South Carolina State On The Move?

[superman7515]

Well, less than four months after this photo made the rounds...

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/A3GXOaACQAAa506.jpg

And the rumor was that South Carolina State was attempting to position itself for memberships into either the SoCon or Big South because the numbers weren't working in the MEAC (AGS SoCon Replacement Thread (http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?109405-If-Elon-goes-to-the-CAA-who-does-the-SoCon-add/page21&highlight=athletics+study)), the internet chatter has now begun that South Carolina State, the most successful program in MEAC history, has applied for membership in the D2 CIAA. Say what you will about the MEAC or HBCU football, but hopefully it isn't true because it always sucks to lose another FCS program.

[T-Dog]

At least the CIAA Hoops Tournament is a huge cultural event in Charlotte. It's a bigger deal than most DI hoops tournmanets

[cbarrier90]

Marching 101 in Boone every two years? Yes, please...

[DSUrocks07]

If SC State drops to D2 that could be the death knell to the MEAC as a conference. Not only would it put the kibosh on Commissioner Thomas's MEAC title game and "Heritage Bowl" redux. There could be a mad scramble to escape from the sinking ship. We know FAMU has had one foot out the door for 20 years now, with BCU's current success in football and their successful baseball program would they finally being able to step out of FAMU's shadow in FL? The Florida Classic is FAMU and BCU's big game, it can EASILY work as a non-conference neutral site matchup. And if SCSU drops and FAMU and BCU make a move, Savannah State would be left on a island yet again. Would the Big South take them? Would the MEAC truly become a "mid-atlantic" conference?

The endless possibilities.

[Appattk]

South Carolina State fans are awesome! Loved having them in Boone a few years ago! Great team on the field and good folks in the stands... Would love to see 'em in the Socon.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Wow. Wow! Is this true? If so, the question then becomes: what about the rest of the HBCUs? The SWAC?

This has to be a financial decision. If SCSU can't make the finances work...

[Gringer1]

Sources?

[danefan]

He said it was Internet chatter.

[walliver]

SC State is having major financial issues. Right now it is not clear who their Chairman of the Board is.

The major problem they face is student retention. They admit the number of students they budget, but many of those students are failing to maintain their grades and losing their lottery scholarships. Capital projects are on hold. It will take more than overall economic recovery to fix their problems.

They aren't ready for the SoCon. The Big South post-Stony Brook would reduce travel expenses, with Liberty and VMI the only long drives. I don't know if they would save enough money for it to be worthwhile.

D2 may be their only option, although it would be very unpopular with alumni. It would be better than dropping football altogether.

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20121030/PC16/121039933/no-chairman-selected-for-sc-state-university-s-board&source=RSS

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20120928/PC16/120929246/auditor-it-will-be-years-to-fix-sc-state-finances

[Gringer1]

He said it was Internet chatter.

People have been talking about them dropping to D2 for a while now, but it sounded like he had some new information. Even if it is just people on message boards, I would like to see it.

[WileECoyote06]

If SC State drops to D2 that could be the death knell to the MEAC as a conference. Not only would it put the kibosh on Commissioner Thomas's MEAC title game and "Heritage Bowl" redux. There could be a mad scramble to escape from the sinking ship. We know FAMU has had one foot out the door for 20 years now, with BCU's current success in football and their successful baseball program would they finally being able to step out of FAMU's shadow in FL? The Florida Classic is FAMU and BCU's big game, it can EASILY work as a non-conference neutral site matchup. And if SCSU drops and FAMU and BCU make a move, Savannah State would be left on a island yet again. Would the Big South take them? Would the MEAC truly become a "mid-atlantic" conference?

The endless possibilities.

Everybody wants to leave, but nobody ever leaves. We know you prefer DSU to seek another conference. If SCSU drops back to division II it will be unfortunate; but that no more announces the death of the MEAC then FAMU leaving in the mid-oughts, or WSSU leaving. They leave then we pick up AAMU, Alabama State, and Tuskegee. Oh yeah those are rumors too. . .

[DSUrocks07]

Everybody wants to leave, but nobody ever leaves. We know you prefer DSU to seek another conference. If SCSU drops back to division II it will be unfortunate; but that no more announces the death of the MEAC then FAMU leaving in the mid-oughts, or WSSU leaving. They leave then we pick up AAMU, Alabama State, and Tuskegee. Oh yeah those are rumors too. . .

All I want is to see the MEAC members do what they feel is in the best interest of their respective institutions. There are MANY factors in play here regarding HBCUs, but in terms of athletics, the main hope is that they position themselves to be able to survive. To each their own in how they go about accomplishing this.