Listen: SWAC’s Sharp Talks Celebration Bowl, 7-Game Conference Schedule & APR


Kenn Rashad

Kenn Rashad

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http://hbcusports.com/2015/07/20/li...ebration-bowl-7-game-conference-schedule-apr/

Charles Edmond of WPRL (Alcorn State) managed to get a few minutes to talk one-on-one with SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp on Friday during the league’s annual media day.

In addition to speaking on the usual excitement associated with the kickoff of the 2015 football season, Sharp also took a moment to address questions regarding the inaugural Celebration Bowl, the conference’s new 7-game scheduling format to begin in 2017 and the overall improvement of member APR scores.

Of particular note regarding the SWAC’s new 7-game schedule format, Sharp acknowledged that member schools would have the option to schedule games against each other that would not be counted in the conference standings.

“I think they [SWAC member schools] did leave themselves that flexibility where you can play somebody in the conference who’s not on your conference schedule,” Sharp said. “We thought it was confusing from a conference standpoint. You’re just going to confuse the fan. But the schools felt like ‘we’ll just promote it, we’ll promote it and make sure to let folks know that this is not a conference game, but we’re playing for tradition’ or whatever the case may be.”

Listen to the full interview below courtesy of Charles Edmond/WPRL.

 
If you're going to allow playing SWAC schools that aren't counted towards conference honors ... then why in the hell you go away from the 9-game conference schedule to begin with?
 



Journalist said:
If you're going to allow playing SWAC schools that aren't counted towards conference honors ... then why in the hell you go away from the 9-game conference schedule to begin with?
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Because of a vocal minority who complained about the 9-game format.
 
In_The_662 said:
We know why...
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Yep, just a waste of time doing a 7 game format if you let teams continue to play conference members in OOC games. It'll go back to what most did and that was really play a 8 game conference member schedule. Those folks have no vision and could have easily made this scheduling thing right for all those involved.
 
As long as you use your ooc game and don't try that permanent rivals mess I'm cool with it. Some years SU GSU JSU and Alcorn can play a 9 game schedule to preserve their rivalries. ASU will most likely play 7 every year. I'm happy.
 
LOL....So what is stopping Valley from putting FAMU on their schedule. What is stopping ASMU from calling up SC State or NC A&T for a game? Nothing is preventing Alcorn from calling up Tn State or Bethune for a Ballgame.

Wake Up SWAC....if the "Big 3" want to play each other in a 7 game mandate, let them. This should open up opportunities for other SWAC Schools to start rivalries. Get off your lazy asses and make it happen.
 
BRAVEHEART123 said:
LOL....So what is stopping Valley from putting FAMU on their schedule. What is stopping ASMU from calling up SC State or NC A&T for a game? Nothing is preventing Alcorn from calling up Tn State or Bethune for a Ballgame.

Wake Up SWAC....if the "Big 3" want to play each other in a 7 game mandate, let them. This should open up opportunities for other SWAC Schools to start rivalries. Get off your lazy asses and make it happen.
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You still have to see if those schools have open dates that go with your open dates to play and agree to a financial plan for said games. Schools are not playing each other just to be playing each other.
 
This seven game mandate has to be good news for schools like AAMU and Bama State. They can now "backdoor" (thanks TP) their way into the SCG whenever they don't have to play both su and Grambling.:smh:
 
Braveheart, the meac still plays 9 conference games so you have to expand that pool of ooc teams you're willing to play. Truth: if you are going to have a 9 game mandate you don't need a title game so going to 7 or 8 makes sense but i don't like accommodating schools that cant fill their schedule or stadium if certain schools aren't playing them. Last time this ended b/c many fans complained who didn't have to play who and much bandwidth was used trying to explain how it wasn't a conference game when thwy are in the same conference. By the way, several conferences have had this discussion &i believe we are the only ones to go this route. Isolated in our thinking again.
 
major095 said:
Braveheart, the meac still plays 9 conference games so you have to expand that pool of ooc teams you're willing to play. Truth: if you are going to have a 9 game mandate you don't need a title game so going to 7 or 8 makes sense but i don't like accommodating schools that cant fill their schedule or stadium if certain schools aren't playing them. Last time this ended b/c many fans complained who didn't have to play who and much bandwidth was used trying to explain how it wasn't a conference game when thwy are in the same conference. By the way, several conferences have had this discussion &i believe we are the only ones to go this route. Isolated in our thinking again.
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Dude, it's due to money. JSU/su game brings in the doe and that's the bottomline. Would you rather see Alcorn and Grambling or Alcorn versus University of Faith? I can almost guarantee 3,000 folks won't show up to see the latter but one can almost say that 23,000 would show up if Grambling came to Alcorn.
I understand why schools need and want to schedule certain teams. How else will the bills get paid other than going on the road to FBS schools?

