Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson confirmed today that the conference will “more than likely” be staying at 11 football playing teams, putting to bed the possibility of Liberty possibly joining for the 2014 season. Benson held a press conference following the conclusion of the Sun Belt’s spring meetings in Destin, Florida. Benson said “at this time there will be no further additions to the Sun Belt Conference,” and that there is “no urgency to add teams” at this point in time.
Of course, this could all change with further depletion of Sun Belt teams, but perhaps the best thing for FlamesNation to do now is to forget about the Sun Belt. They obviously don’t want Liberty.
this! —-> “but perhaps the best thing for FlamesNation to do now is to forget about the Sun Belt. They obviously don’t want Liberty.”
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“..the Sun Belt. They obviously don’t want Liberty.” – No, they don’t…right now. But, they may in the future, if they lose other members and the price is right.
But let’s be real, what secular conference is clamoring to add a proud, Christian university which doesn’t mind making itself a lightening rod? Guns on campus, contrary opinions on homosexuality and same-sex marriage, first lawsuit filed against Obamacare…these aren’t the types of issues that liberal professors and school administrators agree with or even want to be associated. And, as has been noted before, having on-line education as your main revenue stream is distasteful to educational traditionalists.
My expectation is that LU will have to continue its development of their campus facilities, academic resources, and financial strength before some of the critics, no doubt, many of whom dismiss the school out of hand and really don’t know its modern incarnation, will begin to change their minds.
Even then, conversative stances on social issues will continue to be major points of contention. It’s not surprising that the Sun Belt passed on LU at this point. But, the issue will come up again and we will be having this same discussion once more. However, at that point, it may be whether Liberty really wants to join the Sun Belt, even if invited.
If/When Liberty finds itself in a position similar to the one in which the Sun Belt finds itself in, I’d be looking for a peer institution that improved the profile of Liberty both on the field/court/arena/etc. and off. I would want a school that has great academic prestige and not one that drags down the rest of the conference. I want a school that focuses on being the best at every sport, especially the core sports that make the money for the conference and bring national recognition. I would want a school that doesn’t bring unnecessary negative attention to itself.
Unfortunately for Liberty, perception is reality. The Sun Belt perceives, whether true or justified, that Liberty has poor academics standards and qualifications, has trouble dominating lesser competition in a poor FCS conference despite having a budget tenfold the next highest schools, and is a lightning rod for media attention. The Sun Belt apparently is not desperate enough yet for Liberty and may not ever come to that. All Liberty can do is do things to change their image.