This page has moved to a new address.

Atlantic 10 has expressed informal interest in adding both George Mason and VCU

George Mason Basketball: Atlantic 10 has expressed informal interest in adding both George Mason and VCU

gomason.com gomason.com gomason.com gomason.com gomason.com

Monday, October 10, 2011

Atlantic 10 has expressed informal interest in adding both George Mason and VCU

According to the New York Times yesterday, the Atlantic 10 conference has expressed informal in adding both George Mason and VCU as members:
“There’s a lot of informal conversations going on,” Yeager said. “Athletic directors are running into each other in the press box on Saturdays, and I think it’s a nonstop topic of conversation. We’re not going after anyone.

Although the C.A.A. is sending feelers to A-10 members and others, a different college official said that the Atlantic 10 had expressed informal interest in adding C.A.A. members George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth.
I can't say I would mind the Patriots joining the A10 and be a member of a basketball conference that isn't driven by football. George Mason ans VCU have already shown they can play well against current members of the A10 and assuming no current members leave, this would create a very competitive mid-major conference.

I think the best case scenario for non-football programs like George Mason and VCU in all this realignment craziness, would be if they joined other non-football members of the A10 and Big East in some form. Not sure how they would do this but this A10 talk could be the beginning of something like that.

20 Comments:

Anonymous c hirsch said...

I think it would be a step up. I'm all for it.

10:14 AM  
Anonymous gmuhoops said...

As long as other members like Xavier, Temple, Richmond or Dayton don't leave.

10:17 AM  
Anonymous c hirsch said...

Are they looking to leave?

11:24 AM  
Anonymous gmuhoops said...

No idea, but CAA is becoming football driven so I don't know what that means for future of non-football teams like VCU and Mason.

11:59 AM  
Anonymous guest said...

Kind of off topic but anyone know if Mason will get a real football program anytime soon? 

1:17 PM  
Anonymous Guest said...

I've heard rumor that the Big East may be looking to the A10 to add schools for basketball.  If the BE takes away Temple (former member) and lets say Xavier and/or Dayton.....all of a sudden the A10 doesn't look so appealing.  Only Temple is mentioned in this link

http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2011/10/big_east_says_it_is_officially.html 

But it is clear that the BE has interest in Temple at least.  I think George Mason should wait it out too see what the BE does, and decide from there.  The CAA is strong enough to stand this realignment and Mason is appealing enough to be invited for basketball to many conferences.  Best to wait and see where the chips fall.

1:36 PM  
Anonymous c hirsch said...

Possible but just as possible that they want to strengthen the conference. Adding two teams that have been to the Final Four in the last 5 years would certainly do that.

2:18 PM  
Anonymous gopats said...

The CAA is stronger than the A10, this would be a step down. Big East or bust.

3:31 PM  
Anonymous Dsndsn said...

The Big East...lol. This is really a weird time for the CAA. With all the turmoil initially caused, I guess  by the poaching of Pitt and Syracuse by the ACC, has reverberated all the way down to the CAA. The CAA seems like the perfect fit now for Mason now, but you don't want to let an opportunity pass you by.....but...we can only look to the experience of both ODU and VCU in the the past twenty years to see that careful thought needs to be exercised before jumping conferences. 

6:03 PM  
Anonymous Guest1 said...

i heard that after Merten leaves, we will. this isnt until 2014+ though. the only reason why we didnt is because of him, so him leaving should open things up.

9:23 PM  
Anonymous david said...

Please don't call final 4 teams mid major. That term is anti sport and should be non existent like it was six years ago.

6:03 AM  
Anonymous Someguy said...

Mason fans should have no interest in the addition of a football program.  Outside of major programs, ie SEC schools, college football teams lose large amounts of money every year.  Our athletics budget is only around $15 million as is, we do not have the money to spend every year on football, without drastic cuts to current men's teams.  Don't forget Title IX either, everything spent in new dollars for football would have to be duplicated for women's athletics. 

12:13 PM  
Anonymous Section 118 said...

ODU didn't get a lot of attention despite a strong 2010-11 season.  I would think it would be a good A10 competitor.  (Can't wait to see if Taylor re-grew the mustache.)

2:57 PM  
Anonymous Taylormade703 said...

A-10?  Big East?  The mere fact that it is even being discussed is a huge compliment.  Not but 15 years ago we were averaging 3000 in attendance and we had a couple 7-17 years.  Now we have a Final Four banner, our school is nationally recognized, we are the largest school in the state of Virginia, and we are being courted by the same conference that has UMass and Temple!

7:14 PM  
Anonymous guest said...

Mason already has a club team that plays other similar schools like VCU. I am not sure how much school spends on this club program but I don't where they would have to spend ALOT more to get a real football program besides building a stadium for it.

7:30 PM  
Anonymous guest said...

but I don't see where they would have to spend ALOT more to get a real football program besides building a stadium for it.*

7:31 PM  
Anonymous Someguy said...

Club teams are funded mostly by dues from the players.  The school gives each club team a small amount of money, but most is paid for by the individuals participating.  Again, moving it to a full sport would also bring Title IX into play. 

I know it would be cool to have a big football program, but not at the cost it would bring to other sports, including basketball; the reason you are visiting this website to begin with.  If you really want a football program cut Mason a 7-8 figure check; otherwise quit bitching.

8:16 AM  
Anonymous guest said...

I don't know what you think I am bitching...I asked the question for a reason. I just see most schools having football programs that does not take away anything from their other sports... if they can do it then why not us? That was my reasoning behind it when I posted my question. But ya  I don't see why you think I am bitching by trying to seek answers and solutions.

11:15 AM  
Anonymous dblock said...

I'd rather see the CAA add richmond, charlotte, and gw. Maybe one more team from another conference like liberty, radford, american, or app state (a football draw).

1:36 PM  
Anonymous ChemistCorner1 said...

If we are not adding football - let's pump up the basektball program.  You think Coach L was making the stuff up that he was promised prior to leaving - facilities upgrade,etc
There really is no reason not to have competitive football - the soccer homecoming is WEAK and has been since the '80's and the team has been mediocre. Even our Women's team that used to be very good has fallen off.  If the excuse is that we are spending the money saved on football on other programs, let's be good.  

And can we also do a bit more with the Patriot Club room at halftime and before games - hell, we were just in the Final Four and it is a joke.  We should have a wall of fame down there -     

9:02 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Blog Counter