Championship Subdivision Football | FCS Football | Stadiums | Blogs | Forums

So with this season in the books and in light of the death of Hofstra football (even Stony Brook fans are reeling over this unfortunate event), my thoughts now direct towards the future of SBU athletics. I was hoping to get the opinion of a few better informed FCSers about what they think.

Things to think about:
1. SBU lost their only geographic/demographic rival in Hofstra, and thus its "Big Game"
2. SBU is extremely unlikely to make the Big South their permanent home due to both proximity and demographic reasons
3. CAA as is unlikely to include Stony Brook
4. The typical FCS school, with only a few exceptions (App State, U Mass, Liberty, and to a lesser degree Albany come to mind) really isn't what SBU is built for, though we're clearly in no way shape or form in a position to move up any time soon.

For the life of me I can't figure out what would be viable for us, and that's scary and possibly deadly to the program as is. Thoughts?

Redwyn wrote:So with this season in the books and in light of the death of Hofstra football (even Stony Brook fans are reeling over this unfortunate event), my thoughts now direct towards the future of SBU athletics. I was hoping to get the opinion of a few better informed FCSers about what they think.

Things to think about:
1. SBU lost their only geographic/demographic rival in Hofstra, and thus its "Big Game"
2. SBU is extremely unlikely to make the Big South their permanent home due to both proximity and demographic reasons
3. CAA as is unlikely to include Stony Brook
4. The typical FCS school, with only a few exceptions (App State, U Mass, Liberty, and to a lesser degree Albany come to mind) really isn't what SBU is built for, though we're clearly in no way shape or form in a position to move up any time soon.

For the life of me I can't figure out what would be viable for us, and that's scary and possibly deadly to the program as is. Thoughts?

You are a regional state university in an area that doesnt really care about college sports. Most public FCS schools are also regional state universities so you are probably in the right place for now, but obviously need a northeastern based conference for long term viability.

I think FCS is all that is available for the very long future.

A northeastern based conference that allows SBU (and Albany) for that matter to build regional rivals (UMass, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island) is the ideal place, IMO.

FBS football wouldn't survive on Long Island. Buffalo can get away with it because they are a Midwestern school. SBU is completely different than Buffalo.

Long term, a Regional, State School FCS makes the only sense for ALL involved, including UNH and UMass.


UNH
UMass
URI
Maine
Albany
Stony Brook
CCSU

Even if a couple privates like Fordham or Monmouth want to step up to full schollie, they would be a good fit.

I wonder if a regional state school FCS league would get Vermont interested?

danefan wrote:I wonder if a regional state school FCS league would get Vermont interested?

It might - dispell some of the travel concerns they had.
What about Binghampton as well?

dbackjon wrote:

danefan wrote:I wonder if a regional state school FCS league would get Vermont interested?

It might - dispell some of the travel concerns they had.
What about Binghampton as well?

The Binghamton athletic department is in shambles right now after all the basketball scandals. I can't imagine them adding a team and I don't think they've expressed any interest either. Maybe 10-15 years down the road. You never know what's possible.

Vermont has a functioning club team at least (not that it matters that much).

Why wouldn't the CAA be interested?

dbackjon wrote:

danefan wrote:I wonder if a regional state school FCS league would get Vermont interested?

It might - dispell some of the travel concerns they had.
What about Binghampton as well?

My aunt lives up in Binghampton. That place is flat out depressing. They have all kinds of problems with that schools athletic program.

AZGrizFan wrote:Why wouldn't the CAA be interested?

The vast majority of the CAA has no reason for expansion.

There are only really 3 teams that do and that would be UMass, URI and UNH. And even then, the only reason to expand would be to keep UD and Nova in the South and get back to bussing to more games.

I don't think thats enough motivation to go to a 14 team league (in 2012 post-Georgia State).

dbackjon wrote:Long term, a Regional, State School FCS makes the only sense for ALL involved, including UNH and UMass.


UNH
UMass
URI
Maine
Albany
Stony Brook
CCSU

Even if a couple privates like Fordham or Monmouth want to step up to full schollie, they would be a good fit.

Why would UNH and UMass want to leave the CAA for what would be a weaker conference? Might as well call this new conference the Big North, as it would be exactly like the Big South where no team ever gets invited to the playoffs because of their weak conference/schedule.

bandl wrote:

dbackjon wrote:Long term, a Regional, State School FCS makes the only sense for ALL involved, including UNH and UMass.


