Weighing Lamar's Possible Early Entrance to the SLC

[TexasTerror]

Quite a few things have been made regarding Lamar possibly playing a full schedule of Southland Conference games in 2011. I'd assume a large part of this has to do if the member institutions can manage it scheduling-wise. Perhaps the SLC told the schools to plan for eight weeks of SLC play that year as they knew Lamar was coming along? I don't know.

I'm a big proponent of Lamar not coming in until 2012, their third year of football competition. That's what Southeastern Louisiana did. Old Dominion is doing the same in the CAA.

What are the benefits of them coming in a year earlier? Many of the Southland faithful (myself included) have felt that our teams have been scheduling themselves out of the playoffs. Was it this past year when the league as a whole had practically eliminated each other (outside of McNeese) from the playoffs by week two of the league slate? SHSU may have still been eligible, but it was at the point they would've had to win the SLC anyway to reach that point.

Unfortunately, we are in a tough situation based on our location and until this year, the lack of SWAC out of conference games (it went from two to four this year, and that's tough to break into considering they have these rivalry games OOC). That has been discussed numerous times as it relates to our scheduling.

With Lamar in the SLC, you are looking at eight SLC games (four home/four away). This will make it tougher to have six home games in this set-up because most SLC schools will have one (if not two) FBS games to make in the $$$. And while you can buy sub-Div I games, it's going to be hard to buy Division I games (to avoid home-and-homes), as even the SWAC schools want that (and it makes sense).

However, it does help the efforts of getting the conference in a better position to win the seven Div I games necessary to make the playoffs (outside of a team winning the automatic qualifier). That should be a priority for the conference, returning to be a two school a year conference with a year or two of three every and now and then.

The negatives? I hink it will stunt the growth of the program because year three of actually playing football will be a better time for Lamar, instead of the tougher than heck rigors of SLC games week in and week out -- but it may benefit everyone in the conference outside of Lamar, which is something that their AD typically stays away from. Then again, he is a basketball guy and does not understand what he's looking at getting into...

Thoughts?

[houtexan]

2011

[UCABEARS75]

Well since you asked here is my opinion. Although as the new guys in the conference we may not have as much of a valid opinion as others.

With the difficulty in scheduling games (in particular home and home with fellow FCS competitors) and the rising cost of travel I really hope that UCA schedules Lamar beginning as soon as possible. Whether this is as a confernce game or OOC initially really does not matter to me.

[TexasTerror]

The problem for the SLC schools in scheduling Lamar in 2010 is the lack of open dates considering we are all playing seven straight weeks of SLC play. Perhaps the SLC will make concessions if Team A found an opponent and LU agrees to play Team B during X week.

Got to remember, 2010 is the first year of the 11 games in 11 weeks schedule with SLC play being bumped up to Oct. 2.

[RabidRabbit]

The problem for the SLC schools in scheduling Lamar in 2010 is the lack of open dates considering we are all playing seven straight weeks of SLC play. Perhaps the SLC will make concessions if Team A found an opponent and LU agrees to play Team B during X week.

Got to remember, 2010 is the first year of the 11 games in 11 weeks schedule with SLC play being bumped up to Oct. 2.

Do existing D-I schools become eligible as a counter when they resurrect football? Or are they on a 5 year process like transitionals? xconfusedx xconfusedx xconfusedx

If a counter, it will benefit the SLC to play them right away. Likely win, local, and good intro into the league. If not a counter, then they are in the same boat as USD/UND this year.

Won't help the GPI of the SLC, but still part of the family. xwhistlex

[TexasTerror]

Lamar counts for a counter in year two. They just need to get all that fluff out of the way as it relates to having the average of scholarships, etc.

Southeastern La. first played an FBS school (Tulane) in year three.

[dbackjon]

Lamar counts for a counter in year two. They just need to get all that fluff out of the way as it relates to having the average of scholarships, etc.

Southeastern La. first played an FBS school (Tulane) in year three.

They are going to be averaging 53 schollies by year two??

[TexasTerror]

They are going to be averaging 53 schollies by year two??

Not sure -- I do not think that's a good idea, but that is the idea that Lamar fans are getting as their head coach is telling them that they are looking into those $$$ games.

[Lionsrking]

Lamar counts for a counter in year two. They just need to get all that fluff out of the way as it relates to having the average of scholarships, etc.

Southeastern La. first played an FBS school (Tulane) in year three.

Incorrect...we played our first FBS opponent in year one, losing to Troy, 28-0, in a fairly competitive game.

As far as being playoff eligible, we were eligible immediately in our first year, and I would imagine Lamar could be as well as long as they meet the minimum standards. There is no transition period for programs that were already D-I counters and playoff eligible at the time they dropped football, so long as they don't drop down a level and move back up in the interim.

