Mountain West invites Fresno and Nevada, WAC implications?

[Green Laser]

From San Jose State Website:
http://www.news.sjsu.edu/17985/sjsu-athletic-director-optimistic-about-wac

SJ State President Don Kassling and their AD: WAC will survive, addition process starts today, San Jose State will dominate new conference.

Kassing said he will be on a conference call today with other WAC members to set up a process of evaluating potential additions to the conference.

Bowen said the recent news involving the conference is a great opportunity for SJSU athletics.

“Simply stated, there is an opportunity now to become the dominant program in the conference,” he said.

 

[JackHornet]

How is staying in the FCS unstable, compared to moving to the six member WAC?

As long as Montana, MSU, and PSU stay in the Big Sky, we have no worries.

Money talks and nobody in CA has the money. If the WAC gets the $10M from Fresno and Nevada, the remaining six members are going to keep the money for themselves. They are not going to give the money us, Davis and Cal Poly to move up.

 

[StungAlum]

How is staying in the FCS unstable, compared to moving to the six member WAC?

As long as Montana, MSU, and PSU stay in the Big Sky, we have no worries.

Money talks and nobody in CA has the money. If the WAC gets the $10M from Fresno and Nevada, the remaining six members are going to keep the money for themselves. They are not going to give the money us, Davis and Cal Poly to move up.

The WAC is not forcing Fresno State to pay and Nevada never signed the contract. Fresno is willing to fight it in court.

Benson also said that non of the remaining teams would be held to the $5 million buy-out.

Your argument is moot.

That is directly from Karl Benson.

 

[JackHornet]

How is staying in the FCS unstable, compared to moving to the six member WAC?

As long as Montana, MSU, and PSU stay in the Big Sky, we have no worries.

Money talks and nobody in CA has the money. If the WAC gets the $10M from Fresno and Nevada, the remaining six members are going to keep the money for themselves. They are not going to give the money us, Davis and Cal Poly to move up.

The WAC is not forcing Fresno State to pay and Nevada never signed the contract. Fresno is willing to fight it in court.

Benson also said that non of the remaining teams would be held to the $5 million buy-out.

Your argument is moot.

That is directly from Karl Benson.

So it still leaves us with the question, where are we going to get the money to make a move to the WAC?

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Students baby!
They want to have their degree increase in value, this is the ticket.

 

[StungAlum]

Apparently the WAC needs to invite two teams this week in order to survive, there is an 8 team minimum for an FBS conference. Fresno and Nevada are slated to start playing in the MWC by 2012 at the very latest.

http://byu411.com/bold-prediction-byu-goes-back-to-the-mountain-west-then-they-add/

 

[StungAlum]

How is staying in the FCS unstable, compared to moving to the six member WAC?

As long as Montana, MSU, and PSU stay in the Big Sky, we have no worries.

Money talks and nobody in CA has the money. If the WAC gets the $10M from Fresno and Nevada, the remaining six members are going to keep the money for themselves. They are not going to give the money us, Davis and Cal Poly to move up.

The WAC is not forcing Fresno State to pay and Nevada never signed the contract. Fresno is willing to fight it in court.

Benson also said that non of the remaining teams would be held to the $5 million buy-out.

Your argument is moot.

That is directly from Karl Benson.

So it still leaves us with the question, where are we going to get the money to make a move to the WAC?

Even in the current economic climate, I think it may be an easy sale. The WAC offers revenue that the BSC doesnt, some of the costs associated with going FBS would easily be mitigated by WAC revenues.

How much the WAC pays out, I don't know, but it's surely a hell of a lot more than the BSC!

 

[StungAlum]

Students baby!
They want to have their degree increase in value, this is the ticket.

Regardless of what anyone says, a degree from a university that plays FBS ball stands out.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Wanless said in the Bozeman Chronicle interview that an additional $5M would be doable for the department.

That is an additional $100/yr. for 28,000 students.

That is miniscule in the scheme of things, an extra $12/month. Or a medium Dominoes Pizza.

 

[SJHornet]

Looks like the decisions are going to start being made. Now or never for us I imagine.

