Guest LU4LIFE Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 I completely agree that SETX is underrated. The only place you can do more outdoor activities is Austin and that is somewhat debatable. Also we offer just about anything a bigger city can offer. But I do think there is a stigma that is attached to the area and though it may not be the main reason we get refused it does have something to do with it. Just look at the way we get represented at the state level. We are considered the armpit of Texas and local people in the area perpetuate that view by not defending the area. How many people do you know that have said there is just not anything to do in SETX. JMHO +1
Guest CardAmbassador Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 I completely agree that SETX is underrated. The only place you can do more outdoor activities is Austin and that is somewhat debatable. Also we offer just about anything a bigger city can offer. But I do think there is a stigma that is attached to the area and though it may not be the main reason we get refused it does have something to do with it. Just look at the way we get represented at the state level. We are considered the armpit of Texas and local people in the area perpetuate that view by not defending the area. How many people do you know that have said there is just not anything to do in SETX. JMHO I agree with you but I think we can eventually curb that attitude. Many people are very positive about LU and the direction it is taking. Now with some of Beaumont's bigger construction projects getting completed or starting (Events Center and Park) (Relocation of railroad switch yard for expansion of riverfront park). I think in the next 10 years Beaumont will be able to curb the trend and move towards a more positive view. I'm friends with the organizer of the "Boomtown Film and Music Festival," he is about to open a drive in theater in downtown Beaumont. And don't forget about the improvements that Lamar has planned for the area surrounding campus. In short I agree, but I feel comfortable saying that for the most part SETX is going to take an upswing in the coming decade.
TBonesLU Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 They still seem to think LU has a chance over on BobcatReport.com. As always, it's just a collaboration of rumors, but it seems as though Montana and Montana State will not accept an invite (unless I'm understanding it incorrectly).
jdcurran235 Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 And if Pt Neches ever gets there boardwalk going (which is supposed to be twice the size of Kemah) that will help as well. I think more needs to be done about publicizing the outdoor stuff to do. Work on having developments along village creek advertise it to make it another guadalupe (Houston people have no idea that it exists). Add more hiking trails to the thicket. Publicize that sabine pass has charter boats just as galveston does. Set up KOA's at the beaches. There is all kinds of stuff that can be done enhance what is available or just advertised that it is available.
jdcurran235 Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 They still seem to think LU has a chance over on BobcatReport.com. As always, it's just a collaboration of rumors, but it seems as though Montana and Montana State will not accept an invite (unless I'm understanding it incorrectly). That is the same thing I have been reading on BR and I agree with your assessment. But I am less than hopeful for LU now. At this point nothing would surprise me. Just cause I haven't said it yet: UTA over LU, seriously!!!!!!!
LU1991 Posted July 13, 2011 Author Posted July 13, 2011 KFDM interviewed Jason Henderson during the 6pm news tonight and he denied any contact with the WAC but with a grin.
midnite Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 LU1991, Help me to understand the UTA invite instead of adding a football school like Lamar. Im aware of the DMA. Do you think this addition hurts Lamar chances of an inite ?
coachacola Posted July 13, 2011 Posted July 13, 2011 My take from reading all the forums is that the WAC is going for large markets first to help get a better TV deal from ESPN. Everybody knows that football in the WAC is taking a big hit and it will take time to rebuild football in the conference. I think La Tech, TX State and UTSA will really push to add Lamar for the eastern division. Even if UTA brings back football in 2016, they'll have to spend 2 years at the FCS level, then 2 more years transitioning to FBS. That's 9 years away and a lot can happen between now and then, especially in the WAC. Jack over at bobcatreport.com says Montana and Montana State would have to pay $1 million each to leave the Big Sky conference. That may be enough to keep them out of the WAC. But even if they join, SJSU is still sitting along in California, so if a western school is added for them, Lamar would probably be added in the east.
LU1991 Posted July 13, 2011 Author Posted July 13, 2011 I'm trying to figure it out myself. I can't see how the UTA invite helps Lamars chances but if the Montanas are not willing to accept the WAC invite then Lamar should move back towards the top of the list.