[TexasTerror]

So, the Lions counted as bowl counters in year one of their existence? Playoffs, yes. But, bowl counter to for FBS?

[Lionsrking]

So, the Lions counted as bowl counters in year one of their existence? Playoffs, yes. But, bowl counter to for FBS?

Yes...we were a counter in year one.

[McTailGator]

They are going to be averaging 53 schollies by year two??

IMO, they will bring in a ton of JuCo's in 09 and Red Shirt them along with a bunch of high school kids that may have gone the JuCo route in order for them to grow a little. Look for them to sign about 40 kids in February and RS them for the 09 season. Then they will sign another 40 or so in 2010, and even RS a few of them for the 2010 season, which will help them in 2011. and 2012 alot.

Also, Lamar is already full of former HS kids capable of adding depth to a team that may not have necessarily wanted to leave home and just gave up football and went to Lamar.

They will have no problem finding talent in the triangle.

They can sign some quality players who are Props in 09 and 10 from low income families, and help them out by helping them to get PEL Grants to pay for their school, which will still count as a third of a scholarship, but will not cost the program a dime. The Beaumont area is a HUGE Blue Collar area, A lot of those kids would easily qualify for a PEL Grant. GOOD MOVE... IMO

Those PROP's can get some one on one attention at a school the size of Lamar, and if they don't have to concentrate on Football for an entire year, they should have no problem getting eligible before the 2010 season.

McNeese recruits the Beaumont area heavily, but we can not touch any of those (outstanding) Props because our school has a rule about granting academic standard waivers to out of state residents. Any school that excepts federal dollars has to take kids from economically depressed backgrounds that might not meet the NCAA ACT requirements. Or that might not have taken the right classes in High School.

The FBS schools like Texas A&M, UT, Texas Tech, don't need to recruit those kids, who could easily play on a BCS team. If a kid is close to making a grade, they usually end up at a JuCo. Lamars coach can go get those players and keep them away from the Juco's and take advantage of a source that was previously un tapped or taboo.

McNeese limits those to In-State Props. And we do a VERY good job at getting them qualified and even graduating them 5 years later. Being a small school with only 8,000 students gives them some pretty small class sizes to get some personal attention.

Lamar will be able to tap a source that no one else could.

[houtexan]

McTailgator, I think you are absolutely right. It's a bit deeper than just the 'low-income families' but I agree. The walk-on program begins this fall. There are a number of HS athletes from the area that did not sign that will be participating. 2009 will be a redshirt year and by 2010 there may a nice group of atheletes ready to compete.

[McTailGator]

McTailgator, I think you are absolutely right. It's a bit deeper than just the 'low-income families' but I agree. The walk-on program begins this fall. There are a number of HS athletes from the area that did not sign that will be participating. 2009 will be a redshirt year and by 2010 there may a nice group of atheletes ready to compete.


I'd be willing to bet there are at least 20 players on campus at Lamar RIGHT NOW, that could play.

And I bet 5 or 6 could even start.

MANY more Triangle football players never go anywhere than do get a shot. A lot of SLC folks are dreaming about how this will hurt McNeese. But I have always said that McNeese has only been able to scratch the surface when it comes to the number of kids that could play in D-I.

Some just don't want to leave home, or end up at a JuCo and then out in New Mexico, or West Texas. Now these kids will have an option to play D-I ball right away and stay home.

If anything, this will HELP McNeese, because now we get to bring about 10,000 fans and our excellent football team into Beaumont and let those kids see us first hand.

Our traveling fans are our best recruiting tool on the road. That simply blows kids away. Just Ask UL Laugh-ette. We signed about 8 Lafayette are kids they were recruiting. They signed ZERO from the local area this year. Ouch. xoopsx

[houtexan]

It was always a great turnout back in the 80's when I was at Lamar. Still a great turnout for Basketball and Baseball. I always remember sitting on the student section and looking across at a sea of blue/yellow on the visitor section of the home side. You guys travel well.

[GeauxLions94]

Lamar counts for a counter in year two. They just need to get all that fluff out of the way as it relates to having the average of scholarships, etc.

Southeastern La. first played an FBS school (Tulane) in year three.

In the words of Lee Corso .... "Not so fast my friend!"

We actually played Troy (OK, they are in the Sun Belt which ranks about even with the Southland :p) in year one.

[TexasTerror]

In the words of Lee Corso .... "Not so fast my friend!"

We actually played Troy (OK, they are in the Sun Belt which ranks about even with the Southland :p) in year one.

Think someone else brought that up earlier -- guess I couldn't keep track of when Troy was in the process of their transition. Does not seem so long since they were playing in what was known as the SFL.

[McTailGator]

It was always a great turnout back in the 80's when I was at Lamar. Still a great turnout for Basketball and Baseball. I always remember sitting on the student section and looking across at a sea of blue/yellow on the visitor section of the home side. You guys travel well.