If we don't move up now the apathy towards our program will continue. Students, alumni and regular fans alike will continue to stay home. Even a shiny new arena won't pack em' in if we continue to compete at the 1-AA level. Even though it seems we'll be playing a number of former FCS members in conference, we will have the ability to schedule more lucrative out of conference games. SJSU is opening up against Alabama. That's a big pay day. Last year they opened at USC and hosted Utah. We had one 1-A opponent in UNLV. Who gave a damn? Western Oregon? Woo-hoo.

Regardless of the outcome and where we end up, everyone on this board will remain a Hornet fan and follow the teams. I just hope we end up in a "better place" so more people follow the team and the Hornets brand grows.

 

[OldHornet]

Interesting take from Stewart Mandel of CNNSI.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/08/24/cfb.mailbag/1.html


Where does the WAC go from here? Louisiana Tech is already an odd fit geographically. The other five schools don't appear to have any good options in football. Hawaii is the only program to have had even minimal impact on the national scene. Would the league be better off downgrading to FCS status and looking for a new home for basketball and non-revenue sports? I grew up following and cheering for the schools in the WAC and MWC, and I hate to see them going after each other.
-- Jeff Cobble, Nashville, Tenn.

Longtime WAC commissioner Karl Benson has rescued his league from pillages twice before, and he's pledged to do it again, but right now, the WAC is on life support. If all the current members stay (and that's no sure thing, with Utah State openly courting the MWC and Hawaii reportedly considering the independent route), he still needs two new teams -- possibly as soon as 2012 -- to remain an FBS conference. Because any current FCS school must go through a two-year NCAA transition period, none can help Benson in the short-term, so he'll have to pursue existing FBS schools -- but what are his options? North Texas is one. Can you name another?

If I were Benson, here's what I'd do. Go ahead and concede that the WAC is going to have to drop football for a couple of seasons. Convince the current six schools to temporarily become FBS independents and continue scheduling each other. In the meantime, focus on adding three to four FCS schools that can compete immediately in other sports while transitioning in football. UC Davis, Cal Poly, Sacramento State, Texas State and Texas San Antonio have been mentioned as possibilities. By no means would one would view this reconstituted league as football juggernaut, but it may hold more long-term stability than adding two random filler teams in the short term.



Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/08/24/cfb.mailbag/1.html#ixzz0xejGOzRZ

 

[StungAlum]

Interesting take from Stewart Mandel of CNNSI.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/08/24/cfb.mailbag/1.html


Where does the WAC go from here? Louisiana Tech is already an odd fit geographically. The other five schools don't appear to have any good options in football. Hawaii is the only program to have had even minimal impact on the national scene. Would the league be better off downgrading to FCS status and looking for a new home for basketball and non-revenue sports? I grew up following and cheering for the schools in the WAC and MWC, and I hate to see them going after each other.
-- Jeff Cobble, Nashville, Tenn.

Longtime WAC commissioner Karl Benson has rescued his league from pillages twice before, and he's pledged to do it again, but right now, the WAC is on life support. If all the current members stay (and that's no sure thing, with Utah State openly courting the MWC and Hawaii reportedly considering the independent route), he still needs two new teams -- possibly as soon as 2012 -- to remain an FBS conference. Because any current FCS school must go through a two-year NCAA transition period, none can help Benson in the short-term, so he'll have to pursue existing FBS schools -- but what are his options? North Texas is one. Can you name another?

If I were Benson, here's what I'd do. Go ahead and concede that the WAC is going to have to drop football for a couple of seasons. Convince the current six schools to temporarily become FBS independents and continue scheduling each other. In the meantime, focus on adding three to four FCS schools that can compete immediately in other sports while transitioning in football. UC Davis, Cal Poly, Sacramento State, Texas State and Texas San Antonio have been mentioned as possibilities. By no means would one would view this reconstituted league as football juggernaut, but it may hold more long-term stability than adding two random filler teams in the short term.



Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/08/24/cfb.mailbag/1.html#ixzz0xejGOzRZ

No FBS team is going to accept an invite from the WAC, period. UNT, the only option mentioned, has already told the WAC NO, twice. What makes anyone think they'll all of the sudden change their mind when the WAC is in the worst situation possible, probably the worst situation any conference has ever been in? Sure, the WAC may extend an invite to the like of UTEP and UNT, but their both going to decline just like they've always done.

 

[JackHornet]

Looks like the decisions are going to start being made. Now or never for us I imagine.

If we don't move up now the apathy towards our program will continue. Students, alumni and regular fans alike will continue to stay home. Even a shiny new arena won't pack em' in if we continue to compete at the 1-AA level. Even though it seems we'll be playing a number of former FCS members in conference, we will have the ability to schedule more lucrative out of conference games. SJSU is opening up against Alabama. That's a big pay day. Last year they opened at USC and hosted Utah. We had one 1-A opponent in UNLV. Who gave a d@mn? Western Oregon? Woo-hoo.

Regardless of the outcome and where we end up, everyone on this board will remain a Hornet fan and follow the teams. I just hope we end up in a "better place" so more people follow the team and the Hornets brand grows.

So you want to play these "body bag" games? That's what has gotten San Jose in the situation they are in. They need to play these games to fund their program.

We are dealing with state budget cuts, decreased enrollment, increased fees for students, and we want to make a move up to the WAC? If the students are willing to fund this move, great. But how long will it take to get that referendum on the ballot and will it pass? Or will Gonzo force the students to pay the increases on the students? Think that will go over well?

 

[StungAlum]

Looks like the decisions are going to start being made. Now or never for us I imagine.

If we don't move up now the apathy towards our program will continue. Students, alumni and regular fans alike will continue to stay home. Even a shiny new arena won't pack em' in if we continue to compete at the 1-AA level. Even though it seems we'll be playing a number of former FCS members in conference, we will have the ability to schedule more lucrative out of conference games. SJSU is opening up against Alabama. That's a big pay day. Last year they opened at USC and hosted Utah. We had one 1-A opponent in UNLV. Who gave a d@mn? Western Oregon? Woo-hoo.

Regardless of the outcome and where we end up, everyone on this board will remain a Hornet fan and follow the teams. I just hope we end up in a "better place" so more people follow the team and the Hornets brand grows.

So you want to play these "body bag" games? That's what has gotten San Jose in the situation they are in. They need to play these games to fund their program.

We are dealing with state budget cuts, decreased enrollment, increased fees for students, and we want to make a move up to the WAC? If the students are willing to fund this move, great. But how long will it take to get that referendum on the ballot and will it pass? Or will Gonzo force the students to pay the increases on the students? Think that will go over well?

Whoa, sounds like someone is anti athletics! Every post is negative and always goes back to students paying more money. Personally, I hope Gonzo raises fee's for a move, he doesnt need to hold a vote, that was established last year when he raised athletic fee's anyway. If a prospective doesn't want to pay the athletics fee, they can go somewhere else.

The tuition increase off-set the enrollment decrease, that's why tuition was increased.

Gonzo and Wanless are charged to due what's best for the university, exposure in almost any form, is good for the university. The only way to transform the university into a destination campus, is to offer what other destination campuses offer, and that is DI athletics, true DI athletics!

 

[JackHornet]

Anti athletics because I don't think Gonzo should raise fees to move to something as unstable as the WAC? The WAC is the Titanic and if we are stupid enough to get on the Titanic, we would be stupid.

The Big Sky is a stable conference and has provided us a home and we have done very little in hoops and football to repay them.

 

[Kadeezy]

Anti athletics because I don't think Gonzo should raise fees to move to something as unstable as the WAC? The WAC is the Titanic and if we are stupid enough to get on the Titanic, we would be stupid.

The Big Sky is a stable conference and has provided us a home and we have done very little in hoops and football to repay them.

706 people survived the Titanic, raise my tuition please. If I have to see 4,656 people at an Idaho State game ONE MORE TIME, I may slit my wrists JH...

 

[StungAlum]

Anti athletics because I don't think Gonzo should raise fees to move to something as unstable as the WAC? The WAC is the Titanic and if we are stupid enough to get on the Titanic, we would be stupid.

