Post by FIUFanatic on Jul 20, 2004 11:26:36 GMT -5
Interesting article in a paper in Tennessee about the addition of FIU and FAU into Sun Belt Football. Written by Monte Hale Jr.:
DNJ article.
Addition of two Florida teams makes good sense
By Monte Hale Jr. / Columnist
NEW ORLEANS — Admit it: The idea of Florida Atlantic and Florida International joining the Sun Belt Conference in football probably didn’t excite you.
Neither has a football tradition at all, nor have they yet to achieve Division I-A status.
However, when one considers how geographically challenged the Sun Belt has been since its inception in 2001, the admission of the two teams makes absolute sense.
It will stabilize the league geographically, cut down on travel and in the near future lead to a more competitive conference.
New Mexico State, Utah State and Idaho will all leave the Sun Belt after this season, while FAU will join the league next season and FIU the following year.
MTSU fans know all about the struggles of jumping into the Division I-A realm, but the transition will be lot easier for FAU and FIU. In fact, FAU beat MTSU last season and was a I-AA playoff semifinalist.
Both teams feature name coaches — Howard Schnellenberger at FAU and Don Strock at FIU — and that gives the league more credibility.
“It doesn’t hurt,” admitted Strock, a longtime quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. “When Dan Marino is standing around your practice, it’s a good thing.
“The players we recruit might not know who I am, but the parents do.”
Schnellenberger has a history of reviving programs, winning a national title at Miami and leading Louisville to a national ranking.
Both coaches face numerous obstacles, but with all the talent in the state of Florida, recruiting won’t be one of them.
“Florida Atlantic is exceptionally talented right now,” said North Texas coach Darrell thingyey. “When they join the Sun Belt next year they will immediately be a threat to win the conference.
“Florida International, no doubt, will be a major player. They’ve got a coach in Don Strock who knows this game and will bring in exceptional talent.”
The break-up or reshuffling of the Sun Belt was inevitable when various teams began switching conferences last year.
While Utah State will only be in the Sun Belt two years, it needs to be in the WAC. Traveling to Idaho is brutal, and New Mexico State isn’t much better.
The aforementioned programs aren’t leaving on bad terms, nor does the Sun Belt have any ill will toward them. It just makes sense.
“I think we’re getting better competitively as a league, and we’re getting more stable,” said MTSU coach Andy McCollum. “Each school has to do what is best for them, but I really like the direction we’re headed as a conference.”
Added thingyey: “My hat is off to (Sun Belt) Commissioner Wright Waters for the job he’s done keeping this league together and moving it forward. I love the direction we’re headed, and the Sun Belt is going to get better every year.”
While FAU and FIU aren’t household names right now, they are an integral part of the changing landscape of the Sun Belt Conference.
And it is a change for the better.
DNJ article.
Addition of two Florida teams makes good sense
By Monte Hale Jr. / Columnist
NEW ORLEANS — Admit it: The idea of Florida Atlantic and Florida International joining the Sun Belt Conference in football probably didn’t excite you.
Neither has a football tradition at all, nor have they yet to achieve Division I-A status.
However, when one considers how geographically challenged the Sun Belt has been since its inception in 2001, the admission of the two teams makes absolute sense.
It will stabilize the league geographically, cut down on travel and in the near future lead to a more competitive conference.
New Mexico State, Utah State and Idaho will all leave the Sun Belt after this season, while FAU will join the league next season and FIU the following year.
MTSU fans know all about the struggles of jumping into the Division I-A realm, but the transition will be lot easier for FAU and FIU. In fact, FAU beat MTSU last season and was a I-AA playoff semifinalist.
Both teams feature name coaches — Howard Schnellenberger at FAU and Don Strock at FIU — and that gives the league more credibility.
“It doesn’t hurt,” admitted Strock, a longtime quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. “When Dan Marino is standing around your practice, it’s a good thing.
“The players we recruit might not know who I am, but the parents do.”
Schnellenberger has a history of reviving programs, winning a national title at Miami and leading Louisville to a national ranking.
Both coaches face numerous obstacles, but with all the talent in the state of Florida, recruiting won’t be one of them.
“Florida Atlantic is exceptionally talented right now,” said North Texas coach Darrell thingyey. “When they join the Sun Belt next year they will immediately be a threat to win the conference.
“Florida International, no doubt, will be a major player. They’ve got a coach in Don Strock who knows this game and will bring in exceptional talent.”
The break-up or reshuffling of the Sun Belt was inevitable when various teams began switching conferences last year.
While Utah State will only be in the Sun Belt two years, it needs to be in the WAC. Traveling to Idaho is brutal, and New Mexico State isn’t much better.
The aforementioned programs aren’t leaving on bad terms, nor does the Sun Belt have any ill will toward them. It just makes sense.
“I think we’re getting better competitively as a league, and we’re getting more stable,” said MTSU coach Andy McCollum. “Each school has to do what is best for them, but I really like the direction we’re headed as a conference.”
Added thingyey: “My hat is off to (Sun Belt) Commissioner Wright Waters for the job he’s done keeping this league together and moving it forward. I love the direction we’re headed, and the Sun Belt is going to get better every year.”
While FAU and FIU aren’t household names right now, they are an integral part of the changing landscape of the Sun Belt Conference.
And it is a change for the better.
