[Bingo v2.0]

We talk of the AE expanding, but in any shuffling of low/mid-major programs, is the possibility of expansion potentially offset by possible departures?

I believe some posters have mentioned a Binghamton to MAC scenario (though I don’t know enough to know what the odds of something like that would be—guessing not likely?) as well as a few other AE schools potential moves. I’d think Binghamton following up their exploration of adding ice hockey back by actually fielding a team would make them more attractive, but again, I know neither how serious that’s still being discussed let alone the impact it would have.

 

[mainejeff]

We talk of the AE expanding, but in any shuffling of low/mid-major programs, is the possibility of expansion potentially offset by possible departures?

I believe some posters have mentioned a Binghamton to MAC scenario (though I don’t know enough to know what the odds of something like that would be—guessing not likely?) as well as a few other AE schools potential moves. I’d think Binghamton following up their exploration of adding ice hockey back by actually fielding a team would make them more attractive, but again, I know neither how serious that’s still being discussed let alone the impact it would have.

Does Binghamton want a presence in the Midwest (Ohio/Michigan) or in New England/Mid-Atlantic? Both of those choices are stagnant prospective student growth areas.

Regarding Northeastern......does anyone think that they are building this $350 million facility to stay in the CAA....or even join the Patriot?

 

[Bingo v2.0]

Does Binghamton want a presence in the Midwest (Ohio/Michigan) or in New England/Mid-Atlantic? Both of those choices are stagnant prospective student growth areas.

Regarding Northeastern......does anyone think that they are building this $350 million facility to stay in the CAA....or even join the Patriot?

View attachment 22671 View attachment 22672

I wouldn’t think so, no. I only brought that scenario up specifically because posters who seem to be “in the know” to some degree, or post as if they are, have mentioned it. I think the AE makes more sense, personally.

 

[catpower]

Does Binghamton want a presence in the Midwest (Ohio/Michigan) or in New England/Mid-Atlantic? Both of those choices are stagnant prospective student growth areas.

Regarding Northeastern......does anyone think that they are building this $350 million facility to stay in the CAA....or even join the Patriot?

View attachment 22671 View attachment 22672

Yes, because that facility is being built for hockey first, and they're happy being in the SEC of college hockey.

 

[catpower]

Man you really are the most negative person on here. I know you wear it as a badge of honor but......yeesh.

Well, for one, the NU and Stonehill takes are based on some level of sourcing I've been fortunate to tap into over the years. I'm sure someone like Dane96 (you take his opinion seriously, don't you?) would verify that what I said, as of now, is more likely or has some factual basis (as in, it's out there in circles...doesn't mean it's gonna happen, just that it's out there) than your constant fantasy booking. You're entitled to keep doing that (I like doing it sometimes too!), but I find it amusing that the Northeastern to the Patriot has been discussed here for nearly a year, and it's not exactly an open secret, and just because they're building a big ass building to replace their 100+ year old one, they're going A10? No, as I said, it's hockey first, and then RENTAL FEES off the venue....then yeah, basketball gets its dates in there. A facility now is not a sign of forward aspiration.

As for the rest, sorry, just staying grounded in what my expectations are for future membership. Of course I'd love many of the other teams you mentioned, I just do not see it happening. If that makes me negative sorry, not my fault the league doesn't do anything or might settle for less! I don't make these decisions, but I can base my opinions and analysis on what I've seen from those who have over a long period of time when it comes to this league!

 

[mainejeff]

Well, for one, the NU and Stonehill takes are based on some level of sourcing I've been fortunate to tap into over the years. I'm sure someone like Dane96 (you take his opinion seriously, don't you?) would verify that what I said, as of now, is more likely or has some factual basis (as in, it's out there in circles...doesn't mean it's gonna happen, just that it's out there) than your constant fantasy booking. You're entitled to keep doing that (I like doing it sometimes too!), but I find it amusing that the Northeastern to the Patriot has been discussed here for nearly a year, and it's not exactly an open secret, and just because they're building a big ass building to replace their 100+ year old one, they're going A10? No, as I said, it's hockey first, and then RENTAL FEES off the venue....then yeah, basketball gets its dates in there. A facility now is not a sign of forward aspiration.

