UNC Charlotte ( or Charlotte as they like to be called) takes first steps to football

[chanharrison]

http://www.charlotte.com/niners/story/415756.html

UNC Charlotte or as their athletic teams are called get a recommendation to start football from a committee.. will go before board of trusteess next.. they would start out at FCS and then try to go to BCS from there much like South Florida model....

I hope they will Play ASU


FIRST DOWN FOR 49ERS
Committee: UNC Charlotte should add football by 2012
Start out in FCS (formerly I-AA), says group
DAVID SCOTT
[email protected]
Phil Dubois

* Gardner-Webb's a big threat
* Game Day | Heels, Niners in action

UNC Charlotte's football feasibility committee voted unanimously Friday to recommend that the school add the sport by 2012.

Committee chairman Mac Everett said the recommendation will formally be made to Chancellor Phil Dubois during January that the 49ers begin as an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) program and move to Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly I-A) status as soon as possible....

[DFW HOYA]

Charlotte is an A-10 school outside of football. Is any I-AA conference interested in taking them on for, what, three years?

[Seawolf97]

Sounds like they could be an independent but would still need a conference to jump into at the FBS level. Are they big enough for the ACC or SEC ?

[otto4pres]

Sounds like they could be an independent but would still need a conference to jump into at the FBS level. Are they big enough for the ACC or SEC ?

they'd most likely go in to C-USA, would rivalry potential with East Carolina there, or maybe the Big East

[FCS Preview]

they'd most likely go in to C-USA, would rivalry potential with East Carolina there, or maybe the Big East
The Big East might be a fit, since that would give them 9 teams.
Would C-USA want to go to 13? Un-even conferences might make for difficult scheduling.

[DFW HOYA]

C-USA? I'd guess the Sun Belt.

[otto4pres]

The Big East might be a fit, since that would give them 9 teams.
Would C-USA want to go to 13? Un-even conferences might make for difficult scheduling.

the Big East has been rumored to be pursuing Central Florida, so by the time Charlotte is eligible to move up to FBS, UCF they may be in the Big East, giving C-USA an extra spot

have to wait and see what happens, though

[Jerbearasu]

C-USA would be the most likely fit because they were there before and they were forced out of the conference due to the lack of a football program... I'm sure Charlotte wants the Big East and if the BE was smart they'd want the Charlotte market press but I think at first it would be a move to C-USA.

[ERASU2113]

Sorry if this has been posted already. Story appeared in The Charlotte Observer Saturday. Says the committee recommends starting in the FCS then moving to the FBS "as soon as possible"

Story here (http://www.charlotte.com/niners/story/415756.html)

Edit: Didn't see the story. Was pulling up the link when the last one was posted xoopsx

[TexasTerror]

C-USA? I'd guess the Sun Belt.

Here we go again...Sun Belt will not take FB-only members. I bet UNC-Charlotte views the Sun Belt as another step down after going from C-USA to A-10 to Sun Belt...

C-USA split could be aided by UNC-Charlotte joining Marshall, East Carolina and whomever else though...

[ERASU2113]

They left C-USA because of no football. Would they go back? Maybe.

Most likely see them go to the Big East if they would accept/want them.

[KiddBrewer]

They will move to FBS after 3 or 4 lack luster at best years in FCS. just my 2 cent. A lot of the students down there believe that they will get all of Independence High School players from Charlotte (which wont happen) and most I've talked to said that they think "we will smash Appalachian if we are a I-aa"......ha good luck with that.

Atleast they are working toward football though. They could become a really good football school.....not quite as quickly as they think though I dont believe.

[AlphaSigMD]

The AlphaSig Conference - circa. 2018
Division 1 FBS

Appalachian State
Georgia Southern
Western Kentucky
Delaware
UNCC
Florida International
Middle Tenn St.
Troy St.

[AlphaSigMD]

They will move to FBS after 3 or 4 lack luster at best years in FCS. just my 2 cent. A lot of the students down there believe that they will get all of Independence High School players from Charlotte (which wont happen) and most I've talked to said that they think "we will smash Appalachian if we are a I-aa"......ha good luck with that.

Atleast they are working toward football though. They could become a really good football school.....not quite as quickly as they think though I dont believe.

Independence HS football cannot go on forever. In fact, what they do there is borderline illegal. While they cannot legally "recruit" players, they certainly have an army of JV and assistant coaches know who the best talent in North, South, East and West Charlotte is, and they make sure to "influence" them when it comes to ranking schools for the school assignment plan.

Its quite amusing, many of those who follow football wonder when a sweeping change in policy in CMS will happen, which will essentially make current status quo at independence a thing of the past.

Full Disclosure: My high school (where I attended and taught) is not a part of CMS, has never played Independence HS in anything, (we play 3A ball) so obviously I'm not a rival trying to smack them.

[Seawolf97]

The AlphaSig Conference - circa. 2018
Division 1 FBS

Appalachian State
Georgia Southern
Western Kentucky
Delaware
UNCC
Florida International
Middle Tenn St.
Troy St.

