Serious Conference Realignment Discussion

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

Wow, according to those stats, Tech had an enrollment of 12,873 in the fall of 2017. Now our enrollment has fallen all the way to 11,197 (last year).

This just shouldn't happen, people. This is bad management. Mismanagement. Meanwhile, other schools --including NSU-- are still growing.

I give up.

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This is the point I was trying to make in the time to move forward thread.. We have failed on many fronts in terms of the University over the last few decades.. No top 10 academic programs, LOWER student enrollment where others are gaining, Athletics are not progressing, etc. With all of the construction and new apartments/dorms and buildings on campus you would think people would be beating the doors down to enroll, especially given the cheaper costs.. but they aren't. That goes to leadership.

https://www.deseret.com/platform/amp...ring-expansion

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Originally Posted by buck_dawg_gold

https://www.deseret.com/platform/amp...ring-expansion

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On my phone but the MAC is reportedly looking at adding MTSU and Western Kentucky.

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Originally Posted by buck_dawg_gold

https://www.deseret.com/platform/amp...ring-expansion

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Wouldn't that just be dandy!

THIS!!

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Originally Posted by baddawg

The only team that was remaining in CUSA that we joined the conference to be associated with is now joining the league we didn't want to be associated with which is populated by schools that don't want to be associated with us while CUSA adds schools we don't want to be associated with. We've really figured out this conference realignment thing after 30 years.

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Originally Posted by buck_dawg_gold

https://www.deseret.com/platform/amp...ring-expansion

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The MAC is at 12 and NONE of those schools will ever be invited to join another conference. If the MAC had 3 or 4 schools likely to jump elsewhere, then yes, I could see them being proactive and going to 14. But that ain't happening, and WKU and MTSU will always be sitting there for any future invites, should it ever become necessary.

We need those two to stay in CUSA at this time, so we can add three+ schools and just survive this shake-up. The next round of major conference realignment(s) won't happen for probably about 10 years at least. If CUSA can survive this...and please fire that bimbo, Judy...then we'll be fine for a period of time.

The train has left the station and I'm afraid Louisiana Tech is watching it roll away. It's unfathomable that we are in this position, but we are. Louisiana Tech is not mentioned in ANY discussions about conference realignments. ANY. NONE. It's like we don't exist. This does not bode well for our future. We're the beggar with the hat hoping someone will throw us a crumb. Where's our lifeline? How the hell do we come out of this with any respectability? If any conference respected Louisiana Tech we would have at least been mentioned. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Independence is not an option today like it was before. CUSA? Ha! What a joke. And then there is Skip...

If WKU and MTSU join the MAC (and why wouldn’t they) then C-USA is toast.

We go back to being an Independent in football but where do our other sports end up?

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Originally Posted by Bill Brasky

We go back to being an Independent in football but where do our other sports end up?

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WAC

Here's the new CUSA: (endowment in millions, enrollments in thousands)

NMSU (236, 22)
UTEP (241, 25)
SHSU (117, 22)
Lamar (129, 17)
SFA (82, 12)
McNeese (87, 8)
LATech (107, 12)
FIU (129, 17)

If FIU wants to quit, then ACU (530, 5) becomes the 8th full member.

Bring in UALR and UNO as non-football members.

No to Tarleton and Jacksonville State.

I'd rather have this new CUSA than the Sunbelt.

Sure it would be great to pick up Missouri State or NDSU, but I'd be shocked if they were interested.

Only 7 conference football games. OOC schedule Rice, UNT, San Antonio, and USM - 2 at home and 2 away each year. For the last 3 games schedule 2 money games and a SWAC.

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Originally Posted by BCSDAWG

The train has left the station and I'm afraid Louisiana Tech is watching it roll away. It's unfathomable that we are in this position, but we are. Louisiana Tech is not mentioned in ANY discussions about conference realignments. ANY. NONE. It's like we don't exist. This does not bode well for our future. We're the beggar with the hat hoping someone will throw us a crumb. Where's our lifeline? How the hell do we come out of this with any respectability? If any conference respected Louisiana Tech we would have at least been mentioned. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Independence is not an option today like it was before. CUSA? Ha! What a joke. And then there is Skip...

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The Sunbelt DOES respect Tech. Tech does not respect the Sunbelt and it has come back to BITE us. (no pun intended) Thus, no invite and they are just fine with it. Why else would you invite James Madison?....that's ridiculous when Tech is right there neatly within your footprint. We'd be similar to LSU in that we'd have not ONE rivalry game but several EVERY year (ULM, ULL, Southern Miss). Not to mention big gamers against App state and up and coming Coastal Carolina. Oh what could've been....

No offense but this whole thing is very sad. You’re joking about scheduling SWAC, right? Part of the reason Tech is where it’s at is from scheduling 1AA schools. Small thinking leads to smallness.

No more SWAC please

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Originally Posted by LT

Here's the new CUSA: (endowment in millions, enrollments in thousands)

NMSU (236, 22)
UTEP (241, 25)
SHSU (117, 22)
Lamar (129, 17)
SFA (82, 12)
McNeese (87, 8)
LATech (107, 12)
FIU (129, 17)

If FIU wants to quit, then ACU (530, 5) becomes the 8th full member.

