Rhode Island moving to the NEC?

[kdinva]

http://www.mytimesdispatch.com/index.ph ... all/12506/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2012 could be the move. And, if true, the CAA would "stay" at 11 teams for 2012 (Add Ga. St., lose URI).

[LastMinuteman]

There's been some smoke about that, but this is the first time I've heard someone say a move is "likely".

I think it's a one way road to oblivion, but maybe they just don't see any other way to stop the cycle of losing. The loss of the FBS game payout will erase their travel cost savings.

[aceinthehole]

I still find this doubtful. Not that CCSU and UA wouldn't like to have URI, but are the really willing to drop schollys and lose and an annual FBS $$$ game?

I also have to think schools like SHU, SFPA, RMU, and Wagner don't want to see URI in the league. Even though the Rams are a bad CAA team, they would be a very, very good NEC team and that hurts the smalller private schools chance to win the league AQ.

[aceinthehole]

If the PL allowed schollys, would URI be a better fit (and happier) there?

I'd think URI would rather play leage games vs Colgate and Holy Cross instead of St. Francis and RMU.

[dbackjon]

23 schollies is what, $600K? Which equals one FBS game. Unless they will also drop a woman's sport as well.

[AZGrizFan]

How many times can we reshuffle the deck before the NCAA just pulls the plug entirely?

[dbackjon]

How many times can we reshuffle the deck before the NCAA just pulls the plug entirely?

I don't think the NCAA gives one thought to a URI moving from the CAA to NEC - has no effect on the "important" schools

[AZGrizFan]

How many times can we reshuffle the deck before the NCAA just pulls the plug entirely?

I don't think the NCAA gives one thought to a URI moving from the CAA to NEC - has no effect on the "important" schools

Just wondering if it isn't akin to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

[mainejeff]

Good-bye URI......hello Stony Brook.

[SUUTbird]

True that the Rams would be losing quite a few scholarships but in the long wrong i think this would be a better fir for them. As the article stated Rhody has done nothing but struggle since joining the CAA and they are probably looking at this from a competitive standpoint rather then one involving money. Also due to the closeness of the NEC schools in proximity to them they would be saving money and who knows, actually post a winning record for a change since this will be a football only move.

[Redwyn]

Good-bye URI......hello Stony Brook.

Would certainly be interesting. Still can't help but think SBU wouldn't make a move until an all-sports opportunity opened up though...

[T-Dog]

This would put the remaining Northeast CAA schools at a crossroads. In less than a year, they've gone from 6 to 3 (if this is true).

There's been rumblings before about Maine dropping football and this would be the perfect storm for that to happen. I can't see UNH dropping football but rather begrudgingly go to the NEC. UMass will probably go FBS.

This does give Charlotte an in-road with the CAA.

[dgreco]

a lot of us have thrown the idea around, but this is the first article I have seen. I still think it would be a good move for the NEC and URI.

[Seahawks]

a lot of us have thrown the idea around, but this is the first article I have seen. I still think it would be a good move for the NEC and URI.

I agree. I would welcome URI to the NEC.

[Saint3333]

Time for the CAA to move south, apologies to UNH and UMass.


Delaware
Towson
JMU
W&M
Richmond
ODU
ASU
UNCC
Georgia St.

Basketball:
Drexel
VCU
GM
UNCW
CofC
Davidson

[mainejeff]

This would put the remaining Northeast CAA schools at a crossroads. In less than a year, they've gone from 6 to 3 (if this is true).

There's been rumblings before about Maine dropping football and this would be the perfect storm for that to happen. I can't see UNH dropping football but rather begrudgingly go to the NEC. UMass will probably go FBS.

This does give Charlotte an in-road with the CAA.

Maine isn't dropping football. Nice try though.

[mainejeff]

Time for the CAA to move south, apologies to UNH and UMass.

And Maine.

[aceinthehole]

ProJo confirms it, and it looks like URI will announce this August that they are joining the NEC for football begining in 2013.

URI looks into moving football team to NEC

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, June 29, 2010
By Mike Szostak Journal Sports Writer

The University of Rhode Island is exploring the possibility of reducing its expenditure on football by leaving the highly competitive Colonial Athletic Association and joining the Northeast Conference.

Thorr Bjorn, URI’s director of athletics, would not confirm that URI has received an invitation to join the NEC as a football-only member. Bjorn did say that URI “is committed to the CAA for the next two years [2010 and 2011] but is having “serious discussions with the NEC and talking about logistics of joining in 2013.” Bjorn also said that URI expects to make a formal announcement about the football program’s status in August.

http://www.projo.com/uri/content/sp_col ... eb069.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SUUTbird]

ProJo confirms it, and it looks like URI will announce this August that they are joining the NEC for football begining in 2013.

