TexasTerror
March 29th, 2006, 06:16 PM
Here's a summary of what SLC Commish Tom Burnett said with Ralph of I-AA.org during the I-AA Waves this past week. Major points about expansion, I-A games and the I-AA scene (playoffs, enhancements)...
Figured our SLC fans on here would be interested in what the Commish had to say. Ralph did one helluva job doing that interview with Burnett, getting loads of info on the SLC and on I-AA football...
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Talked about the expansion to 12 teams overall with eight football schools. Talked about SLC roots with Arkansas State back in the day so the SLC is no stranger to the state. Didn't know this, but according to Burnett, UCA is the second largest school in Arkansas (behind Univ of Arkansas).
On I-A games. Said more I-AA teams are playing I-A for financial benefit, especially if you find the "right one" (geographic fit for easy fan access and beneficial for recruiting purposes). Brought up hurricane issues related to I-A games and how Louisiana schools have lots of question marks about higher ed financing, so those schools need help to run the athletic program.
In regards to the hurricanes, said it's a "day-by-day" situation. McNeese is practicing at a local school because McNeese's practice field was used for a military camp site, which destroyed it.
Burnett said the SLC will be strong next year and that former playoff teams like SFA is growing in year two of McFarland and how SELA is building a very strong program. Said there is always a surprise or two of who is going to be around at the end.
About future expansion. Says SLC "wrapped up the member issue last summer" and that the SLC will stick at 12 members. Football-wise, said UTSA has commissioned a study with San Antonio the largest market in the USA without Div I football. "If you don't play football in Texas, people want to know why." Says 14 is a little big, but "you never say never" and said conference shakeups are bound to happen.
Said he wants to enhance the I-AA championship even more and has been very happy with the progress of the I-AA playoffs. Says he likes Chattanooga as the I-AA title game host. Burnett is not happy that I-AA is seen by people as "less than" Div I football, but he says "you are in Div I football". Says in the end we will not refer to I-AA as such as "early as this coming season".
Burnett just stepped down from the Div I-AA Governance Commitee. On 12 games, says mixed views from SLC because of financial benefits and concern of 12 straight weeks of play. SLC administrative meeting will lead to final conference vote on view of subject. On seeding eight teams, he liked the idea, but says more than four teams deserve to be seeded and have a home game. Is not for seeding all 16 teams.
Says they have to make sure teams and schools are happy in I-AA so teams don't feel they have to jump up to I-A as well as making championship experience worth it. Says TV coverage has improved and more efforts to get more games national and that it's a huge selling point.
The audio of I-AA Waves from 3/28 (Burnett is the first to speak):
http://media22a.libsyn.com/podcasts/iaawaves/20060328show.mp3
Figured our SLC fans on here would be interested in what the Commish had to say. Ralph did one helluva job doing that interview with Burnett, getting loads of info on the SLC and on I-AA football...
----------
Talked about the expansion to 12 teams overall with eight football schools. Talked about SLC roots with Arkansas State back in the day so the SLC is no stranger to the state. Didn't know this, but according to Burnett, UCA is the second largest school in Arkansas (behind Univ of Arkansas).
On I-A games. Said more I-AA teams are playing I-A for financial benefit, especially if you find the "right one" (geographic fit for easy fan access and beneficial for recruiting purposes). Brought up hurricane issues related to I-A games and how Louisiana schools have lots of question marks about higher ed financing, so those schools need help to run the athletic program.
In regards to the hurricanes, said it's a "day-by-day" situation. McNeese is practicing at a local school because McNeese's practice field was used for a military camp site, which destroyed it.
Burnett said the SLC will be strong next year and that former playoff teams like SFA is growing in year two of McFarland and how SELA is building a very strong program. Said there is always a surprise or two of who is going to be around at the end.
About future expansion. Says SLC "wrapped up the member issue last summer" and that the SLC will stick at 12 members. Football-wise, said UTSA has commissioned a study with San Antonio the largest market in the USA without Div I football. "If you don't play football in Texas, people want to know why." Says 14 is a little big, but "you never say never" and said conference shakeups are bound to happen.
Said he wants to enhance the I-AA championship even more and has been very happy with the progress of the I-AA playoffs. Says he likes Chattanooga as the I-AA title game host. Burnett is not happy that I-AA is seen by people as "less than" Div I football, but he says "you are in Div I football". Says in the end we will not refer to I-AA as such as "early as this coming season".
Burnett just stepped down from the Div I-AA Governance Commitee. On 12 games, says mixed views from SLC because of financial benefits and concern of 12 straight weeks of play. SLC administrative meeting will lead to final conference vote on view of subject. On seeding eight teams, he liked the idea, but says more than four teams deserve to be seeded and have a home game. Is not for seeding all 16 teams.
Says they have to make sure teams and schools are happy in I-AA so teams don't feel they have to jump up to I-A as well as making championship experience worth it. Says TV coverage has improved and more efforts to get more games national and that it's a huge selling point.
The audio of I-AA Waves from 3/28 (Burnett is the first to speak):
http://media22a.libsyn.com/podcasts/iaawaves/20060328show.mp3