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Off the CUSA board. Posted today by MinerInWisconsin http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=565091 UT System BOR approval for UTEP conference change 2/24/12 I was checking for the agenda for the BOR meeting this Thursday since it has been speculated that UTSA athletics might be on the agenda. The agenda was just posted and nothing on it related to athletics at all. The minutes of the Feb 24 meeting are interesting though. UTEP received approval to be part of the formation of a new conference. Similar to what the UAB approval was, I'm sure. In this case the UTEP president specifically mentions replacing the DFW market with new additions and also associating UTEP with the western schools along with an expected increase in TV revenue. Here is an excerpt from the minutes: "Dr. Natalicio discussed the expected revenue growth, primarily due to an enhanced television contract, and increased stability in conference membership as the result of joining with institutions in the Mountain West Conference and the Conference USA to form a new athletic conference. She noted a downside of the transaction has already occurred with the departure of Southern Methodist University and the University of Houston from Conference USA, which took U. T. El Paso out of the Dallas television market and partially out of the Houston media market. She noted these media markets, especially the Dallas market, might return with the addition of new members to the conference. Dr. Natalicio discussed the expected reduction in team travel costs and travel time for students if U. T. El Paso joins the western division of the new athletic conference. She spoke about the enthusiasm of fans and the support of the local community for a new conference and about the hope for competition and stability to allow new and old rivalries to flourish." This post has been promoted to an article

I would have thought they'd face sanctions for those God-awful highlighter uniforms.

Would be a perfect time for Drew to get out of dodge... Maybe LSU???

What a shame...with the WAC falling apart and the MAC not showing anything, the inconsistancy of the others, this conference was starting to show some potential as a serious, "non-AQ" conference. Our new commissioner and the presidents will have basically undone the progress the Sunbelt has made over the past 10 years with this decision. What a regression. Can't find ONE thing positive about this for the Sunbelt Conference. Good riddance to this conference and it's new "leader"....

Given the nature of the violations, this is ironic.

Let's move on to something that has some importance, if in fact there is anything.

I remember thinking it will feel good when the day comes that big programs want our coaches. It means we're successful and doing things right. First Karen, now the smoke for Johnny. I was wrong. It doesn't feel too good.

I feel the need to be depressed this afternoon, so I'll try to tune in.

For some people, it never gets more attractive than your alma mater.

Wishful thinking: Tony is using the banquet to announce his return for another year.

I could be way off on this but I’m thinking the 1st wave of expansions is already a done deal and the visits that might be going on are to help make a final decision whether to go 20, 22, or 24. I know the glasses are green but we have to be getting an invite to one of the two Alliance members - right? Look, UNT has shown a tremendous increase in the commitment to athletics and improvements in the system are everywhere. If we do get passed over again I have to think something really, really bad is hiding out there that “Joe Fan” does not know about.

The OFFICIAL Facebook page of NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN SOCCER. Top 25 Texas A&M squeaks by Mean Green 1-0 "So proud of my 15 girls today battling against A&M’s army and the humidity”. - John Hedlund (Corners- 5-4 NT / SOG- A&M 6-4) Always Proud Ladies

Realignment news is 90 percent speculation and 10 percent guesswork. I wouldn't freak out about anything until you see solid news about school invites.

You want to give JJ a third contract in three years? He has signed for six more years remaining on a seven year contract with a beginning base of 450K. Frankly as in the case of Aston, contracts only tie up one party and NT frankly doesn't have enough money to thwart Jones from leaving if he gets a offer from one of the bigs particularly LSU. Jones is not underpaid for a top level Belt coach particularly one who was 9-7 in conference last year. I am excited to see what JJ can do with a full year of Mitchell and hopefully his cohorts back on the team, but lets not break the bank before he actually does something to merit another increase.

JJ won't turn down a job offer from his alma mater for a chance at having one great year at UNT. I'd totally understand his decision to leave if he chooses to do so. And if he does I hope we have an extensive search for our next head coach. I'm not a big believer in promoting an assistant just for the sake of similarity for next year's team. If this team is as good as we think they should be great no matter who coaches. We need to stick with the higher standard RV has set in place and go after a guy with HC or lots of assistant level experience at a big time program.

the cadbury has already started crowning

I hope we will have a press conference like this in the near future.

So how would that make you better than him?

forget Seneca Wallace... we have the next Barry Sanders on our team!!!

They're definitely unique, but I would never want one of our teams to wear something like these as actual uniforms.

#92 is Raymond Burks, who is around 6'1", 250. He walked on last year and has one year of eligibility left. Burks is playing H Back behind Drew Miller. Micah Thompson is #65 and is playing OL.

