Big South Expansion

[Sly Fox]

Since the topic was brought up in another thread, I thought we might open it up for discussion here. With the Big South needing another football school for obvious reasons, who would make the best target for expansion?

And since its been reported that a couple of Big South schools may be looking for greener pastures, would it make sense for them to leave as well?

Since we have some posters from other BSC schools hanging around, I'd be curious about your thoughts as well. Esspecially you Chanticleers with visions of the Southern Conference dancing in your heads.

[Coastal89]

Middle Tenn. State will probably have to drop back to 1-AA next year. They have averaged less than 13,000 since going 1-A. This is just a thought but they would be a great addition. More than likely they will return to the OVC though.

IMO, if the BSC wants to improve its standing among 1-AA conferences, it needs to look for schools like MTSU and not D-2 schools that want to move up.

[LUconn]

how in great scott could the Big South get MTSU? or any other 1-A fallout. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'd just like to hear the reasoning.

[Coastal89]

I said they would likely go bac into the OVC. But you never know unless you try to recruit them.

[jimflamesfan]

Coastal89 is right, though. We need to be trying to get another school, and we should be trying to get one of the 1-A dropouts if possible. If we had a strong former 1-A team that was a strong 1-AA team, it would help our RPI.

I also agree that Div II schools are not the way to go, but if we could find one that was willing to make the move, I'd still be happy with a 6th school (although I think there is a long waiting period now involved in switching divisions...am I wrong about this...look how long Birmingham Southern has had to wait to be able to play in the Big South in basketball.

I still say Norfolk State would be good, they fit in with us talent wise and geographically, and they're already I-AA, and I think the MEAC is actually more travel for them, and I don't know if it is even as good as the Big South, I think last year the Big South was ranked ahead of the MEAC in basketball RPI.

Someone mentioned PC...what does that stand for?

[rokamortis]

Presbyterian College
www.presby.edu

[Sly Fox]

I like the way you guys are dreaming big. The I-A dropouts should be the prime targets. Unfortunately, there aren't a slew of them regionally. We'd probably have to look toward Florida in reality.

I seriously doubt that Norfolk State would make the move. The MEAC and the SWAC are a tight-knit bunch. The unity among historically African-American schools is even stronger than Catholic institutions. But I agree Norfolk State would be a nice fit.

I'm not sure I'm buying the idea of a tiny D2 in SC being the answer either.

Keep in mind, if the I-A dropouts make their move at a similar time, there could be the type of I-AA realignment we just went through this past year on the I-A level. That might lead to the Big South possibly being raided by either a new league or an established on looking for football members for automatic bids.

[Jawz]

There are 2 South Atlantic Conference (SAC of Div.2) teams who are moving up: Presbyterian College (2006) and Wingate University(2007).

PC is sorta like Wofford of the SoCon: rich and solid alumni base. They have improved their facilities and athletic programs to the point where they can move up to Div.1. I think they would be a great candidate for the Big South. They are located between Columbia and Greenville S.C. in Clinton.

Wingate is right outside of Charlotte and has a fine football program. They are trying to increase enrollment to match that of Wake Forest or Duke. Their other sports programs are OK but are lacking in quality facilities. If they improve, they would be a good candidate as too.