Bring in UALR and UNO as non-football members.

No to Tarleton and Jacksonville State.

I'd rather have this new CUSA than the Sunbelt.

Sure it would be great to pick up Missouri State or NDSU, but I'd be shocked if they were interested.

Only 7 conference football games. OOC schedule Rice, UNT, San Antonio, and USM - 2 at home and 2 away each year. For the last 3 games schedule 2 money games and a SWAC.

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Come again? You’d prefer this over the sunbelt?

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Originally Posted by THEarmada

Come again? You’d prefer this over the sunbelt?

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Can’t imagine. Surely not.

:laugh:

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Originally Posted by LT

Here's the new CUSA: (endowment in millions, enrollments in thousands)

NMSU (236, 22)
UTEP (241, 25)
SHSU (117, 22)
Lamar (129, 17)
SFA (82, 12)
McNeese (87, 8)
LATech (107, 12)
FIU (129, 17)

If FIU wants to quit, then ACU (530, 5) becomes the 8th full member.

Bring in UALR and UNO as non-football members.

No to Tarleton and Jacksonville State.

I'd rather have this new CUSA than the Sunbelt.

Sure it would be great to pick up Missouri State or NDSU, but I'd be shocked if they were interested.

Only 7 conference football games. OOC schedule Rice, UNT, San Antonio, and USM - 2 at home and 2 away each year. For the last 3 games schedule 2 money games and a SWAC.

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:laugh:

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Originally Posted by LT

Here's the new CUSA: (endowment in millions, enrollments in thousands)

NMSU (236, 22)
UTEP (241, 25)
SHSU (117, 22)
Lamar (129, 17)
SFA (82, 12)
McNeese (87, 8)
LATech (107, 12)
FIU (129, 17)

If FIU wants to quit, then ACU (530, 5) becomes the 8th full member.

Bring in UALR and UNO as non-football members.

No to Tarleton and Jacksonville State.

I'd rather have this new CUSA than the Sunbelt.

Sure it would be great to pick up Missouri State or NDSU, but I'd be shocked if they were interested.

Only 7 conference football games. OOC schedule Rice, UNT, San Antonio, and USM - 2 at home and 2 away each year. For the last 3 games schedule 2 money games and a SWAC.

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Who gives a crap about endowments.....(no comments from the cheap seats, because TWSS is too easy). But seriously, why should any of us give a crap about these schools' endowments?

Well I certainly could be wrong, but maybe we and UTEP could structure payouts like the current Big 12 schools are doing to the newcomers. Make our conference cut more than twice that of the newcomers. Hopefully the proceeds will be ample from all the exit fees, so that our payout is more than it would be in the Belt.

All of our options are pretty bad right now.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

Who gives a crap about endowments.....(no comments from the cheap seats, because TWSS is too easy). But seriously, why should any of us give a crap about these schools' endowments?

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You can spend about 6% of your endowment annually without touching the corpus. You have better opportunities to increase your athletic budget if you're taking 6% of a larger number. ULM is at 23 million btw.

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Originally Posted by LT

Here's the new CUSA: (endowment in millions, enrollments in thousands)

NMSU (236, 22)
UTEP (241, 25)
SHSU (117, 22)
Lamar (129, 17)
SFA (82, 12)
McNeese (87, 8)
LATech (107, 12)
FIU (129, 17)

If FIU wants to quit, then ACU (530, 5) becomes the 8th full member.

Bring in UALR and UNO as non-football members.

No to Tarleton and Jacksonville State.

I'd rather have this new CUSA than the Sunbelt.

Sure it would be great to pick up Missouri State or NDSU, but I'd be shocked if they were interested.

Only 7 conference football games. OOC schedule Rice, UNT, San Antonio, and USM - 2 at home and 2 away each year. For the last 3 games schedule 2 money games and a SWAC.

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7 conference + 2 H + 2 A + 2 money + SWAC = 14 games. Better rethink that.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

Who gives a crap about endowments.....(no comments from the cheap seats, because TWSS is too easy). But seriously, why should any of us give a crap about these schools' endowments?

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Most schools, maybe every school except Tech, use funds from endowments/foundations to supplement coaches' salaries, funding scholarships, and for equipment, travel, etc...

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

7 conference + 2 H + 2 A + 2 money + SWAC = 14 games. Better rethink that.

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I can't add. Maybe just 5 conference games a year. Is that possible?

a bit off topic, but say LSUS is merged into Tech. What would happen to the endowments? Would they be rolled into one endowment?

Tech alum class of ‘90 here. Take FIU away and I could go with this. No it’s not preferable to the Belt but that door is closed. Looks like a nice geographically compact footprint with decent FB to me. Honestly, until we come to terms with who we are in terms of student population, facilities, attendance, etc. v who we wish we were we’ll never find a long term home. Personally I’ve been supporting Tech athletics since the 80’s and really getting tired of the whole aspirational G5 roller coaster…

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Originally Posted by Dawgonit

Obviously Tech athletics aren't in a great position right now and it's easy to look in despair at our future but just remember that teams have succeeded after being in unfortunate circumstances. Look at where Temple is now after getting kicked out of the Big East and moving to the MAC. UCF has managed to go through every level of NCAA from Div III to playing on a far away island in the MAC to now being in a P5 conference. The Big 12 was arguably just as good as the SEC 15/20 years ago and Sun Belt was a glorified FCS conference. Now look at those conferences.

