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CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
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MUHERD76 Offline
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Post: #21
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 10:15 PM)techdawg88 Wrote:  Lets steal New Mexico from MWC


New Mexico/Texas State in the west

FAU with Delaware or Georgia State in the east.

I could live with that.
07-27-2012 10:35 PM
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Blazer88 Offline
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Post: #22
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
I'm guessing we're not talking about taking MWC schools. UNLV and New Mexico would be great.

If not WKU,MTSU,UMASS, would be the first three I'd take.
07-27-2012 10:37 PM
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RUNVSFD MINER Offline
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Post: #23
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 10:22 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  RUNSFDMNR........SMU, UH, Rice and UCF were comparable to who in the original CUSA? They were all pretty horrible in football and basketball when they were added to CUSA. I honestly don't know enough about UTEP to say one way or the other regarding football, at least you were good at hoops though. We haven't had a good identity since the 1st Big East raid in my opinion but like you say, everybody's opinion varies.

No offense but it just seems like UTEP fans complain the most about expansion. I just don't see what really changes for you guys either way.

No offense, but I wouldn't call ANY fan base out on complaining.

I'm talking about adding schools with avge attendance of 12-18K for football games, and next to nothing in bball.

You yourself, have described CUSA as a trainwreck on the other boards. This tells me your dissatisfaction (which seemed like disgust on those boards) is as a result of being associated with smaller programs. That is going to be increased with added teams (why do you think CougarRed feels sorry for the programs he listed?).

If you are one of the fans who would rather have a regional conference with small programs, instead of a wide-spread conference with comparable ones, there is nothing wrong with that. Again, that is why I said opinions will vary.
(This post was last modified: 07-27-2012 10:40 PM by RUNVSFD MINER.)
07-27-2012 10:37 PM
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MUHERD76 Offline
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Post: #24
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 10:37 PM)RUNVSFD MINER Wrote:  
(07-27-2012 10:22 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  RUNSFDMNR........SMU, UH, Rice and UCF were comparable to who in the original CUSA? They were all pretty horrible in football and basketball when they were added to CUSA. I honestly don't know enough about UTEP to say one way or the other regarding football, at least you were good at hoops though. We haven't had a good identity since the 1st Big East raid in my opinion but like you say, everybody's opinion varies.

No offense but it just seems like UTEP fans complain the most about expansion. I just don't see what really changes for you guys either way.

No offense, but I wouldn't call ANY fan base out on complaining.

I'm talking about adding schools with avge attendance of 12-18K for football games, and next to nothing in bball.

You yourself, have described CUSA as a trainwreck on the other boards. This tells me your dissatisfaction (which seemed like disgust on those boards) is as a result of being associated with smaller programs. That is going to be increased.

If you are one of the fans who would rather have a regional conference with small programs, instead of a wide-spread conference with comparable ones, there is nothing wrong with that. Again, that is why I said opinions will vary.


Everybody needs to realize what CUSA is doing here. Adding schools in good markets that fit the profile to create rivalries which drives fan interest. Kudos to CUSA and Banowsky for having the vision. I'm glad to be part of a "forward thinking" conference over one that wants to stay status quo like the Mac or Sunbelt. Another thing worth mentioning is that CUSA is making these moves based on the future direction of this conference and not based on desperation like the BE has had to do.
(This post was last modified: 07-27-2012 10:49 PM by MUHERD76.)
07-27-2012 10:46 PM
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EdisonDoyle Offline
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Post: #25
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 10:37 PM)RUNVSFD MINER Wrote:  You yourself, have described CUSA as a trainwreck on the other boards. This tells me your dissatisfaction (which seemed like disgust on those boards) is as a result of being associated with smaller programs. That is going to be increased with added teams (why do you think CougarRed feels sorry for the programs he listed?).
Considering that one of those programs CR listed was the big driver for the regional league, they better be happy with it.
This wasn't Tulane and Rice who wanted to hunker down in a regional league. Cowen was the one negotiating with the MWC. That's what's screwy about this. Although it isn't that screwy - the merger was a financial risk - the TV numbers weren't firm - Rice and Tulane can cover the risk. And that's another unfortunate thing about C-USA - the schools with the most money put the least into athletics (although both, to their credit, are making significant facilities investments).

