Conference USA a victory for FAU

[Harry]

No less an FAU visionary than Howard Schnellenberger — founder of the football program and former Owls coach — was pleased with move … and aware of the high stakes.

“As conferences eroded, this appeared to be our moment of truth,” Schnellenberger said. “Imagine it? I planned for it. This was our long-range strategy.”

Schnellenbeger’s biggest dreams, to be honest, had to do with someday joining a higher-profile group than Conference USA, but his measure of satisfaction is understandable given current circumstances.

FAU Athletic Director Pat Chun recognized Schnellenberger’s grasss-roots efforts on what he called a “momentous day” for the Owls.

“This provides stability for us,” Chun said. “This puts us in a different scope. This is a big win for us.”

That victory is spelled m-o-n-e-y.

Chun estimated that FAU’s annual take from television revenues alone will increase from “something less than $50,000” as a Sun Belt member to “between $750,000 and $1 million” as part of Conference USA’s lineup.

“It’s a huge reason why we’re doing this,” Chun said.

There also will be more opportunities for participation in bowl games.

Chun applauded FAU President Mary Jane Saunders for her organizational skills in allowing the school to prepare an application to Conference USA in quick response to the “chain reaction” of realignments. Chun and Saunders also thanked rival FIU for its support of FAU’s membership initiative to Conference USA. They thanked FIU President Mark Rosenberg and Athletic Director Pete Garcia, but Chun couldn’t resist a dig by saying, “I can be in rivalry mode. That school to the south helped us.”

The Shula Bowl, which appeared to be in danger of ending had FAU and FIU existed in different conferences, now will be saved.

Read more: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/college-football/greg-stoda-moving-to-conference-usa-a-victory-for-/nTJpK/

[H-towngreen]

That's a big money boost