umainealum

Seriously, how close are Delaware, UNH & Richmond to being able to move from FCS to FBS? And do they even want to? I read that article and those were my thoughts. I just can't imagine any of those schools having the desire or the wherewithall to do it.

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UMaine - the epitome of mediocrity

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ccd494

Delaware could go tomorrow if they wanted. They like being a big fish in a small pond, though.

Richmond is unlikely to have any desire- its a small school enrollment wise, and they have academic standards that would be a decent match with the Patriot.

Does UNH have the money to build a stadium? Theirs is a joke for FCS, and frankly calling it a "stadium" is a stretch. It's a field with some bleachers on the side.

umainealum

Delaware certainly has the facilities...do they have the money? I have no idea what their financial situation is. It also appears that they have absolutely no desire to move up to that level.

For Richmond, they only have an 8700 seat stadium and though seating capacity is no longer a requirement of FBS, I believe the attendance average is, which is at least 15K in every 2 year period. Obviously they can't reach that figure even with a sellout. No idea if they can expand their stadium the way it's constructed, but can't imagine they have a desire to do that.

For UNH, yeah, they need facilities bad.

I really don't see where the writer of that article had a clue what he was writing about.

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UMaine - the epitome of mediocrity

Proud supporter of an AMERICA EAST team that made a coaching change...

Dane96

That article is assinine.

Let's deal with the obvious:

THERE IS NOT ONE TEAM IN THE AMERICA EAST THAT IS CAPABLE OF MOVING UP TO FBS. UNH can't build a stadium for FCS, let alone FBS. Ditto to Albany and Maine.

Stony Brook...very outside chance because of their sugar daddy.


Now, with the less obvious. Delaware's stadium is a piece of shit for FBS plain and simple. They would have to definitely do a lot of work to move up to FBS standards. Been in that place at least 10 times...and I love it...but it is no FBS stadium. I know they have "talked" upgrades...but until it starts, that's a lower "TOP TIER" FCS stadium.

And where the **** is Richmond building this stadium for FBS?!?!?! They are allowed a max of 12-14,000 in the spot they have. They built it for 8 with a 1k recent expansion.

The article is written by someone trying to get in the game but has NO IDEA WTF he is talking about.

Rhett1

I suspect that the author was mistaken/uninformed about the FBS/FCS situation of these schools.

I suspect that what's happening is that the schools in CAA Football for the long haul are trying to either create an all-sports conference or, more likely in my opinion, decide which existing conference they will all join together. Either AEC will invite UD (and friends) or the CAA will invite UNH (and friends).

mainejeff

Exactly.....that was my train of thought as well.

Aceinthehole

According to ESPN's Andy Katz, both Stony Brook and Boston U. may be on the CAA's radar as replacements. Other candidates include Davidson and Charleston from the SoCon and Coastal Carolina of the Big South.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...ege-basketball

TerrierNation

BU should probably go especially if Stony Brook goes first. But I just don't see it happening. Their focus is probably going to be purely on FCS football.

Aceinthehole

It is too early to tell what the CAA will do, but I'm suprised how many baksetball schools are being thrown out there - Davidson, CoC, BU, etc.

I think SBU has agood shot at a CAA invite, but I'm not sure the CAA is about to totally rebuild around FCS football when it is well known that JMU is shopping for a FBS opportunity. Not to mention, CAA FOOTBALL is a seperate legal entity and can easily stand alone or shift to another conference if needed.

This is likely the AE's last chance to control their own destiny. I suggest, the AE invite CCSU & Bryant for all sports immeditely. The AE would have minimum 6 core FCS members (as well as adding 2 very good baseball teams and a Nationally ranked MLax program). Then just add URI as a football-only member.

By doing this, CAA Football will shrink to just 6 members (UD, Towson, JMU, W&M, 'Nova, Richmond) and unlikely to gain any members except Big South teams (Coastal, Libery, etc.). As soon as JMU finds a FBS home, UD and Towson would be ripe and willing to take an all-sports memebrship in the America East.

This can only happen if the AE has a PLAN and it's members are committed to it and each other. It can't work if Stony Brook goes to the CAA for all sports.

lsbal84

I actually wonder what the conversations are like at the AE offices. Based on the past not too confident of a positive outcome for us. Hopefully this new commissioner shows us something!!

ecasadoSBU

Where is CCSU in all this Ace? Any thoughts on whether your alma mater is looking into realignment. Just wondering... or if any team in the NEC is looking to move up

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Aceinthehole

Sitting quietly on the sidelines, waiting for our number to be called

Seriously, while I think the CCSU would embrace the opportunity to join the NE/NY public universities in a conference, the current situation is so unstable I'm not really sure what is our best move, if any. Football is important to us and I'm not sure where we might fit right now. Time will tell.

Quinnipiac has been looking for a life boat since day 1 in the NEC

SaltySeawolf

I think this is so key. Why sit back and let powers outside of your control dictate what is going to happen. I too would like to see the AE come out proactively, with a plan, and do what they want to do.

You kind of get the feeling that the AE will do nothing and will be shocked when schools make a move.

mainejeff

Yup. Been around this crappy league long enough to know that this will be the case. Of course when multiple AE sports drop below the NCAA minimum, they will be forced to act! THAT should be interesting.

lsbal84

The AE big news and proud press release will be the addition of new league member NJIT.