cmon guys, how about we try winning the MAAC and go dancing before we try to take on a “better” league? If we can’t win in MAAC competition, what makes you think we’d have better results in a more talented league? If we get it done this year, I’m all for a move. Until then…..
I voted for the America East for one simple reason:
The Patriot League doesn't want us. The CAA already passed on us and apparently doesn't want us either. And the Atlantic 10 is a nice dream...but it won't happen.
That leaves 2 options - stay in the MAAC or try to join the AE. Since I want out of the MAAC as soon as possible, the AE might be the only real opportunity available. It's not a perfect solution, but at this point the MAAC is now the NEC.2 and I don't trust the league's Presidents to solve our problems. Just look at the disastrous Atlantic City experiment.
Post by sunshinestag on Oct 23, 2023 21:33:34 GMT -5
Wondering if the best move is to bring back football, and then use that as our calling card to move to other conferences from which we are now automatically excluded from consideration?
So the question says “should”, based on investment Fairfield should be in A10 but we have no tradition and haven’t won squat in 30 years. In theory we are no different from La Salle or Fordham school wise.
We can be in CAA if they wanted us and we could have been in Patriot if Gene Doris wanted it.
Where does that leave us? In the NEC…I mean the MAAC with schools who are teedering on the brink of closing their doors. Fun times!
I say stay in the MAAC for now and win! Once you develop a consistent winning program then look to move. Right now The patriot league( my strategic preference) does not want FF. We have little in common with AE ( state institutions) and the CAA and it’s southern schools do nothing for me. The A-10 is a pipe dream perpetuated by Gene Doris .
I agree with 74. Like I said in the other thread, my thoughts have changed here. Fairfield’s academic growth/reputation has reach new heights (thankfully). Our athletics have had successes (men’s lacrosse years ago, women’s volleyball, men’s baseball, women’s basketball, women’s sports in aggregate), but we could certainly use a men’s b-ball run in the tourney!
Focus on being at the top of the MAAC, then let the options/invites roll in. What’s the rush? What is wrong with being a big fish in a small pond? The educated public know we are a top academic school and top in the MAAC.
Ideally I like the A-10 option (dreaming a bit), but think more of a fit. Patriot and CAA could be good, too. But, instead of focusing on this debate, let’s focus on winning. The arena is done. This is a pivotal year. I am cheering on the team (which I think looks pretty good) and Casey. Let’s go!
Didn’t we just change our classification in the U.S. News and World Report’s listing of colleges from regional to national? And we opened a nursing school in Texas. It seems to me Nemec is trying to get Fairfield thought of as more than a good university in the Northeast. I don’t see how staying in the MAAC helps improve our national profile.
Post by nashvillestag on Oct 24, 2023 12:16:42 GMT -5
Actually with all these thoughts and opinions on what would be the best conference for the Stags to participate in, how about we turn back the clock and just play as an Independent under the umbrella of the old ECAC arrangement that was in place before the program got into the MAAC beginning in 1981. JUST KIDDING of course, but certainly with all the myriad of opinions out there, memories of a different time are prevalent, at least in this one fan's memory. As far as the current situation, since I don't have any control of what might happen, I'll just keep rooting for the team no matter who they have to beat in order to advance their cause. WIN something first and then maybe better things are available in the future, right? Anyway I guess that's the only way I would state my position regarding this subject.
First choice is A-10, second is CAA. Be careful what you wish for with the Patriot: another 1 bid league with a low level of athletic achievement competing in anonymity, many HC alumni are very dissatisfied with it.
First choice is A-10, second is CAA. Be careful what you wish for with the Patriot: another 1 bid league with a low level of athletic achievement competing in anonymity, many HC alumni are very dissatisfied with it.
A-10 has 15 teams and was a 1-bid league, last season.
We might not see the next NCAA tournament in any of our lifetimes in that mess.
Post by nobutsmeow on Apr 16, 2024 18:19:08 GMT -5
I am late to the party here, but I need to speak my mind. Fairfield needs to get out of the MAAC if it wants to continue its national aspirations... In theory, the natural landing spot is the Patriot League, but I would push for the A-10 which has significantly more exposure at the national level. In my view, we can be the Gonzaga or Saint Mary's of the east (I mean aside from Villanova, Georgetown, St. Joe's, Xavier, Providence, BC, Marquette, or St. Bonaventure). My point is that Fairfield matches or exceeds the profile of some of those schools even without a powerhouse athletics program. Just imagine what we can do with one... The latest admissions numbers are jaw-dropping (33% acceptance, record numbers of applicants, one of the best ROIs in the nation). Imagine what could happen if you apply the Flutie effect? In other words, our school is already sexy, a successful basketball team, i.e. regular wins against top-tier opponents and potential NCAA tourney berths, and, dare I say it, a run....the sky's the limit folks. The biggest problem is recruiting. We will never get the recruits we need or top tier transfers in the MAAC. It's just not going to happen. MAAC players don't go to the NBA. You need to send players to the NBA to have a program. We need to make a clean cut with the MAAC and a huge national recruiting push. It may suck for a few years, but I believe the ultimate result will continue to propel the school forward. You may think I am crazy, but I'm just a guy with a vision...
"Hear Alma Mater Hear! Fairfield Hail!"
Last Edit: Apr 16, 2024 18:30:14 GMT -5 by nobutsmeow
