Conference move

[ZachTheZip]

You touched on an important point: differentiating ourselves from the rest of the schools in the area. No matter what we do, we're still lumped in with Buffalo, Ohio, Miami, Can't, BG, Toledo and the like. Just by virtue of being different we can get ahead, even if the conference is a lateral move.

[MaxZIP]

You touched on an important point: differentiating ourselves from the rest of the schools in the area. No matter what we do, we're still lumped in with Buffalo, Ohio, Miami, Can't, BG, Toledo and the like. Just by virtue of being different we can get ahead, even if the conference is a lateral move.

When I think about the mac, images of small-time football games being played under inadequate lighting on a Thursday night comes to mind. Though conference USA is not BCS just looking at their recruit rankings and see what that conference has on the MAC. The MAC is extremely regional in nature but too large to really have a home-grown feel. Either way something needs to happen to take this University where it wants to be. I would really be interested to see which schools have the best draw/value to the MAC. Possibly they need to split this bad conference up with the best organizations creating their own conference. Now that is out on a limb!

[MaxZIP]

You touched on an important point: differentiating ourselves from the rest of the schools in the area. No matter what we do, we're still lumped in with Buffalo, Ohio, Miami, Can't, BG, Toledo and the like. Just by virtue of being different we can get ahead, even if the conference is a lateral move.

When I think about the mac, images of small-time football games being played under inadequate lighting on a Thursday night comes to mind. Though conference USA is not BCS just looking at their recruit rankings and see what that conference has on the MAC. The MAC is extremely regional in nature but too large to really have a home-grown feel. Either way something needs to happen to take this University where it wants to be. I would really be interested to see which schools have the best draw/value to the MAC. Possibly they need to split this bad conference up with the best organizations creating their own conference. Now that is out on a limb!

[ZippyRulz]

This will be a real interesting discussion to have in a few months once we've seen the first season at Info and the next recruiting class. And have our first nat'l champ. in soccer I would have no problem scheduling some 1-1's with C-USA to "try it on for size". I agree that U. Cinc. is the model for us to follow...we're a lot like them in many ways. If/when tOSU has their next significant downcycle (think Michigan) they will permanently lose a lot of SW Ohio fanbase to UC and I'd like to think the same could eventually happen in Akron.

[MaxZIP]

This will be a real interesting discussion to have in a few months once we've seen the first season at Info and the next recruiting class. And have our first nat'l champ. in soccer I would have no problem scheduling some 1-1's with C-USA to "try it on for size". I agree that U. Cinc. is the model for us to follow...we're a lot like them in many ways. If/when tOSU has their next significant downcycle (think Michigan) they will permanently lose a lot of SW Ohio fanbase to UC and I'd like to think the same could eventually happen in Akron.

You bring up something interesting. Schedule some home and homes and hope that we win. If we can beat them we wouldn't need to join them. That could be a way to jump to the big east w/o a stop in c-usa.

[xu9697]

We have a connection with the AD at Houston. C-USA is not going past 12 teams, so obviously none of this is happening until conferences like the WAC, MWC or Big East expand (well, 12 teams that play football). Akron has to keep improving, especially in football and basketball (obviously) to be positioned to make a move.As for MAC having too much Ohio & Michigan and C-USA not having much regional sense for us= when the conferences mentioned above shake-up, you could see some of the Ohio teams moving to C-USA or Big East. I think the current BCS system expires in 2014. So we have about 5 years to build our resume, as that is the next logical time for some major shake-ups.

[Zips fan]

I don't think a stop in C-USA will help us in any way. Marshall made this mistake and is probably regretting their move. C-USA lost any geographic benefit to northern schools when they lost UC and Louisville. Akron would be spending millions of dollars on travel that will not benefit our programs. We are currently spending money on facilities and that is the right step for now. Next, those improvements will need to translate into a better product on the field. When we have the best facilities(just about there), the best product(in football and MBB), and can average over 20K for football and 5K for basketball, then serious inquiries into the Big East could be brought up. Right now a move to C-USA would reduce what we spend on facilites, coaches, and hurt any visiting attendance we currently enjoy. We would be sinking money into airlines tickets and hotels that will not further our final product. We need to focus on things that will make Akron better(facilites, stablized coaching staff, marketing). We need to improve our final product and if the time comes, the only move that would make any sense is the Big East. If conferences fragment and realignment occurs, then obviously we would be in the mix for where the top programs are heading.

