VA's Finest
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Post by VA's Finest on Feb 8, 2020 4:23:19 GMT -5
Let's be honest folks if you were an institution looking to join a D1 FCS conference, either moving up from D2 or laterally fron another FCS conference, please tell me what the MEAC has that would entice you to want to join.
When the athletics assessment committee was vetting the Big South and its institutions, I'm guessing they didnt find any institutions with accreditation issues or declining enrollments, or potential NCAA sanctions.
How does the MEAC stack up against other FCS conferences and make it more attractive than those other conferences? Just like the Big South approached A&T about membership, the MEAC approached potential candidates, what can they say makes the MEAC a viable option for membership.
This could explain the league's non-existent growth.
Side note: not to rub salt in the wound but I was hoping to watch the Aggies this weekend in Daytona Beach, but alas no streaming that i can find.
Inquiring minds want to know.
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Post by TOPPDOGG on Feb 8, 2020 4:53:22 GMT -5
There certainly seems to be shifting justifications for this move. I’ve heard that moving to the BS positions us better for future movement, the MEAC is failing, travel costs, better TV package in the BS. Honestly, there are some metrics by which you can say the BS is healthier than the MEAC. But, let’s not pretend that there aren’t other metrics where the MEAC outshines the BS. The truth is the difference between these two conferences are minimal. The BS was in a precarious position with schools moving out. They needed to hold onto their auto bid. Let’s not act like the BS is some great prize. It is not.
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Maxell
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Post by Maxell on Feb 8, 2020 5:18:34 GMT -5
There certainly seems to be shifting justifications for this move. I’ve heard that moving to the BS positions us better for future movement, the MEAC is failing, travel costs, better TV package in the BS. Honestly, there are some metrics by which you can say the BS is healthier than the MEAC. But, let’s not pretend that there aren’t other metrics where the MEAC outshines the BS. The truth is the difference between these two conferences are minimal. The BS was in a precarious position with schools moving out. They needed to hold onto their auto bid. Let’s not act like the BS is some great prize. It is not. But at least this wouldn't happen in the Big South: Side note: not to rub salt in the wound but I was hoping to watch the Aggies this weekend in Daytona Beach, but alas no streaming that i can find.There is a Big South Network.
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saabman
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Post by saabman on Feb 8, 2020 5:21:49 GMT -5
Let's be honest folks if you were an institution looking to join a D1 FCS conference, either moving up from D2 or laterally fron another FCS conference, please tell me what the MEAC has that would entice you to want to join. When the athletics assessment committee was vetting the Big South and its institutions, I'm guessing they didnt find any institutions with accreditation issues or declining enrollments, or potential NCAA sanctions. How does the MEAC stack up against other FCS conferences and make it more attractive than those other conferences? Just like the Big South approached A&T about membership, the MEAC approached potential candidates, what can they say makes the MEAC a viable option for membership. This could explain the league's non-existent growth. Side note: not to rub salt in the wound but I was hoping to watch the Aggies this weekend in Daytona Beach, but alas no streaming that i can find. Inquiring minds want to know. You are right Inquiring Minds do want to know . What programs did the MEAC extend an invitation to join the conference that are not HBCU institutions . Inviting a D-2 to move up does not count . Inviting Tennessee state does not count , Inviting teams from the SWAC does not count . This inquiring mind wants to know what potential FCS PWC institutions we're invited during the vetting period ?
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Maxell
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Post by Maxell on Feb 8, 2020 6:41:25 GMT -5
There certainly seems to be shifting justifications for this move. I’ve heard that moving to the BS positions us better for future movement, the MEAC is failing, travel costs, better TV package in the BS. Honestly, there are some metrics by which you can say the BS is healthier than the MEAC. But, let’s not pretend that there aren’t other metrics where the MEAC outshines the BS. The truth is the difference between these two conferences are minimal. The BS was in a precarious position with schools moving out. They needed to hold onto their auto bid. Let’s not act like the BS is some great prize. It is not. In the press conference, they said the committee looked at 12 factors to determine best fit,among them graduation rate,enrollment, endowment, research dollars, etc. I pulled some numbers on just on graduation rate of Big South and MEAC conference schools. Monmouth 67.5% Longwood 66.2% Presbyterian 65.0% UNC-Asheville 64.2% High Point 62.8% Radford 58.7% Hampton 55.6% Gardner-Webb 52.6% Winthrop 51.7% Campbell 50.6% North Carolina A&T 47.9%Kennesaw State 42.3% North Alabama 38.9% USC-Upstate 38.4% Charleston Southern 34.1% Howard 60.3% BCU 49.6% North Carolina A&T 47.9%NCCU 46.8% FAMU 39.6% SCSU 38.2% UMES 36.7% NSU 34.2% Morgan State 32.1% Coppin State 20.4% If I'm Martin I see an opportunity to form relationships with a new group of presidents that could enhance the school academically. Harvey probably saw the same for Hampton. BTW, I had forgotten Coppin was so low.
