What's next for the Socon?

[youngterrier]

App is clearly on the way out. Do you think the conference would expand to maintain it's prestige as a football conference? I think when you look at it, here are the "likely" candidates (even though they aren't necessarily "likely")

Coastal Carolina-They bring something to the table in terms of being a public school; the conference is shifting towards a more private school mold but I think it would be in our best interest to maintain an approximate 50-50 public school-private school ratio to maintain the athletic prestige of the conference. I think it's apparent, based on nothing else but scheduling that Coastal would be interested in joining the SoCon....I mean look at their schedule the last couple of years, they've played App, Wofford, Furman, and GSU on multiple occasions. I think they could eventually step up in recruiting and be a great competitor year-in and year-out if ever given the invite. As good as they appear from those standpoints, I highly doubt they'll get the invite. The private schools such as Wofford and Furman don't seem to want to be acquainted with Coastal for academic reasons (Coastal also had a huge reputation as a party school).

Liberty - I would like to see Liberty in the Socon personally. No team could replace App, but Liberty could come close from a perspective of recruiting potential (like Coastal), filling seats (30k Stadium), and generating revenue (the Virginia market would become available to the SoCon). Right now, Liberty is probably the Boise State of the FCS IMO. A few problems with this one as well, from what I gather Liberty wants to be a FBS school at some point down the road and I'm not certain how some schools would feel be affiliated with "Jerry's school," I haven't heard any prospective on Liberty joining the Socon, I'd think it would be great, but I don't think they will.

Presbyterian -Presbyterian fits the mold that is trending in the Socon of small private schools. There's really not much to gain financially, in all honestly. From a football perspective they could become competitive eventually, but right now they don't offer much from that standpoint. They have a great history and rivalry with Wofford. Like Coastal, they schedule SoCon-heavy OOC, and clearly would like to be in our conference.

South Carolina State -like Liberty, they would fill seats and generate revenue. Athletically, they're not quite on our level but they could there very soon. It would be great for the conference and I think all of the conference would love to have SC State. I have heard commentary that the "good old boy amen corner" if you will from SC State probably doesn't want to leave the MEAC but I don't know about that one

McNeese State -this one is wishful thinking but hey what is there to lose from it? They'd offer a new market for the Socon and the Socon would definitely be a step up for them on the football field from the SouthLand. We expanded out west last time with Samford so why not again with McNeese?

Jacksonville -Not Jacksonville State, mind you. They fit the mold of SoCon school that the socon is looking for. There a small university of about 4k, and academics take precedence. They have good coaches and they could compete in the Socon after a few years of adjusting IMO, they would just have to be willing to do that but I don't know if they will.

Richmond and William & Mary would be good choices too, I just don't see them leaving the CAA for the Socon as they have not much of a step up athletically.

Kennesaw is another prospect but I don't know what their intentions are as a program

[dbackjon]

Can't see McNeese adding all that travel expense.

[dbackjon]

big expense to move to schollie football for Jax

[dbackjon]

SC State would be a perfect fit. That and CCU are most likely candidates

[DKHardee]

I would like to see CCU in the SoCon but have grown to like the Big South.

[∞∞∞]

*cough*Charlotte*cough*

[AZGrizFan]

I gotta say, that's some mighty slim pickin's for the SoCon...

[catamount man]

No to Liberty! They do not allow alcohol at tailgating events.

[jcmanson]

Liberty would not accept an invitation from the Socon. We'd jump to the CAA, but that's the only FCS league we'd accept an invite from.

[Aho Old Guy]

What makes you so sure Appalachian is leaving the SoCon?

A 'privately funded' study which suggests 'corporate sponsors' and 'ticket fees' will finance the move?

Just because the BCS is forming up in super-conferences does not mean a free ticket to FBS for Appalachian without a viable financing plan. Chancellor Cheerleader, even while blind, could see the drop-off in attendance last week after our spanking by VPI.

App fans are far from fair-weather, but the opening-day crowd was down 5k from previous years -- possibly the lowest in 5 years. I hope they were conservative in estimating the revenue from those 'ticket fees' in that study (which has not been released to the public to my knowledge).

Liberty would not accept an invitation from the Socon. We'd jump to the CAA, but that's the only FCS league we'd accept an invite from.

