|
CAA
May 17, 2024 7:36:23 GMT -5
Post by retiredcat on May 17, 2024 7:36:23 GMT -5
I cannot understand why several posters want the Southern Conference to expand and/or WCU to pursue membership in another conference. We have a solid mid-major conference with members "that get along" and realize who they are. The SoCon footprint is as about as good as you will find. We cannot afford to join a sprawling conference like the CAA or think about the next level. We are not attractive to other conferences that might be considered on a higher level because of our location, lack of media market, facilities, success in NCAA postseason, etc.
We are what we are and I think we are fortunate to be in the Southern Conference.
|
|
|
CAA
May 17, 2024 8:26:55 GMT -5
Post by bobfolsom on May 17, 2024 8:26:55 GMT -5
spot on Steve: GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
CAA
May 17, 2024 9:30:28 GMT -5
Post by catamountalum04 on May 17, 2024 9:30:28 GMT -5
My issue with the SoCon is that it favors the private schools and that is shown by all the choices that are made by the SoCon headquarters
|
|
|
Post by wcugrad95 on May 18, 2024 5:12:59 GMT -5
My comment about liking the current make-up and expanding would be very regionally based. If the CAA implodes, no reason to think the SOCON getting some of their Southern footprint wouldn't be feasible. Not sure how the current membership would view adding teams like NC A&T, Elon (as others have said they have already burned bridges), and Campbell - but that would give us 12 teams where you can make two 6-team divisions, you play the 5 teams in your division and you rotate 3 others from the other division each year so you play everybody in the conference across 2 seasons. That would add 2 privates and another large public school. That footprint could realistically reduce our costs rather than adding to them, as over time having more trips to Burlington, Greensboro, and Buies Creek would have to be cheaper than other trips that we would be making.
If a huge shake-up were to come, reshaping what is left of the CAA and BigSouth, and making smart decisions about incorporating them in with the SOCON and OVC could lead to 3 or 4 conferences where location, size, etc. were used to create groupings that make much more sense. But of course that would be a huge deal and would have too many moving parts to be realistic. But fun to talk about.
In the end, I agree that most likely the SOCON doesn't do anything.
|
|
|
CAA
May 18, 2024 10:38:12 GMT -5
Post by FLCATAMOUNT on May 18, 2024 10:38:12 GMT -5
In my opinion, the only way the SoCon tries to add teams is if some of its current members leave for another conference that is built from other conferences falling apart. Also, in my opinion, I don’t see anyone leaving even if there is a lot of turmoil going on around us. I would love to see Western be the next Coastal Carolina, App, or Georgia Southern and become FBS in football but that is not going to happen in my lifetime and I am in my early 60s. It comes down to priorities of the University and funding, and unfortunately Athletics at Western has neither. There are ways to do it but not at Western because of lack of vision, priorities, and lack of desire for Western athletics to be that by those in charge. I have decided to just enjoy what we do have and accept our fate, because doing any thing else is an exercise in futility. Hopefully we will get some facility upgrades but until I see earth moving equipment, I am starting to doubt it.
|
|
|
Post by retiredcat on May 18, 2024 19:10:42 GMT -5
FLCATAMOUNT...I agree with the majority of what you just said. The administrations at App State and ECU were willing to take on huge debt to build quality athletics facilities which aids recruiting and future funds from alums, ex-players and those who just like winning. Realistically, the blue print for the original facilities upgrades is going to have to be downsized considerably due to inflation and lack of interest from big donors. On the SoCon expansion issue, I do not think anyone is looking to leave and the membership has agreed to a large increase in its withdrawal fee. Also, there have been some inquiries about joining the SoCon from a couple of fellow FCS conferences including some for football only...which will not fly with the current membership. I like what our current administration is trying to do, but there are a lot of factors out there today that have tied their hands in some areas of funding. Our competition in Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia have a different set of rules and attitudes when it comes to state funding for athletics.
Hang in there with me and maybe we'll witness a miracle that will change Catamount life in Cullowhee.
|
|
|
Post by catamountalum04 on May 18, 2024 21:45:40 GMT -5
unfortunately it is sad that we have to hope for a miracle that many know will never come and also disappointing to hear that the drawings and plans have going to have to be shrunk down in a large way. To me the changes will not really help us move the needle all that much
|
|
|
CAA
May 20, 2024 17:11:48 GMT -5
Post by graycat on May 20, 2024 17:11:48 GMT -5
I personally think that Western is in a very good conference. We need to accept that there are many factors that will prevent our football program from moving to BCS level. We simply do not have the funding nor the fan base required to do that. But we can win Southern Conference championships and be among the best FCS football schools and be elite among mid-major basketball programs. Our administration wants this and believes it can be done. Don't underestimate our Chancellor. Facilities improvements can and will be done to meet these goals...but we don't need a 20,000 seat football stadium.
|
|
|
CAA
May 21, 2024 12:15:11 GMT -5
Post by catamountalum04 on May 21, 2024 12:15:11 GMT -5
i think we do need 20K seating so down the road when we have larger crowds we don't have to raise more money to upgrade again
|
|
|
CAA
May 21, 2024 20:34:33 GMT -5
Post by FLCATAMOUNT on May 21, 2024 20:34:33 GMT -5
i think we do need 20K seating so down the road when we have larger crowds we don't have to raise more money to upgrade again I agree with you. Typical Western thinking. We can never draw that many people. If App had thought that way, they would not be drawing 30k plus every game now. Western could be much bigger and better if we had true leadership with a vision. We are marred in, we are a small regional university and we will always be that because we have always been that. It is a self fulfilling prophecy. It drives me crazy that we put ourself in a box like that. Western can be anything we can imagine, but leadership needs to realize that and think big.
|
|