Louisiana College Revamp Panel

[zephyr]

_ "I don't think the WAC would give us political leverage unless we were extremely successful in it. Perhaps that is where he was coming from."
Perhaps you should read the whole thread. _

Perhaps I should read it again because it didn't explain anything to me either. The only message I got from all those posts was we are some jealous people. There wasn't much profound said up in Ruston, that is for sure.

[CajunZ1]

_ How is this even debatable? The WAC is the better conference. More national exposure, more BCS bowls, more bowls overall... _

The debate isn't which conference is better. It's which conference is/would-have-been better for UL.

[CajunT]

_ How would being in the WAC give us any political leverage in Louisiana? _

Well, it does help in Shreveport. It gives you the leverage to tell the Independent Bowl you won't play any SBC team!LOL!!!!

[boxerdog]

_ Seriously, how would WAC membership give us political leverage in LA? Not trying for a ____ing contest and not trying to dredge up the WAC vs Sunbelt arguments. I'm just trying to understand your logic because I don't see the conference membership having any influence on LA politics. _

We're the 2 best schools in the UL system. As of now, our interests are divided. I just think we would have more leverage if we were in the same conference.

[zephyr]

_ We're the 2 best schools in the UL system. As of now, our interests are divided. I just think we would have more leverage if we were in the same conference. _

I don't think you'd find anybody here to argue that we'd love to be in a conference with LaTech however, I think you'd be hard pressed to get that response in Ruston

[Hammer58]

_ We're the 2 best schools in the UL system. As of now, our interests are divided. I just think we would have more leverage if we were in the same conference. _

Our interests are not necessarily divided because we are in different conferences. Even being in different conferences we stil have the same concerns as most mid-majors. Regardless of different conference affiliations we could still join together to try to change things in this state that limit both of our schools' ability to increase our budgets. A good starting point would be by working together to change the UL system rule that prohibits student fees for athletics. And that would also mean workign together with ULM. As much as you might not like that idea we all are in a similar boat being the three public D1A mid-majors in this state and in the UL system. Conference affiliation does not change that.

[boxerdog]

_ I don't think you'd find anybody here to argue that we'd love to be in a conference with LaTech however, I think you'd be hard pressed to get that response in Ruston _

All we lack in the WAC is a viable travel partner. Also, the prospect of adding both schools to C-USA is more attractive than taking just one of us. UL should not have stuck with Waters and the Sunbelt. At this point, we're in a freakin' arms race with each other. It would've been better to work together to secure more state dollars.

[DestinCajun]

All we lack in the WAC is a viable travel partner. Also, the prospect of adding both schools to C-USA is more attractive than taking just one of us. UL should not have stuck with Waters and the Sunbelt. At this point, we're in a freakin' arms race with each other. It would've been better to work together to secure more state dollars. _

When Denver joins the WAC you'll have your travel partner.

Exactly how does a "UL-LaTex package" increase chances of both programs joining CUSA? Since the WAC is so great why do you mention joining CUSA?

UL was right to remain in the Sun Belt until a truly advantageous alternative presents itself. LaTex should have remained in the Sun Belt when football was added.

I don't see an "arms race" of any kind. I don't see much cooperation between ULS schools either, especially where McNees is concerned, but there's no arms race per se.

Now is the time to work together if you read the first message in this thread.

[boxerdog]

_ When Denver joins the WAC you'll have your travel partner.

Exactly how does a "UL-LaTex package" increase chances of both programs joining CUSA? Since the WAC is so great why do you mention joining CUSA?

UL was right to remain in the Sun Belt until a truly advantageous alternative presents itself. LaTex should have remained in the Sun Belt when football was added.

I don't see an "arms race" of any kind. I don't see much cooperation between ULS schools either, especially where McNees is concerned, but there's no arms race per se.

Now is the time to work together if you read the first message in this thread. _

Conferences usually expand by "package" deals. Personally, I like the WAC--I think it's a better overall conference than C-USA. However, we'd be better off with a more regional rivalry within the conference (which is why I mentioned UL as a travel partner).

It has become obvious that our AD sees certain C-USA schools as relevant competitors. I think that he views eventual membership into that conference in La Tech's best interest. I'm just going with the flow.

There is no way La Tech would be better off in the Sunbelt. It's the worst conference in the country.

[DestinCajun]

Conferences usually expand by "package" deals. Personally, I like the WAC--I think it's a better overall conference than C-USA. However, we'd be better off with a more regional rivalry within the conference (which is why I mentioned UL as a travel partner).

It has become obvious that our AD sees certain C-USA schools as relevant competitors. I think that he views eventual membership into that conference in La Tech's best interest. I'm just going with the flow.

There is no way La Tech would be better off in the Sunbelt. It's the worst conference in the country. _

LaTex will be in the WAC for quite awhile so the whole issue is really moot. And, I'm sure the other WAC schools are thrilled about it.

Sun Belt football is 7 years old. If it progresses as far in the next 7 years as it has to now (and there are no reasons why it shouldn't because all members other than Monroe have huge growth potential), it will be the No 2 football league in the South after the SEC.