Expect A LOT more travelers from McNeese now.

McNeese's travel party has taken on a life of it's on. Regardless of how our season is going, there is a BASE GROUP of travelers that travel for the FUN of getting together for a party. Win or loose, they are there for the beer.xbeerchugx They love the road trips.

That CORE GROUP did not exist prior to the mid 90's.

I think Lamar's biggest problem when we come to town will be where the heck are they going to find a place to park us? xsmiley_wix

[McTailGator]

In the words of Lee Corso .... "Not so fast my friend!"

We actually played Troy (OK, they are in the Sun Belt which ranks about even with the Southland :p) in year one.


Troy was probably better that year than any of the Tulane teams you have faced.

[houtexan]

I think Lamar's biggest problem when we come to town will be where the heck are they going to find a place to park us? xsmiley_wix

I think the new Visitor parking is going to be in Port Arthur. HA.:D

[centexguy]

Expect A LOT more travelers from McNeese now.

McNeese's travel party has taken on a life of it's on. Regardless of how our season is going, there is a BASE GROUP of travelers that travel for the FUN of getting together for a party. Win or loose, they are there for the beer.xbeerchugx They love the road trips.

That CORE GROUP did not exist prior to the mid 90's.

I think Lamar's biggest problem when we come to town will be where the heck are they going to find a place to park us? xsmiley_wix

With all the new hotels they are opening in Beaumont there should be plenty of places to stay. I think a lot of Lamar fans will travel to Lake Charles too. This game should sellout each year no matter where it's at.

[centexguy]

I'd be willing to bet there are at least 20 players on campus at Lamar RIGHT NOW, that could play.

And I bet 5 or 6 could even start.

MANY more Triangle football players never go anywhere than do get a shot. A lot of SLC folks are dreaming about how this will hurt McNeese. But I have always said that McNeese has only been able to scratch the surface when it comes to the number of kids that could play in D-I.

Some just don't want to leave home, or end up at a JuCo and then out in New Mexico, or West Texas. Now these kids will have an option to play D-I ball right away and stay home.

If anything, this will HELP McNeese, because now we get to bring about 10,000 fans and our excellent football team into Beaumont and let those kids see us first hand.

Our traveling fans are our best recruiting tool on the road. That simply blows kids away. Just Ask UL Laugh-ette. We signed about 8 Lafayette are kids they were recruiting. They signed ZERO from the local area this year. Ouch. xoopsx

There's an article today in the Beaumont Enterprise about a couple of local players who plan to attend Lamar and walk on instead of going somewhere else. There will probably be a lot more who do the same.

Link: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/sports/local/local_football_players_hope_to_walk_on_at_lamar_07-13-2008_22_21_01.html

[McTailGator]

With all the new hotels they are opening in Beaumont there should be plenty of places to stay. I think a lot of Lamar fans will travel to Lake Charles too. This game should sellout each year no matter where it's at.

I agree, it should be a sell out.


But only being 45 minutes down the road it is unlikely that we will need too many rooms. (:

Like a lot of McNeese fans, I live in Houston, so I MIGHT stay over (if I've been drinking :p ). I could be home in about an hour and a half after the game.

We will have several nice new hotels in LC, and another casino (Sugar Cane Bay) by the time Lamr visits Cowboy Stadium. I bet a lot of Card fans take advantage of the casino's when in LC.

[McTailGator]

There's an article today in the Beaumont Enterprise about a couple of local players who plan to attend Lamar and walk on instead of going somewhere else. There will probably be a lot more who do the same.

Link: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/sports/local/local_football_players_hope_to_walk_on_at_lamar_07-13-2008_22_21_01.html


The same thing happens at McNeese in Lake Charles. So many young men do not want to leave town. Typically Girl Friends are involved. :D

McNeese has had MANY walkons end up with scholarships by the time they are a Jr. or even a Senior. Thye might even start. Sometimes it just takes a skinny short kid a couple of years to put meat on his bones and grow an inch or two. It happens.

[Hood]

Nicholls fan here looking very much eagerly to a Lamar/Nicholls series! I don't care how we play them, like the UCA poster said, just that we get to play them. I'd do that drive there and back in one day no questions asked.


Bring on the Cardinals!

[TexasTerror]

Lamar is finally going to get that coach with SLC ties, I figure...

http://www.championshipsubdivisionnews.com/?title=lamar-intends-to-hire-another-assistant-&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

[slycat]

I agree, it should be a sell out.


But only being 45 minutes down the road it is unlikely that we will need too many rooms. (:

Like a lot of McNeese fans, I live in Houston, so I MIGHT stay over (if I've been drinking :p ). I could be home in about an hour and a half after the game.