You might have something. I think there is more to this Div 1 moratorium than meets the eye. Time will tell.

[appsfan]

My first thought when I heard this was how this (if UNCC adds football) would affect the FCS then the FBS landscape in the southeact/mid-atlantic. When (if) this happens will this spur other FCS powers to move to FBS into a new conference, a spin-off conference (C-USA split), or will it have just a minor effect? xconfusedx

[CID1990]

I say get 'em in the SoCon as soon as they start playing. They will be a whipping boy for the first season or two, but they have the resources to be a strong program quickly.

[D1scout]

Sounds like they could be an independent but would still need a conference to jump into at the FBS level. Are they big enough for the ACC or SEC ?

SeaWolf97, what do you mean by "big enough"?xconfusedx

[D1scout]

the Big East has been rumored to be pursuing Central Florida, so by the time Charlotte is eligible to move up to FBS, UCF they may be in the Big East, giving C-USA an extra spot

have to wait and see what happens, though

Otto4pes, doen't UMass have aspirations of joining the Big East if they go FBS? This may be another factor in the formula!

[Mountaineer#96]

IMO they would likely go to CUSA and East Carolina would make the jump to the Big East. At the same time this is all going down in about 2015 ASU would likely go to CUSA as well :( Just a thought though.

[DFW HOYA]

These schools are not going to the Big East. Expansion beyond 16 is untenable and to gain 12 votes out of 16 to do so is unlikely unless a school wants to be football-only, which few schools are willing to do.

[dbackjon]

These schools are not going to the Big East. Expansion beyond 16 is untenable and to gain 12 votes out of 16 to do so is unlikely unless a school wants to be football-only, which few schools are willing to do.

People are assuming that the Big East will split, between FBS and non-football/FCS in the upcoming years. 16 is unwieldy.

[appchuck]

I agree that something else might be up which could effect some of the current FCS members, ie ASU, GSU, JMU and or Delaware. If you add the likes of Troy, Marshall, WKY, UNCC, maybe even ECU, you would have a better FBS conference than the Sunbelt and the MAC.

[lizrdgizrd]

The AlphaSig Conference - circa. 2018
Division 1 FBS

Appalachian State
Georgia Southern
Western Kentucky
Delaware
UNCC
Florida International
Middle Tenn St.
Troy St.
I think it'd look better like this:

UCF
East Carolina
Marshall
UAB
App St.
Georgia Southern
UNC Charlotte
James Madison
Florida Atlantic
Middle Tennessee St.

[DFW HOYA]

People are assuming that the Big East will split, between FBS and non-football/FCS in the upcoming years. 16 is unwieldy.

In 2003, there were some back-door dealings by a couple of I-A schools seeking to take the conference name and NCAA money with them and leave the so-called "basketball schools" high and dry. About the same, time, another non-IA conference was looking at Seton Hall and Providence to jump ship. In particular, the larger athletics programs at Georgetown and Villanova would have been left in serious trouble had a split occurred.

The current 8-8 balance no longer allows I-A schools to take the "Big East" name and money away. They can walk, but like the Mountain West folks, they have to start on their own.

[ASUMountaineer]

It's a shame to see teams use the FCS as a spring board to the FBS. I for one, would love to see them perform so poorly they have to stay and become a doormat independent in FCS. UNCC is such a suitcase school, it will be interesting to see how much "true" student support the team would actually have. It's one thing to fill up Halton Arena, it's another to fill up a football stadium.

[ChooChoo]

I think it'd look better like this:

UCF
East Carolina
Marshall
UAB
App St.
Georgia Southern
UNC Charlotte
James Madison
Florida Atlantic
Middle Tennessee St.

Well I think a split C-USA would better like this:

Southern Miss
Memphis
UAB
Georgia State
UCF
Florida Atlantic
UNC Charlotte
East Carolina
James Madison
Marshall

Who knows? A LOT of things can happen in the next 12 years to change the college football landscape. One of the things I'm hearing is that the BCS schools with championship games are re-evaluating the process. Instead of getting everyone to get up to 12 teams, they may actually be dropping back to 10. This is not just internet talk, it is being discussed. I have a feeling that a lot more than we realize will be announced before the end of this 4 year moratorium.

[Hollywood]

It's a shame to see teams use the FCS as a spring board to the FBS. I for one, would love to see them perform so poorly they have to stay and become a doormat independent in FCS. UNCC is such a suitcase school, it will be interesting to see how much "true" student support the team would actually have. It's one thing to fill up Halton Arena, it's another to fill up a football stadium.

Any team HAS to use FCS as a "doormat" so to speak in order to move up to FBS. Personally, I would rather stay in FCS, since I enjoy that style of football more...but to wish ill will on a team simply because they have aspirations of playing in the FBS is asinine.

