ODU to C-USA

[volfanbill]

But at least Duke, Vandy and UK will not be able to say they are a National champion Like frauds from lower divisions.

No one that can be taken seriously (99%) ever considers the FCS champion or the Division II, Division III or NAIA Champions to be better than the BCS Champs or most of the top tier teams. What's the point of having lowly Milligan College, my beloved alma mater for undergrad that's so small (for example, they just recently surpassed 1,000 kids enrolled total) they couldn't field a football team if they wanted to and might at best get the fourth or fifth starter off a good HS team for basketball of having to contend against Duke, UK, UNC, Kansas to try and be competitive in basketball?

 

[DeepSpringsVol]

No one that can be taken seriously (99%) ever considers the FCS champion or the Division II, Division III or NAIA Champions to be better than the BCS Champs or most of the top tier teams. What's the point of having lowly Milligan College, my beloved alma mater for undergrad that's so small (for example, they just recently surpassed 1,000 kids enrolled total) they couldn't field a football team if they wanted to and might at best get the fourth or fifth starter off a good HS team for basketball of having to contend against Duke, UK, UNC, Kansas to try and be competitive in basketball?

I see that arguement. I dont think lumping everyone into one division though hurts those schools. The bball powers still would refrain from scheduling the bottom feeders.

 

[volfanbill]

I see that arguement. I dont think lumping everyone into one division though hurts those schools. The bball powers still would refrain from scheduling the bottom feeders.

It most definitely hurts them. No one is going to go watch them if they're merely playing for 400th place out of 500. Appy St loses 3/4 their fan base because they're now playing for 75th spot instead of a national title on their level.

 

[GoBigOrangeVols]

Old Dominion coming to FBS is going to take a toll on Va Tech and UVA.... They have long been the only show in town as far as D1a football goes, but adding a third team to the mix is going to make getting "average" or "middle caliber" players that are essential for stocking a roster much more difficult. I can envision many players from the Tidewater/Va Beach area choosing to stay closer to home at ODU and getting the opportunity to see the field earlier.

 

[volfanbill]

Old Dominion coming to FBS is going to take a toll on Va Tech and UVA.... They have long been the only show in town as far as D1a football goes, but adding a third team to the mix is going to make getting "average" or "middle caliber" players that are essential for stocking a roster much more difficult. I can envision many players from the Tidewater/Va Beach area choosing to stay closer to home at ODU and getting the opportunity to see the field earlier.

That possibly can hurt more than just VT and UVa. For example, look at all the players Tennessee has pulled out of Hampton Roads. There's a pretty good kid on the Vols right now from Ocean Lakes. You might have seen him make a play or two. And he's only one of many over the past two decades.

 

[GoBigOrangeVols]

That possibly can hurt more than just VT and UVa. For example, look at all the players Tennessee has pulled out of Hampton Roads. There's a pretty good kid on the Vols right now from Ocean Lakes. You might have seen him make a play or two. And he's only one of many over the past two decades.

Yea you are right, it will have an impact on surrounding schools like UT, UNC, Maryland, and even Penn St... but I think Va Tech and UVA will be most hard hit by it. Va Tech especially, they stack the core of their roster with players from that area, and I think with ODU in the mix it is going to be much tougher for them.

That area pumps out a ton of good talent every year.

 

[volfanbill]

I just dread the day UT schedules ODU as a payout OOC game. I spent so much time and have a lot invested with the ODU athletic dept as a whole while I was getting my Master's there. That game would be so tough to watch.

 

[utvolpj]

I just dread the day UT schedules ODU as a payout OOC game. I spent so much time and have a lot invested with the ODU athletic dept as a whole while I was getting my Master's there. That game would be so tough to watch.

I see what you mean but actually hope it happens one day. Would be great to take a roadtrip with all our friends and show them what watching UT football is all about. They think they tailgate at ODU just wait until Knoxville

 

[volfanbill]

I see what you mean but actually hope it happens one day. Would be great to take a roadtrip with all our friends and show them what watching UT football is all about. They think they tailgate at ODU just wait until Knoxville

No offense, I know you're a season ticket holder and all, I think your wife is a grad, but I actually worked with the peeps in the athletic dept at ODU. I know virtually everyone in the SID office. I know a lot of people still working in the Ted. Blaine Taylor should probably still recognize me. I know Wendy Larry still does, even though she retired/got forced out. I've met and worked with Wilder on a couple of different things when he first got hired on, etc. It'll be tough for me.

