Savannah State Releases Yet Another Surprising Schedule

[UNHWildCats]

9/5/2009 Livingstone College (http://www.bluebearathletics.com/) "HBCU Classic"Greenville, SC - Sirrine Stadium
9/12/2009 Alabama State University (http://bamastatesports.com/index.aspx) "Joe Turner Classic"Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
9/19/2009 McNeese State University (http://www.mcneesesports.com/HomePage.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=22000&KEY=) Lake Charles, La. - Cowboy Stadium
9/26/2009 Concordia College-Selma (http://www.concordiaselma.edu/) Selma, Ala. - Memorial Stadium
10/3/2009 Charleston Southern University (http://csusports.athleticsite.com/) Charleston, S.C. - CSU StadiumA1:30 p.m.
10/10/2009 North Greenville University (http://ngcrusaders.athleticsite.com/) Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
10/17/2009 Bethune-Cookman University (http://bccathletics.cstv.com/) Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
10/24/2009 Old Dominion University (http://odusports.cstv.com/index-main.html) Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
10/31/2009 Edward Waters College (http://www.ewc.edu/athletics) "Homecoming"Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright StadiumH2 p.m.
11/7/2009 Open
11/14/2009 Webber International (http://webberathletics.com/) Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
11/21/2009 North Carolina Central University (http://nccueaglepride.cstv.com/) Durham, N.C. - O'Kelly-Reddick Stadium

[danefan]

Man.....you'd have to imagine some folks at SVSU are questioning the committment to scholarship football.

If they want to be Division I, they should just join the PFL.

[DSUrocks07]

9/5/2009 Livingstone College (http://www.bluebearathletics.com/) "HBCU Classic"Greenville, SC - Sirrine Stadium
9/12/2009 Alabama State University (http://bamastatesports.com/index.aspx) "Joe Turner Classic"Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
9/19/2009 McNeese State University (http://www.mcneesesports.com/HomePage.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=22000&KEY=) Lake Charles, La. - Cowboy Stadium
9/26/2009 Concordia College-Selma (http://www.concordiaselma.edu/) Selma, Ala. - Memorial Stadium
10/3/2009 Charleston Southern University (http://csusports.athleticsite.com/) Charleston, S.C. - CSU StadiumA1:30 p.m.
10/10/2009 North Greenville University (http://ngcrusaders.athleticsite.com/) Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
10/17/2009 Bethune-Cookman University (http://bccathletics.cstv.com/) Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
10/24/2009 Old Dominion University (http://odusports.cstv.com/index-main.html) Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
10/31/2009 Edward Waters College (http://www.ewc.edu/athletics) "Homecoming"Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright StadiumH2 p.m.
11/7/2009 Open
11/14/2009 Webber International (http://webberathletics.com/) Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
11/21/2009 North Carolina Central University (http://nccueaglepride.cstv.com/) Durham, N.C. - O'Kelly-Reddick Stadium

I don't hold it against them, first of all, who would WANT to play an independent SSU right now anyways...with all of this talk of "watered-down" schedules. Second, being an independent limits their ability to get high quality opponents to come to their place for a home game. They are on the come up and yeah even tho they have a bunch of D-II and even an NAIA (EWC), playing McNeese, BCC, ODU, Alabama State, Chuck South and NCCU is an upgrade over last years schedule. They're going about this the right way. And its not like were expecting them to compete for an at-large berth, they want to build themselves a winning tradition record-wise and generate income for their program through their home games.

[dgreco]

5 sub DI games is bad, but what are they doing to do? Like DSUrocks says, there is not much they can do. They are in a tough place and hopefully a few winning seasons will get them on the right track.

[Sir William]

Nothing wrong with that schedule. For Savannah State, it's pretty good. Looks like they are taking steps in the right direction.

[Redwyn]

All about baby steps. Not a smart idea to let the team get stomped on with an overly difficult schedule, can easily kill fan and alumni interest in the team ::cough:: NJIT BASKETBALL ::cough::

[401ks]

Man.....you'd have to imagine some folks at SVSU are questioning the committment to scholarship football.

If they want to be Division I, they should just join the PFL.

Come on, danefan.

Was that really necessary?

:p

[813Jag]

I don't hold it against them, first of all, who would WANT to play an independent SSU right now anyways...with all of this talk of "watered-down" schedules. Second, being an independent limits their ability to get high quality opponents to come to their place for a home game. They are on the come up and yeah even tho they have a bunch of D-II and even an NAIA (EWC), playing McNeese, BCC, ODU, Alabama State, Chuck South and NCCU is an upgrade over last years schedule. They're going about this the right way. And its not like were expecting them to compete for an at-large berth, they want to build themselves a winning tradition record-wise and generate income for their program through their home games.
I'd trade a game with Fort Valley St for a game with them.

[danefan]

Come on, danefan.

Was that really necessary?

:p

Sorry - It came out wrong - What I meant (and admittedly didn't say) was that they'd be better off in the PFL. They'd play a similar and most likely better schedule in the PFL (that would for the most part be set each year) and they'd likely save money on the cost of travel versus scholarships currently offered.