College football is volatile and there will be more changes to come. If I had to guess some shakeups in the future, I would say that the AAC loses Memphis and possibly USF or SMU in the future to the Big 12. The AAC could become unstable just like CUSA. The conference is extremely stretched out (from Philadelphia to San Antonio, same as Marshall-UTEP distance) and having almost half the conference earning less than the rest could lead to some unhappiness. The Big 12 could also take some MWC schools like Colorado St. and/or Boise St. That could cause the MWC to in turn go for Texas schools either in the AAC or Texas St. This isn't even considering that the Big 12 may be picked apart some more or ACC schools defecting to other P5 conferences causing even more ripples throughout conferences. Tech needs to keep looking forward and be ready for the next shift in college athletics.

Athletically, that means working on increasing the budget into the 30 million range or even higher as has been rumored. We need to improve some facilities, especially our football stadium (not just expanding I mean, in fact I'd argue about reducing capacity a bit). Finally and most importantly, we need to increase attendance. I remember 10 years ago we had some great football attendance increases and good atmospheres for games. Go back to what was working then and improve it even more. Our first goal should be getting attendance in football and basketball for every home game back to over 20,000 at minimum for football in the next two years and 3,000 for basketball. Then set more goals after that.

Academically, we need to make sure that Tech increases its profile. We should improve our Carnegie classification to R1 and try and work on expanding the footprint in North Louisiana either in Monroe or Shreveport or both. I would like to see Tech continue to work with Shreveport more and put more pressure to merge LSUS into Tech or expand Tech's presence in SBC. This should help with making Tech more appealing to conferences. University presidents want to associate with more prestigious institutions and we'd have more reach into "markets" hopefully. At least we'd be reachign more students and increasing enrollment. If we truly wanted to be bold, I wouldn't be against working with ULL to try and split up the University of Louisiana system or fight for both of our schools to achieve a LaTech medical school and ULL law school. Obviously the LSU powers would fight it with everything they've got, which is a lot but we have to keep improving Tech's academic brand in as many was as possible.

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Everything you said is true.. the problem that I have and I assume many others on this board have is that we do not have the confidence or faith in this administration to make this happen. The reason is that this same administration has put us in the spot we are currently in, not only athletically but also in other areas (i.e. student enrollment, ranked academic programs etc.)

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Originally Posted by genpop

The Sunbelt DOES respect Tech. Tech does not respect the Sunbelt and it has come back to BITE us. (no pun intended) Thus, no invite and they are just fine with it. Why else would you invite James Madison?....that's ridiculous when Tech is right there neatly within your footprint. We'd be similar to LSU in that we'd have not ONE rivalry game but several EVERY year (ULM, ULL, Southern Miss). Not to mention big gamers against App state and up and coming Coastal Carolina. Oh what could've been....

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You mean Oh what could've been ole glory days of the Southland Conference.. You seem like one of the people who long for the old glory days when we played all the local schools all the time. Perhaps prefer FCS??

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Originally Posted by FriscoDog

You mean Oh what could've been ole glory days of the Southland Conference.. You seem like one of the people who long for the old glory days when we played all the local schools all the time. Perhaps prefer FCS??

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The new CUSA will be the old Southland.

Separation baby....

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

Separation baby....

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https://twitter.com/brett_mcmurphy/s...691453955?s=21

WKU and MTSU need to jump all over a MAC invite if one comes. Nah, it's not the best fit, long term, for either school, but any port in a storm...

I read that Agatha Christie novel "And Then There Were None." Bet she didn't know she wrote that about CUSA. Anyone wishing to save CUSA...and good luck with that...has to figure (know) WKU and MTSU are gone, so there are three and you need eight. NMSU, UCONN, Liberty could be 3 current FBS schools, and Sam Houston State and....Whatsamatter U. (or any FCS school will do) can be #s 7 and 8. Have until 2023 before CUSA officially ceases to exist. There is enough time, provided there are the right folks pulling the strings.

Why would even an FCS team join a CUSA that has no long term viability?

What a disaster. Thanks Les Guice.

Has there been any word. Any leaks. Any response at all from the higher ups at Tech. It seems weird that they would sit silently and watch this once great program fall. Nothing from Davidson? Bradshaw? Anyone. This is just strange.

Rumor is that McNeese and UIW will be joining the WAC soon.

If the MAC/MT/WKU rumor is true, I think y’all will be looking at your future conference mates. Either the Texas/Louisiana WAC schools + NMSU will join C-USA, or Tech, NMSU, and UTEP join the WAC.

If McNeese and UIW goes to the WAC, that might end up killing the Southland too. That makes it even more unlikely that ULM will ever drop down to FCS which would be by far your best shot at joining the Sun Belt.

