Author Topic: Conference Realignment Rumors (Read 37047 times)

OldSeawolf · « **Reply #105 on:** April 09, 2021, 07:44:19 am »

Quote from: iBOsbu on April 08, 2021, 11:21:51 pm

Not sure where to add this.. but Hartford is thinking of moving to Div3!!!

https://www.wtnh.com/news/news-8-exclusive/exclusive-could-the-university-of-hartford-downgrade-its-athletic-program/

AE just added NJIT to round to even 10 number. Now will go back to 9 teams. Whats next? CCSU to AE

Wow. A lot of schools lost a lot of money since Covid reared its ugly head, and I think this will be the first of many. I'd also expect a lot of schools to start cutting some of their fringe, non-money-making sports.

Chairman of the Board · « **Reply #106 on:** April 09, 2021, 08:29:37 am »

methinks that is 100% correct. best to buckle up.

VA_Seawolf · « **Reply #107 on:** April 09, 2021, 06:13:41 pm »

Quote from: OldSeawolf on April 09, 2021, 07:44:19 am

Quote from: iBOsbu on April 08, 2021, 11:21:51 pm
Not sure where to add this.. but Hartford is thinking of moving to Div3!!!

https://www.wtnh.com/news/news-8-exclusive/exclusive-could-the-university-of-hartford-downgrade-its-athletic-program/

AE just added NJIT to round to even 10 number. Now will go back to 9 teams. Whats next? CCSU to AE

Wow. A lot of schools lost a lot of money since Covid reared its ugly head, and I think this will be the first of many. I'd also expect a lot of schools to start cutting some of their fringe, non-money-making sports.

Schools dropping down is rare. Sure they're running quite the loss, but at the same time they did just make the NCAA tournament. I wouldn't read too much into this yet. CCSU would be the replacement (or we raid the CAA due to instability of that conference, but that's a whole other discussion).

Hammertime · « **Reply #108 on:** April 10, 2021, 04:21:11 am »

Quote from: VA_Seawolf on April 09, 2021, 06:13:41 pm

Quote from: OldSeawolf on April 09, 2021, 07:44:19 am
Quote from: iBOsbu on April 08, 2021, 11:21:51 pm
Not sure where to add this.. but Hartford is thinking of moving to Div3!!!

https://www.wtnh.com/news/news-8-exclusive/exclusive-could-the-university-of-hartford-downgrade-its-athletic-program/

AE just added NJIT to round to even 10 number. Now will go back to 9 teams. Whats next? CCSU to AE

Wow. A lot of schools lost a lot of money since Covid reared its ugly head, and I think this will be the first of many. I'd also expect a lot of schools to start cutting some of their fringe, non-money-making sports.

Schools dropping down is rare. Sure they're running quite the loss, but at the same time they did just make the NCAA tournament. I wouldn't read too much into this yet. CCSU would be the replacement (or we raid the CAA due to instability of that conference, but that's a whole other discussion).

The AE conference is a joke. SH needs to push as hard as he can to make a jump out of this bottom, rag dweller conference. It really is an embarrassment to the school as a whole. I am quite certain Joe Spinella feels the same way.

Chairman of the Board · « **Reply #109 on:** May 07, 2021, 07:50:30 am »

Hartford votes to go to Division III.

UHart Votes to Transition to Division III Sports

The University of Hartford is dropping its sports teams from Division I to Division III, a decision that comes after the men’s basketball team this season won its first America East championship ...

NBC Connecticut · nbcconnecticut.com

Chairman of the Board · « **Reply #110 on:** May 07, 2021, 07:54:17 am »

AE Votes to Allow Member Athletes to Transfer to another...

An interesting piece of information that came out of Herrion Holds Court this past Tuesday was that the AE Presidents have allowed players from a current AE school to transfer to another AE school ...

Professional and College Basketball Forums · basketballforum.com

Quote

An interesting piece of information that came out of Herrion Holds Court this past Tuesday was that the AE Presidents have allowed players from a current AE school to transfer to another AE school and be eligible right away. Coach Herrion has said that he thinks all ten head coaches should make a gentlemen's agreement that they would not take a transfer from another school but he hasn't discussed it yet with the other nine coaches.

ry1nik · « **Reply #111 on:** May 07, 2021, 12:54:29 pm »

Quote from: Chairman of the Board on May 07, 2021, 07:50:30 am

Hartford votes to go to Division III. https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/sports/uhart-votes-to-transition-to-division-iii-sports/2482655/

Wise move. Basketball making it to the NCAA tournament does nothing to boost the stature of the university. Spending the $9 million/year on faculty, scholarships, and facilities will.

ecasadoSBU · « **Reply #112 on:** May 10, 2021, 05:03:24 pm »

There goes Hartford. Best of luck to the University. Nothing wrong on being conscious of your expenses and making a decision to improve your academic stature - It is a University first and foremost after all.

