Serious Conference Realignment Discussion

[Tech52]

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.

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.

[Tech52]

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.

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.

[HogDawg]

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

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.

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.

[HogDawg]

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

LOL! Ain't that the truth.

[Bill Brasky]

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)

[HogDawg]

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

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!

[techman05]

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

[Bone_afide_Dawg]

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.

[dj95]

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

Liberty, NMSU, Sam Houston, and Jacksonville State

[SicemDawgz]

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

Liberty, NMSU, Sam Houston, and Jacksonville State

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

[champion110]

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!

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.

[THEarmada]

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.

[veerbone]

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

[Champ967]

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

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)

[sportdawg]

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)

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