Sun Belt commissioner: Blue Raiders 'flagship' of conference

[Harry]

MURFREESBORO — To understand the precarious position of MTSU’s administration in conference realignment, look no further than the university’s communications on two fronts amid recent league shifts.

Emails obtained through a DNJ open records request reveal that MTSU president Sidney McPhee participated in talks to further the Sun Belt Conference’s realignment interests in late April while athletic director Chris Massaro simultaneously hosted Conference USA representatives in scouting visits to MTSU’s campus.

Those two-sided meetings were apparent in emails sent and received by McPhee and Massaro in March, April and May, as obtained by an open records request and featured in a DNJ report in May on MTSU’s efforts to join C-USA.

With MTSU’s future conference affiliation still possibly unsettled, new Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson said he wants the Blue Raiders to not only stay put, but help lead the league into the next era.

“All conferences have a flagship, a flagbearer that is apparent over time,” Benson said. “You always need that flagship, and Middle Tennessee has demonstrated that it can be that school.”

MTSU’s annual athletic budget of $21 million is around the highest in the Sun Belt, especially with the 2013 announced departures of North Texas ($22.4 million) and Florida International ($24.6 million) to C-USA.

Read more: http://www.lohud.com/article/D4/20120708/SPORTS/307080047/Sun-Belt-commissioner-Blue-Raiders-flagship-conference?odyssey=nav|head

[Rudy]

Benson finally found someone else to stalk.

Edited July 17, 2012 by Rudy

[glick1980]

Sun Belt Commissioner: I got a good brain

[glick1980]

Sun Belt Commissioner: When North Texas left the Sun Belt it made my eyes rain.

[oldguystudent]

Next step, Benson extends a Sunbelt bid to Utah and Missouri.

[PlummMeanGreen]

North Texas 7 Wins versus Flagship U 4 wins

We've been fine against the SBC's Santa Maria, but its been the Florida-based Nina and Pinto who have given us hell on the football field during our years in the 'Belt.

GMG!

[GTWT]

I want to wish MTSU a long and successful tenure in the Sun Belt.

[greenjoe]

North Texas beat the "flagship" of the Sun Belt Conference 59-7 last season.

[emmitt01]

But they're just so "sexy" though

[CMJ]

MTSU has won the all-sports trophy more often than not lately. So, by that logic, I suppose they are the flagship.

[MeanGreenTexan]

MTSU has won the all-sports trophy more often than not lately. So, by that logic, I suppose they are the flagship.

Yep. I don't find this offensive at all. They've either won, or finished second for the past umpteen years for the Bubas Cup.

[letsgiveacheer]

The Director's Cup standings were just announced as well. We were #205, not so good! Many Belt schools finished ahead of us.

[UNTLifer]

I think if I was WKU I may be upset by this title being bestowed upon the MTSU Snot Pegasus

[emmitt01]

MTSU has won the all-sports trophy more often than not lately. So, by that logic, I suppose they are the flagship.

And I'm certain their golf, swimming and underwater basket weaving prowess gave CUSA significant pause when they left them in the Belt.

[NorthTexan95]

Why would Bensen even say something like that? Seems it would only lead to bad blood with other schools in the conference.

[GrandGreen]

People, read; he did not state MTSU was the Flagship of the conference, only that they could be. Similar to him stating every school in the Belt and probably old WAC could be the next Boise.

[letsgiveacheer]

Why would Bensen even say something like that? Seems it would only lead to bad blood with other schools in the conference.

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Commissioner Scorned

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

Why would Bensen even say something like that? Seems it would only lead to bad blood with other schools in the conference.

.

Because he is an idiot...

[The Fake Lonnie Finch]

We are leaving a very sad conference. It's like The Fall of the House of Usher. Once we escape, don't be surprise to see it split in half and fall into the lake.

[greenminer]

We are leaving a very sad conference. It's like The Fall of the House of Usher. Once we escape, don't be surprise to see it split in half and fall into the lake WAC.

Just speculating for fun.

[UNTLifer]

Benson was a desperation hire by the Sun Belt. I feel for the remaining teams. It is like your conference is now run by Glen Close's character from Fatal Attraction.

[greenjoe]

Don't let your bunny fall into your boiling Bubba's Cup.

[GrayEagle]

Why would Bensen even say something like that? Seems it would only lead to bad blood with other schools in the conference.

To soothe the fact that they should have been selected for CUSA ahead of UTSA, Charlotte, and Old Dominion. You guys are true sportsmen. At least you haven't wished their university to burn to the ground or that they drop to Division III. Why any bitterness toward Middle Tennessee or Bensen? The commissioner thought enough of us that he thought that we might be able to save the WAC. I consider it a compliment.

[Rudy]

Why would Bensen even say something like that? Seems it would only lead to bad blood with other schools in the conference.

Sometimes, if someone has been rejected too much, they come on strong and smother the first one that shows any interest in them.

[Lurker]

People, read; he did not state MTSU was the Flagship of the conference, only that they could be. Similar to him stating every school in the Belt and probably old WAC could be the next Boise.

BINGO! He did not say they were the flagship - just they "can be". He is probably saying that to Texas State as well. Texas State may have a better shot at it.