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Post by AggiePride on Feb 8, 2020 8:40:08 GMT -5
I understand what you're saying but I just don't feel that. Let me ask you this, are there five(5) other schools in the MEAC that have the same vision for their athletics teams in all 16 sports? and of those five, which ones are ready now or would be ready in the next 2 years? Think of the presidents at the other MEAC schools and think of Martin. When A&T helped form the MEAC in 1971, there was a group of schools that had a common vision to move into the mainstream of college athletics as a group, a group of Black schools. Almost 50 years later, the group relatively is in the same place. After 50 years, isn't it time to move again? Isn't it time to push the envelope again? It would be nice if there was a group of HBCUs that were ready, but they are not ready yet. Our schools don't have the money to be spread that far apart. Three MEAC schools have been in the headlines recently regarding money issues. Whether it's exaggerated or not,that is not a good look. People only invest money in good soil. Don't you think 50 years is enough dedication to group mediocrity? That is not abandonment. A&T is not a trailblazer in this kind of effort, but someone has to take the baton further around the track.
When I see how FAMU and Alcorn are producing fake news, fake parades, and fake trophies about their accomplishment in football, that reveals a mentality that is frankly beneath the great institution that I graduated from and is an indicator of mediocrity. Oh how I wish there were five or six other HBCUs that we ready dedicate themselves to superiority in all sports but as hard as I try I can't name them. Do we wait for them? If so how long,50 more years? OSA-- When this first came out on yesterday I pretty much felt the way that you do now. I hated this move...especially to this particular conference. And I still feel that they are getting much more out of this than we are. However, after sulking over it, sleeping on it and then watching the press conference, I understand why the move was made and can stomach it a little easier.
MAXELL-- What you stated was accurate and well-stated.
Without going into a whole lot of details, I was lucky to have a front-seat in the formation of the MEAC back in the late '60s and early '70s. Dr. Dowdy and Al Smith, along with administrators from NCCU, SCSU and Morgan State were leaders in this effort and pissed a lot of CIAA and SIAC folks off with their bold thinking. They ascertained who really wanted to be on-the-bus and launched the Division II MEAC with a strategic plan and a clear vision to become a Division I conference by the end of the 1970s. They, along with Commissioner Ken Free and others, accomplished that.
It's time to rise again.
We no longer have that type of leadership across-the-board. With the exception of Commissioner Free, all of the strong leaders with a vision have passed on. The only true visionary leader that we have is our own Dr. Harold Martin.
No one else is ready to rise. Not Norfolk State...not Morgan State...not Howard...not FAMU...not BCU nor SC State. A few others might eventually follow, but mainly we're on our own. So, looking at that, we cannot form our own conference like we were able to do back in 1970-71.
It's just us.
But not only will we thrive if we follow the plan and continue to make smart moves, I think we'll end up pulling these other clowns up with us.
That's just my take.I would say Morgan’s leadership is visionary right now (athletic changes, pursuing a medical school, the maryland higher ed law suit, and inserting itself in the merger convos concerning University of Baltimore) Howard seems to be on the right track. Central seems to follow our lead. I do not know about Norfolk. I will defer to you about FAMU.
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Post by durhamgsoaggie on Feb 8, 2020 8:53:48 GMT -5
There certainly seems to be shifting justifications for this move. I’ve heard that moving to the BS positions us better for future movement, the MEAC is failing, travel costs, better TV package in the BS. Honestly, there are some metrics by which you can say the BS is healthier than the MEAC. But, let’s not pretend that there aren’t other metrics where the MEAC outshines the BS. The truth is the difference between these two conferences are minimal. The BS was in a precarious position with schools moving out. They needed to hold onto their auto bid. Let’s not act like the BS is some great prize. It is not. But at least this wouldn't happen in the Big South: Side note: not to rub salt in the wound but I was hoping to watch the Aggies this weekend in Daytona Beach, but alas no streaming that i can find.There is a Big South Network. Man... I've purchased that stream the past 2 years from BCU. At least the WBB game is on FloHoops. BCU must really be in trouble.