UNH
UMass
URI
Maine
Albany
Stony Brook
CCSU

Even if a couple privates like Fordham or Monmouth want to step up to full schollie, they would be a good fit.

Why would UNH and UMass want to leave the CAA for what would be a weaker conference? Might as well call this new conference the Big North, as it would be exactly like the Big South where no team ever gets invited to the playoffs because of their weak conference/schedule.

I understand why UNH and UMass wouldn't want to leave because of strength issues at first, but but I your comparison to teh Big South isn't really accurate, IMO.

First, this league would be guaranteed an AQ after 2 years of existence, and maybe even sooner if the NCAA allowed an exemption (which is very possible in this case considering its just a realignment); and

Second, do you really think the winner of this league wouldn't get an at-large in a 20 team field the first 2 years?

I would add Fordham to the list of league schools and that would give you 7 conference games. Add a OOC schedule consisting of 1 FBS, 1 Socon/Legacy CAA South/MVFC and 2 PL/NEC/Ivy teams. The winner at 8-3 or 9-2 would undoubedtly get an at-large.

danefan wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:Why wouldn't the CAA be interested?

The vast majority of the CAA has no reason for expansion.

There are only really 3 teams that do and that would be UMass, URI and UNH. And even then, the only reason to expand would be to keep UD and Nova in the South and get back to bussing to more games.

I don't think thats enough motivation to go to a 14 team league (in 2012 post-Georgia State).

Yeah, but they're down two right now. Seems logical.

Thinking about this more, I really dont' think teh CAA has really any motivation at all for expansion.

The only chance SBU gets in the CAA is if URI downgrades to the NEC. Which I think is possible.

Then it comes down to what the power of the CAA North teams in deciding who gets that spot. I would imagine that UMass, UNH and Maine would want Albany over SBU if (big if) Albany can guarantee scholarships and facilities by then. A trip to Albany for those CAA North teams is 1000000000 times easier than a trip to Stony Brook.

Fordham is a different argument.

The reason I only see URI's downgrade as a possibility for CAA inclusion is because in 2012 when the CAA goes back to Divisional play, there is a natural geographic division amongst North and South teams at 6 and 6.

North: UD, Nova, URI, UNH, UMass, Maine
South: ODU, Ga State, W&M, Richmond, JMU, Towson

Unless you add SBU and a team from below the Mason Dixon line, you are putting yourself right back into the situation of either (a) splitting UD and Nova or (b) playing a new northern based team in the South.

AZGrizFan wrote:

danefan wrote:
The vast majority of the CAA has no reason for expansion.

There are only really 3 teams that do and that would be UMass, URI and UNH. And even then, the only reason to expand would be to keep UD and Nova in the South and get back to bussing to more games.

I don't think thats enough motivation to go to a 14 team league (in 2012 post-Georgia State).

Yeah, but they're down two right now. Seems logical.

And they are adding two more before 2012. That problem is solved. See above my thoughts on expansion potential.

I have to laugh how no one ever lumps Maine with UNH and UMass.

Other than UNH's recent success, I don't think that UNH is in any better position than Maine.......and in fact, I think that Maine's program trumps UNH's program in a number of key areas:

1. Facility
2. NFL alums
3. Donors willing to pony up
4. A state that supports the school and program slightly better than NH does

UNH has the following advantages:

1. GEOGRAPHY (3.5 hours closer to everyone)
2. Recent success
3. Better attendance (due to that success)

Anyway.......my point is that Maine has the same outlook and goals that UNH and UMass do when it comes to conference affiliation and FCS scholarship football.

mainejeff wrote:I have to laugh how no one ever lumps Maine with UNH and UMass.

Other than UNH's recent success, I don't think that UNH is in any better position than Maine.......and in fact, I think that Maine's program trumps UNH's program in a number of key areas:

1. Facility
2. NFL alums
3. Donors willing to pony up
4. A state that supports the school and program slightly better than NH does

UNH has the following advantages:

1. GEOGRAPHY (3.5 hours closer to everyone)
2. Recent success
3. Better attendance (due to that success)

Anyway.......my point is that Maine has the same outlook and goals that UNH and UMass do when it comes to conference affiliation and FCS scholarship football.

I agree. I actually tend to lump Maine and UNH together because of A-East all-sport affiliation. Geography is the only thing tying UMass to UNH.