I’m sorry the news keeps getting worse for y’all.

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Originally Posted by GEAUX UL

Rumor is that McNeese and UIW will be joining the WAC soon.

If the MAC/MT/WKU rumor is true, I think y’all will be looking at your future conference mates. Either the Texas/Louisiana WAC schools + NMSU will join C-USA, or Tech, NMSU, and UTEP join the WAC.

If McNeese and UIW goes to the WAC, that might end up killing the Southland too. That makes it even more unlikely that ULM will ever drop down to FCS which would be by far your best shot at joining the Sun Belt.

I’m sorry the news keeps getting worse for y’all.

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I still blame Tommy for most of this bs.

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Originally Posted by Gladzilla

I still blame Tommy for most of this bs.

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He’s a fine scapegoat, but it goes well beyond him.

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Originally Posted by chew4219

He’s a fine scapegoat, but it goes well beyond him.

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The people at the top are looking like a joke, they need to make an announcement this week cause it's getting really bad.

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Originally Posted by LT

I can't add. Maybe just 5 conference games a year. Is that possible?

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Drop it to one home and away every year from the regional group. And rotate the regional opponents so that they don't get stale.

I feel like at this point we have to consider the possibility that Guice was selected to destroy Louisiana Tech as a university.

Every move he has made or not made has significantly damaged the institution.

Can anyone name one thing that Guice has accomplished that has advanced our beloved university?

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Originally Posted by GEAUX UL

Rumor is that McNeese and UIW will be joining the WAC soon.

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No it isnt ... you just made that up.

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Originally Posted by chew4219

He’s a fine scapegoat, but it goes well beyond him.

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Yes -- it goes as far as Tech football beating every SBC opponent set before it from 2000-2020.

Out wicked step-sisters want to keep us far away the ball because they know we're the prettiest.

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Originally Posted by revf

I feel like at this point we have to consider the possibility that Guice was selected to destroy Louisiana Tech as a university.

Every move he has made or not made has significantly damaged the institution.

Can anyone name one thing that Guice has accomplished that has advanced our beloved university?

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He's not the "evil one" Dan Reneau, for some that's enough.

I reject the notion he's a plant to destroy Tech. Hope you posted that TIC. He's just stupidly incompetent and lazy. I must point out there were some amongst us who applauded his appointment saying "he gets it." Nope! but Tech has gotten it right up the azz.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

He's not the "evil one" Dan Reneau, for some that's enough.

I reject the notion he's a plant to destroy Tech. Hope you posted that TIC. He's just stupidly incompetent and lazy. I must point out there were some amongst us who applauded his appointment saying "he gets it." Nope! but Tech has gotten it right up the azz.

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Reneau never "got it". And he did things that hindered athetic growth.

Guice may "get it", but he hasn't helped athletic growth. His hire of the Boy Blunder is the biggest single reason originating in the last decade that Tech is in the spot it is in now.

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Originally Posted by Gladzilla

The people at the top are looking like a joke, they need to make an announcement this week cause it's getting really bad.

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Announce what?

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Originally Posted by revf

I feel like at this point we have to consider the possibility that Guice was selected to destroy Louisiana Tech as a university.

Every move he has made or not made has significantly damaged the institution.

Can anyone name one thing that Guice has accomplished that has advanced our beloved university?

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They’ve really been pushing campus improvement. There has been plenty good change with that over the past 8 years.

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Originally Posted by Tech52

They’ve really been pushing campus improvement. There has been plenty good change with that over the past 8 years.

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Campus does look nice. Shame there won't be anyone around to see it.

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Originally Posted by Blue Dawg

Campus does look nice. Shame there won't be anyone around to see it.

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Maybe we can turn it into a historical site?

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Originally Posted by Tech52

They’ve really been pushing campus improvement. There has been plenty good change with that over the past 8 years.

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I agree it looks great. So why are our admissions going in the wrong direction?

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Originally Posted by exflash

…..I didn’t realize this but the R&D differences between UL and Tech are significant 2019 it was $165 mil to $25 mil…..in 2020 The UL amount grew significantly due to their role in the COVID Vax discovery…..I am old enough to have seen the rises and falls in both schools like the horrible leadership at UL under Dr A and the great strides st Tech under Dr T…..things are always changing with these2!

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Just curious, where did you get the vaccine story? We've been working hard on R&D for a long time:

In 2019, our R&D funding was $144M
In 2018, $124M
In 2017, $101M
In 2018, $80M

So we've been growing at over 20% per year for a while. A 20% increase of $144M yields $172M... so the 2020 funding of $163M was actually a bit lower than expected.

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Originally Posted by ultoday

Just curious, where did you get the vaccine story? We've been working hard on R&D for a long time:

In 2019, our R&D funding was $144M
In 2018, $124M
In 2017, $101M
In 2018, $80M

So we've been growing at over 20% per year for a while. A 20% increase of $144M yields $172M... so the 2020 funding of $163M was actually a bit lower than expected.