I think we will see more universities choose this route in the future. It's all part of Division I reaching its natural equilibrium. Only those schools that can spread the costs across a large student body will be able to remain in Division I long-term - unless they make a profit running the programs.

I think large state universities like Stony Brook, Buffalo, UMass, UConn will always be safe. Mid-sized like UAlbany, Binghamton, Maine, UNH, UML, UMBC, NJIT, UVM should always re-evaluate every few years whether it makes sense for them to bear the costs of Division-I. The privates are even in a tougher situation and must do the right thing for their University

ibosbu · « **Reply #113 on:** May 10, 2021, 10:59:27 pm »

With Hartford gone, AEC is now a conference of public universities.. all with high research activity (R1 or R2 classification). It would be great if they add another public to make it even. But unfortunately, I can't think of a suitable candidate meeting the requirements of 1) high-research, 2) state university, and 3) in AEC footprint.

Some candidates:

--Northeastern and Drexel: R1; but private. location wise either would be a good addition. Makes sense for them too.. reducing travel cost. But they would probably not take a u-turn back to AEC.
--Delaware: R1, public... but has FBS aspiration. similar to above, they would probably not take a u-turn back to AEC
--Towson and CCSU: lack research activity which I think current AEC presidents value (Last two additions, UMLowell-R2 and NJIT-R1, are both research oriented State Uni).
--Hofstra: blah.. no

AEC was content with 9 members for a long time. I think its best to wait. There is no rush. CAA will implode soon as JMU is itching to go FBS (and may be even Delaware).

guest410 · « **Reply #114 on:** May 10, 2021, 11:09:59 pm »

Quote from: iBOsbu on May 10, 2021, 10:59:27 pm

With Hartford gone, AEC is now a conference of public universities.. all with high research activity (R1 or R2 classification). It would be great if they add another public to make it even. But unfortunately, I can't think of a suitable candidate meeting the requirements of 1) high-research, 2) state university, and 3) in AEC footprint.

Some candidates:

--Northeastern and Drexel: R1; but private. location wise either would be a good addition. Makes sense for them too.. reducing travel cost. But they would probably not take a u-turn back to AEC.
--Delaware: R1, public... but has FBS aspiration. similar to above, they would probably not take a u-turn back to AEC
--Towson and CCSU: lack research activity which I think current AEC presidents value (Last two additions, UMLowell-R2 and NJIT-R1, are both research oriented State Uni).
--Hofstra: blah.. no

AEC was content with 9 members for a long time. I think its best to wait. There is no rush. CAA will implode soon as JMU is itching to go FBS (and may be even Delaware).

No team is going to leave the CAA for the AE, it just doesn't make sense. There's a significant talent dropoff, as well as athletics funding, and media coverage. CCSU is the only listed team that makes any sense when it comes to moving to the AE, but they'd get screwed over in terms of Football. Every AE team that fields a football team is in the CAA, which already has 12 football members, and that's a lot of teams. If CCSU came to the AE, they couldn't stay in the NEC for Football unless they got an exception for it, and the CAA is not looking to add a 13th member, unless they want to add two and split into two divisions with a championship game to crown the AQ.

ibosbu · « **Reply #115 on:** May 10, 2021, 11:18:45 pm »

Quote from: AirTurn on May 10, 2021, 11:09:59 pm

Quote from: iBOsbu on May 10, 2021, 10:59:27 pm
With Hartford gone, AEC is now a conference of public universities.. all with high research activity (R1 or R2 classification). It would be great if they add another public to make it even. But unfortunately, I can't think of a suitable candidate meeting the requirements of 1) high-research, 2) state university, and 3) in AEC footprint.

Some candidates:

--Northeastern and Drexel: R1; but private. location wise either would be a good addition. Makes sense for them too.. reducing travel cost. But they would probably not take a u-turn back to AEC.
--Delaware: R1, public... but has FBS aspiration. similar to above, they would probably not take a u-turn back to AEC
--Towson and CCSU: lack research activity which I think current AEC presidents value (Last two additions, UMLowell-R2 and NJIT-R1, are both research oriented State Uni).
--Hofstra: blah.. no

AEC was content with 9 members for a long time. I think its best to wait. There is no rush. CAA will implode soon as JMU is itching to go FBS (and may be even Delaware).