The Big Sky is a stable conference and has provided us a home and we have done very little in hoops and football to repay them.

706 people survived the Titanic, raise my tuition please. If I have to see 4,656 people at an Idaho State game ONE MORE TIME, I may slit my wrists JH...

I share Kadeezy's sentiments.

Sac State owes nothing to the Big Sky, it revolves around the Montucky schools. The big Sky offers NO regional games that anyone in CA can relate to or even care about, so getting out of the conference, even if it means going to the Great West, IMHO, is better than staying in the Sky.

There's a reason upwards of 20k people show up when Sac State plays the likes of UCFE and Cow Poly, it's because people know who Sac State is playing! Heck, Sac State even got over 11k to show up for the Humboldt game last time they were in town, and they're DII.

SJSU is leading discussions today and I'd be willing to bet they're advocating heavily for Sac State, UCFE, and Cow Poly.

FCS football's days are numbered, now is the time to move.

Sorry to say it, but you may be alone on this one JH. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying it is time to go FBS, there may never be another shot.

 

[SJHornet]

Looks like the decisions are going to start being made. Now or never for us I imagine.

If we don't move up now the apathy towards our program will continue. Students, alumni and regular fans alike will continue to stay home. Even a shiny new arena won't pack em' in if we continue to compete at the 1-AA level. Even though it seems we'll be playing a number of former FCS members in conference, we will have the ability to schedule more lucrative out of conference games. SJSU is opening up against Alabama. That's a big pay day. Last year they opened at USC and hosted Utah. We had one 1-A opponent in UNLV. Who gave a d@mn? Western Oregon? Woo-hoo.

Regardless of the outcome and where we end up, everyone on this board will remain a Hornet fan and follow the teams. I just hope we end up in a "better place" so more people follow the team and the Hornets brand grows.

So you want to play these "body bag" games? That's what has gotten San Jose in the situation they are in. They need to play these games to fund their program.

We are dealing with state budget cuts, decreased enrollment, increased fees for students, and we want to make a move up to the WAC? If the students are willing to fund this move, great. But how long will it take to get that referendum on the ballot and will it pass? Or will Gonzo force the students to pay the increases on the students? Think that will go over well?

I remember a few years ago SJSU played Florida or some other SEC team, and I remember the AD saying the game pretty much played for the entire season. Six years ago the Spartans played a body bag game at Illinois and ended up winning. If one game funds our program, so be it. We loose a game, win our conference games and get into a bowl.

Yeah, our state is experiencing budget woes, but so are most of the schools we are going up against. Considering Hawaii is most likely going independent and LA Tech is leaving for anyone who will take them, and if UCFE and Poly are included, our travel budget looks better than if we stayed in the sky (just an assumption).

I highly doubt moving up will require a student vote. If fees do increase it will probably be done by gonzo without student consent. If its only 100 dollars or so, I don't see too much ruckus being caused. I can even see private donations increasing to cover any costs.

 

[HornetHope]

How is staying in the FCS unstable, compared to moving to the six member WAC?

As long as Montana, MSU, and PSU stay in the Big Sky, we have no worries.

Money talks and nobody in CA has the money. If the WAC gets the $10M from Fresno and Nevada, the remaining six members are going to keep the money for themselves. They are not going to give the money us, Davis and Cal Poly to move up.

Ummm because FCS programs are cutting their programs- see Hofstra- which is really the tip of the iceberg. For us, the WAC would be less expensive, especially if UCFE and CP join. Not to mention I think we get 1 and 1's with Nevada and FSU. Flying to Montana is expensive, Flagstaff is not cheap either. The best opportunities are often born out of crisis! The downside risk is frankly minor- the upside is tremendous and we can come out of this with huge upside potential. Double down now!!

 

[runningbomb]

I think Jack Hornet is Dr. Donald Gerth.
I know it would be a while before this happened but could you imagine Sacramento hosting a Bowl game like Boise has done with their Humanitarian bowl? Could you imagine us in a bowl game in late December or early January? Could you imagine Nevada, Fresno, Cal or Oregon coming to play at Hornet Stadium? Let's get this deal done.