Originally Posted by
Cajunfanatico
Basinbear is far more connected behind the scenes to the steps that are being taken by our program so I would hope he'd give you some details, even if it was via PM.
Having said that, I'll give you my opinion of how this might shake out. The "haves" would include those forward-looking programs who have invested in facilities and coaching staffs, and are doing everything possible to think outside the box as it relates to overall declining interest in college athletics. That's to say, programs that are not dead in the water, but actually increasing athletic budgets on a regular basis and growing their programs.
The driving factor of change, like always, will be money.
Those who have managed to cultivate an engaged fanbase that contributes to the sucess of the program are most likely to get the call to be a part of something bigger, something evolving, something new. Some believe that the P5 cartel (and the media who feeds and thereby controls them) will eventually be forced via monolopy-related lawsuits to share a greater portion of the pie. Only time will tell on that issue, but if they are forced to open up the cofers, there's a good chance they'll dictate the types of programs who will participate.
Some envision a new media package that involves top-quality G5 programs who have formed something of a scheduling alliance. The TV broadcast of a Ragin Cajun versus Houston game, for instance, would likely be far more attractive to a TV audience in our general area than Houston playing UConn or the Cajuns playing Coastal Carolina. That's just one example.
Now, Bear calls it the coming mother of all realignments. I have no idea if it'll be the type of realignment we've seen over the last 10 years or so, or something different, even unique. But most every professional at the G5 level today says that our current structure is unstable and unsustainable. Changes are coming and will be forced upon everyone.
Perhaps think of it as preparing for war. You don't know exactly when, or what will happen, but you damn well know you'd better be prepared.....better prepared than the competition. And while you can't prepare for every potential unforeseen circumstance, you've got a good idea of what it will take to win the war.
Hope that makes sense. While I'm certain change is coming, I don't know the exact nature of that change. But regardless of the type of realignment that takes place, those responding by mailing in a Powerpoint presentation of what they've accomplished will most certainly be pulling up the rear.
Fortunately, it looks like our admin has figured that one out.