[KiddBrewer]

It's a shame to see teams use the FCS as a spring board to the FBS. I for one, would love to see them perform so poorly they have to stay and become a doormat independent in FCS. UNCC is such a suitcase school, it will be interesting to see how much "true" student support the team would actually have. It's one thing to fill up Halton Arena, it's another to fill up a football stadium.

you obviously dont have to be dominant in FCS to move up, look at W. Kentucky and Texas State...Theres a lot more that goes into it (money) and if it probably wont matter if they are terrible for the time that they are in FCS.

[ERASU2113]

Whatever happens, it's going to make recruiting even wilder.

Hard enough for FBS and FCS schools in NC/SC to keep the top recruits in state, adding another just makes the process a little more difficult.

[mainejeff]

After a Big East split, Charlotte will become a member of the "Big East" football group of schools along with new members UMass, Central Florida and ODU. This will give this new conference 12 members so it will allow them to hold a conference championship game as well as expand their reach into some large recruiting and media markets in the South (Norfolk/Tidewater region, Charlotte and Orlando)..........

UMass
UConn
Syracuse
Pitt
Rutgers
West Virgina

Cincinnati
Louisville
ODU
Charlotte
Central Florida
South Florida

Sounds plausible to me.

[Dane96]

All but UMASS. I just do not see the Commonwealth bucking up the dough. Who knows...maybe they will have a change of heart.

That would be nice league!

[FCS Preview]

I also don't see ODU leaving the CAA.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

It always seems like the Big East is going to fall apart, with farther-flung schools (Marquette? Louisville? Notre Dame? DePaul?), FCS-or-no-football schools (G'Town, Villanova, St. John's, Seton Hall, Providence) and the BCS teams (UConn, Pitt, Cincy, West Virginia, Rutgers, Syracuse, USF). It's the weirdest conglomeration in college sports, consisting of publics and privates, football and non-football, from Wisconsin to upstate NY to South Florida.

Yet the unheard-of amounts of money involved will make it extremely hard to break the conference in two. Would Georgetown honestly want to break apart into a different conference than UConn? It's an open question.

If it were to break in two, you'd have:

FBS Football:
Syracuse
UConn
Pitt
Rutgers
WVa
Cincy
USF
Louisville

Non-FBS football:
Providence (NF)
St. John's (NF)
Seton Hall (NF)
G'Town
Villanova
Marquette (NF)
DePaul (NF)
Notre Dame * (FBS indep.)

As you can see, this is not a natural fault line. First of all, would Notre Dame want to be in with the latter group? Second, does DePaul and Marquette make any sense? (Not that they make sense now either, but I digress.) On the FBS side, half the league would be west of Maryland - how do you keep calling in the "Big East"?

Schools would have to give up money for two leagues that make no sense. Virginia, that ain't happening. And it's not going to be ODU, UNCC or UMass that makes this happen either - it willl be a C-USA team that would be next in line - maybe.

If UNCC starts football and is planning to become an FBS school - and they start at the FCS level - they may be there a lot longer than they bargain for.

[DFW HOYA]

It always seems like the Big East is going to fall apart..It's the weirdest conglomeration in college sports, consisting of publics and privates, football and non-football, from Wisconsin to upstate NY to South Florida.

Not much weirder than the Atlantic 10, the 14 team confederation incorporating such "atlantic" destinations as St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Dayton. It once hosted a number of major football schools and lost almost every one of them. Imagine if UMass (or later, Temple) could have built a league around former members Penn State, Pitt, West Virginia, Rutgers and Villlanova.

The really disparate conference is the Summit League (formerly the Mid-Continent), with ten teams in nine states: Louisiana, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Missouri, and Utah.

[UAalum72]

FBS Football:
Syracuse
UConn
Pitt
Rutgers
WVa
Cincy
USF
Louisville

On the FBS side, half the league would be west of Maryland - how do you keep calling in the "Big East"?
If the westernmost teams are Cincinnati and Louisville, I don't see that as a question - both are still well east of the Mississippi, and you're not calling it 'East Coast', it's not like St. Louis in the Atlantic 10 or East. Tenn. in the Atlantic Sun basketball leagues.

[813Jag]

Not much weirder than the Atlantic 10, the 14 team confederation incorporating such "atlantic" destinations as St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Dayton. It once hosted a number of major football schools and lost almost every one of them. Imagine if UMass (or later, Temple) could have built a league around former members Penn State, Pitt, West Virginia, Rutgers and Villlanova.

The really disparate conference is the Summit League (formerly the Mid-Continent), with ten teams in nine states: Louisiana, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Missouri, and Utah.
The Big West used to be just as bad, as well as that 16 team abomination that used to be called the WAC.

[Appaholic]

Sounds like they could be an independent but would still need a conference to jump into at the FBS level. Are they big enough for the ACC or SEC ?

Neither conference wants or needs them....they already have planty of market share in the Charlotte viewing public.......same reason App would never receive an invite from either conference.....nothing to gain from the conference perspective....xreadx

[mainejeff]

I also don't see ODU leaving the CAA.

I do.

[bench]

On the FBS side, half the league would be west of Maryland - how do you keep calling in the "Big East"?