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Can you coon-asses take your ull business over to your own site? No one over here is interested in this crap. It is typical of your ilk, however.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDog

I agree it looks great. So why are our admissions going in the wrong direction?

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Pandemic. Online programs (not just a few classes). People not being able to afford it?
Is there a lacking exposure in high schools?
There may be a lack in evolution outside of the campus aspect. Maybe our admissions department isnt selling us like they should. I also remember a certain video they made in 2016 that made us a laughing stock online.


We probably need to revisit pricing on things as well, i felt like on-campus apartments were a bit pricy. As I’ve mentioned before, out of state fees need to be altered, or dropped to an extent for bordering states, or at least bordering counties. In-state kids dont have to worry about keeping their grades up like out of state kids do to keep that vital waiver.

Also you have other universities dipping into Engineering, one of our key programs. Ive mentioned them before, but SAU in Arkansas began offering it within the last 8 years. Its cheaper, and its easier. They’ve been setting enrollment records each year. 2013 enrollment number I found was 3545, 2021 enrollment number I found was 4434.

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Originally Posted by Tech52

Pandemic. Online programs (not just a few classes). People not being able to afford it?
Is there a lacking exposure in high schools?
There may be a lack in evolution outside of the campus aspect. Maybe our admissions department isnt selling us like they should. I also remember a certain video they made in 2016 that made us a laughing stock online.


We probably need to revisit pricing on things as well, i felt like on-campus apartments were a bit pricy. As I’ve mentioned before, out of state fees need to be altered, or dropped to an extent for bordering states, or at least bordering counties. In-state kids dont have to worry about keeping their grades up like out of state kids do to keep that vital waiver.

Also you have other universities dipping into Engineering, one of our key programs. Ive mentioned them before, but SAU in Arkansas began offering it within the last 8 years. Its cheaper, and its easier. They’ve been setting enrollment records each year. 2013 enrollment number I found was 3545, 2021 enrollment number I found was 4434.

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Not buying pandemic as excuse.. Other schools don't seem to be impacted to the degree that we are if any. Also not buying the too expensive excuse as Tech actually is ranked as one of the most affordable college educations out there. I personally think it comes down to marketing for Tech. We have solid affordable education, new housing, the message is not getting out.

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Originally Posted by Tech52

Announce what?

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The next move.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDog

Not buying pandemic as excuse.. Other schools don't seem to be impacted to the degree that we are if any. Also not buying the too expensive excuse as Tech actually is ranked as one of the most affordable college educations out there. I personally think it comes down to marketing for Tech. We have solid affordable education, new housing, the message is not getting out.

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The marketing is horrendous. Just look at our website.

Guice and Wood need to wake the f up - we're literally one of three schools in the United States of America that nobody wants anything to do with. None of this changes the great times I had at Tech, the relationships or the quality education. But it sucks ass when you're too embarrassed to tell anyone you went to school there because the people that are paid big bucks and entrusted with its care have shat all over it and lit on fire.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDog

Not buying pandemic as excuse.. Other schools don't seem to be impacted to the degree that we are if any. Also not buying the too expensive excuse as Tech actually is ranked as one of the most affordable college educations out there. I personally think it comes down to marketing for Tech. We have solid affordable education, new housing, the message is not getting out.

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Tech isnt expensive for people in Louisiana.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDog

Not buying pandemic as excuse.. Other schools don't seem to be impacted to the degree that we are if any. Also not buying the too expensive excuse as Tech actually is ranked as one of the most affordable college educations out there. I personally think it comes down to marketing for Tech. We have solid affordable education, new housing, the message is not getting out.

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Also not sure I want us offering easier degrees, especially in engineering. I want those roads, bridges, assembly lines, and electrical systems to live for decades.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDog

Not buying pandemic as excuse.. Other schools don't seem to be impacted to the degree that we are if any. Also not buying the too expensive excuse as Tech actually is ranked as one of the most affordable college educations out there. I personally think it comes down to marketing for Tech. We have solid affordable education, new housing, the message is not getting out.

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Its certainly a reason, because it leads to other things. It relates to where we and other universities stand with online degrees. It relates to less students wanting to come share a space with others. It can relate to our admissions strategies. Have we rolled back on-campus high school recruitment because of it? Are less high schools allowing it?

Also, might I ad, do we even run commercials outside of during our own athletic events? I see far more Northwestern State commercials than I ever see Louisiana Tech commercials. And of course its rarely related to their athletics, since they are FCS and not televised often. We need more commercials on the radio in Monroe, Ruston, Bossier City, and El Dorado.

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Originally Posted by techman05

Also not sure I want us offering easier degrees, especially in engineering. I want those roads, bridges, assembly lines, and electrical systems to live for decades.

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Definitely not! Our quality needs to remain high. I only point out the easier/cheaper options are available in the general area because it is certainly a factor in a student’s decision.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

Most schools, maybe every school except Tech, use funds from endowments/foundations to supplement coaches' salaries, funding scholarships, and for equipment, travel, etc...

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My understanding has always been that "endowments" represent monies that are practically untouchable. They certainly aren't to be used for coaches salaries, etc.... Below is how Google defines Endowments.