As for the rest, sorry, just staying grounded in what my expectations are for future membership. Of course I'd love many of the other teams you mentioned, I just do not see it happening. If that makes me negative sorry, not my fault the league doesn't do anything or might settle for less! I don't make these decisions, but I can base my opinions and analysis on what I've seen from those who have over a long period of time when it comes to this league!

Whether I agree or not....that's fair assessment. It does seem like you are taking a Northeastern to the A-10 thing a bit personally though. The Patriot does not want Northeastern or they would have been in the league long ago. The A-10 has lost their presence in Massachusetts......Northeasterrn is located in Boston and building a fancy new arena that will house basketball among other sports and activities. You do the math.

 

[ccd494]

The A-10 does not need more members, particularly members that haven't been that good at basketball recently. I'm not sure how much "being in Massachusetts" matters, either. The A-10 needs more revenue producers and fewer mouths to feed.

Academics at NU also look a lot better than they did 15-20 years ago. We always made fun of Northeastern for being these nouveaux riche strivers, just throwing money at everything and trying to buy some academic prestige. Well, it kinda worked. Check out NU's USNWR academic ranking (I know those rankings are a joke, but they're rankings). Northeastern is tied for 46th with Lehigh and Georgia and Purdue. Four spots behind BU, 10 behind BC and Tufts. The PL can't even point to "we aren't a conference of big urban schools" with the BU (and to a lesser extent, American) adds.

I still think waiting is more prudent than adding Stonehill, mostly because I don't see Stonehill as belonging in Division I athletics. Something will shake loose- maybe the MAAC loses a few schools to either upwards mobility or outright closure. Maybe football gets sorted out and CCSU is a real option. Maybe a school that looks more like the rest of the conference decides to move up from D-II/III. The "break glass in case of emergency" box of NEC schools are largely going to be there in 3, 5, 10 years. I don't think we've reached that emergency point.

 

[Aceinthehole]

IMO - a worthless press release, but just like the CAA changing its name from Colonial to Coastal, or The American, dropping "Athletic" from its name, moving forward it will simply be the "NEC" - not the "Northeast Conference."

Could this mean future expansion with OVC or MEAC teams and enlarging the geographic footprint in the coming years - possibly, but unlikely. I think it is simply our horrible commissioner trying to do something, anything. This is a cheap, superficial act to try to maintain some D-I relevancy.

New Look, Same Mission: NEC Begins Fresh Chapter

Northeast Conference Refreshes Its Brand & Reintroduces Itself Simply As... “NEC”

ccsubluedevils.com

 

[mainejeff]

Comparing Northeastern's endowment to the rest of the A-10.....

Northeastern - $1.54 billion
Richmond - $3.2 billion
VCU - $2.72 billion
GW - $2.7 billion
St. Louis - $1.8 billion
Davidson - $1.4 billion
Loyola - $1.26 billion
Fordham - $1 billion
Dayton - $862 million
St. Joes - $499.6 million
Duquesne - $472.1 million
URI - $237 million
George Mason - $222.2 million
St. Bonaventure - $80.8 million
LaSalle - $71.7 million

Hard to believe that LaSalle and St. Bonaventure are both under $100 million.

 

[VT Cats Fan]

Comparing Northeastern's endowment to the rest of the A-10.....

Northeastern - $1.54 billion
URI - $237 million
St. Bonaventure - $80.8 million
Fordham - $1 billion
LaSalle - $71.7 million
St. Joes - $499.6 million
Duquesne - $472.1 million
GW - $2.7 billion
George Mason - $222.2 million
VCU - $2.72 billion
Richmond - $3.2 billion
Davidson - $1.4 billion
Dayton - $862 million
Loyola - $1.26 billion
St. Louis - $1.8 billion

Hard to believe that LaSalle and St. Bonaventure are both under $100 million.

That's a surprising disparity

How do LaSalle and St B basketball budgets compare with the rest of the league? Are they more in line? Endowments are something, but not necessarily everything.

 

[mainejeff]

AE endowments ranked.......