No team is going to leave the CAA for the AE, it just doesn't make sense. There's a significant talent dropoff, as well as athletics funding, and media coverage. CCSU is the only listed team that makes any sense when it comes to moving to the AE, but they'd get screwed over in terms of Football. Every AE team that fields a football team is in the CAA, which already has 12 football members, and that's a lot of teams. If CCSU came to the AE, they couldn't stay in the NEC for Football unless they got an exception for it, and the CAA is not looking to add a 13th member, unless they want to add two and split into two divisions with a championship game to crown the AQ.

I agree that currently no CAA team will leave for AE. But I can see it happening if future based on how dominos fall. There's already a tension between northern and southern schools. And if one of JMU and Delaware decide to try their luck in FBS, I have a feeling things will not go smooth. W&M may decide that without any of the VA opponents (GMU, VCU, JMU), CAA is not that enticing.. and may move to SoCon or Patriot. And I am sure CofC, UNCW, Elon etc would want another southern member (UNCG perhaps), which wont sit well with Northern teams. That's why I am against Stony Brook joining CAA all sports. CAA is on a shaky foundation.

As for CCSU, I just dont think current AE presidents see them as peer school. Even if NEC allows to park their football, highly unlikely, I still dont think AEC will extend an invite to CCSU.

guest410 · « **Reply #116 on:** May 11, 2021, 09:41:58 am »

Quote from: iBOsbu on May 10, 2021, 11:18:45 pm

Quote from: AirTurn on May 10, 2021, 11:09:59 pm
Quote from: iBOsbu on May 10, 2021, 10:59:27 pm
With Hartford gone, AEC is now a conference of public universities.. all with high research activity (R1 or R2 classification). It would be great if they add another public to make it even. But unfortunately, I can't think of a suitable candidate meeting the requirements of 1) high-research, 2) state university, and 3) in AEC footprint.

Some candidates:

--Northeastern and Drexel: R1; but private. location wise either would be a good addition. Makes sense for them too.. reducing travel cost. But they would probably not take a u-turn back to AEC.
--Delaware: R1, public... but has FBS aspiration. similar to above, they would probably not take a u-turn back to AEC
--Towson and CCSU: lack research activity which I think current AEC presidents value (Last two additions, UMLowell-R2 and NJIT-R1, are both research oriented State Uni).
--Hofstra: blah.. no

AEC was content with 9 members for a long time. I think its best to wait. There is no rush. CAA will implode soon as JMU is itching to go FBS (and may be even Delaware).

No team is going to leave the CAA for the AE, it just doesn't make sense. There's a significant talent dropoff, as well as athletics funding, and media coverage. CCSU is the only listed team that makes any sense when it comes to moving to the AE, but they'd get screwed over in terms of Football. Every AE team that fields a football team is in the CAA, which already has 12 football members, and that's a lot of teams. If CCSU came to the AE, they couldn't stay in the NEC for Football unless they got an exception for it, and the CAA is not looking to add a 13th member, unless they want to add two and split into two divisions with a championship game to crown the AQ.

I agree that currently no CAA team will leave for AE. But I can see it happening if future based on how dominos fall. There's already a tension between northern and southern schools. And if one of JMU and Delaware decide to try their luck in FBS, I have a feeling things will not go smooth. W&M may decide that without any of the VA opponents (GMU, VCU, JMU), CAA is not that enticing.. and may move to SoCon or Patriot. And I am sure CofC, UNCW, Elon etc would want another southern member (UNCG perhaps), which wont sit well with Northern teams. That's why I am against Stony Brook joining CAA all sports. CAA is on a shaky foundation.

As for CCSU, I just dont think current AE presidents see them as peer school. Even if NEC allows to park their football, highly unlikely, I still dont think AEC will extend an invite to CCSU.

The CAA in its current format most likely won't exist in five years. JMU desperately wants to leave, as they feel they're too good for the conference in all sports, not just football. Delaware has behind the scenes looked into a possible switch to the A10 but they have not been offered, and only did some recon should an offer come in. And if those two teams go, others might switch to lower conferences, as you mentioned. Don't forget, half of the CAA football teams are not CAA full members. URI and Richmond are A10, Albany, Maine, UNH and SBU are CAA. Only six teams are full-time members. If Delaware left for the A10, that would mean six full-time members of that conference fielded a football team, which would allow the conference to finally get football.

All of this mostly speculation, aside from confirmed reports about JMU and UD wanting out or exploring other options. But the CAA in five years will look very different than it does today.

Accelerator · « **Reply #117 on:** May 11, 2021, 10:37:46 am »

Why would Stony Brook want to associate itself with lowly schools like CCSU?

Stony Brook is too good and popular of a school to be in the same conference as New Hampshire, Maine, UMass Lowell, NJIT, and (formerly) Hartford, which if I didn't follow the America East, I would have assumed those were all D2/D3 schools. If you told me when I was a student here at Stony Brook back in the early 2010s that in 10 years, we would still be in this conference, I would have laughed.