Senneca Wallace , right ?

Wrong

Top 10 in the WAC?

I think your concerns are unwarranted. We had a visit from this same group. We have a longer history and better TV market than UTSA, LA Tech, and Utah State. I'm not worried at all.

And Runner comes on and provides Exhibit A as to why nobody wants them in a merger. This is a FCS school with no athletic success to speak of, terrible facilities and a commuter enrollment that exceeds what we were perceived to be years ago bad mouthing La. Tech who has much more history and success. Now, I am no La Tech fan based upon their comments about the Sun Belt from their administrators and most of their fans, but at least they have earned the right to be an FBS team. UTSA hasn't unless you count beating Bacone State and handing out tickets to any and all that want them.

If we are already in then I'll be impressed that everyone involved kept it from being leaked.

I am not saying to copy this, however, with people mentioning what our uniforms should look like, this is impressive. The designer of this uniform is great. It's classy and I especially love the use of the flag on the helmet and uniform. I really wish they would chose a helmet decal and stick with. I love something like this: (yes,I know it's a different sport but you get it!) http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/university-of-north-texas-uniforms/

If the merger doesn't happen it's more likely both Tech & North Texas can land spots in CUSA

Easter bunny , alliances ... Everyone got a visit today

All this article is saying is that the CAA is a better basketball conference than the Sun Belt, which it quite obviously is.

DREAM ON!!!!!! Some of the girls are hot, but not Cathy Ireland hot!!

Yes our Lady Bobcats are that hot.

Agree. And the Belt should be hard after WAC programs. Finish that conference with a death blow of adding La. Tech and New Mexico St. Have to wait until after MWC/CUSA expansion? No problem. Wait. Don;t rush to add a FBS start up and then add them early so THEY can SAVE MONEY. Makes the conference look desperate and small time, but, then again, maybe Benson has operated desperately for so long, it's simply second nature.

I think you are absolutly right. GSU was added now to help them avoid a larger buyout later. I just think we still should have waited. I don't care if GSU would have to pay more later to join the Sun Belt. I believe the Sun Belt will have lots of options when the other conferences are done with expansion. Are we going to let FCS conferences force our hand, or our we going to control the situation? I think this was a weak move by the Sun Belt, under Benson's direction.

Yes, and Southwestern is the oldest university in Texas. It dates back to 1840 and was chartered by the Republic of Texas.

Yes, he was but it's Southwest Texas. Southwestern is at Georgetown (and an original member of the Southwest Conference. Franchione lives in the Hill Country so he's basically back home.

I did not know Franchione was at Texas State (then Southwestern) back in the early nineties.

They visited UNT/Apogee.

Think what you may about TXST but we are quickly rising as a program. We may not have the Wins to show it just yet. But our Fanbase is growing rapidly and our fans are loyal. It's not the same program of ten or twenty years ago. TXST has created an identity/ brand that is going to fit in well at the FBS level. Francione knows how how to build a program and I think his team will surprise everyone.

Most UTSA fans are ok. There are a few very annoying fans. Rowdy Runner is the first and worst of the bunch. Don't put much stock into his comments. He thinks UTSA is the next Alabama.

they probably already made up their minds that yall are in and there's no need to keep making visits

The Alliance have talked about someday expanding to 24. That would mean that quite a few teams would need to be added later. So, they are probably checking out lots of potential future candidates. NT was already visited by CUSA some time ago. IMO, that means that we were probably at the top of their list of 1st round expansion candidates. Personally, I doubt that these late visitations are occurring because NT has been marked off their list. I just think that the new conference is considering a major expansion in the next couple of years that will include up to 6 more schools. Hopefully we will find out something for sure in the next month or two.

I don't think Texas St will get in but they are just exploring the options for down the road. I've had no problem with UTSA fans until they started last night bashing Tech screaming they were better choice because of their "potential" & attendance. UTSA doesn't have their own stadium and the basically have to give away tickets to get people to show up

I agree. UTSA has zero room to be bad mouthing others. Even programs like LA Tech. But, if they really feel the need to, go do it on the WAC board. Furthermore, I have yet to see any news confirming C-USA or MWC officials visited Texas State. I've only heard about the UNLV prez being on their campus. If they were getting a real visit, I'd think a few more people would have been with him. My point is he could have been there for any number of reasons. I guess Texas State doesn't want to appear to be on the outside looking in.

Me too please

Perhaps someone in the know can PM me with their inside information, and put my mind to rest.

Someone gets a football team and suddenly they think they are the cat's meow.

I don't like t.u.'s record as of late when it comes to Board of Regents meetings.