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DECKS
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Post by DECKS on Feb 8, 2020 9:38:56 GMT -5
Let's be honest folks if you were an institution looking to join a D1 FCS conference, either moving up from D2 or laterally fron another FCS conference, please tell me what the MEAC has that would entice you to want to join. When the athletics assessment committee was vetting the Big South and its institutions, I'm guessing they didnt find any institutions with accreditation issues or declining enrollments, or potential NCAA sanctions. How does the MEAC stack up against other FCS conferences and make it more attractive than those other conferences? Just like the Big South approached A&T about membership, the MEAC approached potential candidates, what can they say makes the MEAC a viable option for membership. This could explain the league's non-existent growth. Side note: not to rub salt in the wound but I was hoping to watch the Aggies this weekend in Daytona Beach, but alas no streaming that i can find. Inquiring minds want to know. You are right Inquiring Minds do want to know . What programs did the MEAC extend an invitation to join the conference that are not HBCU institutions . Inviting a D-2 to move up does not count . Inviting Tennessee state does not count , Inviting teams from the SWAC does not count . This inquiring mind wants to know what potential FCS PWC institutions we're invited during the vetting period ? The MEAC did try to entice PWI institutions but was not successful. The three I am aware of are NJIT, Campbell and Monmouth. I think NJIT was the only one that went far enough for them to be extended invite, however they declined.
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Post by AggiePride on Feb 8, 2020 11:31:44 GMT -5
You are right Inquiring Minds do want to know . What programs did the MEAC extend an invitation to join the conference that are not HBCU institutions . Inviting a D-2 to move up does not count . Inviting Tennessee state does not count , Inviting teams from the SWAC does not count . This inquiring mind wants to know what potential FCS PWC institutions we're invited during the vetting period ? The MEAC did try to entice PWI institutions but was not successful. The three I am aware of are NJIT, Campbell and Monmouth. I think NJIT was the only one that went far enough for them to be extended invite, however they declined. That bothers me even more.
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Post by DOOMS on Feb 8, 2020 11:49:24 GMT -5
Thing is, when you extend an invitation you have to have a plan.
This is what we are. This is where we are headed. This is how you fit into the plan and here is how it will benefit you to be a part of it.
I can bet top dollar we were like "y'all know y'all need somewhere to be and we nearby so y'all might as well move in here."
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DECKS
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Post by DECKS on Feb 8, 2020 11:50:55 GMT -5
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Post by outsidethinker on Feb 8, 2020 12:04:47 GMT -5
There certainly seems to be shifting justifications for this move. I’ve heard that moving to the BS positions us better for future movement, the MEAC is failing, travel costs, better TV package in the BS. Honestly, there are some metrics by which you can say the BS is healthier than the MEAC. But, let’s not pretend that there aren’t other metrics where the MEAC outshines the BS. The truth is the difference between these two conferences are minimal. The BS was in a precarious position with schools moving out. They needed to hold onto their auto bid. Let’s not act like the BS is some great prize. It is not. The difference is the reason for schools leaving the Big South vs MEAC. Schools leaving the Big South were positioned to level up.....the majority of the MEAC school's leaving leveled?
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Post by aggie2039 on Feb 8, 2020 12:31:32 GMT -5
So we aren’t going to be the last
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saabman
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Post by saabman on Feb 8, 2020 13:04:03 GMT -5
The MEAC did try to entice PWI institutions but was not successful. The three I am aware of are NJIT, Campbell and Monmouth. I think NJIT was the only one that went far enough for them to be extended invite, however they declined. That bothers me even more. I agree also . The MEAC leadership extends an invitation to NJIT and Monmouth already knowing that they cost of travel is a Paramount concern in the conference already ? WTF we're they thinking LHM LOL . I'M ALL IN FOR THE BS NOW! LHM..LOL
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Maxell
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Post by Maxell on Feb 8, 2020 13:16:49 GMT -5
That bothers me even more. I agree also . The MEAC leadership extends an invitation to NJIT and Monmouth already knowing that they cost of travel is a Paramount concern in the conference already ? WTF we're they thinking LHM LOL . I'M ALL IN FOR THE BS NOW! LHM..LOL Maybe they were trying to build a Northern division to reduce travel.
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