Jackson State to the FBS?

[615dawg]

I had heard rumblings of this, but I didn't really believe it. Now its in print.

http://www.clarionledger....ern+Athletic+Conference?

<span class="aa"></span>

<span class="pp"></span></p>

"Where do we go other than just playing in the SWAC championship?" Braddy asked.<span class="aa"></span></p>

<span class="pp"></span>"I
just think it's important for us to try getting in the I-AA playoff
system or to the next level - preferably to the next level," he said,
referring to the Football Bowl Subdivision, where the nation's 120 major
college programs compete.<span class="aa"></span></p><span class="pp"></span>Jackson
State's average football attendance in 2010 was higher than that of 32
major college schools and fell just 5,000 below the University of
Southern Mississippi, which averaged 29,400.

I'm not saying they would be competitive day one, but if they could get a Sun Belt bid, there's no reason why they could not be competitive in a few years.

In the combined Sagarin ratings, they were within three points of five Division I teams this year, and within five points of 10 teams. They were actually ahead of Akron.

 

[cps36]

I love the idea personally. However its a HUGE uphill battle for them to be successful or even survive.
However, how will they get funding? Their facilities are not up to par and the school has budget issues.

Boosters - Do they have any that are not currently active, that would become active if they went FBS?
Stadium - Upgrades? Upgrades. They need them.
Recruiting - Where will the talent come from. Aren't they already getting the talent that falls through the cracks? They might be able to steal some from juco if they are a Sunbelt team.
Coaches Pay - Who will pay for it? Goes back to boosters.
Campus - Speaks for itself. Needs a muzzle.

 

[RobbieRandolph]

The SWAC champion used to play the MEAC champion, but the MEAC joined 1-AA. For whatever reason the SWAC has resisted.

 

[dawgstudent]

[No message]

 

[RobbieRandolph]

..

 

[patdog]

I think what Robbie meant was that the MEAC decided to quit sending its champion to the bowl game vs. the SWAC and to start participating in the I-AA playoffs.

 

[GratefulDawg.sixpack]

I don't think the SWAC ever won a playoff game before they dropped out.

Frankly, I wish they'd just dissolve most of these schools and use the money to better prepare high school kids to get into State, Mississippi, and Southern Miss. Turn JSU into the University of Jackson and make it into a commuter school like Memphis. The world is multi-racial. Does an education at Alcorn or Valley prepare someone for it?

 

[Buford T. Justice]

The world is multi-racial. Does an education at Alcorn or Valley prepare someone for it?

The SEC has always been cast as being "behind the times" when it comes to the hiring of black coaches. However, the SEC's record is much better than the SWAC's record of hiring white coaches (and using white players). In my opinion (and it is probably an unpopular one), the SWAC needs to lose the "historically black college" label that they themselves promote and join the 21st century. The SEC schools are "historically white" (ask James Meredith), but we all long ago moved on and accepted integration as necessary, beneficial, and good for everyone involved. I am aware that whites are enrolled at probably all SWAC schools. However, they still promote themselves as "historically black".

 

[GloryDawg]

after all that's what 80% of the attendees go for. Hell the revenue would not drop and the expense would go away. I mean really, will Valley Survive? Hell they are playing at Greenville High school due to lack of funds to up date thier football stadium.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

A HBCU I-A league was briefly mentioned. Jackson State was one of the teams mentioned then as they were #1 in attendance in I-AA. Jackson State in the Sun Belt would have been a winner some ten years or so ago when the Sun Belt football league was created, but now... I don't know.

 

[Todd4State]

I think they would really struggle just because of disorganization in their athletic dept. as a whole. I think they could make it work, but they would have to completely overhaul their athletic dept.

 

[dogaholic]

I don't think the SWAC ever won a playoff game before they dropped out.

Frankly, I wish they'd just dissolve most of these schools and use the money to better prepare high school kids to get into State, Mississippi, and Southern Miss. Turn JSU into the University of Jackson and make it into a commuter school like Memphis. The world is multi-racial. Does an education at Alcorn or Valley prepare someone for it?

getting rid of JSU, Alcorn and the Valley would be in the best interest of all Mississippians...I can't speak for JSU and Alcorn but the Valley is a complete joke and waste of taxpayer money.

 

[rabiddawg]

SWAC schools generally profit from hand outs by other schools to play them, see MSU last year. I think most SWAC schools would go belly up if they had to fend for themselves. Too must self-embezzelment within their ranks. They would have to start thinking like real schools, and unfortunaltly, their history hasn't prepared them to do that.