What makes you think the SoCon would offer Liberty an invitation?

[State Line Liquors]

GW and Chuck South aren't on the short list?

[youngterrier]

They don't seem to be as inspired or football-oriented of schools as the rest of the list

[PenthouseClosedEnd]

"What's next for the SoCon"?

I would guess some early playoff departures at the hands of the CAA, now that Armanti Edwards is a couple years removed from FCS football. Thoughts?

[youngterrier]

"What's next for the SoCon"?

I would guess some early playoff departures at the hands of the CAA, now that Armanti Edwards is a couple years removed from FCS football. Thoughts?

Well we didn't have any first or second round losses last year now that you mention it (that's counting the bye as the first round of course)

[ODUalum11]

Jacksonville -Not Jacksonville State, mind you. They fit the mold of SoCon school that the socon is looking for. There a small university of about 4k, and academics take precedence. They have good coaches and they could compete in the Socon after a few years of adjusting IMO, they would just have to be willing to do that but I don't know if they will.

Richmond and William & Mary would be good choices too, I just don't see them leaving the CAA for the Socon as they have not much of a step up athletically.

Kennesaw is another prospect but I don't know what their intentions are as a program

Jacksonville might be easier said then done since they are non-schollie. No chance UR and WM leave the CAA like you already said.

[CID1990]

ASu and GSU are not leaving any time soon.

In a make believe world, maybe one of those two will move up. In that event I say the SoCon should sit tight and wait for either W&M or Richmond to come knocking. They belong in the SoCon anyway.

[ODUalum11]

ASu and GSU are not leaving any time soon.

In a make believe world, maybe one of those two will move up. In that event I say the SoCon should sit tight and wait for either W&M or Richmond to come knocking. They belong in the SoCon anyway.

what makes you think UR and WM belong in the SOCON more than the CAA? From my standpoint, WM seems perfectly content being in the CAA and UR seems content with being a football-only member. If UR were to leave the CAA in football, I'm willing to bet the SOCON would demand them to be an all-sports member and would require them to leave the A10.

[CID1990]

ASu and GSU are not leaving any time soon.

In a make believe world, maybe one of those two will move up. In that event I say the SoCon should sit tight and wait for either W&M or Richmond to come knocking. They belong in the SoCon anyway.

what makes you think UR and WM belong in the SOCON more than the CAA?

Small privates with strong academic credentials and good football tradition, not to mention that they are both in the South?

They were also both in the SoCon before and part of their leaving was inspired by the addition of schools like the ones that are murmuring about moving up.

If ASU and/or GSU were to move up, Richmond or W&M would be whispering within 2 years.

[ODUalum11]

what makes you think UR and WM belong in the SOCON more than the CAA?

Small privates with strong academic credentials and good football tradition, not to mention that they are both in the South?

They were also both in the SoCon before and part of their leaving was inspired by the addition of schools like the ones that are murmuring about moving up.

If ASU and/or GSU were to move up, Richmond or W&M would be whispering within 2 years.

I don't know, I doubt they'd go back to a conference they were once in just for that very reason. There was a reason they joined the CAA. Also, I think UR enjoys being in the A10. Athletically they are very competitive in that conference...correct me if I'm wrong outside of basketball.

[CID1990]

Small privates with strong academic credentials and good football tradition, not to mention that they are both in the South?

They were also both in the SoCon before and part of their leaving was inspired by the addition of schools like the ones that are murmuring about moving up.

If ASU and/or GSU were to move up, Richmond or W&M would be whispering within 2 years.

I don't know, I doubt they'd go back to a conference they were once in just for that very reason. There was a reason they joined the CAA. Also, I think UR enjoys being in the A10. Athletically they are very competitive in that conference...correct me if I'm wrong outside of basketball.

You are right about the basketball angle. UR would only come in football and the SoCon would not go for that. W&M is a more natural choice than UR, but again this is make believe world.

ASU and GSU are not leaving the SoCon.

[ODUalum11]

I don't know, I doubt they'd go back to a conference they were once in just for that very reason. There was a reason they joined the CAA. Also, I think UR enjoys being in the A10. Athletically they are very competitive in that conference...correct me if I'm wrong outside of basketball.