The MWC merger had the opportunity to transcend us some. So that's dead. Any more expansion has to be in new markets. More deep south expansion doesn't help. Arky State? WE have La Tech in that general area. Leave Tech alone and let them build. The more you cut travel costs, the more you cut your TV deal. So I hope we go into Ohio. And if we don't, we've got to go markets.
If that's too much for UTEP, I understand. Because I agree with you that we should have gone MWC merger.

(07-27-2012 10:15 PM)techdawg88 Wrote:  Lets steal New Mexico from MWC
I like that idea too. But their pals are in the MWC. Maybe we can show them a big TV deal at some point, but I have my doubts.
(This post was last modified: 07-27-2012 11:08 PM by EdisonDoyle.)
07-27-2012 11:03 PM
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blunderbuss Offline
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Post: #26
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 10:37 PM)RUNVSFD MINER Wrote:  
(07-27-2012 10:22 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  RUNSFDMNR........SMU, UH, Rice and UCF were comparable to who in the original CUSA? They were all pretty horrible in football and basketball when they were added to CUSA. I honestly don't know enough about UTEP to say one way or the other regarding football, at least you were good at hoops though. We haven't had a good identity since the 1st Big East raid in my opinion but like you say, everybody's opinion varies.

No offense but it just seems like UTEP fans complain the most about expansion. I just don't see what really changes for you guys either way.

No offense, but I wouldn't call ANY fan base out on complaining.

I'm talking about adding schools with avge attendance of 12-18K for football games, and next to nothing in bball.

You yourself, have described CUSA as a trainwreck on the other boards. This tells me your dissatisfaction (which seemed like disgust on those boards) is as a result of being associated with smaller programs. That is going to be increased with added teams (why do you think CougarRed feels sorry for the programs he listed?).

If you are one of the fans who would rather have a regional conference with small programs, instead of a wide-spread conference with comparable ones, there is nothing wrong with that. Again, that is why I said opinions will vary.

The only disgust I have is that this is the best option. Yes, the raids have left the current CUSA pretty much a trainwreck. Face it, we've been gutted twice now and it sucks to watch like ECU & USM have been forced to do. But if we're going to be stuck in CUSA I'd prefer it be a 16 team CUSA because it makes more scheduling and logistical sense. Expansion would also further weaken other leagues.

It sucks but it's pretty much the lesser of 2 evils.
(This post was last modified: 07-27-2012 11:17 PM by blunderbuss.)
07-27-2012 11:09 PM
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RUNVSFD MINER Offline
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Post: #27
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 11:03 PM)EdisonDoyle Wrote:  
(07-27-2012 10:37 PM)RUNVSFD MINER Wrote:  You yourself, have described CUSA as a trainwreck on the other boards. This tells me your dissatisfaction (which seemed like disgust on those boards) is as a result of being associated with smaller programs. That is going to be increased with added teams (why do you think CougarRed feels sorry for the programs he listed?).
Considering that one of those programs CR listed was the big driver for the regional league, they better be happy with it.
This wasn't Tulane and Rice who wanted to hunker down in a regional league. Cowen was the one negotiating with the MWC. That's what's screwy about this. Although it isn't that screwy - the merger was a financial risk - the TV numbers weren't firm - Rice and Tulane can cover the risk. And that's another unfortunate thing about C-USA - the schools with the most money put the least into athletics (although both, to their credit, are making significant facilities investments).