Guest boomer Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 Alot of the WAC blogs are very down on Lamar. There seems to be a growing concern that we are to new in the football are. There was also several statements about our area being football rich with recruits, but not overly recruited by Lamar. This lead to alot of comments about the recruiting advantage then not being passed to other WAC schools. I am including some of the sites I have been reading. I want to make it clear this is not my feelings ,but what people not in our area are saying. The point is we have to combat this negetive attitude about Lamar on the west coast. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/WAC-doesn-t-add-to-football-membership-hopes-re?urn=ncaaf-wp2605 http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2011/06/14/wac-expansion-seattle-joins-more-schools-to-follow/ These are just a few. I have been on these other sites and encourage you also to get out there and let Lamar's voice be herad. GO RED OR GO HOME! http://www.mwcconnection.com/2011/5/8/2160933/wac-to-announce-further-expansion
Guest bigred360 Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 I didn't get the same feeling when reading the links you provided about anything negative about Lamar and I appreciate you posting them as there is some good reading material. Read this site and see how posters felt about UTA getting an invite and not Lamar. The last few pages UTA supporters have posted but what I'm pointing out is the first impression of UTA by alumni/students/fans/supports of other WAC member schools. http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=451&f=2368&t=7656897
Guest CardAmbassador Posted July 15, 2011 Posted July 15, 2011 Boomer, I didn't see a single mention of Lamar's recruiting practices in the links you provided. I even read the comments and didn't find anything. People in the west aren't elated to invite Lamar but they think we make more sense than UTA, the majority of them were of this opinion when UTA was first announced. Now they're putting their spin on it so you might get a different impression if you read recent comments. I was on the scout site defending and preaching Lamar for a while, right now I'm too sick to talk about it. It's been my bread and butter for about 6 months now. Lamar's improving it's reputation daily. We just recently really started making a real commitment to athletics, we will see more payoffs down the road as we continue to invest. Coach always points out that our AD's budget was less than $5 million in 2005 and now its $11.5. So I echo your sentiment, GO RED OR GO HOME!!
TBonesLU Posted July 15, 2011 Posted July 15, 2011 Okay, here I go... In no way do I think that the WAC is any lesser of a conference than the Southland is, so please don't take this next thing I'm about to say the wrong way. However, I do believe adding UT-A has made the appeal of the WAC to slowly drop in my eyes. Look at what this conference has become. I would be proud to be playing other schools such as Idaho, USU, NMSU, etc. That was the real draw to the conference in the beginning (that and the thought of possibly having a chance to play in a bowl one day). Idaho is the representative university of the whole state. It is teams like these which this conference used to be based around. Now, they honestly saw something in UT-A that was more viable than Lamar? I don't know what it is nor will I ever. I have been on that campus before for athletic events (supporting Lamar). It is in no way more impressive than Lamar. Then we've beat the DMA discussion to death. I guarantee you that they have not captured the DFW market. Benson will learn this quickly. It's almost sad to think that the commissioner of the conference wouldn't realize that the school with 30,000 current students has around 800 going to every home basketball game. In the meantime, 5 1/2 hours south sits a school with a student body of half that and sometimes doubles (if not triples) the size of its attendance at home NCAA BASKETBALL GAMES. I capitalized those last three words because every time I walk into the Montagne Center, I feel as though I am in a Division I NCAA arena. I feel as though this is a school that has proved itself to be up to the WAC's level. One thought in my mind at every home Lamar game is that "I am at an NCAA basketball game tonight along with thousands of other people across the nation." I'm rambling a bit, so I'll get back to the point. With this new "addition" to the WAC, they believe they have improved the conference to be more viable for the future. I only look at it to see three of our former conference rivals (one of whom I actually have a problem). While I still hope we get an invite to one day see Lamar in a bowl game, I am not as enthused as I was before. I only cringe to think that if we do get an invite AFTER UT-A, they'll somehow think they were a better choice because of their earlier invite. So here is what I hope for... 1. I hope Lamar gets an invite to the WAC. a. If LU does not get an invite, I hope we compete so well this year in all sports that another FBS conference will come calling. 2. If Lamar gets an invite, I hope we smoke UT-A. Then there will be no doubt that when the WAC waited to invite us, they were saving the best and most deserving invite for last. Sincerely, Bones
TexGator Posted July 15, 2011 Posted July 15, 2011 Okay, here I go... In no way do I think that the WAC is any lesser of a conference than the Southland is, so please don't take this next thing I'm about to say the wrong way. However, I do believe adding UT-A has made the appeal of the WAC to slowly drop in my eyes. Look at what this conference has become. I would be proud to be playing other schools such as Idaho, USU, NMSU, etc. That was the real draw to the conference in the beginning (that and the thought of possibly having a chance to play in a bowl one day). Idaho is the representative university of the whole state. It is teams like these which this conference used to be based around. Now, they honestly saw something in UT-A that was more viable than Lamar? I don't know what it is nor will I ever. I have been on that campus before for athletic events (supporting Lamar). It is in no way more impressive than Lamar. Then we've beat the DMA discussion to death. I guarantee you that they have not captured the DFW market. Benson will learn this quickly. It's almost sad to think that the commissioner of the conference wouldn't realize that the school with 30,000 current students has around 800 going to every home basketball game. In the meantime, 5 1/2 hours south sits a school with a student body of half that and sometimes doubles (if not triples) the size of its attendance at home NCAA BASKETBALL GAMES. I capitalized those last three words because every time I walk into the Montagne Center, I feel as though I am in a Division I NCAA arena. I feel as though this is a school that has proved itself to be up to the WAC's level. One thought in my mind at every home Lamar game is that "I am at an NCAA basketball game tonight along with thousands of other people across the nation." I'm rambling a bit, so I'll get back to the point. With this new "addition" to the WAC, they believe they have improved the conference to be more viable for the future. I only look at it to see three of our former conference rivals (one of whom I actually have a problem). While I still hope we get an invite to one day see Lamar in a bowl game, I am not as enthused as I was before. I only cringe to think that if we do get an invite AFTER UT-A, they'll somehow think they were a better choice because of their earlier invite. So here is what I hope for... 1. I hope Lamar gets an invite to the WAC. a. If LU does not get an invite, I hope we compete so well this year in all sports that another FBS conference will come calling. 2. If Lamar gets an invite, I hope we smoke UT-A. Then there will be no doubt that when the WAC waited to invite us, they were saving the best and most deserving invite for last. Sincerely, Bones If it was about attendance and community support, Rice would have been kicked to the curb decades ago. Lamar can draw as many for a basketball game as Rice does for some football games. I went to the Rice-Texas game at Reliant and there were less than 1000 Rice fans at the game. It was basically an alumni social for UT fans with a $40 cover charge. Longhorn fans in the upper bowl were shushing each other to be able to hear the MOB play.
