FAU will join Conference USA, reports say

Bye-bye Belt!!!

Conference USA may not be the greatest, but it is a step up.

 Coaches tell running backs to keep their legs moving. We have to move forward one step at a time.This is a nice step. No matter how you look at it, it is a step forward. Yea FAU !

All talk about The Big East was hogwash. The only way we ever get there (if we even want to go there and if it even still exists) is by moving up to C-USA first.

I almost feel bad for The Sun Belt. Almost.

FIU set the first great example of how Florida universities should be working together when it results in something that is beneficial to the state and our young adult students.  There have been so many examples of Florida universities blocking advancement for other Florida universities this is the most important storyline in the move.  Examples include USF trying to block and hold down UCF's athletics...when the USF president was asked if she did try to block the move, she denied it...but did not say they were actually lobbying to get UCF in their conference, which would have been the right thing to do.  Florida does the same thing to Florida State at both the sports and academic levels.  Someone understood what was the RIGHT thing to do, and that is a great thing for Florida.

FAU hasn't ruled out trying to join Conference USA by next season - a year earlier than expected - if it can work out deals with the Sun Belt and C-USA.

Here's our story.

We should leave that sinking ship ASAP!

I can't think anything worse than a lame-duck season in the Sun Belt.

 Sweet.

The Shula Bowl could be back on for next season!

 Time to put C-USA behind us. Todays game will be a true test for FAU. U.L.L. have become a very good team with a lot of challenges. Lets put a solid game together, keep it close and pull  out a win. Lets send the seniors out the way they deserve.  Go Owls !

FAU should know by the end of the month whether it is competing in Conference USA in 2013. Here's the story: http://www.fauowlaccess.com/articles/104/fau-will-learn-soon-if-move-to-c-usa-in-2013-will-happen.aspx

Pat Chun is denying a report that it's a done deal that FAU will play in Conference USA in 2013. Here's the story: http://www.fauowlaccess.com/articles/116/fau-to-c-usa-not-a-done-deal-yet---owlaccesscom.aspx

I talked to FAU AD Pat Chun today and he said it's not a done deal that the Owls will join C-USA in 2013. I don't think it was typical "adminsitrator speak." I've heard he told the staff on Wednesday that the deal wouldn't be done until later this month.

The C-USA meetings next month should be telling.

That being said, I do beleive FAU will play in Conference USA in 2013. All the people I've talked with indicate FAU is trying to make this happen. If it were simply an issue of money, I beleive FAU would have backed off this pursuit (or accepted) a while ago.

Had several conversations with people in the past couple days about the move to C-USA in 2013. My understanding is that the Sun Belt buyout is not the biggest hurdle. FAU has pretty much decided it will pay the fee, but lawyers are involved in an attempt to get that fee as low as possible. The buyout rules have some inconsistencies and that is what is being debated.

The more problematic aspect appears to be making all the schedules work. A little bit of juggling will have to happen to make everything work. This should not be that big of a problem, but it's one of those things that takes a little time because there are so many schools involved. And it's not just FAU's schedule, it's also MTSU's. My understanding is that C-USA doesn't want one without the other.

Right now, I'd say it's extremely likely that FAU will play in C-USA in 2013.  MTSU, FAU and C-USA really want it to happen, and I believe the Sun Belt doesn't have the power to stop it from happening.

I can see where C-USA wouldn't want one school without the oter a year early.

It's obvious MTSU is adamant on joining in 2013, maybe they could just pay our buyout? LOL

I'll be surprised if FAU is not playin in CUSA this fall, how about you Chuck?

The scheduling issue is probably a nightmare if you consider all the sports involved and all the teams.