 

[NochNoch]

Yea you are right, it will have an impact on surrounding schools like UT, UNC, Maryland, and even Penn St... but I think Va Tech and UVA will be most hard hit by it. Va Tech especially, they stack the core of their roster with players from that area, and I think with ODU in the mix it is going to be much tougher for them.

That area pumps out a ton of good talent every year.

We talked about this in another thread already but Tech might be impacted some but it's going to take quite a while for any kid from this area to consider ODU if they have offers from VT and UVA, much less all over the country. There might be a couple that are interested in staying close to home each year but they still have such a loooooong way to go to even think about being a possible/probable destination for the 3* and up type players.

 

[volfanbill]

We talked about this in another thread already but Tech might be impacted some but it's going to take quite a while for any kid from this area to consider ODU if they have offers from VT and UVA, much less all over the country. There might be a couple that are interested in staying close to home each year but they still have such a loooooong way to go to even think about being a possible/probable destination for the 3* and up type players.

I disagree with you and think you are missing what I think is his main point. Most of VT's and UVa's second and third stringers are Tidewater kids. Those kids will now have a chance to start for an FBS school and stay home, at the beach, in facilities that are quickly becoming as good as anywhere in the country, and I'm not saying that because I'm biased.

 

[UTRavens]

I say make the one division of like 500 schools and for the chumps who win the CAA or Atlantic10 a bowl game in a town like Mobile AL. They shouldnt get to claim a national title imo. This usnt peewee teeball. It is time to teach young people only one person can be #1.

 

[GoBigOrangeVols]

I disagree with you and think you are missing what I think is his main point. Most of VT's and UVa's second and third stringers are Tidewater kids. Those kids will now have a chance to start for an FBS school and stay home, at the beach, in facilities that are quickly becoming as good as anywhere in the country, and I'm not saying that because I'm biased.

this.

 

[NochNoch]

I disagree with you and think you are missing what I think is his main point. Most of VT's and UVa's second and third stringers are Tidewater kids. Those kids will now have a chance to start for an FBS school and stay home, at the beach, in facilities that are quickly becoming as good as anywhere in the country, and I'm not saying that because I'm biased.

What level of players make up those schools 2nd and 3rd strings, though? Probably lower ranked kids who probably didn't have too many big time choices. Maybe Tech has some that fit the mold I was talking about but I highly doubt UVA does.

As for the facilities, I know there are talks of expansion plans already, but they currently play in a less than 20,000 seat capacity stadium, correct? I know there's more to facilities than just that but I imagined they'd still be dwarfed by anything at Tech or UVA.

 

[rockytop9808]

What level of players make up those schools 2nd and 3rd strings, though? Probably lower ranked kids who probably didn't have too many big time choices. Maybe Tech has some that fit the mold I was talking about but I highly doubt UVA does.

As for the facilities, I know there are talks of expansion plans already, but they currently play in a less than 20,000 seat capacity stadium, correct? I know there's more to facilities than just that but I imagined they'd still be dwarfed by anything at Tech or UVA.

I think you're overestimating Tech and UVa. Their facilities aren't that mindblowing- these teams aren't making the huge bucks like a lot of SEC schools are.

That said, I still don't know anything about what ODU has.

 

[utvolpj]

I wouldn't put their stadium even close to the same level as a BCS team. It's small an underwhelming IMO

 

[volfanbill]

What level of players make up those schools 2nd and 3rd strings, though? Probably lower ranked kids who probably didn't have too many big time choices. Maybe Tech has some that fit the mold I was talking about but I highly doubt UVA does.

As for the facilities, I know there are talks of expansion plans already, but they currently play in a less than 20,000 seat capacity stadium, correct? I know there's more to facilities than just that but I imagined they'd still be dwarfed by anything at Tech or UVA.

really? You're only concerned with seating capacity when it comes to facilities?