The MWC merger had the opportunity to transcend us some. So that's dead. Any more expansion has to be in new markets. More deep south expansion doesn't help. (not to mention, again, that it wasn't the gulf coast teams asking for a regional league in the first place). The more you cut travel costs, the more you cut your TV deal. So I hope we go into Ohio. And if we don't, we've got to go markets.
If that's too much for UTEP, I understand. Because I agree with you that we should have gone MWC merger.

Miner fans' opinions will also vary.

IMO, we should let the newbies get their programs off the ground before adding more. This will allow the conference to re-establish itself.

I also believe in the market approach (to an extent). I believe markets will follow the local program- BUT ONLY if it joins an established conference product.

Maybe I've always been a bigger fan of controlled-growth, as opposed to gunshot approach in these matters. Again, this is only a perspective from ONE Miner fan.
07-27-2012 11:15 PM
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EdisonDoyle Offline
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Post: #28
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 11:09 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  The only disgust I have is that this is the best option. Yes, the raids have left the current CUSA pretty much a trainwreck. But if we're going to be stuck in CUSA I'd prefer it be a 16 team CUSA because it makes more scheduling and logistical sense. Expansion would also further weaken other leagues.

It sucks but it's pretty much the lesser of 2 evils.

We don't need to weaken other leagues. What kind of TV deal does the sunbelt get? Virtually nothing. Weakening virtually nothing yields nothing.
We need to strengthen ours. To that end, I am happy that the East Coast teams we selected are ones with potential....we selected them for where they will be in 5 years, not where they are today. It's far better than taking a program that has decent teams, but with little growth potential. WE certainly took the 2 plums out of the sunbelt (MTSU might be a third). Old Dominion was the right call. Little leery on Charlotte because they don't have a team yet.
(This post was last modified: 07-27-2012 11:19 PM by EdisonDoyle.)
07-27-2012 11:16 PM
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The WEST is the BEST Offline
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Post: #29
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 09:35 PM)MUHERD76 Wrote:  Per this article, it sounds obvious that more schools will be added in the future.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/201...-12-season


Quote:The other schools joining C-USA in 2013 are Old Dominion, Florida International, Texas-San Antonio and Charlotte.

Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky was one of the architects of the Mountain West/C-USA alliance that could have been as big as 28 programs. He admitted Wednesday that outside schools are still reaching out to the league in pursuit of membership.

"Our options were really to rest completely or to continue to work on improvement through membership strategies," Banowsky said. "Our board felt like we should continue to work."

Banowsky expects to have an "ongoing conversation" with the league's officials this year as they consider expansion.

At the start of the 2015 season, C-USA is set to have 14 all-sports members.

On Wednesday, Banowsky said he wasn't sure on how that league would be divided geographically.

"We haven't gotten into the discussion of divisions," he said. "Some of that will depend on maybe our future expansion strategies."

That statement by Banowsky indicates a league that's not close to settling for 14 teams, and the league's coaches said Wednesday they support the commissioner's efforts to strengthen the league.


Who are your picks? I personally think the front runners will be FAU, Texas State, Delaware, Toledo, UMASS, Georgia State, James Madison, New Mexico State.

Out of those schools, if I had to pick two (one for each side) I'd go FAU in the East and Texas State in the West. If they go beyond two schools I think you go after Delaware or Georgia State and then go after New Mexico or New Mexico State. Thoughts?

The leading candidates have been identified as FAU and MTSU. The other schools mentioned are not on the list.

FAU would have received the invite over ODU if they had not encountered their recent issues. New leadership will allow FAU to get their house in order and lead to CUSA membership as FIU needs a travel partner and supports FAU membership and FAU strengthens the south Florida TV market with FIU.

MTSU offers the Nashville market but also has a few issues to address to warrant CUSA membership. First priority being the football program.

BB was quoted in a recent article that recent expansion was based on schools in metro markets. Obviously, ODU was an exception and was a move to satisfy ECU in an effort to reduce costs in the olympic sports. While Ga State is a metro university, there are serious issues about it's long term success in football and athletics in general.