[Zipmeister]

You said a mouthful there Max. I've always said of all the things I am misinformed about, our standing is right at the top of the list.

Meister,THE UofA is changing right before our eyes. Historical perceptions and prejudices need to fall by the wayside as the school continues to mature. Right now the momentum is headed in the right direction. Misinformed people offering snap judgments without factual support are hindering the popular perception of the university and dragging the entire movement down. In fear of sounding too much like a motivational book on tape...this is a group effort that will require faith and positive thinking on behalf of all parties involved. Please reserve comment until you have an accurate understanding of the topic under discussion.

OK, I think I finally have an accurate understanding of the topic under discussion. I thought it was the same topic that has previously been beat to death and back on this board, changing conference affiliation, but it's actually about change we can believe in, right?

[xu9697]

I don't think a stop in C-USA will help us in any way. Marshall made this mistake and is probably regretting their move. C-USA lost any geographic benefit to northern schools when they lost UC and Louisville. Akron would be spending millions of dollars on travel that will not benefit our programs. We are currently spending money on facilities and that is the right step for now. Next, those improvements will need to translate into a better product on the field. When we have the best facilities(just about there), the best product(in football and MBB), and can average over 20K for football and 5K for basketball, then serious inquiries into the Big East could be brought up. Right now a move to C-USA would reduce what we spend on facilites, coaches, and hurt any visiting attendance we currently enjoy. We would be sinking money into airlines tickets and hotels that will not further our final product. We need to focus on things that will make Akron better(facilites, stablized coaching staff, marketing). We need to improve our final product and if the time comes, the only move that would make any sense is the Big East. If conferences fragment and realignment occurs, then obviously we would be in the mix for where the top programs are heading.

I think the C-USA you would see in 5 years would look much different than what it is now. MWC and WAC each have 9 teams, and I think one or both is likely to expand. They could easily steal a good deal of the Texas and "near-Texas" teams..very likely, leaving that conference with 6 teams. If the BE decides to stand pat (along with the Big Ten and PAC), the MAC would be the most natural filler for at least 3-4 replacements in the new C-USA.

[MaxZIP]

You said a mouthful there Max. I've always said of all the things I am misinformed about, our standing is right at the top of the list.

Meister,THE UofA is changing right before our eyes. Historical perceptions and prejudices need to fall by the wayside as the school continues to mature. Right now the momentum is headed in the right direction. Misinformed people offering snap judgments without factual support are hindering the popular perception of the university and dragging the entire movement down. In fear of sounding too much like a motivational book on tape...this is a group effort that will require faith and positive thinking on behalf of all parties involved. Please reserve comment until you have an accurate understanding of the topic under discussion.

OK, I think I finally have an accurate understanding of the topic under discussion. I thought it was the same topic that has previously been beat to death and back on this board, changing conference affiliation, but it's actually about change we can believe in, right?

People on this board may or may not have participated in previous conversation about conference change. If this topic bores you please see one of the many other topics available on this board. This topic was a multiple choice question meant to spur conversation and not a topic of which conference we should join. Your short sighted comments and the popular response to our banter have taken this thread in a different direction. What was meant by the "topic being discussed" is that you did not have an understanding of the actual facts and figures associated with your opinion of Akron's standing. It is that kind of quick response and jaded opinion that are hurting Akron's progress. So yes it is about change we can believe in but it didn't start that way.

[ZachTheZip]

If you want a stronger Baseball program, you should be all for moving to the C-USA. The program will become much stronger, while keeping the same or worse record from the much better competition. It would also kill Can't's baseball program. Local recruits would want to play in the C-USA rather than at Can't in the top of the MAC.

[johnnyzip84]

I think the C-USA you would see in 5 years would look much different than what it is now. MWC and WAC each have 9 teams, and I think one or both is likely to expand. They could easily steal a good deal of the Texas and "near-Texas" teams..very likely, leaving that conference with 6 teams. If the BE decides to stand pat (along with the Big Ten and PAC), the MAC would be the most natural filler for at least 3-4 replacements in the new C-USA.

This is absolutely the case. And we also need to consider a few programs that are not even D-1 (FBS) yet, but will likely be there soon. These include UT-San Antonio, Charlotte, and The University of South Alabama. Whether any of them enter C-USA or the Sunbelt initially is up for debate, but they will likely effect the reshaping of these and other conferences one way or another.

