Only One Bowl Better Than New Orleans From the Bird’s Nest

[Hammer58]

Another angle is that if we have to beg to be part of CUSA, maybe we need to continue our path of winning and improving facilities and make them want us.

Has anyone ever seen a true all out public campaign begging a conference to invite them? I'm not being sarcastic here. I've never seen it. I would happily admit I was wrong if someone can provide the evidence of another school in the NCAA on their knees begging a conference for membership and it working.

Not sure what your definition of public is, but many schools have made their interest known with statements such as "we are open to any opportunity to improve our situation", "we'll do what's best for our program", etc. when conference realignment rumors are addressed rather than saying "we are comfortable in the SunBelt" or "the Sun Belt us the place for us". There was also the case of FAU (or was it FIU. It was discussed here and the news story was linked) whose AD openly and repeatedly pursued CUSA even before they were ready to add members so that when the opportunity came they were on of the first CUSA considered. Now he didn't call press conferences that I know of but he made personal cold call visits to the conference commissioner and openly courted him at lunches to sell his program. He did it in the open which I would consider public.

Turbine, do you still have that in the archives?

[CajunEXPRESS]

Another angle is that if we have to beg to be part of CUSA, maybe we need to continue our path of winning and improving facilities and make them want us.

Has anyone ever seen a true all out public campaign begging a conference to invite them? I'm not being sarcastic here. I've never seen it. I would happily admit I was wrong if someone can provide the evidence of another school in the NCAA on their knees begging a conference for membership and it working.

LTU R MIDDLEBTENN are two.

[CajunRage]

Fair enough. Other schools have done it.

[Hammer58]

----Ltur could be VERY close to being described as such!!! lol Begged and lied ----and it worked!!!

Damn, Boom?!!! How could I forget Tech.

Ok, it looks like several examples have been given...Tech, F_U and Middle.

[Hammer58]

Over the last 3-4 weeks, have things changed much from this thread?

https://forumeus.com/...201#post760201

It seems there was an incredible amount of optimism in that thread from the very same posters lamenting a current lack of initiative on the part of the University in this thread.

Have things spun that completely out of control? In such a short time?

For me it's the seeming lack of any progress, the usual silence from the admin and once again failing to strike while the iron is hot. The RCAF separation and Executive director still hangs in limbo. That move with the right here could give us a big leg up on the competition for any conference realignment opportunities. It could also be of huge importance with the projected state cuts looming. Of course, had it been done over a year ago we would likely be that much further ahead and even better prepared to weather any budget storms ahead.

We have just come off of arguably the best year for sports in UL history and once again there seems to be no sense of urgency to capitalize on it.

[Just1More]

We do not "seem" to have one because you and a lot of detractors on this board want to make it "seem" like we don't have one. What the hell do you think the CST deal is part of? What do you think the ongoing master plan is part of? What do you think the coaches salaries being the highest in the belt are part of? What do you think the adidas deal is part of? We are creating our own way.

I'll give some of you this. It may not be the plan YOU think we should have, but let me know which one of you have been athletic directors and have been part of conference realignment.

What person working at UL has been an athletic director and part of conference realignment?

[cajun4life]

What person working at UL has been an athletic director and part of conference realignment?

Only been a part of realignment if you consider getting left out a part of it.

[CajunDreDog]

I think the deciding factor would be the potential opponent. There is no doubt for the fans New Orleans is probably the top destination with few other being able to offer a destination as entertaining, convenient, etc. However, another Bowl like the Citrus could offer the opportunity to face off against a lower to mid level P5 program with the boost in perception for the program that a victory could bring. That and to show our fans will support the team beyond New Orleans is the reason for considering another Bowl.

It's scheduled to be a SBC vs AAC. So it could be a decent matchup.
http://curebowl.com/teams/

[CajunRage]

What person working at UL has been an athletic director and part of conference realignment?

""Farmer came to Lafayette after eight years at Troy University (1999-2007) where he worked as Senior Associate Athletic Director. He helped the Trojans make the move to the NCAA Division I-FBS level and the Sun Belt Conference."

"During his time at UH, Stewart helped position the department for conference realignment and transition strategy from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference, planned and implemented a campaign strategy that resulted in raising approximately $48 million towards new football and basketball facilities, and led the complete redesign of athletics marks, while developing internal and external style guides to strengthen the department’s brand identity and brand equity."

- ragincajuns.com

[DocCajun]

All this debating....

All things aside, would anyone rather go to the Cure Bowl in Orlando played in the newly renovated Citrus Bowl Stadium next year instead of New Orleans Bowl for a 5th straight trip?

Personally, I would. Good excuse to take the kids to Disney and watch the Cajuns. So yea, regardless of opponent, I would personally (selfishly) prefer Orlando next year.

Not to say I would rather Orlando every year...but NO, NO, NO, NO, Orlando, NO would be nice

[Bandwagon King]

That depends upon you believing our leadership is doing everything they can to push for a C-USA membership. I've heard nothing recently to suggest they are at this time.

Hopefully they are inquiring as to how big a bribe it will take to aquire the other president's blessing? They should know since they dealt witht he same cast of characters in the old Sunbelt. it's pretty much that simple. Bribe your way in & you're in. facilities & TV market are a cover for show me the money!

[Just1More]

"During his time at UH, Stewart helped position the department for conference realignment and transition strategy from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference, planned and implemented a campaign strategy that resulted in raising approximately $48 million towards new football and basketball facilities, and led the complete redesign of athletics marks, while developing internal and external style guides to strengthen the department's brand identity and brand equity."

Getting in the SBC from FBS doesn't qualify as realignment experience. The SBC allows everyone to join. I am curious if Stewart's experience was more of stewarding the transition, or if he had to actively push a heavy load up a steep hill. Natural gravity isn't going to get us out of the SBC.