Big South
PostPosted:Tue Jun 16, 2020 2:42 am
I'm interested in what you all think about the way that the Big South has managed to get up to NINE football members, starting in 2021.
After losing Stony Brook, VMI, Coastal Carolina, Liberty, and Presbyterian between 2013 (or so) and today, I'd have thought Big South football would be done. (They also lost Elon early in their existence as a FB league to the SoCon, but that was way back around '02 or '03.)
They brought back Campbell as a non-football member in 2011. The Camels started non scholarship football in the Pioneer Football League, and later switched to scholarship football and Big South football membership.
They added associate members Kennesaw, North Alabama, Monmouth, and, next year, Robert Morris. To much of the college sports world's surprise, they brought in Hampton a couple of years ago, and in 2021, NC A&T.
The only constants have been Charleston Southern and Gardner Webb.
(Side note: I realize the way I listed the schools joining was not chronological; it was supposed to be more categorical.)
I don't think the Big South is going to be a powerhouse in FCS football just because they've gotten up to nine, with four of those football football-only affiliates. I think it's clear that geography and institutional fit are out the window, compared to, well, the SoCon. I just find it really impressive there were even enough warm bodies to get to nine. The crown jewel, football wise, is probably NC A&T, though Kennesaw may have something to say about it.
Anyway, I just can't believe Big South football still exists, let alone will be at its largest membership count to date.
I still think SoCon schools ought to dominate Big South schools. There's more stability and tradition on the side of the SoCon. But I would like to know what you all's reaction is.
....
BTW, I'm really sorry Furman decided to cut baseball and men's lacrosse. I really do hate that. My alma mater, App State, cut men's tennis, men's soccer, and men's indoor track and field. The entire athletic department is also getting furloughed for 90 days, though I'm not sure if that means no pay/work at all for 3 months or something like a reduction to 3-4 work days/week. It just stinks.
After losing Stony Brook, VMI, Coastal Carolina, Liberty, and Presbyterian between 2013 (or so) and today, I'd have thought Big South football would be done. (They also lost Elon early in their existence as a FB league to the SoCon, but that was way back around '02 or '03.)
They brought back Campbell as a non-football member in 2011. The Camels started non scholarship football in the Pioneer Football League, and later switched to scholarship football and Big South football membership.
They added associate members Kennesaw, North Alabama, Monmouth, and, next year, Robert Morris. To much of the college sports world's surprise, they brought in Hampton a couple of years ago, and in 2021, NC A&T.
The only constants have been Charleston Southern and Gardner Webb.
(Side note: I realize the way I listed the schools joining was not chronological; it was supposed to be more categorical.)
I don't think the Big South is going to be a powerhouse in FCS football just because they've gotten up to nine, with four of those football football-only affiliates. I think it's clear that geography and institutional fit are out the window, compared to, well, the SoCon. I just find it really impressive there were even enough warm bodies to get to nine. The crown jewel, football wise, is probably NC A&T, though Kennesaw may have something to say about it.
Anyway, I just can't believe Big South football still exists, let alone will be at its largest membership count to date.
I still think SoCon schools ought to dominate Big South schools. There's more stability and tradition on the side of the SoCon. But I would like to know what you all's reaction is.
....
BTW, I'm really sorry Furman decided to cut baseball and men's lacrosse. I really do hate that. My alma mater, App State, cut men's tennis, men's soccer, and men's indoor track and field. The entire athletic department is also getting furloughed for 90 days, though I'm not sure if that means no pay/work at all for 3 months or something like a reduction to 3-4 work days/week. It just stinks.