East Quad 1
Marshall
ECU
ODU
Char

East Quad 2
FAU
FIU
UAB
MTSU

West Quad 2
UTEP
UTSA
RICE
UNT

West Quad 1
Tulsa
La Tech
Tulane
USM
(This post was last modified: 07-27-2012 11:27 PM by The WEST is the BEST.)
07-27-2012 11:21 PM
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mistabinks Offline
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Post: #30
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 09:48 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  I feel sorry for East Carolina, Tulsa and Southern Miss.

What about UTEP! You can feel bad for us too! While we weren't in CUSA 1.0, our fall from grace is pretty substantial as well considering who we spent decades with in the old WAC.

(07-27-2012 10:22 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  No offense but it just seems like UTEP fans complain the most about expansion. I just don't see what really changes for you guys either way.

We are to expansion what ECU is to travel issues.

Some fans want to play comparable mid major "name" schools. Some fans want a tight regional conference. Right now it seems only the latter is getting their way.
07-27-2012 11:25 PM
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Tulsafanzz Offline
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Post: #31
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
Now that MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson says the alliance is dead & talks of MWC expansion in to Texas, it may be time for Banowsky & CUSA to be proactive.

IF we think we still need to expand, we should at least consider MWC teams. I would put UNM, CSU, Air Force & Wyoming as the top 4 expansion targets. 18 teams, w/ 2 9 team divisions :

CUSA WEST

UTEP
UTSA
UNT
Rice
Tulsa
UNM
CSU
Air Force
Wyoming

CUSA EAST

ECU
Charlotte
ODU
FIU
Marshall
UAB
USM
Tulane
La Tech

I'd still prefer no more expansion, but the above set up would be the only expansion option that looks appealing. However, the front range schools would probably say "no thanks" to this.
07-27-2012 11:38 PM
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mistabinks Offline
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Post: #32
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
Add UNLV, Nevada, and Fresno to the west and break off an form a new conference.
07-27-2012 11:42 PM
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GCEagle Offline
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Post: #33
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
Might as well add a bunch of garbage teams, this conference could not possibly get any worse.
07-27-2012 11:45 PM
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Side Show Joe Offline
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Post: #34
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
I see no benefit to expanding C-USA beyond those set for 2013, unless we can attract some programs from the MWC, like Colorado State, Air Force, or Fresno State.
(This post was last modified: 07-27-2012 11:59 PM by Side Show Joe.)
07-27-2012 11:51 PM
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EdisonDoyle Offline
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Post: #35
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 11:38 PM)Tulsafanzz Wrote:  CUSA WEST

UTEP
UTSA
UNT
Rice
Tulsa
UNM
CSU
Air Force
Wyoming

CUSA EAST

ECU
Charlotte
ODU
FIU
Marshall
UAB
USM
Tulane
La Tech

I'd still prefer no more expansion, but the above set up would be the only expansion option that looks appealing. However, the front range schools would probably say "no thanks" to this.
I'm generally not pro-expansion, but I'd prefer that to no expansion (and certainly to more sunbelt expansion). Banowsky probably doesn't have the balls to try to raid the MWC anyway. But I like the idea.
(This post was last modified: 07-28-2012 12:13 AM by EdisonDoyle.)
07-28-2012 12:12 AM
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Kronke Offline
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Post: #36
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 10:14 PM)MUHERD76 Wrote:  
(07-27-2012 09:48 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  I feel sorry for East Carolina, Tulsa and Southern Miss.

Stop hijacking the thread.

Besides, talk about feeling sorry for somebody. I feel sorry for Houston. You guys will get crushed consistently in BE basketball with no rivalries in the league other than SMU. Have fun with that....lol

SMU + Boise, Louisville, Cincy, etc. will do just fine. Thanks.

