We should be pulling out all the stops in an effort to snag an invite to the A-10. This is a rare opportunity in the event the A-10 is looking to replace UMass. Maybe they'd like to keep the regional balance with another New England school. This isn't a time for hand wringing and self-doubt. Fairfield has a lot to offer. Frankly, we are stronger financially and academically than many of their current members. Mark Reed, Fairfield '96, is the past president of Saint Joseph's and the current president of Loyola Chicago, two current members. I'd like to think fellow Jesuit brother Fordham would also support our candidacy. Time to call in every favor and leave it all on the court.
Atlantic 10 expansion will probably be all about adding another TV market. It's the only reason they added Loyola, they wanted Chicago in the league's media mix.
If the A10 loses U Mass, then they lose the Boston TV market. As much as I'd like to see Fairfield join the league, I'm not sure replacing Boston with Southwest Connecticut is what they want. But we'll see.
St. Joes, St. Bonaventure, Fordham, Loyola-Chicago. I think we fit in nicely with that group.
If the association you are describing is FF fits in nicely with the other faith based Catholic schools in the A-10 then u also have to include FF fitting in with Dayton, Duquesne, LaSalle and fellow Jesuit school St. Louis all with catholic backgrounds. If a basketball driven conference ( no football) is what is needed for FF , the A-10 is a good fit because its main sport is hoops and it does not sponsor football. OTOH, the MAAC is also a good fit for FF because it is a basketball driven conference, does not sponsor football and consist primarily of faith based schools.
St. Joes, St. Bonaventure, Fordham, Loyola-Chicago. I think we fit in nicely with that group.
If the association you are describing is FF fits in nicely with the other faith based Catholic schools in the A-10 then u also have to include FF fitting in with Dayton, Duquesne, LaSalle and fellow Jesuit school St. Louis all with catholic backgrounds. If a basketball driven conference ( no football) is what is needed for FF , the A-10 is a good fit because its main sport is hoops and it does not sponsor football. OTOH, the MAAC is also a good fit for FF because it is a basketball driven conference, does not sponsor football and consist primarily of faith based schools.
Of course. It’s dominated by Catholic schools with some basketball successes. It’s closer to the old MAAC than the current MAAC. It would be huge, but, seriously, what are the chances? St. Bonaventure certainly isn’t a media hotbed
Last Edit: Feb 28, 2024 10:35:28 GMT -5 by alsostagparty
I am sure they will approach Northeastern and BU first.
Unfortunately I think you're right. The A10 is looking for TV markets for exposure and $$. As well as Fairfield fits in with other teams in the league we just don't have a TV market sell. Hope I'm wrong.
Post by alsostagparty on Feb 28, 2024 10:49:56 GMT -5
For any marketing enterprise Fairfield county is a big deal and very desirable because of the $$. I would think Fairfield county is more valuable than a Dayton, St. Bonaventure, or Kingston. And lately we are getting lots of stories on WTNH in New Haven, so our media footprint is pretty wide from NYC, Westchester, all along the Gold Coast.
Don’t think MAC has men’s lacrosse, so UMASS will either have to stay in A-10 or move back to CAA.
In terms of Ffld making a direct jump to A-10, it could happen. Praying for a good finishing for men’s and women’s b-ball. It could propel us. Plus men’s and women’s lacrosse will help.
I would hope St. Joe’s, Fordham, Dayton, Loyola would be supportive of Ffld.
I am sure they will approach Northeastern and BU first.
This is what I'm thinking. Neither men's basketball program has done much of anything lately though. I think that Northeastern might be the better pick overall.
Don’t think MAC has men’s lacrosse, so UMASS will either have to stay in A-10 or move back to CAA.
In terms of Ffld making a direct jump to A-10, it could happen. Praying for a good finishing for men’s and women’s b-ball. It could propel us. Plus men’s and women’s lacrosse will help.
I would hope St. Joe’s, Fordham, Dayton, Loyola would be supportive of Ffld.
They could join America East for men's lacrosse and men's soccer.
The A-10's member schools are located mostly on the East Coast and Midwest of the United States: Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Although some of its members are state-funded, half of its membership is made up of private, Catholic institutions.