played the situation to their best interests.

[93henfan]

Hope the Nova folks read this before making their decision:

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootbal ... owl-030211

Not only did the University of Connecticut lose the New Year's Day Fiesta Bowl, but the cost of appearing in the game burned a $1.8 million hole in the pocket of the school's athletic department, the Daily Campus reported Wednesday.

According to financial records from the Fiesta Bowl, UConn incurred $4.3 million in expenses, while receiving a payout from the Big East of $2.5 million for making it to the prestigious Bowl Championship Series (BCS) game against Oklahoma.

The largest burden for the school was ticket costs, as the athletic department was forced to absorb a nearly $3 million charge for unused tickets. The Fiesta Bowl allotted UConn 17,500 tickets, but the athletic department only sold 2,771 of them and had to pay for the rest.

In addition, the cost of traveling to Glendale, Ariz.., for the game totaled $685,195, while UConn also spent a total of $460,941 on meals and lodging for the team, administrators, cheerleaders and the band...

UConn sold 2,771 tickets for a BCS bowl game!

[DJH]

Hope the Nova folks read this before making their decision:

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootbal ... owl-030211

Not only did the University of Connecticut lose the New Year's Day Fiesta Bowl, but the cost of appearing in the game burned a $1.8 million hole in the pocket of the school's athletic department, the Daily Campus reported Wednesday.

According to financial records from the Fiesta Bowl, UConn incurred $4.3 million in expenses, while receiving a payout from the Big East of $2.5 million for making it to the prestigious Bowl Championship Series (BCS) game against Oklahoma.

The largest burden for the school was ticket costs, as the athletic department was forced to absorb a nearly $3 million charge for unused tickets. The Fiesta Bowl allotted UConn 17,500 tickets, but the athletic department only sold 2,771 of them and had to pay for the rest.

In addition, the cost of traveling to Glendale, Ariz.., for the game totaled $685,195, while UConn also spent a total of $460,941 on meals and lodging for the team, administrators, cheerleaders and the band...

UConn sold 2,771 tickets for a BCS bowl game!

And to think, that this is basically the top of the mountain for Uconn. They will probably never achieve greater success than this. The best that they can possibly do is lose a million dollars by playing in a meaningless BCS bowl game.

[93henfan]

And to think, that this is basically the top of the mountain for Uconn. They will probably never achieve greater success than this. The best that they can possibly do is lose a million dollars by playing in a meaningless BCS bowl game.

Hey, at least they have a stadium to play in. Nova would have to play in an 18,500 seat soccer stadium in the ghetto, literally.

[Skjellyfetti]

And to think, that this is basically the top of the mountain for Uconn. They will probably never achieve greater success than this. The best that they can possibly do is lose a million dollars by playing in a meaningless BCS bowl game.

Meaningless BCS game? Kinda relative, right?

A lot more people chose to tune into that game than the 2005 UNI - App game that was the pinnacle of UNI's success. I-AA championship game probably more meaningless to a lot of people.