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Post by flamesfan710 on Jun 13, 2005 15:16:26 GMT -5
In all frankness I would want a couple of the upper level DII schools to be invited to the BSC as well. I mean we got Gardner Webb, so why not Carson Newman? SC State and Hampton would be a nice addition too, and I do realize that they are 1-AA schools (and Im not just saying that because Im from the Hampton Roads area) Hampton is a good team. Longwood...I mean its nice that they want to be in the same conference with us and all...but we would probably kick their butt most of the time anyway.
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Post by Sly Fox on Jun 13, 2005 18:46:04 GMT -5
First off, let me formally welcome you to posting on the board. The more the merrier.
Yeah, I think we all agree that if Carson Newman were considering making the move up, they would make sense.
As for Hampton & SC State, I agree that both would be the best available I-AAs to help us earn an automatic berth (which would basically help keep the conference afloat for a few more years). But both are longtime members of the MEAC and aren't likely to jump ship. An SC State alum posted an interesting scenario on the Coastal board where they might jump ship if a proposal to pull the MEAC * SWAC out of the I-AA Playoffs in order to meet for a HBCU National Championship. But it seems unlikely.
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Post by Sly Fox on Jun 17, 2005 20:20:16 GMT -5
A Birmingham newspaper is reporting that under a new television contract between ESPN and the SWAC, the proposed MEAC-SWAC Championship game is now a reality.
This is the bone of contention for many upper echelon MEAC schools who don't want to give up playing in the I-AA Playoffs for a HBCU Title game. A SC State alum has been posting on the Coastal board that his school is seriously considering leaving the MEAC if this came to fruitition. So it is becoming more likely that we could be getting some overtures from MEAC schools not thrilled with the latest developments.
Stay tuned.
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Post by Sly Fox on Jun 17, 2005 21:07:04 GMT -5
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Post by Sly Fox on Jun 18, 2005 17:16:21 GMT -5
Yeah, I know I am talking to myself again. But the developments appear to be happening fast & furious on the MEAC front. Here's a link once again to a thread on the Coastal board where an SC State alum is keeping us somewhat abreast of the feeling of his school in light of the announcements I referenced earlier in this thread: www.coastalfans.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5071#5071If anyone on this board has contacts in the Athletic Office or higher, it would be great to show some support for the idea of welcoming these HBCUs to our league. This would give us instant credibility in football where Hampton and SC State are perennial Top-25 programs (NC A&T isn't far behind).
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Post by PAmedic on Jun 20, 2005 5:51:26 GMT -5
you aren't talking to yourself- it just took a bit for me to wrap my head around this one. Speaking for myself, we "northerners" don't get a lot of the intricacies of these smaller conferences in the deep south. gotta admit I've never even HEARD of some of these schools. Livin' in the land of Big Blue you overlook these things. Even in the Philly area its all about Temple, Villanova, St Joe's, Drexel, Delaware or even Lehigh for D1AA stuff.
Yo SCAR- remember the Big 5 games at the Palestra?
Lotsa cool possibilities for LU and the Big South though if the stuff you're talkin about happens. By the way, wheres HMO these days- proabably on some island sippin margauritas and listenin to Buffet. I think he may have connections.
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Post by PAmedic on Jun 20, 2005 6:29:28 GMT -5
re: Temple, God bless the MAC for taking them on/taking pity on them. new.wset.com/news/stories/0505/229081.htmlThe Owls, who posted a 2-9 mark in 2004, were kicked out of the Big East Conference after this past season for failing to meet minimum requirements for membership.
An original member of the Big East Football Conference, Temple managed just 14 wins in its 14 years in the league. The Owls' poor attendance mark, as well as its failure to field a competitive team, led to the conference's decision to dismiss the program.
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Post by bigsmooth on Jun 20, 2005 8:03:29 GMT -5
it makes no sense for sc state or hampton to leave the MEAC. they excel in football and their RPI in hoops i better than the big south. two HBCU'S in my area, n.c. central and winston-salem st. who are D-2, are exploring the possibility of leaving the CIAA. this would be a more likely scenario, but who knows..... HBCU'S are a tight knit group, i just do nto think it will happen, but of course they would be welcome!
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Post by WinthropEagleFan on Jun 20, 2005 8:14:30 GMT -5
Bigsmooth, 2 weeks ago, I would have thought the same thing. The 'tight knit' group of the MEAC was probably the main reason I never brought those schools up as possible new Big South teams, since I'd never figured any would leave, but visiting the MEACfans.com board has me realizing that there are alot of differing opinions on the direction of that league and apparently SC State has a different outlook on things. I'd still say it is a longshot for SC State or any other MEAC teams to end up here, but hopefully it is an option that both sides are looking at if SC State determines that the MEAC isn't meeting their needs anymore.