Regarding Stony Brook........get over yourself. You're in FCS football for the long run. Kiss and make up with the NEC and wait for the next CAA shoe to drop. These are the possibilities:

1. One or more of Georgia State, ODU, or JMU move up to FBS football.
2. URI drops football.
3. The CAA disintegrates if enough schools leave the league (Drexel, NU and Hofstra to the A-10, JMU & ODU to FBS, etc.
4. The CAA expands to 14 teams (very unlikely)

Personally, I can see the possibility of this league down the road:

Maine
UNH
UMass
URI
Albany
Stony Brook
Delaware
Towson
*Villanova

*affiliate member

mainejeff wrote:Regarding Stony Brook........get over yourself. You're in FCS football for the long run. Kiss and make up with the NEC and wait for the next CAA shoe to drop. These are the possibilities:

1. One or more of Georgia State, ODU, or JMU move up to FBS football.
2. URI drops football.
3. The CAA disintegrates if enough schools leave the league (Drexel, NU and Hofstra to the A-10, JMU & ODU to FBS, etc.
4. The CAA expands to 14 teams (very unlikely)

Personally, I can see the possibility of this league down the road:

Maine
UNH
UMass
URI
Albany
Stony Brook
Delaware
Towson
*Villanova

*affiliate member

I'd give my first-born son for that league.

mainejeff wrote:Regarding Stony Brook........get over yourself. You're in FCS football for the long run. Kiss and make up with the NEC and wait for the next CAA shoe to drop. These are the possibilities:

1. One or more of Georgia State, ODU, or JMU move up to FBS football.
2. URI drops football.
3. The CAA disintegrates if enough schools leave the league (Drexel, NU and Hofstra to the A-10, JMU & ODU to FBS, etc.
4. The CAA expands to 14 teams (very unlikely)

Personally, I can see the possibility of this league down the road:

Maine
UNH
UMass
URI
Albany
Stony Brook
Delaware
Towson
*Villanova

*affiliate member

Where does William and Mary go? They are CAA all sports.

andy7171 wrote:

mainejeff wrote:Regarding Stony Brook........get over yourself. You're in FCS football for the long run. Kiss and make up with the NEC and wait for the next CAA shoe to drop. These are the possibilities:

1. One or more of Georgia State, ODU, or JMU move up to FBS football.
2. URI drops football.
3. The CAA disintegrates if enough schools leave the league (Drexel, NU and Hofstra to the A-10, JMU & ODU to FBS, etc.
4. The CAA expands to 14 teams (very unlikely)

Personally, I can see the possibility of this league down the road:

Maine
UNH
UMass
URI
Albany
Stony Brook
Delaware
Towson
*Villanova

*affiliate member

Where does William and Mary go? They are CAA all sports.

Full scholarship Patriot League? With Richmond tagging along as a football affiliate?

danefan wrote:

andy7171 wrote: Where does William and Mary go? They are CAA all sports.

Full scholarship Patriot League? With Richmond tagging along as a football affiliate?

In our (wet) dreams

AZGrizFan wrote:Why wouldn't the CAA be interested?

Too far a drive from the airport. Not the case with the latest additions - Hofstra, Northeastern, Drexel, Georgia St.. Towson and Deleware are bus trips for the VA schools.

andy7171 wrote:

mainejeff wrote:Regarding Stony Brook........get over yourself. You're in FCS football for the long run. Kiss and make up with the NEC and wait for the next CAA shoe to drop. These are the possibilities:

1. One or more of Georgia State, ODU, or JMU move up to FBS football.
2. URI drops football.
3. The CAA disintegrates if enough schools leave the league (Drexel, NU and Hofstra to the A-10, JMU & ODU to FBS, etc.
4. The CAA expands to 14 teams (very unlikely)

Personally, I can see the possibility of this league down the road:

Maine
UNH
UMass
URI
Albany
Stony Brook
Delaware
Towson
*Villanova

*affiliate member

Where does William and Mary go? They are CAA all sports.

FBS moves need a conference. Maybe the nucleus being Charlotte, East Carolina, Old Dominion, JMU, Delaware, Appy St., Georgia St. down the road.

CAA Flagship wrote:

andy7171 wrote: Where does William and Mary go? They are CAA all sports.

FBS moves need a conference. Maybe the nucleus being Charlotte, East Carolina, Old Dominion, JMU, Delaware, Appy St., Georgia St. down the road.

You can add Jacksonville State to that list.



But I'd probably drop Delaware off. I really don't think Delaware is going FBS unless they go to a BCS conference (which is very very unlikely).