Interesting article on ODU move to C-USA

Harry · June 30, 2013

The most far-reaching change in Old Dominion University's athletic history began with a relaxed conversation on April Fool's Day 2012 in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Athletic Director Wood Selig and his counterpart at Virginia Commonwealth, Norwood Teague, were in the lobby of the Marriott Hotel between rounds of the men's basketball Final Four when Teague's face suddenly grew serious. He leaned toward Selig and hit him with the news: VCU would likely be leaving the Colonial Athletic Association to join the Atlantic 10, and so might George Mason. "I didn't want you to be blindsided."

At the time, ODU was firmly committed to the CAA, where it had been a member since 1991. The league had four strong rivals in Virginia, and ODU's men's and women's basketball teams had thrived. Moving to the top tier of NCAA football was something ODU officials figured eventually would happen, though not for many years.

Now, Selig was learning that the league Old Dominion considered home was about to unravel. VCU and George Mason weren't just strong rivals; both had recently sent their teams to the men's basketball Final Four.

"The nature of the conference, of the people we would compete against in the future, was about to change," Selig said.

Teague's revelation set off a frenetic 6-1/2 weeks in which ODU officials would reassess the school's entire athletic future. In that short span, they reached out to half a dozen prospective new conferences, met commissioners and quietly flew league officials into Norfolk to keep their search for a new home secret.

Whatever the school decided would potentially affect 26,000 students, 120,000 alumni, 4,500 employees and tens of thousands of residents of Hampton Roads. Yet, the decision ultimately would fall on the shoulders of just one man: ODU President John Broderick.

And in the end, Broderick made the bold choice to join a far-flung league that offers both potential and risks.

Read more: http://hamptonroads.com/2013/06/lot-work-not-much-time-odus-big-move

letsgiveacheer · June 30, 2013

A good article from my high school classmate! For selfish reasons, I'm very glad to see ODU in CUSA. With ODU, Charlotte, Marshall, and (for a short time) ECU, I can finally see North Texas games on a regular basis!

chrisfisher · June 30, 2013

Interesting read on the mysterious process of conference realignment and how teams go about it behind the scenes.

emmitt01 · June 30, 2013

"Last season, ODU hosted Duquesne and Campbell. Moving to FBS has allowed the Monarchs to schedule North Carolina State (2015) and Virginia Tech (2018) at Foreman Field.

A year ago, it was laughable to think ODU would host an ACC football opponent. The school is attempting to bring North Carolina and Virginia, as well as Navy and East Carolina, to Norfolk, too."

So this means they'll have to suffer atrocious schedules in the other years, right?

GoMeanGreen1999 · June 30, 2013

"Last season, ODU hosted Duquesne and Campbell. Moving to FBS has allowed the Monarchs to schedule North Carolina State (2015) and Virginia Tech (2018) at Foreman Field.
A year ago, it was laughable to think ODU would host an ACC football opponent. The school is attempting to bring North Carolina and Virginia, as well as Navy and East Carolina, to Norfolk, too."
So this means they'll have to suffer atrocious schedules in the other years, right?

It continues to amaze me what other schools that are either smaller or younger than we are can bring in school wise for home games. We have a new stadium and in the middle of North Texas, a recruiting hot bed.