I don't dislike the PFL at all. The PFL and the Ivy are great varieties of FCS football. xpeacex

[g-webb1994]

Savannah State wouldn't even win 3 games in PFL play. Davidson, Dayton, and Jacksonville would cream them.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I just saw that Savannah State's endowment was only 2.4 million. Where does the money come from to support the program? I have to imagine the facilities at Savannah State, academic and athletic, are very poor given the lack of money the school has.

[Model Citizen]

They're a state school. A big endowment would be great, but it's not necessary.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

They're a state school. A big endowment would be great, but it's not necessary.

It deffinately has some bearing on academic and facility quality. Cheyney State is PA's HBCU and their endowment is a paltry $3.5 million which is about 1/2 of the next lowest school in the system. With out a doubt Cheyney State is the worst school in the PA state system so i have to say little money equals poor quality in a general sense. Savannah State is also ranked near the bottom of every HBCU ranking that i've seen in terms of academics and athletics.

[Eaglesrus]

I just saw that Savannah State's endowment was only 2.4 million. Where does the money come from to support the program? I have to imagine the facilities at Savannah State, academic and athletic, are very poor given the lack of money the school has.

I haven't been in many of the academic facilities at SSU, but their basketball venue is better than Georgia Southern's (understandably, as it was built a few years ago whereas Hanner Fieldhouse at Georgia Southern is more than 40 years old). There was some renovation of SSU's football stadium prior to last season, but it's still pretty sad.

[dgreco]

I just saw that Savannah State's endowment was only 2.4 million. Where does the money come from to support the program? I have to imagine the facilities at Savannah State, academic and athletic, are very poor given the lack of money the school has.

So Shannon Sharpe doesn't have any money to donate? That is ridiculously low.

[Eaglesrus]

So Shannon Sharpe doesn't have any money to donate? That is ridiculously low.

Sharpe had a conflict with the previous president of SSU and had not been in contact with the school for several years. As Sharpe tells it, it was about how he was approached about financial support. There have been several articles in the Savannah paper regarding his recent induction into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and from what was said both sides are working toward mending fences. SSU wants to retire his jersey but say they won't do so without his blessing and he says he will be talking to school officials soon. So, maybe he will be contributing financially in the future, but apparently he hasn't in the past.

[dgreco]

Sharpe had a conflict with the previous president of SSU and had not been in contact with the school for several years. As Sharpe tells it, it was about how he was approached about financial support. There have been several articles in the Savannah paper regarding his recent induction into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and from what was said both sides are working toward mending fences. SSU wants to retire his jersey but say they won't do so without his blessing and he says he will be talking to school officials soon. So, maybe he will be contributing financially in the future, but apparently he hasn't in the past.

They could use that boost. At least promote that Shannon Sharpe is an alum of your football program.

[andy7171]

I don't hold it against them, first of all, who would WANT to play an independent SSU right now anyways...with all of this talk of "watered-down" schedules. Second, being an independent limits their ability to get high quality opponents to come to their place for a home game. They are on the come up and yeah even tho they have a bunch of D-II and even an NAIA (EWC), playing McNeese, BCC, ODU, Alabama State, Chuck South and NCCU is an upgrade over last years schedule. They're going about this the right way. And its not like were expecting them to compete for an at-large berth, they want to build themselves a winning tradition record-wise and generate income for their program through their home games.

When I was at Towson we were an independant, we didn't have a crap schedule like this. We played Yankee, Patriot and MEAC. The only D.II team we played was IUP every year and dropped them my senior year to an all I-AA schedule. So it's not like putting together a quality schedule is impossible. 5 sub D.I games is completely inexcusable.

[danefan]

When I was at Towson we were an independant, we didn't have a crap schedule like this. We played Yankee, Patriot and MEAC. The only D.II team we played was IUP every year and dropped them my senior year to an all I-AA schedule. So it's not like putting together a quality schedule is impossible. 5 sub D.I games is completely inexcusable.

I agree.

SBU was an independent in 2007 with the following schedule:

vs. Georgetown
at Bucknell
at Youngstown State
vs. Monmouth
at Hofstra
at Albany
at Richmond
vs. Maine
vs. Bryant
vs. Central Conn.
at Elon

[89Hen]

A real mixed bag. DelState doesn't have a big endowment, they don't have state of the art facilities, they aren't a I-AA powerhouse, but IIRC they have had UMass, SIU and NWSt all visit Newark in the last 5-6 years. Playing at Concordia is probably the most egregious IMO.

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

At least they seem to be getting better. 5-1 (2008) against sub-DI opponents is better than 1-3 (2007) or 3-4 (really 2-5, except one team had to forfeit) against Sub-DIs.

[Tribe4SF]

The problem with this schedule is that it's a step backwards. They had seven D-I games last year, and at least were playoff eligible.

[whoanellie]

it is what it is....ODU but no Campbell?