Have fun playing a bunch of FCS startups, that are now considered your equals :)
(This post was last modified: 07-28-2012 12:40 AM by Kronke.)
07-28-2012 12:28 AM
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MinerTime Offline
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Post: #37
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
Bring in UNM and either Air Force or UNLV. I would prefer UNLV over Air Force but AFA would be better for football, so either one of them would be good.
07-28-2012 12:55 AM
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rebel26 Offline
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Post: #38
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
If we are going to expand we need to stay out of the Belt (especially these people calling for WKU) we need to raid the MWC or just stay where we are....
07-28-2012 01:09 AM
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winston70 Offline
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Post: #39
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 11:21 PM)The WEST is the BEST Wrote:  
(07-27-2012 09:35 PM)MUHERD76 Wrote:  Per this article, it sounds obvious that more schools will be added in the future.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/201...-12-season


Quote:The other schools joining C-USA in 2013 are Old Dominion, Florida International, Texas-San Antonio and Charlotte.

Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky was one of the architects of the Mountain West/C-USA alliance that could have been as big as 28 programs. He admitted Wednesday that outside schools are still reaching out to the league in pursuit of membership.

"Our options were really to rest completely or to continue to work on improvement through membership strategies," Banowsky said. "Our board felt like we should continue to work."

Banowsky expects to have an "ongoing conversation" with the league's officials this year as they consider expansion.

At the start of the 2015 season, C-USA is set to have 14 all-sports members.

On Wednesday, Banowsky said he wasn't sure on how that league would be divided geographically.

"We haven't gotten into the discussion of divisions," he said. "Some of that will depend on maybe our future expansion strategies."

That statement by Banowsky indicates a league that's not close to settling for 14 teams, and the league's coaches said Wednesday they support the commissioner's efforts to strengthen the league.


Who are your picks? I personally think the front runners will be FAU, Texas State, Delaware, Toledo, UMASS, Georgia State, James Madison, New Mexico State.

Out of those schools, if I had to pick two (one for each side) I'd go FAU in the East and Texas State in the West. If they go beyond two schools I think you go after Delaware or Georgia State and then go after New Mexico or New Mexico State. Thoughts?

The leading candidates have been identified as FAU and MTSU. The other schools mentioned are not on the list.

FAU would have received the invite over ODU if they had not encountered their recent issues. New leadership will allow FAU to get their house in order and lead to CUSA membership as FIU needs a travel partner and supports FAU membership and FAU strengthens the south Florida TV market with FIU.

MTSU offers the Nashville market but also has a few issues to address to warrant CUSA membership. First priority being the football program.

BB was quoted in a recent article that recent expansion was based on schools in metro markets. Obviously, ODU was an exception and was a move to satisfy ECU in an effort to reduce costs in the olympic sports. While Ga State is a metro university, there are serious issues about it's long term success in football and athletics in general.

East Quad 1
Marshall
ECU
ODU
Char

East Quad 2
FAU
FIU
UAB
MTSU

West Quad 2
UTEP
UTSA
RICE
UNT

West Quad 1
Tulsa
La Tech
Tulane
USM

West Quad 1 would be a pretty tough FB divison
07-28-2012 01:25 AM
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randaddyminer Offline
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Post: #40
RE: CUSA appears to be expanding again in the near future....
(07-27-2012 11:38 PM)Tulsafanzz Wrote:  Now that MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson says the alliance is dead & talks of MWC expansion in to Texas, it may be time for Banowsky & CUSA to be proactive.

IF we think we still need to expand, we should at least consider MWC teams. I would put UNM, CSU, Air Force & Wyoming as the top 4 expansion targets. 18 teams, w/ 2 9 team divisions :

CUSA WEST

UTEP
UTSA
UNT
Rice
Tulsa
UNM
CSU
Air Force
Wyoming

CUSA EAST

ECU
Charlotte
ODU
FIU
Marshall
UAB
USM
Tulane
La Tech

I'd still prefer no more expansion, but the above set up would be the only expansion option that looks appealing. However, the front range schools would probably say "no thanks" to this.

I like this, but substitute CSU and Wyoming with UNLV and FSU
07-28-2012 01:37 AM
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