[ZachTheZip]

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/in...erence_com.htmlIf you care about football, read this interview. Read between the lines. We need to get out of the MAC, before it's too late. Steinbrecher doesn't have a clue.

[scottditzen]

Strange...kind of makes me wonder why the league didn't hire more of a BCS insider to "front the company."This guy sounds like he's on the outside looking in, at least as far as football goes.

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/in...erence_com.htmlIf you care about football, read this interview. Read between the lines. We need to get out of the MAC, before it's too late. Steinbrecher doesn't have a clue.

[ksu sucks]

This guy sounds like he's on the outside looking in, at least as far as football goes.

Perhaps that's the reason he was hired...

[johnnyzip84]

I agree completely. The Mac is too thick in Ohio and Michigan. Can't and akron could still play if one goes to another conference. See va tech/pitt and countless other great interconference rivalries. We could still play all the favs annually in basketball and every few years (Can't annually) in football. The best part of the equation is that we could use the MAC for a couple of non conference games on our turf. We will have the best facilities in Ohio outside of Columbus.

The problem is not concentration of teams, it is too many teams. Get rid of Buffalo, Temple and N. Illinois and make everyone play everyone every year. Create competition. Eliminate the MAC Championship game. The winner of the regular season, after playing everyone else in the league, is the one with the best league record.

Hell even splitting the MAC would work. Buffalo is a strength of this conference like it or not.

I agree 100% And as much criticism the MAC has faced over the years (much of it justified), they should get credit for bringing in U@B when many (YSU supporters come to mind in particular) were scratching their heads at the time. If Buffalo and the MAC part ways at some point, I'm inclined to think it will be the decision of the former as opposed to the latter.

[MaxZIP]

I agree 100% And as much criticism the MAC has faced over the years (much of it justified), they should get credit for bringing in U@B when many (YSU supporters come to mind in particular) were scratching their heads at the time. If Buffalo and the MAC part ways at some point, I'm inclined to think it will be the decision of the former as opposed to the latter.

The MAC is just too big. I feel no connection with teams in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. The East division is what I consider to be the MAC. I could care less about a trip to ball state or western Michigan. That being said I like buffalo as a contender only. They are a decent program all around and the MAC is desperate for good programs.

[g-mann17]

I agree 100% And as much criticism the MAC has faced over the years (much of it justified), they should get credit for bringing in U@B when many (YSU supporters come to mind in particular) were scratching their heads at the time. If Buffalo and the MAC part ways at some point, I'm inclined to think it will be the decision of the former as opposed to the latter.

The MAC is just too big. I feel no connection with teams in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. The East division is what I consider to be the MAC. I could care less about a trip to ball state or western Michigan. That being said I like buffalo as a contender only. They are a decent program all around and the MAC is desperate for good programs.

LOLThe MAC is Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. And to say that is "too big" is really laughable. Look at the Big East. New Jersey to Florida to Kentucky. Big Ten stretches from Iowa to Minnesota to Pennsylvania. The Sunbelt even is a bigger geographical area than the MAC.Also NCAA requires 8 teams to be in a conference. Any less and you have to be "independents". Eventually they are going to require 12 teams per conference and require a conference championship game. (At the very least the BCS will require it. And that is where your shake up happens). Big Ten needs 1, their 1 will likely mean that the Big East will need 5. The PAC needs, I believe 2. Mostly i'm saying that one conference is going to die in the next 10 years.

[MaxZIP]

I agree 100% And as much criticism the MAC has faced over the years (much of it justified), they should get credit for bringing in U@B when many (YSU supporters come to mind in particular) were scratching their heads at the time. If Buffalo and the MAC part ways at some point, I'm inclined to think it will be the decision of the former as opposed to the latter.

The MAC is just too big. I feel no connection with teams in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. The East division is what I consider to be the MAC. I could care less about a trip to ball state or western Michigan. That being said I like buffalo as a contender only. They are a decent program all around and the MAC is desperate for good programs.

LOLThe MAC is Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. And to say that is "too big" is really laughable. Look at the Big East. New Jersey to Florida to Kentucky. Big Ten stretches from Iowa to Minnesota to Pennsylvania. The Sunbelt even is a bigger geographical area than the MAC.Also NCAA requires 8 teams to be in a conference. Any less and you have to be "independents". Eventually they are going to require 12 teams per conference and require a conference championship game. (At the very least the BCS will require it. And that is where your shake up happens). Big Ten needs 1, their 1 will likely mean that the Big East will need 5. The PAC needs, I believe 2. Mostly i'm saying that one conference is going to die in the next 10 years.