The Big East-of-Eau-Claire

The Big East, Relatively Speaking

The Big Not-West

[Lehigh Football Nation]

The Big East-of-Eau-Claire

The Big East, Relatively Speaking

The Big Not-West

xlolx xlolx xlolx

"The Big East... Oh Yeah, and Chicago, Indiana and Wisconsin in Basketball, and Kentucky in football, too"

The big difference between the Big East and A-10 is that the Big East is still a BCS conference and has a reasonable chance every year to win the NCAA Men's AND Women's basketball tourneys every single year. The A-10 is rapidly losing relevance as a basketball conference and had had football wrestled from it from the CAA.

The money involved in the Big East is Big Bucks. No team wants to divorce themselves from that. But the A-10 is another matter entirely. I'm thinking that several teams might be poached from its ranks - but from a up-and-coming basketball league like the Patriot League, NEC or America East, not a bloated Big East.

As far as I see it, any realignment would have to involve the A-10 AND Big East busting apart to form two conferences, with the rest finding their way to yet other conferences. But it's a very, very, VERY big longshot.

"Big Football East, Relatively Speaking" (BFERSC)
Syracuse
UConn
Pitt
Rutgers
WVa
Cincy
USF
Louisville
UMass *
Notre Dame * (FBS indep., in all other sports)
UNCC *

"Yankee Basketball Conference, And Oh Yeah, Football" (YBCAOYF)
Providence (NF)
St. John's (NF)
Seton Hall (NF)
G'Town (football in Patriot League)
Villanova (football in Patriot League)
Marquette (NF)
DePaul (NF)
Xavier (NF) *
George Washington (NF) *
St. Joe's (NF)
Dayton (football in PFL)*
St. Louis (NF) *
Temple * (football in MAC)
Duquesne * (football in NEC)

To AEC in all sports except football:
Rhode Island (this makes the AEC a 10-team league)

To Patriot League in all sports:
Fordham
Richmond
LaSalle (NF)
St. Bonaventure (NF)

[Appinator]

This is a no brainer for UNCC (synonymous?xrolleyesx ). Charlotte has never had a "home" team to root for, and it should be nice for the city. I wonder though why there are so many Division 1 schools within the state. Population wise, it’s not a place that is among the tops in the country. Yet with the addition of UNCC, North Carolina will be second only to Texas in the number of Division 1 programs and tied with New York.

NC Football Division 1 schools:
Appalachian
UNC
NCSU
Wake
Duke
WCU
Gardner-Webb
WSSU
NCA&T
ECU
UNCC (Possibly)
Elon
Davidson (Only Charlotte Area College Football team)

With the Charlotte Area TV market being so large, the opportunity for lots of money to pour into the school makes this a smart choice. However, if anyone has been to a Panthers game or long for the days of the Hornets, you know that this town should be called "Bandwagonville". Empty stadiums and tight wallets come quickly for teams that are not high performers, so they better come to play quickly.

[DFW HOYA]

"Yankee Basketball Conference, And Oh Yeah, Football" (YBCAOYF)
...
G'Town (football in Patriot League)
Villanova (football in Patriot League)


As far as basketball, count these two out.

[WUTNDITWAA]

This is a no brainer for UNCC (synonymous?xrolleyesx ). Charlotte has never had a "home" team to root for, and it should be nice for the city. I wonder though why there are so many Division 1 schools within the state. Population wise, it’s not a place that is among the tops in the country. Yet with the addition of UNCC, North Carolina will be second only to Texas in the number of Division 1 programs and tied with New York.

NC Football Division 1 schools:
Appalachian
UNC
NCSU
Wake
Duke
WCU
Gardner-Webb
WSSU
NCA&T
ECU
UNCC (Possibly)
Elon
Davidson (Only Charlotte Area College Football team)

With the Charlotte Area TV market being so large, the opportunity for lots of money to pour into the school makes this a smart choice. However, if anyone has been to a Panthers game or long for the days of the Hornets, you know that this town should be called "Bandwagonville". Empty stadiums and tight wallets come quickly for teams that are not high performers, so they better come to play quickly.


Go ahead and pencil in NC Central and Campbell. xreadx

[Appinator]

Go ahead and pencil in NC Central and Campbell. xreadx

I wasn't sure about Central and forgot about the Camels. With these two, NC is then tied with Texas. Either there will be some major changes, or the thing we will be talking about 10 to 12 years from now is not how someone got from FCS to FBS, but how sad it is that some schools don't play football anymore.

[Saint3333]

I also don't see ODU leaving the CAA.

There is NO program in the CAA, SoCon, or any FCS conference that would turn down an invite to any BCS conference. Take off the FCS glasses.

[Hollywood]

This is a no brainer for UNCC (synonymous?xrolleyesx ). Charlotte has never had a "home" team to root for, and it should be nice for the city. I wonder though why there are so many Division 1 schools within the state. Population wise, it’s not a place that is among the tops in the country. Yet with the addition of UNCC, North Carolina will be second only to Texas in the number of Division 1 programs and tied with New York.