We will have several nice new hotels in LC, and another casino (Sugar Cane Bay) by the time Lamr visits Cowboy Stadium. I bet a lot of Card fans take advantage of the casino's when in LC.

dang how fast you driving? or are you on the east side? of course i havnt driven it my self yet but a i hear it takes 2-2.5.

[McTailGator]

dang how fast you driving? or are you on the east side? of course i havnt driven it my self yet but a i hear it takes 2-2.5.


Nah, I should have said 45 minutes from Lake Charles to Lamars Campus for ,most Cowboy fans.

I'm in Tomball and it's it's 99 miles from Downtown Beaumont to my house near 249 and Louetta, Rd. It takes me about an hour and 50 minutes to get to Lamar if I hit the traffic right.

I take Hwy 90 to Dayton, and then 1960 to Humble and then the Beltway to 249. Hwy 90 is a nice 4 lane hwy, with no one on it. And I set my cruise on 75 MPH and I'm there in no time.

I avoid I-10 as much as possible, especially around Mount Belview.

[houtexan]

Nah, I should have said 45 minutes from Lake Charles to Lamars Campus for ,most Cowboy fans.

I'm in Tomball and it's it's 99 miles from Downtown Beaumont to my house near 249 and Louetta, Rd. It takes me about an hour and 50 minutes to get to Lamar if I hit the traffic right.

I take Hwy 90 to Dayton, and then 1960 to Humble and then the Beltway to 249. Hwy 90 is a nice 4 lane hwy, with no one on it. And I set my cruise on 75 MPH and I'm there in no time.

I avoid I-10 as much as possible, especially around Mount Belview.

I agree. Easy drive. I live just west of Tomball off 2920. I'll be making the drive too. Should be fairly easy trips for LU road games at SHSU, SFA, and San Marcos.xthumbsupx

[Lionsrking]

I agree. Easy drive. I live just west of Tomball off 2920. I'll be making the drive too. Should be fairly easy trips for LU road games at SHSU, SFA, and San Marcos.xthumbsupx

It's not a bad trip to Hammond either being only a little over three hours. Of course if you hit Baton Rouge traffic at the wrong time it could take forever, but you can make it an over-and-back trip pretty easily.

[houtexan]

It's not a bad trip to Hammond either being only a little over three hours. Of course if you hit Baton Rouge traffic at the wrong time it could take forever, but you can make it an over-and-back trip pretty easily.

Planning on hitting all of the games in 2010 and 2011. Nice thing about living in the Houston area, most are pretty close to drive or a non-stop flight from Intercontinental airport. I think Hammond is the only Southland city I haven't been to.

[BearsCountry]

I think Hammond is the only Southland city I haven't been to.

Its nice little college town. And New Orleans is close, worth the trip.

[slycat]

Nah, I should have said 45 minutes from Lake Charles to Lamars Campus for ,most Cowboy fans.

I'm in Tomball and it's it's 99 miles from Downtown Beaumont to my house near 249 and Louetta, Rd. It takes me about an hour and 50 minutes to get to Lamar if I hit the traffic right.

I take Hwy 90 to Dayton, and then 1960 to Humble and then the Beltway to 249. Hwy 90 is a nice 4 lane hwy, with no one on it. And I set my cruise on 75 MPH and I'm there in no time.

I avoid I-10 as much as possible, especially around Mount Belview.

i was speaking of going to mcneese. im thinking of heading there for the game this year now that i live in houston. shouldnt be a bad day trip.

[Seawolf97]

2011

WELCOME TO FCS by the way ! Always good to have another teamxnodx

[houtexan]

WELCOME TO FCS by the way ! Always good to have another teamxnodx

Thanks...glad to be here. Hopefully something meaningful to contribute in the future!xrolleyesx

[TexasTerror]

Wonder who Woodard has in mind...South Alabama, Georgia State?

Lamar University football coach Ray Woodard already has a pretty good idea who the Cardinals opponent first opponent will be when the school resumes football in 2010. Woodard, who played in the Port Arthur News Newspapers in Education golf tournament Friday at Belle Oaks, says he already has eight contracts out for the 2010 season. A few of the first-year opponents will likely include current Southland Conference teams. Woodard, by the way, is anxious to speak at service club luncheons in Mid and South County about his plans for the Cardinals program. He can be reached at 880-7609 . . .

http://www.panews.com/sportsbobwest/local_story_201220300.html

[McTailGator]

i was speaking of going to McNeese. I'm thinking of heading there for the game this year now that i live in Houston. shouldn't be a bad day trip.

Sly,

There are 2 (soon to be 3) Cowboy fans that live near me here in in NW Houston that will be making the trip to Lake Charles every week. Let me know if you want to carpool with us.

We will stay over on Saturday night with relatives, so get your hotel room early as hotel rooms fill up on the weekend due to the casineaux's.