Speaking of the Southland: Southland Ultimatum – The First Shot Fired in NCAA Realign

[CSN-info]

After months of speculation since UT-San Antonio announced that they were bypassing the Southland Conference...

More... (http://www.collegesportingnews.com/blog.php?b=77)

06-04-2010 06:57 PM

[TexasTerror]

FIRE!

http://www.mcasco.com/images/cannon1.jpg

[TexasTerror]

Here's the discussion around the Southland Conference about it.

Put UTSA, TXST and SHSU at the top because those are the boards where we'll probably see the most discussion pertaining to this subject - particularly TXST and UTSA - who are both in the midst of looking at (or moving to) FBS.

The other boards below that do not have much conversation, though looks like jhanel attempted to start some. Will post if there is any activity from UCA, UT-Arlington or Lamar.

SHSU (http://katfans.com/newforum/index.php?topic=381.msg2439)
TXST (http://www.bobcatfans.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=19288)
UTSA (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155753)

McN (http://forums.delphiforums.com/geauxcowboys/messages/?msg=11206.1)
NICH (http://forums.delphiforums.com/nicholls/messages/?msg=1588.1)
NWST (http://forums.delphiforums.com/forkemdemons/messages/?msg=5079.1)
SFA (http://forums.delphiforums.com/sfalumberjacks/messages/?msg=2784.1)
SLU (http://forums.delphiforums.com/southeastern/messages/?msg=914.1)

[TXST_CAT]

From SpursTalk.com

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155753

It's starting to sink in over at the Spurs Talk Forum.



ChumpDumper
I killed the NBA board.

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Re: SLC telling UTSA bye bye?

Originally Posted by blkroadrunners
So assuming it issued, will UTSA have to go independent in its other athletic programs outside football?

Or join another conference.

Does this rule begin to apply when the program starts or when the program is able to actually play in the conference? Because with the required notice, it looks like UTSA could stay in the Southland through most of the transition period. At worst it just looks like a point of no return proposition.


jb4g
Believe.

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Re: SLC telling UTSA bye bye?


Originally Posted by ChumpDumper
Or join another conference.

Does this rule begin to apply when the program starts or when the program is able to actually play in the conference? Because with the required notice, it looks like UTSA could stay in the Southland through most of the transition period. At worst it just looks like a point of no return proposition.

Im trying to figure this out as well, the new SLC rule takes effect in July, so if UTSA gets 2 years from that date they are fine through 2013 for all sports. The new football timeline has them being fbs ready in 2014. If an invite comes, all sports other than football can jump to the new conference in 2013, and football will be ready in 2014. However, since UTSA will count as an FBS counter in 2013, it could schedule its new conference mates in 2013 as OOC FBS games, then fully join the conference in 2014.

I agree its a point of no return. Obviously they need an invite ASAP, but they also need the waiver approved so they can complete the transition in 4 years.

EDIT: another interesting sidenote, according to the SLC bylaws as soon as you announce your intent to leave the conference you forfeit your share of basketball tourney money...OUCH!


bugoy
Believe.

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Re: SLC telling UTSA bye bye?
you had to be crazy to not see this coming


I feel bad but many of us at Bobcatfans saw this coming a mile away! xnonoxxoopsxxnonono2x

[TexasTerror]

Hey, your post reminds me of a remark you made directed towards me...


TT I love how you can read numerous post find one that falls in line with your views and try to pass it off as fact or inside knowledge. Everything you just said nothing more than speculation and an attempt to spin what might be a huge failure. If she is "showing her hand" that tells me her bluff has been called and she went all in. Someone needs to tell her she's at UTSA not UT Austin.

UTSA fans knew this was going to happen. They are not oblivious to the obvious. Outside of the few posts you shared, most UTSA fans are just curious about the specifics of the rule and the immediate impact. In fact, that's pretty much the discussion that those on the TXST board are having - they want more explanation of the rule!

[TXST_CAT]

No. Your post are full speculation passed off as known fact. I just posted the reaction of several fans that realize what some of us(not all) at Bobcatfans knew. All the public noise UTSA was making talking about going Indy would cause the SLC to put it's foot down. You were and still are praising the UTSA staff in their efforts and in the same bashing TXST for being so silent. Our Admin knew the SLC would come down this way and it apears the UTSA admin thought they would get a pass. Again they are UTSA not UT.

[TexasTerror]

No. Your post are full speculation passed off as known fact. I just posted the reaction of several fans that realize what some of us(not all) at Bobcatfans knew. All the public noise UTSA was making talking about going Indy would cause the SLC to put it's foot down. You were and still are praising the UTSA staff in their efforts and in the same bashing TXST for being so silent. Our Admin knew the SLC would come down this way and it apears the UTSA admin thought they would get a pass. Again they are UTSA not UT.

TXST_CAT,

If you want to talk about FACTS, our conference-mates at UTSA were well aware of what would happen.

In January, Hickey acknowledged the first thing she did was to outreach to the SLC membership in order to inform them of their intentions and try to convince them to keep her school in the league. Yes, this was in the SAEN when the 'curveball' (as I billed it), was announced.