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An endowment is an aggregation of assets invested by a college or university to support its educational and re- search mission in perpetuity. It represents a compact between a donor and an institution and links past, current, and future generations.

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Originally Posted by Blue Dawg

Campus does look nice. Shame there won't be anyone around to see it.

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LOL! Ain't that the truth.

Synopsis of Doc Woods talking realignment on the Skip Holtz show:

1. We’ve been calling everyone.
2. Nobody has invited us. You can’t make a move without an invite, so it’s out of our control.
3. Judes and Guice and the presidents of UTEP and FIU will decide how to spend the $30mm in exit fees
4. We’re a proud member of C-USA along with the core members UTEP and FIU
5. C-USA is about to invite a bunch of FCS schools to take their talents to the big show
6. We’re f’d (Brasky’s editorial comment)

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Originally Posted by FriscoDog

I agree it looks great. So why are our admissions going in the wrong direction?

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If you think Tech's admissions have been going in the wrong direction before this, just wait until you see what happens next. This whole "realignment" thing will likely take a big toll on athletic and academic recruitment.

If Les Guice and Eric Wood REALLY have no plan and no further options, they need to simply come out and declare LA Tech an "independent" in football and look for a good basketball and baseball Conference for our Olympic sports. They longer they put it off, the more damaging it will be. These men have got to stoop the bleeding NOW!

For some reason, I don’t get a good feeling about our future.

Listening to AD Wood speak to conference realignment on Holtz’s weekly make excuses radio show, I can summarize pretty quickly. Tech has no momentum ending up anywhere but in the ashes and ruins of CUSA. Because we have no relationships with anyone anywhere, we’re in the corner waiting for all the dust to settle to see how pathetic we can be to start over as a slightly glorified IAA conference.

Tech’s completely failed leadership has set us back in time 30 years. And what’s worse is that it appears that the people in charge are too seriously stupid to even try to do differently in the near future. I think all they’re going to do is pretend we’re in good shape and that they’ve got a plan. Truth is it’s all BS sunshine to save face.

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/s...248460804?s=20

Liberty, NMSU, Sam Houston, and Jacksonville State

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dj95

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/s...248460804?s=20

Liberty, NMSU, Sam Houston, and Jacksonville State

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It’s all about collecting exit fees at this point.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

If you think Tech's admissions have been going in the wrong direction before this, just wait until you see what happens next. This whole "realignment" thing will likely take a big toll on athletic and academic recruitment.

If Les Guice and Eric Wood REALLY have no plan and no further options, they need to simply come out and declare LA Tech an "independent" in football and look for a good basketball and baseball Conference for our Olympic sports. They longer they put it off, the more damaging it will be. These men have got to stoop the bleeding NOW!

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I believe that is the best option at this point. It will knock us out of bowl games and some TV games, but we can build from there again. It is the only choice - staying in CUSA is not a wise move.

How much exit fee money will we have to give away to the new additions to convince them to join a dying conference?

I’m not sure how the jump to FBS works. Maybe you just take whatever chance you get cause once you get there, you can’t go back.

I kind of like Jax State and Sam Houston St as additions. They take football seriously at least. So does Liberty.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SicemDawgz

It’s all about collecting exit fees at this point.

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Still not enough though.

Three remaining members plus four new ones doesnt get it done. Still need at least one more. (Or 2 "half" members)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Champ967

Still not enough though.

Three remaining members plus four new ones doesnt get it done. Still need at least one more. (Or 2 "half" members)

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Still rumors of UT-Arlington & UALR being forced out of SBC, or politely asked to leave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

Still rumors of UT-Arlington & UALR being forced out of SBC, or politely asked to leave

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Ok -- I can get on board with that. But then you still need at least one more football member.

Will that be some combo of Army/UConn/UMass? Or another FCS call up?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by veerbone

I kind of like Jax State and Sam Houston St as additions. They take football seriously at least. So does Liberty.

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5 years after they join we will be going 1-2 against this group.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Champ967

Ok -- I can get on board with that. But then you still need at least one more football member.

Will that be some combo of Army/UConn/UMass? Or another FCS call up?

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UConn/UMass would be FB only if this happens.

I have seen reports that the WAC will vote on adding McNeese and UIW today.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by veerbone

I kind of like Jax State and Sam Houston St as additions. They take football seriously at least. So does Liberty.

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Jacksonville (Fort Payne-Gadsden Ala) and Liberty (Lynchburg
Va) will be nice fall trips around road games. By coincidence I drove by both campuses in October immediately before all this happened. I was impressed with both. Pumping some sunshine here!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blue Dawg

5 years after they join we will be going 1-2 against this group.

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The C-USA is doing the right thing by adding football powerhouses. Those three have solid programs and are committed to growth. Something the C-USA should have done with previous expansions when they added "markets" not
"programs"

However, UNLESS our ADMINISTRATION gets their act together and comes up with a solid long term plan for advancing the University AND Athletics, we will be dead in the water again in 10 years time.

This board has already offered multiple suggestions:
On the university side -

1. We need a student athletic fee.
2. We need to grow our online degree offerings.
3. We need to promote the university more through advertising in big markets.
4. We need to offer in state tuition to neighboring states.