URI looks into moving football team to NEC

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, June 29, 2010
By Mike Szostak Journal Sports Writer

The University of Rhode Island is exploring the possibility of reducing its expenditure on football by leaving the highly competitive Colonial Athletic Association and joining the Northeast Conference.

Thorr Bjorn, URI’s director of athletics, would not confirm that URI has received an invitation to join the NEC as a football-only member. Bjorn did say that URI “is committed to the CAA for the next two years [2010 and 2011] but is having “serious discussions with the NEC and talking about logistics of joining in 2013.” Bjorn also said that URI expects to make a formal announcement about the football program’s status in August.

http://www.projo.com/uri/content/sp_col ... eb069.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is a good move for the Rams both in terms of competitive play and cost. Also makes me wonder if any other teams will join with Rhody in moving to the NEC? If two of these three teams ( Maine, UMASS and UNH) joined that would make a 12 team conference with probably 2 divisions and make it a pretty decent one to. Could very well see this happen in 2013

[dgreco]

ProJo confirms it, and it looks like URI will announce this August that they are joining the NEC for football begining in 2013.

URI looks into moving football team to NEC

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, June 29, 2010
By Mike Szostak Journal Sports Writer

The University of Rhode Island is exploring the possibility of reducing its expenditure on football by leaving the highly competitive Colonial Athletic Association and joining the Northeast Conference.

Thorr Bjorn, URI’s director of athletics, would not confirm that URI has received an invitation to join the NEC as a football-only member. Bjorn did say that URI “is committed to the CAA for the next two years [2010 and 2011] but is having “serious discussions with the NEC and talking about logistics of joining in 2013.” Bjorn also said that URI expects to make a formal announcement about the football program’s status in August.

http://www.projo.com/uri/content/sp_col ... eb069.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

beat me to it, but I thought the it was interesting they would make an announcement in August and that Bjorn also clearly said the NEC is a serious part of the discussion.

[GannonFan]

It's logical for URI to do this - heck, most people thought they would be the one to drop football after Northeastern did (no one really saw Hofstra coming along next). Small fanbase, no history of winning, and just no real prospect to be successful going forward. Dropping schollies and playing in a more realistic conference like the NEC is the right step, although URI won't come close to dominating that league either so they should be prepared for that outcome.

I don't see how this affects the other Northern schools - they all are very committed to football, they all have very strong ties with the CAA, and there's nowhere else to go. UMass doesn't have an FBS avenue, so they're staying. If UMass stays put then so will UNH, and if UNH stays put so will Maine. I wonder if Albany ever gets their stadium built will they be a candidate for the CAA, as a football member only. Potentially.

[ChickenMan]

The new CAA.. if URI leaves..?

North:
Maine
UNH
UMass
Villanova
Delaware
???


South:
Towson
JMU
Richmond
W&M
ODU
Georgia St

so who is the best bet to fill the 12th slot or will the CAA revert to an 11 team.. one division league???

[danefan]

The new CAA.. if URI leaves..?

North:
Maine
UNH
UMass
Villanova
Delaware
???


South:
Towson
JMU
Richmond
W&M
ODU
Georgia St

so who is the best bet to fill the 12th slot or will the CAA revert to an 11 team.. one division league???

I really don't think the CAA adds anyone. Why would they? No new team in the Northeast would be able to replicate what the latest additions to the CAA have done or will be doing (ODU and Ga.St.).

There are really 3 Northern teams that would be candidates though and I'll put them in the order I think the CAA will look for:

1. Stony Brook - best facilities, greatest ambition
2. Fordham - best name recognition, fits with the other A10 academics playing full scholarship football, NYC market (no matter how small it is for FCS ball)
3. Albany - Most succesful team on the field in recent memory, Bob Ford, lacks a facility and who knows when that will come.

UMass, UNH and Maine may push for Albany because Albany is more of a New England team than SBU or Fordham.

With the way SUNY is going though I don't see any major financial expansion coming down the pike anytime soon. SBU is already at CAA level funding. Albany would need to double its budget and I just don't see that happening.

Now it is curious and perhaps just a coincidence, but our game with Cincy did get pushed to 2013. Does that mean we'll be a counter in 2013 in the CAA North? I highly doubt it, but I guess it is possible.

[Uncle Buck]

Good-bye URI......hello Stony Brook.

So wait, Hofstra gets assassinated and i have another shot at the CAA with Stony Brook? Ah the circle of life. But i still want my Flying Dutchmen back!

[danefan]

What if Maine goes with them?

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... id=4322072" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After all the rumors floating around about Maine's situation, it does make some sense.