Hickey was hopeful it would not come to this, but the league did not want another ULM situation and that is documented going back before UTSA football was truly off the ground. You've been around since '05 on this board, figure you are vaguely familiar with that.

SAEN knew what was going to happen, each school in the SLC knew what was going to happen and any fan that follows the SLC actively knew this was going to happen - it is why I was talking about the SLC acting on UTSA at their upcoming meetings several weeks ago. I was given insight into what was going to occur and I approached it in a roundabout way, the only person who was willing to do so.

I am not bashing TXST for being silent. If you take a step off your soapbox, you would realize that I have gone 'on the record' stating that BOTH schools must take different approaches. What is working at UTSA, will not work at TXST.

UTSA must create buzz because that is all they have until they hit the field. UTSA is quietly handling finding a new conference. TXST must show movement to their questioning fan base, though has to be quiet about how they approach it, leaking information to the media as they fit, but can not be so open about it.

Comparing UTSA to TXST is like comparing apples to oranges. Comparing UTSA to Texas (Austin) is like comparing TXST to Houston Community College.

[TexasTerror]

The latest from UTSA camp, via the SAEN...


Flexibility is the key to stability.

With the recent passing of the great John Wooden, it seems appropriate to apply one of his best-known maxims to the roadblock UTSA has hit in its quest to build a top-flight football program from scratch.

The credo will be put to the test by Roadrunners athletic director Lynn Hickey following the Southland Conference’s adoption of a statute that requires members to operate all varsity sports within the league.

UTSA had hoped to keep its other 16 programs in the SLC while pursing football independence in the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/college/UTSA/roadrunners_back_to_the_drawing_board_96024394.htm l

[GeauxLions94]

The latest from UTSA camp, via the SAEN...



http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/college/UTSA/roadrunners_back_to_the_drawing_board_96024394.htm l


Barring the discovery of some other option — perhaps joining a mid-major conference that doesn’t sponsor football, such as the Missouri Valley? — that leaves the Southland.

Whoops xoopsx

[RabidRabbit]

Whoops xoopsx

If the roadrunners need a home for all but football, the Summit League may be worth a look. Although, they would have the same concerns as Southland for departing quickly to another FBS playing conference.

[TexasTerror]

If the roadrunners need a home for all but football, the Summit League may be worth a look. Although, they would have the same concerns as Southland for departing quickly to another FBS playing conference.

Great West is a solid league, just no AQ for anything. As good as being independent again!

[TexasTerror]

The case for UTSA to join several conferences in this article...


And when seemingly every major college was rumored to be changing conference affiliation, UTSA was watching and taking notes.

“We’ve been watching this carefully, said UTSA Athletic Director Lynn Hickey. “We are preparing ourselves the best we can to be ready when the opportunity comes.”

Hickey added that this type of conference shake-up happens about every five to ten years.

Five years from now, the UTSA football program will have just completed its first season as Football Bowl Subdivision status and could be an attractive option for several major conferences.

http://www.kens5.com/sports/Brian-New-web-special-96523304.html

[GeauxLions94]

The case for UTSA to join several conferences in this article...



http://www.kens5.com/sports/Brian-New-web-special-96523304.html

Big XII? Pac-10 (or my new name for them ... the 12-Pac???) .... they are best suited for the WAC or Conference USA if that's they route they choose to go.

[centexguy]

I noticed that UTSA has been very quiet during all this expansion talk. Instead of begging to join a FBS conference now, they seem more content to wait and build up their program and making the jump when they're ready. They are in a nice position of being located in San Antonio and not having to share the market with another D1-level team.

[TexasTerror]

Big XII? Pac-10 (or my new name for them ... the 12-Pac???) .... they are best suited for the WAC or Conference USA if that's they route they choose to go.

Agreed - the WAC or C-USA.


I noticed that UTSA has been very quiet during all this expansion talk. Instead of begging to join a FBS conference now, they seem more content to wait and build up their program and making the jump when they're ready. They are in a nice position of being located in San Antonio and not having to share the market with another D1-level team.

I disagree...

UTSA has been "working the room" behind the scenes. I have no doubt in my mind that they have reached out to the same conferences that TXST has.

They have no reason to play their cards in public like TXST does. The Bobcat athletic department had to leak that they were talking to other conferences, to build some interest in "The Drive" and their FBS prospects. The TXST faithful had grown too weary, especially in light of UTSA's numerous announcements - hiring of Coker, different home-and-home agreements, etc...

[TexasTerror]

The author still thinks ULM is a member of the SLC, but outside of that - not much gained from reading this article, outside of several attempts to belittle the SLC for their decision...


The Southland Conference has pulled out its sword and drawn a line in the sand in front of the Alamodome.

It’s board members have stared into the eyes of UTSA officials and offered the Roadrunners an ultimatum: Get in or get out.

The Roadrunners are one of the dozen teams that compete in the Southland Conference.

But don’t mistake this league with that other 12-team conference, the one which, at least for now, has Longhorns, Aggies and Sooners.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2010/06/21/newscolumn1.html?b=1277092800^3524661&page=1