SoCon

[The Jackal]

I didn't see this posted elsewhere, but the SoCon's presidents voted unanimously to increase the "exit fee" for member institutions to $2m.

https://soconsports.com/news/2022/1/27/ ... ision.aspx

This comes in response to another round of conference realignment. There are two southern conferences - the Big South and Atlantic Sun - right now desperate to add members. It's also not inconceivable the CAA, which has always been a bigger-than-neccesary conference may look for opportunities to push south.

I also do not believe that this would preclude the SoCon from looking to expand if necessary. The conference has historically been reluctant to do so, but I don't know if that is archaic thinking in this era of college athletics.

[FUBeAR]

I didn't see this posted elsewhere, but the SoCon's presidents voted unanimously to increase the "exit fee" for member institutions to $2m.

https://soconsports.com/news/2022/1/27/ ... ision.aspx

This comes in response to another round of conference realignment. There are two southern conferences - the Big South and Atlantic Sun - right now desperate to add members. It's also not inconceivable the CAA, which has always been a bigger-than-neccesary conference may look for opportunities to push south.

I also do not believe that this would preclude the SoCon from looking to expand if necessary. The conference has historically been reluctant to do so, but I don't know if that is archaic thinking in this era of college athletics.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2965

[DungeonRealm]

If the SoCon stays put with its current member makeup that's fine by me.
Sorry I am coming in a bit late on this, but what schools would be possible additions:
Kennesaw State
North Carolina A&T
Campbell
Winthrop (hoops)
High Point (hoops)

Any other schools that would be seriously considered?

[apaladin]

There is no need for the SoCon to expand just because others are. The SoCon has the perfect amount of football teams and basketball teams. 8 conference football games and 18 conference basketball games. Perfect. Leave it alone. If the conference presidents unanimously voted to raise the exit fee to $2 million, maybe that means no one is looking to leave. Hope so.

[Flagman]

There is no need for the SoCon to expand just because others are. The SoCon has the perfect amount of football teams and basketball teams. 8 conference football games and 18 conference basketball games. Perfect. Leave it alone. If the conference presidents unanimously voted to raise the exit fee to $2 million, maybe that means no one is looking to leave. Hope so.

It would appear so.

[FUBeAR]

There is no need for the SoCon to expand just because others are. The SoCon has the perfect amount of football teams and basketball teams. 8 conference football games and 18 conference basketball games. Perfect. Leave it alone. If the conference presidents unanimously voted to raise the exit fee to $2 million, maybe that means no one is looking to leave. Hope so.

FUBeAR would go a bit farther…

It means the Presidents of 10 Colleges/Universities just loudly placed a very public wager of $1,000,000 that they would rather be in the Southern Conference than be in ANY other Conference.

An analogy might be if a Coach had every Player on his/her roster ask to sign a binding ‘will not transfer’ contract with a $100k penalty if they break the contract.

[Furmanoid]

The only reason to leave is to move up or maybe move down in hard times.

[Paul C]

There is no need for the SoCon to expand just because others are. The SoCon has the perfect amount of football teams and basketball teams. 8 conference football games and 18 conference basketball games. Perfect. Leave it alone. If the conference presidents unanimously voted to raise the exit fee to $2 million, maybe that means no one is looking to leave. Hope so.

I would waive the $2m fee if VMI wanted to leave. Just sayin.

[The Jackal]

There is no need for the SoCon to expand just because others are. The SoCon has the perfect amount of football teams and basketball teams. 8 conference football games and 18 conference basketball games. Perfect. Leave it alone. If the conference presidents unanimously voted to raise the exit fee to $2 million, maybe that means no one is looking to leave. Hope so.

I would waive the $2m fee if VMI wanted to leave. Just sayin.

In this environment, it would probably be harder to replace VMI than just keeping them in the conference.

[The Jackal]

There is no need for the SoCon to expand just because others are. The SoCon has the perfect amount of football teams and basketball teams. 8 conference football games and 18 conference basketball games. Perfect. Leave it alone. If the conference presidents unanimously voted to raise the exit fee to $2 million, maybe that means no one is looking to leave. Hope so.

FUBeAR would go a bit farther…

It means the Presidents of 10 Colleges/Universities just loudly placed a very public wager of $1,000,000 that they would rather be in the Southern Conference than be in ANY other Conference.

An analogy might be if a Coach had every Player on his/her roster ask to sign a binding ‘will not transfer’ contract with a $100k penalty if they break the contract.

I think this makes sense. It would also signal to other potential future member schools of the stability of the group.

[FUBeAR]

There is no need for the SoCon to expand just because others are. The SoCon has the perfect amount of football teams and basketball teams. 8 conference football games and 18 conference basketball games. Perfect. Leave it alone. If the conference presidents unanimously voted to raise the exit fee to $2 million, maybe that means no one is looking to leave. Hope so.

I would waive the $2m fee if VMI wanted to leave. Just sayin.

In this environment, it would probably be harder to replace VMI than just keeping them in the conference.

FUBeAR loves having VMI in the SoCon. Not only were they ‘here’ before any other of the current Members, having originally joined in 1924, but having them in the SoCon increases the available material we can use to besmirch the bellhops.

[Mr. Taggart]

I am biased, but, having lived there for 3 years, I am fond of trips to Lexington in the fall. I would be fonder if we didn't lose on the trips.