Should we move to FCS & Southland Conf?

[Just1More]

_ Just a thought. It would restore some natural rivalries with McNeese & Northwestern LA. We could still play LA Tech and UL-M along with others. We could likely be more competitive for a conference title and playoffs would be interesting. Some sports other than football might have a better chance of making NCAA 1-A playoffs (basketball, baseball). Any thoughts? _

The simply answer without being impolite... is... no.

The complex answer without being impolite... is... the only competitiveness problem we have is in football as far as the level of competition we play. We have no issues (when we focus even the slightest) on competing in every other sport. In football, it has never ever been a realistic decision to move "down" to FCS (we never were in D1AA or FCS).

The problem that we find ourselves in today, in football, is a direct result of believing we could stay in D1A (and now FBS) and not totally commit to an exceptional private assist from the former totally prepared alumni and community.

Our management of football at the helm never understood a) what it takes to compete in football (respectfully) and b) the benefit of having to manage a huge football system. We had and still have a lot of people that so despise LSU for their ownership of this state in so many ways... that one differentiator has been to attack their monetary saturation in athletics and claim that it distracts them or lessens them academically.

In reality, LSU would be no better, but far worse, if they would have kept their athletic dial on low... and focused only on academics. Regardless of their advantage... UL has its own advantages in this state. We have lacked being aggressive about our football and it has cost us in many ways as an academic institution.

UL needs to compliment the fine academic accomplishments we have had and have now... and not allow football to deminish that reputation. If we are going to have football, we need to stay FBS (you've been told the financial reasons we will not go to FCS) and throttle up the private sector for all its worth. You do not manage the exploitation component of capitalism by eliminating it. You manage it by using your head and regulating it along the road to success.

[Boomer]

_ You realize you're describing 75% of former students, right?



igeaux.mobi _

I think NOT!!!!! Depends---yes some will love LSU --some not pull for them and yes some will pull against them---I think that your %s are skewed the wrong way and we need to teach all current students to be in the last category!!!! LOL

[Turbine]

_ I think NOT!!!!! Depends---yes some will love LSU --some not pull for them and yes some will pull against them---I think that your %s are skewed the wrong way and we need to teach all current students to be in the last category!!!! LOL _

I think he low-balled it, the real number of former students who have no idea of 'where UL is and where UL wants to be' in athletics is probably somewhere around 90%

Your idea about teaching the current students is right on.

[BabbForHeisman]

Unfortunately, I think Turbine is correct. Call 50 random alumni and ask them the name if the men's basketball coach. If you think that's too easy, ask them who Mark Hudspeth is. The results would be surprising.

Oh wait, that's a trick question. If you used info from the AA to make your calls, you'd probably get 35 wrong numbers.

I think he low-balled it, the real number of former students who have no idea of 'where UL is and where UL wants to be' in athletics is probably somewhere around 90%

Your idea about teaching the current students is right on.

igeaux.mobi

[bigearl]

BLASPHAMY... NO!

[cajun67]

_ Just a thought. It would restore some natural rivalries with McNeese & Northwestern LA. We could still play LA Tech and UL-M along with others. We could likely be more competitive for a conference title and playoffs would be interesting. Some sports other than football might have a better chance of making NCAA 1-A playoffs (basketball, baseball). Any thoughts? _

Are you talking about the WAC?

[cajun67]

_ Unfortunately, I think Turbine is correct. Call 50 random alumni and ask them the name if the men's basketball coach. If you think that's too easy, ask them who Mark Hudspeth is. The results would be surprising.

Oh wait, that's a trick question. If you used info from the AA to make your calls, you'd probably get 35 wrong numbers.

igeaux.mobi _

Why would Alcoholics Anonymous have incorrect phone numbers. They usually know who we are.

[Mitch]

_ Just a thought. It would restore some natural rivalries with McNeese & Northwestern LA. We could still play LA Tech and UL-M along with others. We could likely be more competitive for a conference title and playoffs would be interesting. Some sports other than football might have a better chance of making NCAA 1-A playoffs (basketball, baseball). Any thoughts? _

This is a thought that should never enter your head again. UL has the talent to be sucessful in D-1. I think Coach Hudspeth will bring a new attitude and top recruits to the program. Being downgraded to AA would hurt recruiting and the fans. From here on I will refer to UL as THE University of Louisiana!

[HoustonCajun]

_ Just a thought. It would restore some natural rivalries with McNeese & Northwestern LA. We could still play LA Tech and UL-M along with others. We could likely be more competitive for a conference title and playoffs would be interesting. Some sports other than football might have a better chance of making NCAA 1-A playoffs (basketball, baseball). Any thoughts? _

That would be an excellent question to post on the ULM board. They are a natural fit for returning to the Southland, i.e. lowest budget, lowest attendance, non-winning, no support, no funding, etc. I sure wish their new President would make that determination.