We can't always be like others schools/conferences when it comes to getting bodies in the seats.
 



major095 said:
Braveheart, the meac still plays 9 conference games so you have to expand that pool of ooc teams you're willing to play. Truth: if you are going to have a 9 game mandate you don't need a title game so going to 7 or 8 makes sense but i don't like accommodating schools that cant fill their schedule or stadium if certain schools aren't playing them. Last time this ended b/c many fans complained who didn't have to play who and much bandwidth was used trying to explain how it wasn't a conference game when thwy are in the same conference. By the way, several conferences have had this discussion &i believe we are the only ones to go this route. Isolated in our thinking again.
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http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsport...forest-schedule-non-conference-home-and-home/
UNC and Wake Forest schedule non-conference home-and-home
Posted by Kevin McGuire on January 26, 2015, 11:21 AM EDT
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The evolution of college football scheduling reached a new low Monday, potentially. North Carolina and Wake Forest have agreed to a home-and-home series as non-conference opponents. UNC and Wake Forest are both ACC members, but play in opposite divisions. This is the first time two conference members have scheduled a home-and-home series for non-conference competition*, and it may not be the last.

Wake Forest will host North Carolina on September 19, 2019. UNC will host the second part of the home-and-home series on September 25, 2021. Because these are non-conference match-ups, neither game will count in the ACC standings.
 
I can understand the ACC a lil more than the B1G. For us, this Notre Dame thing PLUS permanent rivals has the whole conference schedule screwed up. For example, for Georgia Tech, Louisville is in our conference but I think we will see them like once every 7 or 8 years. That is why UNC and Wake are scheduling each other. If they don't, it could be YEARS before they play. Because of Notre Dame, the league won't approve a 9 game conference schedule so they just give the school the option of scheduling a non-conference game vs an ACC opponent.
 
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JayRob said:
Dude, it's due to money. JSU/su game brings in the doe and that's the bottomline. Would you rather see Alcorn and Grambling or Alcorn versus University of Faith? I can almost guarantee 3,000 folks won't show up to see the latter but one can almost say that 23,000 would show up if Grambling came to Alcorn.
I understand why schools need and want to schedule certain teams. How else will the bills get paid other than going on the road to FBS schools?

We can't always be like others schools/conferences when it comes to getting bodies in the seats.
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IMO, this is long overdue. It’s all about money. Let’s be honest, there will be times where teams can’t fill open dates with non-conference opponents. So, a conference foe may have to fill the voids. But, this does provide more opportunities for “money games” and new found rivalries. Let’s be honest, who would bring more fans to PV: AAMU or SHSU? Will Valley travel better than SLU to Mumford? AAMU vs. TnSU or TxSU, who fills the stands? This conference participants are all financially challenged each year, we need to make ways to increase the athletic budget. With teams not receiving credit for games against Virginia-Lynchburg anymore and Big 5 conferences are going away from playing FCS schools, this was needed years ago.
 
As long as the games are not used toward being eligible for the SWAC Championship I have no problem with it.

1. With a seven game mandate GSU can still play the following: Jackson State, Alcorn, and a 3rd school of their choice
2. Jackson State can still maintain a rivalry against: GSU, Southern, and a 3rd school of their choice
3. All other SWAC schools can still do the same with a seven game mandate

The sad and most ridiculous part is that a SWAC school(s) can't figure out two out of conference schools to schedule without playing a D-II program or someone else in the SWAC. Right now with the 7 game mandate and the bowl game, the SWAC has a chance to improve the SWAC brand by expanding their current schedules.

Now we all know the reason why conference games will be counted as out of conference games: MONEY and the inability of some teams to fulfill a worth while schedule with non-SWAC opponents.

After all is said and done the only school I'm worried about in this scenario is GSU. At this stage of the game with certain people gone from the university I doubt if we schedule bullshit teams anymore. Especially with the competitive nature of Coach Fobbs. Our schedule will probably include two FBS programs and two FCS programs (which will not be SWAC schools).

Honestly I don't think GSU, SU, or JSU will have scheduling problems.
 
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