NC A&T will leave MEAC for Big South Conference
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JAG89
THE NEW AMERICA'S TEAM
I think most schools that have left the Big South for a move up instead of a lateral move or a move down, which tells me it has the recipe if a FCS school is looking to go FBS. The crazy and ridiculous chatter I've heard in the HBCU world is that all FCS schools should consider moving down to D2 in the name of financial progress, basically zero growth and development or stay within some HBCU comfort zone. HBCU websites were recently started for that sole purpose to make all HBCUs equal no matter what division they play in. IMO, their sole purpose is to diminish HBCUs on the FCS level, when things are not equal when it comes to Title IX and the number of scholarships. Their blatant disregard of that make HBCUs on the D2 level think that there is no difference between D2 HBCUs and FCS HBCUs, which add more to the confusion and stagnation of FCS HBCU conferences.
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Hampton is not trying to go FBS. They don't want to spend the money for that.
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Great in most of those. Especially track and field. But all of those are regular D1 anyway.
JAG89
THE NEW AMERICA'S TEAM
Hampton is already FCS, but I'm sure if a window of success opens, they would jump to the FBS level now that they are in the Big South, which is something they couldn't see happening coming from the MEAC. It's all about timing and having the right mindset to do such. This is why I keep preaching that we need to change our own mindset, instead of joining another conference in order to find the right mindset from OTHERS.
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Journalist
Listen up maggots! And that's an order!
You're right ... Coastal moved up to the Sun Belt. I'm surprised Towson never thought about leaving the CAA (after leaving the Big South) and moving up to FBS. Liberty is transitioning to FBS.
And I completely agree with you on the bold portion ...
The writing has been on the wall for NCAT for some time now.. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing, but A & T's Future Vision is that they become much more diverse like their counterparts in the region
30% of the student body is Non Black.
Ultimately, I think that they feel that.. Leaving the MEAC gives them a better chance of marketing themselves as a more diverse University attracting non black students.
30% of the student body is Non Black.
Ultimately, I think that they feel that.. Leaving the MEAC gives them a better chance of marketing themselves as a more diverse University attracting non black students.
PJames
Member
A&T's track and field is one of the best in the nation, comparable to a P5 school. Highly regarded. Baseball had been solid since 2015. Basketball for both men's and women's solid since 2016.
In plain terms, A&T has positioned itself greatly across the board.
Typo I meant FBS
westcoastaggie
Well-Known Member
A&T is not getting that Cash outside of the Celebration Bowl. In fact, if we had a situation like FAMU in Florida, we’d be in trouble. We had to get travel expenses under control.
the band fan
Baseball Fan
they went in 2016, players said they missed the Celebration Bowl. A&T was going to playoffs in 2018 if FAMU won that one game as the formula to get in was win non-conference. They had 2 MEAC losses and was going to get a playoff bid.
PV played NDSU, got beat SOLIDLY like a drum, as it has against other SLC PWC schools as well, has new athletic venues, and one of the highest athletic budgets in the SWAC yet cannot get out of its own way.
I don't think NCAT has outgrown the MEAC. This says it all, imho:
(thx Journ)
In 2017-18 fiscal year, the MEAC reported annual revenue at $12,409,055.
The Big South reported $6,096,850
PJames
Member
Ultimately, we are on the outside looking in. The powers that be at A&T, looking at all the info, think this is its best move. Hampton figured it was its best move. This isn't FAMU and it's ill-fated attempt to move to I-A back in the day (which was bad timing), these are two of the most well-run and positioned HBCU's saying that the MEAC just doesn't cut it any longer. B1G revenue was almost double ACC revenue in 2018...$54m to $30m. Who running stuff athletically and is better positioned moving forward???? How much of the MEAC revenue is A&T generating vs. what it actually sees when member schools are dragging it down and not pulling their own weight?
Time will tell, but I believe this is the best move for A&T. The MEAC is likely toast and they probably know it. Getting off the sinking ship while they still have some flex.
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JAG89
THE NEW AMERICA'S TEAM
Our schools that made the failed attempt to FBS only did it to say they were the first FBS HBCU without any real plan on making it work. Our philosophy needs to change from that of being the first HBCU to logically thinking things COMPLETELY through.
In_The_662
Deeeeep In The Delta.....
Because their water is colder that's why. As someone said, the Big South doesn't make money in most sports (although most are private schools) so it has to be something else. And for those people who say that the MEAC is crumbling but what about the Big South who was one Hampton away from just about folding when Kennesaw leaves and UNA afterwards. Gonna be hard to convince students to keep propping up their athletic program (75%) when Campbell or Monmouth roll into town in football and basketball and playing in front of friends and family.
The Big South was crumbling until Hampton threw them a lifeline. If A&T and a few other MEAC schools run to a white conference while letting the MEAC fall apart, that is some of the most c**n stuff I have ever seen
Journalist
Listen up maggots! And that's an order!
Don’t forget the ASUN loophole
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tsugraytiger
Well-Known Member
You do know the NCAA Division I is a not a black comfort zone right?
westcoastaggie
Well-Known Member
That 990 doesn’t tell the story. All you have to do is to look at our BOT notes and presentations to see why we are doing this. That “$12 million” isn’t going to the conference members.
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