On the athletic side -

1. Get rid of boy blunder's ridiculous tailgating policies.
2. Tell Skippy it is time to change or be left behind. Average is no longer acceptable.
3. Hire for conference championships in every sport.
4. Continue to build out our facilities. Focus on all LTAC donors, not just the top 10%.

Seriously, most of this stuff is not rocket science, it is practical and pragmatic approaches to building an institution.

Sam Houston St will decline. They attempted to pass a student athletic fee in order to fund the move to FBS football and it failed.

Assuming WKU and MTSU leave and reports of adding LU, SHSU, JSU and NMST (football only) are correct:

Football (7)
-Tech
-UTEP
-FIU
-SHSU
-JSU
-LU
*NMSU

Basketball (6)
-Tech
-UTEP
-FIU
-SHSU
-JSU
-LU

Baseball (5)
-Tech
-FIU
-SHSU
-JSU
-LU


Judy, we still have a problem here.

How about the exit fees can only be used to update the media production equipment. So this way CUSA schools can produce the events. They could command more money this way when going to the table. Telling the networks all they would need to provide is announcers and a feed to desired channel.

Uconn, UMass and Army are still out there too. Plus whatever FCS teams that bring worth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SouthernMiss3613

Uconn, UMass and Army are still out there too. Plus whatever FCS teams that bring worth.

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Wasnt Army kicked out of CUSA earlier this century for sucking at football? I cant imagine there's much love lost there

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bill Brasky

Assuming WKU and MTSU leave and reports of adding LU, SHSU, JSU and NMST (football only) are correct:

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Going by rumors I've seen
NMSU all sports, UConn, UMass FB Only, UTA, UALR Olympic SPorts

Football (9)
-Tech
-UTEP
-FIU
-SHSU
-JSU
-LU
-NMSU
* UCONN
* UMass


Basketball (9)
-(2021 Net 71) Tech
-(143) UTEP
-(298) FIU
-(169) SHSU
-(291) JSU
-(85) LU
-(164) NMSU
-(242) UT-Arlington
-(221) UALR

Baseball (8)
-(2021 RPI 29) Tech
-(149) FIU
-(109) SHSU
-(137) JSU
-(35) LU
-(245) NMSU
-(141) UT-Arlington
- (172) UALR

I am not yet convinced the Exit Fees will be paid. I expect there will be significant legal efforts by the departing to avoid paying them to what will at best be the skeleton of a conference in tack.

I am not sure how this conference will survive.
Do the pros outweigh the cons of far-away independents joining c-usa (can't really be all caps C-USA anymore)?
Do the pros outweigh the cons of regional FCS schools moving to FBS/c-usa especially if they are succeeding at the FBS level?

Looking like c-usa will pretty much be starting over from scratch if able to at all. What gives the best upside for the conference... being stretched out from New Mexico to Massachusetts or going with southern FCS schools hoping they will strengthen?

I thought there were athletic program requirements for schools to be FBS. Are those requirements staying in place? It can't be a simple or inexpensive step for a school to move from FCS to FBS. I don't really understand how c-usa can pull programs from the FCS level like it is an easy answer to the problem.

I thought NMSU was football only (makes no sense…hope I’m wrong)

Jason Groves
@JPGroves
·
1h

NMSU Regents meeting on Friday. agenda item: Consideration of proposal for conference move

Pete Thamel
@PeteThamel
Source: Both McNeese State University and the University of Incarnate Word are departing the Southland Conference with the intention to join the WAC.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Champ967

Wasnt Army kicked out of CUSA earlier this century for sucking at football? I cant imagine there's much love lost there

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Yes, but wouldn't you say they are much better now. Plus the other 2 are in conference and are usually pretty competitive.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dj95

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/s...248460804?s=20

Liberty, NMSU, Sam Houston, and Jacksonville State

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At least Sam Houston & Jacksonville St are a semi-reasonable drive.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

Pete Thamel
@PeteThamel
Source: Both McNeese State University and the University of Incarnate Word are departing the Southland Conference with the intention to join the WAC.

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I think the WAC has been planning a long term collective jump back to FBS. CUSA taking some of the better/more ready schools from them (or that might have been options for them) will hurt these plans, I guess. So funny how Texas and OU can potentially affect UT-RGV or Seattle University isn't it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SouthernMiss3613

Yes, but wouldn't you say they are much better now. Plus the other 2 are in conference and are usually pretty competitive.

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I think Army is choosing not to be in a conference. I kind of think they could have had one of the seats in the AAC if they had wanted it (or returned to CUSA in 2013/14). They're unique in a lot of ways, and I think they like things better as an Independent. I'm sure there are some trade-offs there, but they're one of the very few schools for whom it makes some sense.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LEEDAWG

I am not yet convinced the Exit Fees will be paid. I expect there will be significant legal efforts by the departing to avoid paying them to what will at best be the skeleton of a conference in tack.