NC Football Division 1 schools:
Appalachian
UNC
NCSU
Wake
Duke
WCU
Gardner-Webb
WSSU
NCA&T
ECU
UNCC (Possibly)
Elon
Davidson (Only Charlotte Area College Football team)

With the Charlotte Area TV market being so large, the opportunity for lots of money to pour into the school makes this a smart choice. However, if anyone has been to a Panthers game or long for the days of the Hornets, you know that this town should be called "Bandwagonville". Empty stadiums and tight wallets come quickly for teams that are not high performers, so they better come to play quickly.

Including Central and Campbell,you forgot Pembroke too ;)

[ERASU2113]

It's absurd to see so many DI schools in NC....It's like everyone wants to be a part of football. Basically what it comes down to is....money.

[AlphaSigMD]

There is NO program in the CAA, SoCon, or any FCS conference that would turn down an invite to any BCS conference. Take off the FCS glasses.

But why would FBS want the Monarchs anyway? No offense to them, but they don't really bring a lot to the table in terms of entertaining offers for FBS football, especially since they have yet to play a single down of football. They are very good at women's basketball though, and were decent at Men's when Jeff Capel's dad was coach there.

Outside of Georgia Southern, Delaware, UMass and ASU, i don't know of another current team that could really bring a decent resume to match the status of the aformentioned teams.

Maybe Montana, but i'd hate to see them go the way of Idaho. Maybe McNeese, or Texas St., but they kinda have their own bubble out in the midwest that I don't really understand...and I can't see why they would want to join the Sun Belt which would be a likely destination.

[chanharrison]

This is a no brainer for UNCC (synonymous?xrolleyesx ). Charlotte has never had a "home" team to root for, and it should be nice for the city. I wonder though why there are so many Division 1 schools within the state. Population wise, it’s not a place that is among the tops in the country. Yet with the addition of UNCC, North Carolina will be second only to Texas in the number of Division 1 programs and tied with New York.

NC Football Division 1 schools:
Appalachian
UNC
NCSU
Wake
Duke
WCU
Gardner-Webb
WSSU
NCA&T
ECU
UNCC (Possibly)
Elon
Davidson (Only Charlotte Area College Football team)

With the Charlotte Area TV market being so large, the opportunity for lots of money to pour into the school makes this a smart choice. However, if anyone has been to a Panthers game or long for the days of the Hornets, you know that this town should be called "Bandwagonville". Empty stadiums and tight wallets come quickly for teams that are not high performers, so they better come to play quickly.


How about Winston Salem State... NC Central and Campbell

[Appinator]

As said on here before, I do believe that a lot of the kids that go to UNCCommuter will quickly become the Independence Patriots of College Football. As an App fan, I hope this is the case. They will have success, then get caught cheating in recruiting, get reprimanded (ask SMU how that went for them), and then lose in a championship game.

I'm sure everyone at the Charlotte Disturber can't wait for Tom Knotts (the IHS coach) to be crowned as Charlotte's CFB king. They will be quickly reminded that this isn't basketball, and this is Mountaineer territory.

People underestimate what they are trying to establish. What USF did was INSANE. Their coach worked with nothing, created success, and they have marketed it well. They are in a football state which was under-saturated with Division 1 schools. UNCC will not only have to compete with all of the NC schools, but also think about all of the Division 1 schools that are within a 2 hour drive: FU, Presby, Wofford, Clemson, SCState, and USC aren't going anywhere(sorry if I missed more). Personally, I can't wait to see them get pounded on the field.

[AlphaSigMD]

As said on here before, I do believe that a lot of the kids that go to UNCCommuter will quickly become the Independence Patriots of College Football. As an App fan, I hope this is the case. They will have success, then get caught cheating in recruiting, get reprimanded (ask SMU how that went for them), and then lose in a championship game.

I'm sure everyone at the Charlotte Disturber can't wait for Tom Knotts (the IHS coach) to be crowned as Charlotte's CFB king. They will be quickly reminded that this isn't basketball, and this is Mountaineer territory.

People underestimate what they are trying to establish. What USF did was INSANE. Their coach worked with nothing, created success, and they have marketed it well. They are in a football state which was under-saturated with Division 1 schools. UNCC will not only have to compete with all of the NC schools, but also think about all of the Division 1 schools that are within a 2 hour drive: FU, Presby, Wofford, Clemson, SCState, and USC aren't going anywhere(sorry if I missed more). Personally, I can't wait to see them get pounded on the field.

I'm still in my perpetual state of astonishment that he was allowed to return to Independence after quitting that job, and being a QB coach at Duke for a year. His replacement went 16-0, and was then booted out the door when old tommy wanted his job back.

[walliver]

... I wonder though why there are so many Division 1 schools within the state. Population wise, it’s not a place that is among the tops in the country. Yet with the addition of UNCC, North Carolina will be second only to Texas in the number of Division 1 programs and tied with New York.

