UCSD is mystery school

[the Rat]

And the third mystery school? UC San Diego.

Big West commissioner Dennis Farrell said UH was one of three schools that submitted information to be considered for membership by yesterday's deadline. He said the other two were Cal State Bakersfield and UC San Diego.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101202_UH_could_be_in_MWC_by_Christmas.html

And,

3 schools show interest in Big West
http://www.daily49er.com/sports/3-schools-show-interest-in-big-west-1.2419828

 

[SDHornet]

Well I was completely wrong on that one. No idea why Wanless and Gonzo feel that the Sac State athletic department shouldn’t have looked at this option. Not a smart or responsible decision by the administration imo.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Well I was completely wrong on that one. No idea why Wanless and Gonzo feel that the Sac State athletic department shouldn’t have looked at this option. Not a smart or responsible decision by the administration imo.

Someone posted in another thread that the WAC had indeed contacted Sac State numerous times, but that the response from Gonzo/Wanless is that we are at least 5-6 yrs away from looking at FBS seriously. Now we find we arent going to the BW either, does Gonzo/Wanless retire in 5-6yrs? Sounds par for the course of past Sac State administrators, just get to the golden parachute age and then retire, leave the dirty decisions to the next schmo. I had alot of faith in Gonzo when he arrived, it has been dampened tremendously. If it wasnt for the Broad and Well, I'd say it has been a complete failure.

 

[SDHornet]

If anyone is serious about making the move they would do it now. I have read on other boards that the NCAA rules on schools changing from FCS to FBS are going to be tightened up such that it is going to be next to impossible to move. They will essentially need an invite from a recognized conference. For conferences to be recognized, it has to have X amount of members playing together at the FBS level for X amount of years for it to be eligible for post season play so the idea that a large group of the BSC schools can move up together and start a new conference is not doable. When the WAC dies in 2012, any current western FCS school will lose the easiest way to go FBS. It’s now or never for any western FCS schools looking to move…and it seems like the resounding answer from everyone is never.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

If anyone is serious about making the move they would do it now. I have read on other boards that the NCAA rules on schools changing from FCS to FBS are going to be tightened up such that it is going to be next to impossible to move. They will essentially need an invite from a recognized conference. For conferences to be recognized, it has to have X amount of members playing together at the FBS level for X amount of years for it to be eligible for post season play so the idea that a large group of the BSC schools can move up together and start a new conference is not doable. When the WAC dies in 2012, any current western FCS school will lose the easiest way to go FBS. It’s now or never for any western FCS schools looking to move…and it seems like the resounding answer from everyone is never.

I agree. We will forever be a FCS program. I dont see the leadership to change it.

 

[SJHornet]

Truly disappointing. I really wish the head honchos would have looked at the Big West seriously. I really think it was the best possible conference if we were going to stay in the FCS. A Cali bus league would have guaranteed a bit of financial stability. Wanless is asking for more money now, Big West would have saved some of that money in travel.

Now that we know we are staying in the Big Sky we should try and convince Fullerton to try and steal CSU Bakersfield from BWC consideration so we can have a travel partner in all other sports. I doubt they would pursue the Big Sky over Big West, but its worth a try. I imagine the Big Sky's next move will be to add either Utah Valley or Seattle. A little more travel for the Hornets.

In the end, as disappointed as I am, at least we have a conference. The SJSU boards are absolutely pissed their AD didn't pursue a Big West bid. They are actually facing a scenario where if the WAC doesn't survive, they will have no conference. If the Big West accepts the Roadrunners and Tritons, SJSU's only hope is the Big Sky. Works for us, but the Spartan faithful are starting to get nervous.

 

[superhornet]

SJ: The Big West option works for us IF the Sky allows it and IF the Big West allows it. Those are not givens. I know about the BW fans not wanting us, but their arguments will ring hollow if they take Bako. There's also the problem of the Sky potentially playing hardball on the associate membership option. If they allow the move, great. If not, and we precipitously make the move, we're faced with either independent status (always risky) or the OTHER sinking ship on the horizon: the Great West.

As far as SJSU, they're pretty much stuck for football no matter how you slice it. Their fans won't like moving to the Sky (perceived drop in glamour), either as full or associate members. But their only true options given the WAC's Titanic status are full Sky membership, full Big West membership with associate membership in the Sky, full BW membership with independent football status, or full indy. Not even Notre Dame does full indy anymore. Like Sac, their best bet would probably be a BW-BSC partnership, but will the administration see that? Will the two leagues see that? You're right that Sac seems to have the better position. SJSU seems to be on the brink of athletic annihilation, which isn't good for a school that has historically had Stanford's number.