You are right about the basketball angle. UR would only come in football and the SoCon would not go for that. W&M is a more natural choice than UR, but again this is make believe world.

ASU and GSU are not leaving the SoCon.

I'd also have to agree I don't see either ASU or GSU leaving.

[tribe_pride]

what makes you think UR and WM belong in the SOCON more than the CAA?

Small privates with strong academic credentials and good football tradition, not to mention that they are both in the South?

They were also both in the SoCon before and part of their leaving was inspired by the addition of schools like the ones that are murmuring about moving up.

If ASU and/or GSU were to move up, Richmond or W&M would be whispering within 2 years.

W&M is actually a public school with probably 90%+ of its students from Virginia and north of Virginia.

[LeadBolt]

When I was at W&M we competed in the SoCon (yes, I'm old) and I was never sure why we left. It seemed to be a good fit then, as the CAA does now. If anything were to happen to the CAA, or if it were to try to move up in mass, I would hope we might be able to return to the SoCon, although many of our old close-by rivals such as VMI, ECU and Richmond are no longer there.

And yes, W&M has been public since 1906, although it has tough academics and a smaller enrollment than many public schools.

[Pwns]

If GSU and ASU are not interested in the Sun Belt (I don't think either really are) then we are not going anywhere any time soon. Neither of us are going to be getting an invite from CUSA, especially when you consider that as of now they seem more interested in getting strong basketball schools.

[green&gold75]

App is clearly on the way out. Do you think the conference would expand to maintain it's prestige as a football conference? I think when you look at it, here are the "likely" candidates (even though they aren't necessarily "likely")

Coastal Carolina-They bring something to the table in terms of being a public school; the conference is shifting towards a more private school mold but I think it would be in our best interest to maintain an approximate 50-50 public school-private school ratio to maintain the athletic prestige of the conference. I think it's apparent, based on nothing else but scheduling that Coastal would be interested in joining the SoCon....I mean look at their schedule the last couple of years, they've played App, Wofford, Furman, and GSU on multiple occasions. I think they could eventually step up in recruiting and be a great competitor year-in and year-out if ever given the invite. As good as they appear from those standpoints, I highly doubt they'll get the invite. The private schools such as Wofford and Furman don't seem to want to be acquainted with Coastal for academic reasons (Coastal also had a huge reputation as a party school).

Liberty - I would like to see Liberty in the Socon personally. No team could replace App, but Liberty could come close from a perspective of recruiting potential (like Coastal), filling seats (30k Stadium), and generating revenue (the Virginia market would become available to the SoCon). Right now, Liberty is probably the Boise State of the FCS IMO. A few problems with this one as well, from what I gather Liberty wants to be a FBS school at some point down the road and I'm not certain how some schools would feel be affiliated with "Jerry's school," I haven't heard any prospective on Liberty joining the Socon, I'd think it would be great, but I don't think they will.

Presbyterian -Presbyterian fits the mold that is trending in the Socon of small private schools. There's really not much to gain financially, in all honestly. From a football perspective they could become competitive eventually, but right now they don't offer much from that standpoint. They have a great history and rivalry with Wofford. Like Coastal, they schedule SoCon-heavy OOC, and clearly would like to be in our conference.

South Carolina State -like Liberty, they would fill seats and generate revenue. Athletically, they're not quite on our level but they could there very soon. It would be great for the conference and I think all of the conference would love to have SC State. I have heard commentary that the "good old boy amen corner" if you will from SC State probably doesn't want to leave the MEAC but I don't know about that one

McNeese State -this one is wishful thinking but hey what is there to lose from it? They'd offer a new market for the Socon and the Socon would definitely be a step up for them on the football field from the SouthLand. We expanded out west last time with Samford so why not again with McNeese?

Jacksonville -Not Jacksonville State, mind you. They fit the mold of SoCon school that the socon is looking for. There a small university of about 4k, and academics take precedence. They have good coaches and they could compete in the Socon after a few years of adjusting IMO, they would just have to be willing to do that but I don't know if they will.

Richmond and William & Mary would be good choices too, I just don't see them leaving the CAA for the Socon as they have not much of a step up athletically.Kennesaw is another prospect but I don't know what their intentions are as a program

Mind clarifying this? Not sure what you mean.