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Post by bigsmooth on Jun 20, 2005 8:41:04 GMT -5
i will check out those boards. i would love to see it happen, but i will remain cautiously optimistic. the CIAA and the MEAC have a quiet feud going as some CIAA'S are thinking of jumping up to the MEAC, and the CIAA trying to expand their footprint further south in some MEAC markets. it should be interesting.
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Post by Realist on Jun 20, 2005 8:51:27 GMT -5
Actually, the Big South would be an upgrade in basketball for Hampton and SC State. They would probably fit in right in the middle of the league.
I am against letting these schools in. They help the league football wise, but otherwise, they really don't bring much to the table. They would challenge if not dominate immediately in football, be middle of the pack in basketball, and bad in most other sports.
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Post by Sly Fox on Jun 20, 2005 12:37:19 GMT -5
Realist --- Without something happening on the football front, the league may wind up being broken up and that has a direct impact on hoops, baseball and everything else. Even if you don't have a horse in the football race, it does have an impact on Winthrop as well.
I disagree that SC State & Hampton wouldn't bring much else besides football. They both have extremely strong fan bases and their non-football programs will all get a boost by no longer being typecast as strictly being in an HBCU league.
And yes, they would dominate football from the second they stepped foot in our league. But they would also give the conference credibility overall as a result.
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Post by thesportscritic on Jun 20, 2005 14:17:39 GMT -5
Realist please just register already. You have been here long enough so just go on and register.
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Post by bigsmooth on Jun 20, 2005 14:28:31 GMT -5
realist i stand to be corrected. the MEAC was last in RPI, but over the years have fared better in the NCAA tournament.
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Post by Sly Fox on Jun 20, 2005 15:06:31 GMT -5
Yeah, traditionally the MEAC schools have given plenty of powerhouses scares in the Big Dance. Fang Mitchell has been a thorn in the side of many high seeds over the years.
bigsmooth -- I've been trolling the MEAC boards for awhile and that conference is anything but a happy family right now. The stronger schools are not happy with the direction the league as a whole is going. If we can benefit as a result, I am 100% for it. Do not be surprised if something goes down.
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Post by jimflamesfan on Jun 20, 2005 19:53:48 GMT -5
Just a suggestion, I don't know if we're allowed to do this...but I think that anyone who supports the Big South offering invitations to some HBCU schools, like South Carolina State and Hampton, we should let the conference know that we would be thrilled as fans to have them. The contact page for the Big South Conference is: www.bigsouthsports.com/feedback.aspTo me, adding schools like Hampton and SC State would be a great move for the conference, and I don't see how it could hurt to let the conference know how we feel about it. I don't know if it will make any difference, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to let the conference know that we feel adding more football schools is important.
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Post by Sly Fox on Jun 20, 2005 20:12:02 GMT -5
That's not a bad idea, jim. But keep in mind that it is the school presidents under advice from their ADs who I believe make the ultimate decision on these matters. So it probably wouldn't hurt to contact our president and Dr. Park. That is what I intend to do.
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Post by PAmedic on Jun 20, 2005 20:29:24 GMT -5
our influence would be that much stronger the way SLY is suggesting too- if enough alumni and staff convince can convince at least 5 or 6 ADs...who knows?
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Post by ATrain on Jun 20, 2005 20:40:42 GMT -5
I'll definitely make sure a few "important" people know how I feel about this. Yes folks, I'm actually connected to the top at LU (just ask FlamesFan, if he is who I think he is)
And Realist...in case you hadn't noticed, the Big South is currently a football conference without a bid. Should the conference fail to get enough schools for one in the near future, Coastal will likely be gone to the SoCon hurtin baseball, and with the CAA's overflowing membership its likely a new A-10 football conference will be formed which LU will likely lobby to join at least for football if not for all sports so that definitely hurts women's bball and prolly men's bball (we are contenders, after all). VMI may leave and with it goes its strong alumni and fan base and name recognition. As you can see, getting the number of schools needed for a bid should be this conference's number 1 priority at this time.
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Post by Sly Fox on Jun 20, 2005 22:12:17 GMT -5
For the record, I have no real connections at the top. I'm just an e-mailing nuisance with a message. Its been my experience that any alumni or students who show an interest are well-received because they don't hear much from us in general. And did my eyes deceive me or did PAmedic actually agree with this humble Texan?
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Post by PAmedic on Jun 20, 2005 23:30:24 GMT -5
yes sir- but I have been very tired lately- my resistance is down.
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Post by jimflamesfan on Jun 22, 2005 21:09:08 GMT -5
So how do we email Dr. Park? Where did you get his address?
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Post by Sly Fox on Jun 22, 2005 22:09:21 GMT -5
Here you go:
tpark@liberty.edu
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