|
Post by doug4troy on May 14, 2014 22:18:10 GMT -6
UMass to the Sun Belt? Could happen
"Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson told CBS Sports that his conference and the University of Massachusetts have had discussions about the Minutemen joining as a football-only member. It’s a pretty good bet that if it’s at the point where Benson is willing to admit the talks publicly, there’s a legitimate chance of this happening. Benson is no stranger to conference shifting. He’s the former commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference, which has had more turnover than a community college. The Sun Belt office offered no further comment and UMass athletic director John McCutcheon didn’t answer his phone or return calls Wednesday. UMass needs a conference. There’s no hope as an independent. From the moment the MAC elected to sever ties, the Minutemen could hope for a great offer, but the reality is they are going to have to grab the best scenario available. UMass has some nebulous potential, but right now, the Minutemen are a school that’s 2-22 as an FBS program. That’s not a record that’s going to cause league commissioners to line up. Getting competitive in any conference is the first step toward other things. The Sun Belt isn’t all that different from the MAC. Will most fans care more about a game with Eastern Michigan than a game against Troy? It’s a conference outside the big five, fighting for attention, money, bowl bids etc..." Complete story: www.gazettenet.com/blogs/umasssports/11971030-95/umass-to-the-sun-belt-could-happen
|
|
|
Post by doug4troy on May 14, 2014 22:26:14 GMT -6
UMass calls Sun Belt about potential membership
"Could the Sun Belt look to the Northeast for its 12th member?
Massachusetts called the Sun Belt and both sides have had a "very preliminary" discussion about joining forces, commissioner Karl Benson told CBSSports.com.
UMass became available as a football-only member after it became clear in March that the Minutemen would not fulfill all-sports-member status required of the Mid-American Conference, its old home. UMass will part ways with the MAC in 2015.
The Sun Belt has been looking to fill its final spot by June 1 and has had discussions with several FCS-level schools, including Liberty..."
Complete story: www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/jeremy-fowler/24562275/sun-belt-umass-in-discussions-about-membership
|
|
|
Post by Possum on May 14, 2014 23:23:24 GMT -6
Ugh... I hope this doesn't happen. It makes no sense geographically... Plus travel budgets will be strained even more than it already will be... This is a stupid move IMO.
|
|
|
Post by Hemi Man on May 15, 2014 4:01:44 GMT -6
Just call this conference the earth belt.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
|
|
Post by Pensacola Trojan on May 15, 2014 8:42:03 GMT -6
I think Idaho and New Mexico are subsidizing the travel to their stadiums. If UMAS was willing to do the same then it could be A win win and allow us to have a championship game and more revenue for the conference as a whole. Because it would be football only there would only be one trip required every two or four years per current Sunbelt member .
|
|
|
Post by Troystet on May 15, 2014 19:07:37 GMT -6
We have 3 of the worst teams in FBS now with Ga St., Idaho and NMSU. Add the rankings of GA Southern and App St. Moving up. If you add this joke of a football team the Sun Belt will be ranked the lowest in the country. Why doesn't Benson call up Eastern Michigan and Akron and see if they want to leave the MAC.
|
|
|
Post by Trojan Warrior on May 18, 2014 6:37:58 GMT -6
It was reported by CBS Sports that UMass has had discussions with the Sun Belt Conference about becoming the league's 12th member and that commissioner Karl Benson has indicated that "interest exists" between the two sides to get a deal done.
pc2
|
|