MeanGoingGreen

I think they have a decent baseball program down there

I wouldn't bet the farm on it

Texas State would be a better addition over North Alabama

... who would like to hear the WAC's offer? We need out of the belt at all costs. I'd be open to an invite if we could leave at any time to join CUSA. With NMSU, USU, and LaTech, we would be a decent basketball league. And could have a winning season in no time (which could help us get into CUSA). Let's be the WAC's next Boise State. Anyone with me?

1. We don't need to expand. 2. If we did, why UTSA? Have you bought into all of the hype? Their coach took one of, if not, the best football programs in the US and made it a .500 team. They are hyped by a small number of trolls on a few conference boards. They have a glorified OFF CAMPUS stadium. Their first football schedule isn't one that will bring fans. 3. Academic wise, UTSA accepts roughly 90% of applicants. That alone speaks miles. 4. Are they strong in any sports? Nope.

I would imagine its because TSUSM has to worry about conference games and they recognize that a beating from a BCS team won't help them look better to a potential conference. Because they have a football team in fcs, they should be worrying about making the playoffs.. one fbs team a year is probably right for them until they get a nod from a conference. UTSA, imo, has to sell based on potential. To do so, you do things like hire a national championship (that no one else wants) coach, play in a glorified stadium, and use your connections to schedule ridiculous games all the way out to 2018. Remember, they have never even played a game. At least TSUSM claims a few championships from back in the 80's.

I agree... I don't understand all of the hype around the alamo dome.. big deal; if big, glorious, off campus stadiums were better for a school, then Houston would be playing at Reliant every year

We should get Texas State... they travel real well and will most likely bring out the most mean green fans, especially as far as FCS teams go.

Its not happening. This is the media at their best. They finally got the AD to say they would look at all options if the rest of the relevant WAC schools left - problem is... those relevant WAC schools aren't going anywhere.

Actually, I think of the WAC as more of a springboard to either MWC/CUSA. I mean think about it, how many schools move onto these conferences from the WAC compared to the SunBelt? Imo, the WAC provides an environment to grow and this is where perception helps. Their stable schools (Fresno, Hawaii, Nevada) help get better TV deals and once a school like Boise State steps up, an even better deal comes. If we have plans to go the CUSA route, we should entertain the WAC idea and for some short term help, entertain the idea of bringing TSUSM along. Then, the whole time, do whatever we can to be ready the next time the Big East sharks the CUSA.

Shoot, if they are going to have this for fall 2011 then we should be talking to the WAC about bringing us along with TSU. The reason why many don't want the WAC is travel, but its not going to be THAT much different in the WAC.. UTSA needs to win a few games first, but I am sold on TSU joining us on anywhere but CUSA.

Anybody listen to Benson's recent fresno radio interview? - Mentions that, when talking expansion, they are mainly looking at schools who are going to make significant strides in FOOTBALL. - When asked if there are any expansion candidates in Texas, he mentions TSU and speaks a little about UT-SA. And when the host asks about NT, Benson said technically any schools in the WAC footprint can be considered a potential member. - Benson said a WAC w/ BSU placed the WAC and MWC on a equal footing. A WAC w/out BSU is slightly behind the MWC. - He is confident that WAC schools will lose a small number of games on ESPN, but will remain on ESPN with majority of the games and minor financial adjustments. - Says everyone is aware that LaTech is looking to jump to CUSA, though the next expansion candidate will be made with the expectation that LaTech stays. He again mentions that Texas is becoming even more attractive to the WAC. - Downplays Montana as they aren't in the WAC's footprint.

The data you'll find is TSU's old budget. They passed an athletic fee to boost the budget, and that is now kicking into effect. So, yes, TSU's budget is in the $19-20 million range. Which is another reason why we need to make sure we embrace them, or keep ahead of them.

I'd actually say yes if someone like Texas State came with us. They could be a temp rival until CUSA has a spot open.. then we jump ship.

... or we can just go to the WAC and stay out of trouble

You can keep your head in the sand all you want. If we stay in the SunBelt, and either of those schools jumps to FBS, we are in trouble. Take SWT for example. How far behind are they from us? They too are updating their football stadium, built new softball and baseball complexes, updating facilities, $20 million dollar budget, etc etc etc All they need is a conference invite come 2011. Like I said, either embrace them or run faster (wac).

So why would the WAC commish be out and about in radio interviews throwing out SWT as a potential candidate? Uhhh, if/when SWT joins the WAC, we better be out of the Belt.. If we aren't, there is no doubt they will pass us up. Same goes for UTSA. We should either embrace either of these schools for an in-state rival or make sure we stay ahead. A new stadium can only take us so far..

I believe texas state plays them this year and utsa has them booked for a couple years down the road. I dont think UH would deny us games, though maybe they think our fans wouldnt travel well.

I, for one, would love to have TSU in the belt; UTSA would be a good matchup, but their fans are EXTREMELY stupid and annoying. Do you know what kind of attendance these schools could draw to the new stadium??? These came from TCU fans about their experience playing TSU last year... "As for the crowd, I have to admit that I was surprised after attending games for 30 some odd years that we had more than 30K in the stands for Texas State, especially with the Tech-UT game on at about the same time." "From a student perspective, there were a lot of students in the stands before the game even started. They came early, and in big numbers, which hasn't happened since the BYU game last year. I'd say that's pretty good for playing an FCS team." After reading a few threads over on the Sun Belt BBS board, I am convinced that these schools will only help NT.