Too big might have been a misstatement. It is really watered down. Not too big geographically just too big to support itself and have a true identity that is worthy the potential support that is there for the taking.

[johnnyzip84]

I agree 100% And as much criticism the MAC has faced over the years (much of it justified), they should get credit for bringing in U@B when many (YSU supporters come to mind in particular) were scratching their heads at the time. If Buffalo and the MAC part ways at some point, I'm inclined to think it will be the decision of the former as opposed to the latter.

The MAC is just too big. I feel no connection with teams in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. The East division is what I consider to be the MAC. I could care less about a trip to ball state or western Michigan. That being said I like buffalo as a contender only. They are a decent program all around and the MAC is desperate for good programs.

LOLThe MAC is Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. And to say that is "too big" is really laughable. Look at the Big East. New Jersey to Florida to Kentucky. Big Ten stretches from Iowa to Minnesota to Pennsylvania. The Sunbelt even is a bigger geographical area than the MAC.Also NCAA requires 8 teams to be in a conference. Any less and you have to be "independents". Eventually they are going to require 12 teams per conference and require a conference championship game. (At the very least the BCS will require it. And that is where your shake up happens). Big Ten needs 1, their 1 will likely mean that the Big East will need 5. The PAC needs, I believe 2. Mostly i'm saying that one conference is going to die in the next 10 years.

I understand your thinking, but don't forget there will be "new" FBS schools, mostly in the south, that MAY prevent this contraction from occurring.

[scottditzen]

The MAC is just too big. I feel no connection with teams in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. The East division is what I consider to be the MAC. I could care less about a trip to ball state or western Michigan. That being said I like buffalo as a contender only. They are a decent program all around and the MAC is desperate for good programs.Yet I don't understand why there is no connection....you mention Western Michigan for example, it's a terrific region with incredible beaches and some of the best micro breweries in the world. It should be a perfect road trip for us, but does anyone go? Since Marshall left, I'm not seeing too many fans travel to away games. This is the real issue with the MAC, the inferiority complex and perceived lack of interest amongst those who should be fans. That's what I want to see remedied asap.

[xu9697]

Though this is just one opinion, more signs that eventually change is going to come:http://ncaapalace.com/ncaaf/119-cfbpalace-...need-each-other

[ksu sucks]

Did anyone see HuronDave's post on ncaabbs?

With the new commish in place, the current attitude of the presidents and the changes being put in place in the MAC offices, the MAC will drop to FCS within five years. Very bleak outlook from my perspective of what is happening. There is currently no desire for the MAC to continue to move upward and in fact it appears that the decision makers are intent on stepping back and going backward.My days of covering the MAC are drawing to a close.

This is a strong statement from someone who's respected among the MAC community. It's beginning to look like Akron will NEED to move conferences if we want a chance at achieving our Athletics Departments vision(whatever that may be).Now it's a matter of figuring out who wants to stay FBS, and who wants to leave. I see Buffalo, Akron, and Toledo as obvious choices for those who will stay. The rest? I think some people on this forum may have a good idea..

[ZachTheZip]

Did anyone see HuronDave's post on ncaabbs?

With the new commish in place, the current attitude of the presidents and the changes being put in place in the MAC offices, the MAC will drop to FCS within five years. Very bleak outlook from my perspective of what is happening. There is currently no desire for the MAC to continue to move upward and in fact it appears that the decision makers are intent on stepping back and going backward.My days of covering the MAC are drawing to a close.

This is a strong statement from someone who's respected among the MAC community. It's beginning to look like Akron will NEED to move conferences if we want a chance at achieving our Athletics Departments vision(whatever that may be).Now it's a matter of figuring out who wants to stay FBS, and who wants to leave. I see Buffalo, Akron, and Toledo as obvious choices for those who will stay. The rest? I think some people on this forum may have a good idea..

Yeah, that's pretty bad. Dave is one of the biggest fans of the MAC you'll ever find, and he has connections thanks to running macreportonline.com

[Blue & Gold]

Can "the MAC" make the corporate decision to drop down a level? How would that work without affecting the autonomy of member schools? If over 50% of the schools are for it, then must those programs that would want to remain D-1A have to either get on board or jump ship? And if we have to leave the MAC in order to maintain our D-1A status, then we risk the very likely posibility of being an independent for a number of years until another D-1A conference would let us join, no?