NC Football Division 1 schools:
Appalachian
UNC
NCSU
Wake
Duke
WCU
Gardner-Webb
WSSU
NCA&T
ECU
UNCC (Possibly)
Elon
Davidson (Only Charlotte Area College Football team)

...

Unfortunately, for the most part, those teams aren't very good. ASU and more recently Wake Forest have been successful. Elon is moving up. The rest of that list is nothing to get excited about.


I wonder how a UNCC move would affect Winthrop's thoughts about football. A UNCC FCS team probably wouldn't hurt them much, but, a UNCC FBS team would probably have a negative impact on Winthrop. (I was thinking of the FAU and FIU thing, where FIU was struggle to keep up with every step FAU took.)

[walliver]

It's absurd to see so many DI schools in NC....It's like everyone wants to be a part of football. Basically what it comes down to is....money.


How many of the D-1 North Carolina teams are actually profitable?

Other than ASU, I doubt any of the FCS teams are profitable.

[otto4pres]

As far as basketball, count these two out.

xnodx the Big East will never get rid of its original members; Providence, St. John's, G'town, Cuse, Seton Hall, and UConn unless they leave on their own terms (as BC did)

[Lehigh Football Nation]

xnodx the Big East will never get rid of its original members; Providence, St. John's, G'town, Cuse, Seton Hall, and UConn unless they leave on their own terms (as BC did)

Agreed. And none of those schools will be willingly walking away from the Big Bucks involved. That's why that won't happen.

[yosef1969]

But why would FBS want the Monarchs anyway? No offense to them, but they don't really bring a lot to the table in terms of entertaining offers for FBS football, especially since they have yet to play a single down of football. They are very good at women's basketball though, and were decent at Men's when Jeff Capel's dad was coach there.

Outside of Georgia Southern, Delaware, UMass and ASU, i don't know of another current team that could really bring a decent resume to match the status of the aformentioned teams.

Maybe Montana, but i'd hate to see them go the way of Idaho. Maybe McNeese, or Texas St., but they kinda have their own bubble out in the midwest that I don't really understand...and I can't see why they would want to join the Sun Belt which would be a likely destination.

Same reason anyone would want UNCC or Georgia State. Not about the programs, it's about markets. Since losing VT the Big East has only WVU as it's mid-atlantic presence. ODU, UNCC Georgia State and ECU could conceivably fill that void.

Big gap from WVU down to South Florida.

[yosef1969]

As much as a UNCC program could hurt ASU recruiting as an ASU fan I think we should be equally concerned with Presby, Georgia State, West GA, Kennesaw St, as this is where many of our more talented players come from.

[AppMan]

As said on here before, I do believe that a lot of the kids that go to UNCCommuter will quickly become the Independence Patriots of College Football. As an App fan, I hope this is the case. They will have success, then get caught cheating in recruiting, get reprimanded (ask SMU how that went for them), and then lose in a championship game.

I'm sure everyone at the Charlotte Disturber can't wait for Tom Knotts (the IHS coach) to be crowned as Charlotte's CFB king. They will be quickly reminded that this isn't basketball, and this is Mountaineer territory.

People underestimate what they are trying to establish. What USF did was INSANE. Their coach worked with nothing, created success, and they have marketed it well. They are in a football state which was under-saturated with Division 1 schools. UNCC will not only have to compete with all of the NC schools, but also think about all of the Division 1 schools that are within a 2 hour drive: FU, Presby, Wofford, Clemson, SCState, and USC aren't going anywhere(sorry if I missed more). Personally, I can't wait to see them get pounded on the field.

It would be foolish to under estimate the potential of Charlotte football. A state-of-the-art NFL stadium to play in, large metropolitan area with the largest banking center outside New York City loaded with potential corporate sponsors, large non-native fan base that will adopt the Niners, tons of media coverage, and large student population. I don't see the Big East embracing them like USF (the Florida market just to good to pass on), but some type of splinter group of the Eastern CUSA schools is a possibility.

[BigApp]

How many of the D-1 North Carolina teams are actually profitable?

Other than ASU, I doubt any of the FCS teams are profitable.

no government agency is 'profitable' xlolx

[BigApp]

As much as a UNCC program could hurt ASU recruiting as an ASU fan I think we should be more concerned with Presby, Georgia State, West GA, Kennesaw St, as this is where many of our more talented players come from.

so, you're more concerned with the Atlanta market than our own backyard? xconfusedx

[gophoenix]

This is a no brainer for UNCC (synonymous?xrolleyesx ). Charlotte has never had a "home" team to root for, and it should be nice for the city. I wonder though why there are so many Division 1 schools within the state. Population wise, it’s not a place that is among the tops in the country. Yet with the addition of UNCC, North Carolina will be second only to Texas in the number of Division 1 programs and tied with New York.