Hammertime · « **Reply #118 on:** May 11, 2021, 10:43:05 am »

Quote from: Accelerator on May 11, 2021, 10:37:46 am

Why would Stony Brook want to associate itself with lowly schools like CCSU?

Stony Brook is too good and popular of a school to be in the same conference as New Hampshire, Maine, UMass Lowell, NJIT, and (formerly) Hartford, which if I didn't follow the America East, I would have assumed those were all D2/D3 schools. If you told me when I was a student here at Stony Brook back in the early 2010s that in 10 years, we would still be in this conference, I would have laughed.

Stony Brook athletics is not a priority for this school. If it were Chucky Cheese would have gotten the boot a long time ago, and Geno Ford would not be sitting on a 5-year contract after Boals departed. Sports are only here just to appease students to come.

When SH was hired, he has high aspirations in making SBU a premier D1 school. He quickly realized that cant and won't happen with a Tyrant Governor calling the shots with SUNY schools.

VA_Seawolf · « **Reply #119 on:** May 12, 2021, 01:05:42 am »

Quote from: iBOsbu on May 10, 2021, 11:18:45 pm

Quote from: AirTurn on May 10, 2021, 11:09:59 pm
Quote from: iBOsbu on May 10, 2021, 10:59:27 pm
With Hartford gone, AEC is now a conference of public universities.. all with high research activity (R1 or R2 classification). It would be great if they add another public to make it even. But unfortunately, I can't think of a suitable candidate meeting the requirements of 1) high-research, 2) state university, and 3) in AEC footprint.

Some candidates:

--Northeastern and Drexel: R1; but private. location wise either would be a good addition. Makes sense for them too.. reducing travel cost. But they would probably not take a u-turn back to AEC.
--Delaware: R1, public... but has FBS aspiration. similar to above, they would probably not take a u-turn back to AEC
--Towson and CCSU: lack research activity which I think current AEC presidents value (Last two additions, UMLowell-R2 and NJIT-R1, are both research oriented State Uni).
--Hofstra: blah.. no

AEC was content with 9 members for a long time. I think its best to wait. There is no rush. CAA will implode soon as JMU is itching to go FBS (and may be even Delaware).

No team is going to leave the CAA for the AE, it just doesn't make sense. There's a significant talent dropoff, as well as athletics funding, and media coverage. CCSU is the only listed team that makes any sense when it comes to moving to the AE, but they'd get screwed over in terms of Football. Every AE team that fields a football team is in the CAA, which already has 12 football members, and that's a lot of teams. If CCSU came to the AE, they couldn't stay in the NEC for Football unless they got an exception for it, and the CAA is not looking to add a 13th member, unless they want to add two and split into two divisions with a championship game to crown the AQ.

I agree that currently no CAA team will leave for AE. But I can see it happening if future based on how dominos fall. There's already a tension between northern and southern schools. And if one of JMU and Delaware decide to try their luck in FBS, I have a feeling things will not go smooth. W&M may decide that without any of the VA opponents (GMU, VCU, JMU), CAA is not that enticing.. and may move to SoCon or Patriot. And I am sure CofC, UNCW, Elon etc would want another southern member (UNCG perhaps), which wont sit well with Northern teams. That's why I am against Stony Brook joining CAA all sports. CAA is on a shaky foundation.

As for CCSU, I just dont think current AE presidents see them as peer school. Even if NEC allows to park their football, highly unlikely, I still dont think AEC will extend an invite to CCSU.

Everything you're saying is spot on. I think the CAA is in serious trouble once JMU goes FBS (it's only a matter of time in the next 3-4 years once the new playoff format is finalized and realignment starts happening again), the rift between northern and southern, football and non football, private and public schools will become too great. At that time I think we'd be wise to offer Towson and Delaware to join the AE as full members and bring football in-house at that point. They were both former AE members IIRC and geographically they fit. Delaware in particular would be a great add.

I also wouldn't mind getting Northeastern back in the conference. They're a large school and having a school directly in Boston again I think would be nice for the AE. Getting those three would get us back to a solid 12 teams.

Hofstra can go pound sand back to the MAAC or even better D3

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Author Topic: Conference Realignment Rumors (Read 37047 times)

OldSeawolf

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Chairman of the Board

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VA_Seawolf

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Hammertime

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Chairman of the Board

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Chairman of the Board

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ry1nik

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ecasadoSBU

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ibosbu

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guest410

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ibosbu

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guest410

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Accelerator

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Hammertime

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VA_Seawolf

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