1. Vermont - $896 million
2. UNH - $529.5
3. Maine - $511
4. Binghamton - $245
5. Bryant - $232.6
6. NJIT - $197.7
7. UMass-Lowell - $173
8. UMBC - $167.1
9. Albany - $100.9

 

[mainejeff]

And to make us all feel inferior.....the Ivys

Harvard - $53.2 billion
Yale - $41.4 billion
Princeton - $37.7 billion
Penn - $22.3 billion
Columbia - $14.8 billion
Cornell - $10.7 billion
Dartmouth - $8.3 billion
Brown - $7.2 billion

 

[GoCatsGo]

And to make us all feel inferior.....the Ivys

Harvard - $53.2 billion
Yale - $41.4 billion
Princeton - $37.7 billion
Penn - $22.3 billion
Columbia - $14.8 billion
Cornell - $10.7 billion
Dartmouth - $8.3 billion
Brown - $7.2 billion

Look at broke-ass Brown over here. Can't find 10 Bill.

 

[catpower]

Patriot League endowments:

Boston University: $3.5 billion
Lehigh: $2.2 billion
Colgate: $1.3 billion
Holy Cross: $1.2 billion
Lafayette: $1.1 billion
Bucknell: $1.07 billion
American: $1.03 billion
Loyola MD: $380 million
Army: N/A
Navy: N/A

 

[mainejeff]

While we are at it.....the CAA:

Northeastern - $1.54 billion
W&M - $1.5 billion
Drexel - $1 billion
Stony Brook - $1 billion
Hofstra - $884.2 million
Hampton - $356.6 million
Elon - $308 million
Campbell - $209.3 million
NC A&T - $202 million
UNCW - $162.2 million
Monmouth - $153.1 million
Charleston - $147.4 million
Towson - $87.8 million*

* As of 2019....Towson no longer discloses its endowment.

 

[catpower]

Should come as no surprise then that the top 4 schools in terms of endowment in the CAA, are also top 4 highest ranked academic schools, and one of them has made the first step toward joining the Patriot League, becoming a football member, while two others aspire to gain entry into that league. The 4th if it wants to join CUSA to go 4-8 most years in hopes some better league will want "the New York market" have at it.

 

[Dane96]

Yes, because that facility is being built for hockey first, and they're happy being in the SEC of college hockey.

This is the correct answer. Northeastern end goal is to be in the patriot league.

 

[Dane96]

Comparing Northeastern's endowment to the rest of the A-10.....

Northeastern - $1.54 billion
Richmond - $3.2 billion
VCU - $2.72 billion
GW - $2.7 billion
St. Louis - $1.8 billion
Davidson - $1.4 billion
Loyola - $1.26 billion
Fordham - $1 billion
Dayton - $862 million
St. Joes - $499.6 million
Duquesne - $472.1 million
URI - $237 million
George Mason - $222.2 million
St. Bonaventure - $80.8 million
LaSalle - $71.7 million

Hard to believe that LaSalle and St. Bonaventure are both under $100 million.

I’ve always been a big believer that endowment should not be in the same discussion for athletics unless it’s specifically about athletic endowments. The hard truth is that endowments are very strictly managed, and most endowments are spoken for within a university. And yes, that could allow a university to divert funds to athletics that would otherwise be used. at the end of the day, other than a d!@k measuring contest for presidents, it is meaningless athletics.

 

[Dane96]

AE endowments ranked.......

1. Vermont - $896 million
2. UNH - $529.5
3. Maine - $511
4. Binghamton - $245
5. Bryant - $232.6
6. NJIT - $197.7
7. UMass-Lowell - $173
8. UMBC - $167.1
9. Albany - $100.9

Prime example of why endowments mean nothing. The amount of money flowing through the university of Albany is light years ahead of most of this conference. The R&D budget alone surpasses every school in the CAA and the America East. Additionally, this does not calculate the Rockefeller funding.

Endowment should be taken out of all sports equations unless, like Maine and Binghamton, you have specific earmarks helping the ADept. Albany’s football stadium has an endowed operating budget.

 

[Bingo v2.0]

I’ve always been a big believer that endowment should not be in the same discussion for athletics so unless it’s specifically about athletic endowments. The hard truth is that endowments are very strictly managed, and most of endowments are spoken for within a university. And yes, that could be a university can divert funds to athletics. There will otherwise be used, at the end of the day, other than a d!@k measuring contest for presidents, it is meaningless athletics.

This makes sense.

Binghamton is a good example for this, as their endowment is good relative to other AE schools but when it comes to athletics, what has a bigger impact? That endowment or the massive donations they’ve received recently, specifically designated for athletics? You have semi-regular donors making such contributions, I have to think that supersedes the endowment as it pertains to direct influence in the athletic department.