NC Football Division 1 schools:
Appalachian
UNC
NCSU
Wake
Duke
WCU
Gardner-Webb
WSSU
NCA&T
ECU
UNCC (Possibly)
Elon
Davidson (Only Charlotte Area College Football team)

With the Charlotte Area TV market being so large, the opportunity for lots of money to pour into the school makes this a smart choice. However, if anyone has been to a Panthers game or long for the days of the Hornets, you know that this town should be called "Bandwagonville". Empty stadiums and tight wallets come quickly for teams that are not high performers, so they better come to play quickly.

Is this a serious question? There are so many D-I schools in this state because there are so many schools in this state. At on point not long ago, North Carolina had more colleges and universities than any other state. I am not sure if it still stands as a few of the private schools have performed mergers.

North Carolina is the 10th largest state, right around Goergia, New Jersey Michigan and Virginia. 9 million people is nothing to scoff at. Then add to that the number of students that come out of state.

I wouldn't underestimate this state. I am surprised that so many App people are worried about UNCC with the lack of worry you guys have for UNC, ECU and NC State.

[lizrdgizrd]

I am surprised that so many App people are worried about UNCC with the lack of worry you guys have for UNC, ECU and NC State.
But we've been recruiting against them for years, UNCC is a new program that we don't have any idea what their draw will be.

[lizrdgizrd]

There are so many D-I schools in this state because there are so many schools in this state. At on point not long ago, North Carolina had more colleges and universities than any other state. I am not sure if it still stands as a few of the private schools have performed mergers.
Here is a list of colleges and universities in NC. It may or may not be exhaustive. The ones in green have Division I athletic programs or are in transition to DI.

Apex School of Theology
Appalachian State University
Art Institute of Charlotte
Barber-Scotia College
Barton College
Belmont Abbey College
Bennett College for Women
Brevard College
Brookstone College
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
Campbell University Inc
Catawba College
Chowan College
Davidson College
Duke University
East Carolina University
Elizabeth City State University
Elon University
Fayetteville State University
Gardner-Webb University
Gaston College
Greensboro College
Guilford College
Heritage Bible College
High Point University
Hood Theological Seminary
John Wesley College
Johnson & Wales University
Johnson C Smith University
King's College
Lees-McRae College
Lenoir-Rhyne College
Livingstone College
Louisburg College
Mars Hill College
Meredith College
Methodist College
Montreat College
Mount Olive College
New Life Theological Seminary
North Carolina A & T State University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina School of the Arts
North Carolina State University
North Carolina Wesleyan College
Peace College
Pfeiffer University
Piedmont Baptist College
Queens University of Charlotte
Roanoke Bible College
Saint Augustines College
Salem College
School of Communication Arts
Shaw University
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
St Andrews Presbyterian College
University of North Carolina at Asheville
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Wake Forest University
Warren Wilson College
Western Carolina University
Wingate University
Winston Salem Bible College
Winston-Salem State University

[CID1990]

The AlphaSig Conference - circa. 2018
Division 1 FBS

Appalachian State
Georgia Southern
Western Kentucky
Delaware
UNCC
Florida International
Middle Tenn St.
Troy St.

.....and the winner of this conference will get to grasp the Brass Ring!! (Otherwise known as the Rid-X Turd Bowl, played somewhere in Montana on something like Dec 21.)

[yosef1969]

so, you're more concerned with the Atlanta market than our own backyard? xconfusedx

Sorry I mis-spoke, we should be equally concerned simply because that is where we get many of our better athletes. Only having 3 D-I programs in a state means many will go out of state to places like ASU!

[SuperJon]

Here is a list of colleges and universities in NC. It may or may not be exhaustive. The ones in green have Division I athletic programs or are in transition to DI.

Apex School of Theology
Appalachian State University
Art Institute of Charlotte
Barber-Scotia College
Barton College
Belmont Abbey College
Bennett College for Women
Brevard College
Brookstone College
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
Campbell University Inc
Catawba College
Chowan College
Davidson College
Duke University
East Carolina University
Elizabeth City State University
Elon University
Fayetteville State University
Gardner-Webb University
Gaston College
Greensboro College
Guilford College
Heritage Bible College
High Point University
Hood Theological Seminary
John Wesley College
Johnson & Wales University
Johnson C Smith University
King's College
Lees-McRae College
Lenoir-Rhyne College
Livingstone College
Louisburg College
Mars Hill College
Meredith College
Methodist College
Montreat College
Mount Olive College
New Life Theological Seminary
North Carolina A & T State University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina School of the Arts
North Carolina State University
North Carolina Wesleyan College
Peace College
Pfeiffer University
Piedmont Baptist College
Queens University of Charlotte
Roanoke Bible College
Saint Augustines College
Salem College
School of Communication Arts
Shaw University
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
St Andrews Presbyterian College
University of North Carolina at Asheville
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Wake Forest University
Warren Wilson College
Western Carolina University
Wingate University
Winston Salem Bible College
Winston-Salem State University

I fixed some of them and added Division II and III on there. Blue is Div II, orange is Div III.

