We recently made a FOIA request from JMU. Included within the correspondence we received, was this map of the potential Sun Belt Conference in 2014. This was sent from Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson to JMU Athletic Director Jeff Bourne in late February 2013.
More to come….
Very interesting. Some believe that the Sun Belt is the lowest rung on the ladder but I would take its geographical affinity (even with Idaho and New Mexico State included) over Conference-USA. Geographic rivalries are what sells tickets and builds traditions. I’m waiting for more developments….
No, the SBC is the toilet conference of the FBS. Furthermore, I take back what I previously said about the MAC, the Sun Belt wins the crown.
I’d be the happiest person in the world if Liberty moved up to FBS. I hope Liberty is invited to a new conference and I’d be a happy member of the Sun Belt. The Sun Belt would most certainly need to improve a lot, in both basketball and football, but it can be done. Liberty will most definitely be one of the worst programs in the two biggest sports and would need to improve immensely in order to help with the Sun Belt’s image. We will see where things go.
Agreed. Two thoughts: One has to be objective about the strength/weakness of LU’s program compared to other schools. It’s called a “move up” for a reason. Further, given the changing values today, LU’s inclusion/acceptance would not be without controversy within, and possibly, for the conference. Being part of a Southern-based league is the best option for Liberty geographically and culturally given its Christian identity.
Sure, the Sun Belt conference is not the strongest or the most stable, but it is a FBS conference which is Liberty’s stated goal. Given the rapid growth is LU’s program in recent years, joining the conference, if invited, would be a major accomplishment.