I am not sure how this conference will survive.
Do the pros outweigh the cons of far-away independents joining c-usa (can't really be all caps C-USA anymore)?
Do the pros outweigh the cons of regional FCS schools moving to FBS/c-usa especially if they are succeeding at the FBS level?

Looking like c-usa will pretty much be starting over from scratch if able to at all. What gives the best upside for the conference... being stretched out from New Mexico to Massachusetts or going with southern FCS schools hoping they will strengthen?

I thought there were athletic program requirements for schools to be FBS. Are those requirements staying in place? It can't be a simple or inexpensive step for a school to move from FCS to FBS. I don't really understand how c-usa can pull programs from the FCS level like it is an easy answer to the problem.

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I think there has been enough of a pause on FCS schools moving to FBS that a number have been moving that direction for some time now (I think the Southland break-up is about long term commitment levels to athletics - as mentioned above, I really think there was a plan for the WAC to develop some FCS schools to maybe bump up all at once + NMSU). They'll have to meet the requirements eventually, but when the Sunbelt added football they had a number of schools that had to transition to FBS, CUSA did this with Charlotte and ODU when we joined.

If you can get the fees, it's a no brainer. Worth doing in the short term (for the remaining schools) for that reason alone. But you've also got the auto-bids to protect (which is why my conspiracy theory is that it's in the interest of the other G5 teams to just put CUSA all the way out of business even if they have to take on conference members they're not crazy about - with 14-16 teams per conference in some ways the stakes are lower anyway).

If CUSA is going to survive, the fact that it's spread out from New Mexico to Miami just means you have to either keep it really small or (try to) go pretty big (at least 12). It seems like the play would be to keep it small, and just accept the risk that when/if there is another shuffle (however small) there is a chance you lose a team (probably a "better" one in terms of on-field or market) and have to scramble to survive again with no cushion. But I'd still be shooting for the bare minimum to keep auto-bids and a share of the FBS playoff money. That way you can counter the travel with more regional OOC games (or extra money games).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by inudesu

If you can get the fees, it's a no brainer. Worth doing in the short term (for the remaining schools) for that reason alone.

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If that's true, it makes you wonder what MTSU, WKU, USM, Marshall, and ODU see that we, apparently, do not.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by johnnylightnin

If that's true, it makes you wonder what MTSU, WKU, USM, Marshall, and ODU see that we, apparently, do not.

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Oh - I only meant no-brainer vs. going independent or something. I think what they see is an email in the inbox that says "wanna join?" That's what they're seeing that we're not.

If the SB or AAC offers, that becomes the no-brainer decision (increased ULL interactions online notwithstanding). Heck, you'd have to listen (as Tech) to the MAC or MWC. And probably take it. MAC more automatic for MTSU and WKY, especially as a package.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by johnnylightnin

If that's true, it makes you wonder what MTSU, WKU, USM, Marshall, and ODU see that we, apparently, do not.

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I've seen that Marshall did not have to pay entry fees ($2 million) to get into SBC, so only net $1 million loss.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

I've seen that Marshall did not have to pay entry fees ($2 million) to get into SBC, so only net $1 million loss.

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That was something else I was wondering about. I suppose we don't have enough leverage (because while I think the schools we might target have likely been eyeing a move to FBS, I don't know that any were just champing at the bit to do it over the next couple of years) but it'd be pretty sweet to get buy-out fees from a gazillion teams plus entry fees from another handful (as few as possible).

But, we are operating from a position of weakness, everyone know we need bodies, and everyone knows it's a marriage of convenience and anyone would (and should) leave as soon as they have a better option (and that while this is always true for almost all conferences, it's at least somewhat likely here and there isn't a lot of commonality to connect the schools overall). So I can't imagine we can get anything in terms of entry fees. They're doing us the favor here (in their own interest as well, obviously).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

I've seen that Marshall did not have to pay entry fees ($2 million) to get into SBC, so only net $1 million loss.

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I wonder if that's a deal we could've gotten had we tried. I've seen no indication that we were proactive with the belt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tech52

Tech isnt expensive for people in Louisiana.

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Tech cannot survive on Louisiana students alone.

Conference USA adding four teams but seeking one more after being gutted during realignment - CBSSports.com

Quote:

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Sources tell CBS Sports that Conference USA commissioner Judy MacLeod has received calls from up to 30 prospective members

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No clue what schools have called Judy, but she should add'em all. Then give all the rights to CBS using CBSSN & Paramount+. That'll show ESPN

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

Conference USA adding four teams but seeking one more after being gutted during realignment - CBSSports.com



No clue what schools have called Judy, but she should add'em all. Then give all the rights to CBS using CBSSN & Paramount+. That'll show ESPN

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We need to hang around long enough to get exit fees, however we do it. Most of these schools that are leaving were sold the idea that CUSA would fold, and they wouldn't owe anything.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

Tech cannot survive on Louisiana students alone.

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Also you can't fill a stadium with "Money come lately" fans

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gladzilla

Also you can't fill a stadium with "Money come lately" fans

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But you can't keep the school open on the academic side. If you try that with Louisiana student alone you would have to close the doors now days. Limited academic base in low population state, topped off by 36 four year schools. Granted some are tiny but they are there.