[Appinator]

Is this a serious question? There are so many D-I schools in this state because there are so many schools in this state. At on point not long ago, North Carolina had more colleges and universities than any other state. I am not sure if it still stands as a few of the private schools have performed mergers.

North Carolina is the 10th largest state, right around Goergia, New Jersey Michigan and Virginia. 9 million people is nothing to scoff at. Then add to that the number of students that come out of state.

I wouldn't underestimate this state. I am surprised that so many App people are worried about UNCC with the lack of worry you guys have for UNC, ECU and NC State.

Yeah, it was a serious question.

There just seems to be a rush to get to the Division 1 level to keep up with the neighbors mentality. Competing at the lower levels for some small schools make sense for financial and success reasons. Some of these programs are hemorrhaging money that could and should be used else where.

Before anyone goes and points fingers at ASU for that seemingly same rush to get to FCS, I don't think we should make a move untill we have to. I don't want the 'neers to go the way of the Thundering Hurd.

[gophoenix]

Yeah, it was a serious question.

There just seems to be a rush to get to the Division 1 level to keep up with the neighbors mentality. Competing at the lower levels for some small schools make sense for financial and success reasons. Some of these programs are hemorrhaging money that could and should be used else where.

Before anyone goes and points fingers at ASU for that seemingly same rush to get to FCS, I don't think we should make a move untill we have to. I don't want the 'neers to go the way of the Thundering Hurd.

There are many reasons for the rush from D-II to D-I. Basically, being in D-II there is no local conference, outside an HBCU CIAA onference, that has public schools. There is no local conference for anyone outside the CIAA that allow full scholarships in sports. There really are not that many local D-II teams for football locally. If you are going to travel, it might as well be at a higher division.

So I am curious, why is it such a big deal for the schools that did move up that they did move up???

Davidson has been here a long while
App, A&T and Western did it in the 70s
Elon
Gardner-Webb
NC Central
Winston-Salem State
Campbell

You have 4 recent moveups, 2 public and 2 private. All had pretty good success in D-II. Elon had the money, Gardner-Webb followed us for one reason or another. So why is this such a big deal?

Some schools did rush to make it to D-I. High Point and Longwood come to mind. High Point and Gardner-Webb did it because Elon did. High Point almost failed to make it at the time but the HP Enterprise seemed to report if they missed this window, Elon would take the glory. So yes, it does happen. And I think ultimately, there was no way you were going to keep Central and Winston-Salem out because they wanted their rivalries back with A&T and others that had to drop them. Maybe Western did it to follow App at the time?

So there you go, that explains the private schools and recent moveups.

The public schools are a different matter. UNCG, UNCA, soon to be UNCP are there because there are NO D-II options for them and most likely because of people in the state government who don't like the schools they graduated from to be below that of their fellow assembly members.

There is a clear pecking order in this state and a lot of hypocritical non-sense that happens. Ultimately, that lead to many of the schools to be here.

[SuperJon]

UNCG, UNCA, soon to be UNCP are there because there are NO D-II options for them


Basically, being in D-II there is no local conference, outside an HBCU CIAA onference, that has public schools. There is no local conference for anyone outside the CIAA that allow full scholarships in sports. There really are not that many local D-II teams for football locally. If you are going to travel, it might as well be at a higher division.

You obviously have no clue what you're talking about. UNCG is within 2.5 hours of 8 Division II schools.

You've got Conference Carolinas (formerly CVAC) and the SAC, both with mainly NC schools. The SAC even has football. The CC has the national champion in basketball. Both conferences have teams that are consistently ranked in baseball. There are 16 Division II schools in the state. There's no way to say there are no options for these schools to stay D-II.

[gophoenix]

You obviously have no clue what you're talking about. UNCG is within 2.5 hours of 8 Division II schools.

You've got Conference Carolinas (formerly CVAC) and the SAC, both with mainly NC schools. The SAC even has football. The CC has the national champion in basketball. Both conferences have teams that are consistently ranked in baseball. There are 16 Division II schools in the state. There's no way to say there are no options for these schools to stay D-II.

I have plenty of clue what I am talking about.

UNCP really has no options, look how far they are from the rest of the Peach Belt teams. And the Peach Belt doesn't offer football. Chowan went to the CIAA for football, that tells about how things are going around now.

The former CVAC and SAC have no public schools (UNCP was in the CVAC way back in the NAIA days). And like I said, both of those conferences limit scholarships for all sports to well below the D-II maximum for all sports. And both conferences are pretty tight in keeping public schools out now.

There are D-II conferences here, just none if the school is public (UNCG, UNCA, UNCP) or a private wanting to offer the full the scholarship limit (High Point, Elon, Presbyterian and Gardner-Webb). That is, unless the CIAA is willing to take in other schools and risk losing an HBCU school majority, which is doubtful. The other option is a conference where the schools would travel far for most of the competition like in the Peach Belt or Gulf South.

And really, if you want an all-sports solution the Gulf South is your only choice here if you want to stay D-II. In the long run, it is cheaper to add the extra sports and go D-I and into a conference like the Big South that has many more teams locally.