UVa has 20 kids by my super quick count on their roster of Tidewater kids. That was even more than VT. We're not saying they are superstars, but they are how UVa and VT complete their roster. A number of those kids won't go to UVa or Tech if they know they can start for the Monarchs. The Monarchs are considered legit contenders at the FCS Football Championship already for next year. Foreman Field's capacity isn't that high, but the facilities, including the stadium are top notch or on their way to becoming so.

 

[rockytop9808]

I wouldn't put their stadium even close to the same level as a BCS team. It's small an underwhelming IMO

Right, but it isn't like UVa's is a real thrilling place, either.

 

[utvolpj]

Right, but it isn't like UVa's is a real thrilling place, either.

no but it's just not there. I hope no one takes it as bashing ODU because I really have a good time at the games and give a decent amt of money. They are actually very family friendly and allow strollers and have a couple spots you can park them and still watch. It's just a whole different level

Now granted my experience with stadiums has always been with either "local" FCS or BCS-level teams so I'm not sure how it competes with the mid-majors. I'm probably making an unfair comparison but it's all I have

 

[volfanbill]

The field at Foreman Field is state of the art, the Powhattan Sports complex is state of the art, an incredibly advanced weight room, luxurious locker room (I've been in it and seen pictures of UT's and honestly UT's doesn't seem alarmingly better, just better) and ODU continues to pour money into the athletic program, with just about all of it coming from private funds. In not even a month, $3 million was raised solely to offset the costs of leaving the CAA. ODU is also making a ton of money because most of the restaurants/stores and all that around the campus are actually owned by ODU and the retailers are paying rent.

 

[NochNoch]

I think you're overestimating Tech and UVa. Their facilities aren't that mindblowing- these teams aren't making the huge bucks like a lot of SEC schools are.

That said, I still don't know anything about what ODU has.

I'm very familiar with both programs but I'm also aware of where the ODU program is as well. The strides they have made in a very short time has been incredible, and I do think that they will continue to improve, just at a much much slower pace after making this move.

 

[volfanbill]

I'm very familiar with both programs but I'm also aware of where the ODU program is as well. The strides they have made in a very short time has been incredible, and I do think that they will continue to improve, just at a much much slower pace after making this move.

how so? They're going to be making more money this way...

 

[NochNoch]

really? You're only concerned with seating capacity when it comes to facilities?

It was one example, not a totality of all their facilities but ok.

UVa has 20 kids by my super quick count on their roster of Tidewater kids. That was even more than VT. We're not saying they are superstars, but they are how UVa and VT complete their roster. A number of those kids won't go to UVa or Tech if they know they can start for the Monarchs. The Monarchs are considered legit contenders at the FCS Football Championship already for next year. Foreman Field's capacity isn't that high, but the facilities, including the stadium are top notch or on their way to becoming so.

As you've already stated, you're pretty close to the situation so I can tell you have some pretty strong feelings about it. I've lived almost my whole life in the area, have a gf who went to ODU, along with many friends who did too. I sincerely hope they do well, it would be a lot of fun, I just am of the opinion that it's going to take a long time to really improve significantly at the level they are stepping up to.

 

[NochNoch]

how so? They're going to be making more money this way...

We've already been over each other's opinion on this but I think that, even with more money in their coffers, it's going to take time to convince enough quality players to stick around if they think they have a legitimate shot to play at another in state school like Tech or UVA. Just my opinion, I know it differs from yours.

 

[volfanbill]

It was one example, not a totality of all their facilities but ok.



As you've already stated, you're pretty close to the situation so I can tell you have some pretty strong feelings about it. I've lived almost my whole life in the area, have a gf who went to ODU, along with many friends who did too. I sincerely hope they do well, it would be a lot of fun, I just am of the opinion that it's going to take a long time to really improve significantly at the level they are stepping up to.

as I already pointed out, they already received $3 million just to help cover the costs and expenses of leaving the CAA and that took less than a month. It will take time for the football team to get the talent, but the basketball team is already there as well as many of the non traditional sports. But having the means and impressions to bring the talent in, shouldn't be a problem based on what they have. 1/2 the freaking campus is athletic related, if not more.