[I-AA Fan]

no issues. Wins are wins, and they sure need them. As mentioned, no one else is going to play them. A winning program, regardless of schedule strength, will go a very long way in recruiting, fan-base, etc. I do not agree on last year's schedule ..it was "watered down"

[3rd Coast Tiger]

I have no problem with their schedule. If/once they join the MEAC, they won't have a schedule that even comes close to resemble this current schedule. They have to schedule for what works best for them.

Confidence does wonders in the hearts of those athletes and believe it or not the alumni and supporters of Savannah State. xthumbsupx

[Sir William]

Just an obsevation...

Lots of good opinions on the subject matter at hand. Still, I'll bet Savannah State doesn't give three rips to the wind what any of us think about their schedule. :)

[blukeys]

A real mixed bag. DelState doesn't have a big endowment, they don't have state of the art facilities, they aren't a I-AA powerhouse, but IIRC they have had UMass, SIU and NWSt all visit Newark in the last 5-6 years. Playing at Concordia is probably the most egregious IMO.

Last I checked the only time any of the above teams played Delstate it was in Dover and not Newark. Now Delstate did play one time in Newark and the results were SIU like.

[3rd Coast Tiger]

Just an obsevation...

Lots of good opinions on the subject matter at hand. Still, I'll bet Savannah State doesn't give three rips to the wind what any of us think about their schedule. :)

xbowxxbowxxbowxxbowxxbowxxbowxxbowx
And that's how it should be.

[89Hen]

Last I checked the only time any of the above teams played Delstate it was in Dover and not Newark. Now Delstate did play one time in Newark and the results were SIU like.
xoopsx I keep forgetting Dover is in Delaware. :p

[HIU 93]

Just an obsevation...

Lots of good opinions on the subject matter at hand. Still, I'll bet Savannah State doesn't give three rips to the wind what any of us think about their schedule. :)

Let the church say AMEN!!!

[Eaglesrus]

Just an obsevation...

Lots of good opinions on the subject matter at hand. Still, I'll bet Savannah State doesn't give three rips to the wind what any of us think about their schedule. :)

Well, that's not what they say they think about my opinion since they say that one of their goals is to build community support.xsmiley_wix

[walliver]

9/5/2009 Livingstone College (http://www.bluebearathletics.com/) "HBCU Classic"Greenville, SC - Sirrine Stadium
9/12/2009 Alabama State University (http://bamastatesports.com/index.aspx) "Joe Turner Classic"Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
9/19/2009 McNeese State University (http://www.mcneesesports.com/HomePage.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=22000&KEY=) Lake Charles, La. - Cowboy Stadium
9/26/2009 Concordia College-Selma (http://www.concordiaselma.edu/) Selma, Ala. - Memorial Stadium
10/3/2009 Charleston Southern University (http://csusports.athleticsite.com/) Charleston, S.C. - CSU StadiumA1:30 p.m.
10/10/2009 North Greenville University (http://ngcrusaders.athleticsite.com/) Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
10/17/2009 Bethune-Cookman University (http://bccathletics.cstv.com/) Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
10/24/2009 Old Dominion University (http://odusports.cstv.com/index-main.html) Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
10/31/2009 Edward Waters College (http://www.ewc.edu/athletics) "Homecoming"Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright StadiumH2 p.m.
11/7/2009 Open
11/14/2009 Webber International (http://webberathletics.com/) Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium
11/21/2009 North Carolina Central University (http://nccueaglepride.cstv.com/) Durham, N.C. - O'Kelly-Reddick Stadium

One of these teams is not like the others ...


Let's be honest, how many teams want to play SSU - this is probably the best schedule they could put together.

[R.A.]

Savannah State needs wins, period. Who cares what teams are on the schedule, as long as they get some wins. A winning season is just what Savannah State needs a year before they are accepted into the MEAC. It will give the Savannah State players the confidence to compete with a complete MEAC regular season schedule the following season.

A seven win season heading into the MEAC would be great.

[Redwyn]

Savannah State needs wins, period. Who cares what teams are on the schedule, as long as they get some wins. A winning season is just what Savannah State needs a year before they are accepted into the MEAC. It will give the Savannah State players the confidence to compete with a complete MEAC regular season schedule the following season.

A seven win season heading into the MEAC would be great.

I absolutely agree. It's really a momentum issue. Even if this isn't the strongest schedule on Earth, a good showing would give a bit more umph behind SSU's recruitment abilities, which will be needed pending the MEAC entry.

On the other hand, if they made an SBU circa 2007 schedule, the frustration that could come from a poor season could pose massive problems, new conference or not. SBU was in a different situation that year. It had money, was expanding, and my guess is sorta knew where they were going (this guess made with little insight about what was going on back then, just the knowledge that more money was going to athletics. Can someone give me a quick recap if they know? Might help explain SSU). SSU needs the conference. When it's in the MEAC, then slam the schedule choice. Right now it's all about getting there.

[R.A.]

When it's in the MEAC, then slam the schedule choice. Right now it's all about getting there.

Posters on this page tend to frequently slam Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

[Redwyn]

Apologies for coming across vague. I didn't mean the MEAC itself. It's a fine conference and SSU will be lucky to be a part of it. I meant the OOC schedule. Sorry bout that :)