TBonesLU Posted July 15, 2011 Posted July 15, 2011 Okay, here I go... In no way do I think that the WAC is any lesser of a conference than the Southland is, so please don't take this next thing I'm about to say the wrong way. However, I do believe adding UT-A has made the appeal of the WAC to slowly drop in my eyes. Look at what this conference has become. I would be proud to be playing other schools such as Idaho, USU, NMSU, etc. That was the real draw to the conference in the beginning (that and the thought of possibly having a chance to play in a bowl one day). Idaho is the representative university of the whole state. It is teams like these which this conference used to be based around. Now, they honestly saw something in UT-A that was more viable than Lamar? I don't know what it is nor will I ever. I have been on that campus before for athletic events (supporting Lamar). It is in no way more impressive than Lamar. Then we've beat the DMA discussion to death. I guarantee you that they have not captured the DFW market. Benson will learn this quickly. It's almost sad to think that the commissioner of the conference wouldn't realize that the school with 30,000 current students has around 800 going to every home basketball game. In the meantime, 5 1/2 hours south sits a school with a student body of half that and sometimes doubles (if not triples) the size of its attendance at home NCAA BASKETBALL GAMES. I capitalized those last three words because every time I walk into the Montagne Center, I feel as though I am in a Division I NCAA arena. I feel as though this is a school that has proved itself to be up to the WAC's level. One thought in my mind at every home Lamar game is that "I am at an NCAA basketball game tonight along with thousands of other people across the nation." I'm rambling a bit, so I'll get back to the point. With this new "addition" to the WAC, they believe they have improved the conference to be more viable for the future. I only look at it to see three of our former conference rivals (one of whom I actually have a problem). While I still hope we get an invite to one day see Lamar in a bowl game, I am not as enthused as I was before. I only cringe to think that if we do get an invite AFTER UT-A, they'll somehow think they were a better choice because of their earlier invite. So here is what I hope for... 1. I hope Lamar gets an invite to the WAC. a. If LU does not get an invite, I hope we compete so well this year in all sports that another FBS conference will come calling. 2. If Lamar gets an invite, I hope we smoke UT-A. Then there will be no doubt that when the WAC waited to invite us, they were saving the best and most deserving invite for last. Sincerely, Bones If it was about attendance and community support, Rice would have been kicked to the curb decades ago. Lamar can draw as many for a basketball game as Rice does for some football games. I went to the Rice-Texas game at Reliant and there were less than 1000 Rice fans at the game. It was basically an alumni social for UT fans with a $40 cover charge. Longhorn fans in the upper bowl were shushing each other to be able to hear the MOB play. Sorry. MOB?
Guest bigred360 Posted July 15, 2011 Posted July 15, 2011 What conference is Rice in? .....that's right conference USA. B) LOL
TBonesLU Posted July 15, 2011 Posted July 15, 2011 What conference is Rice in? .....that's right conference USA. B) LOL Yeah, I think the rivalry between them and SMU is somewhat neat. While those two teams may never be at the top of that conference, it's cool to see the two private schools go at it every year.
coachacola Posted July 15, 2011 Posted July 15, 2011 According to both Jack and Justin (the Site Admins over at bobcatreport.com) Lamar is still in play for the WAC. These guys have some good connections so that's a good sign!
jdcurran235 Posted July 15, 2011 Posted July 15, 2011 I am still less than optimistic after the UTA add.
jdcurran235 Posted July 16, 2011 Posted July 16, 2011 If we follow what we think after the UTA add he is going after DMA and Basketball. The Montana's don't look as good at that point and I would say that Cali / Texas schools look better. Cali is first since western schools are preferred (with the exception of Portland). UTA ..... DFW / Arlington MonSt ... Bozeman UM ...... Missoula PortSt... Portland LU....... Houston / Beaumont UCSB..... LA / Santa Barbara CalPoly.. San Luis Obispo UC Davis. Sacramento / Davis SacSt.... Sacramento As a note it seems as all of the schools are big market type schools and would do well in the future WAC. Maybe it is just all about money at this point and who has the money to move up. FYI: Portland and LU are my picks. Also they are jacks picks so that is as if we are already in.
Guest BigRed2010 Posted July 16, 2011 Posted July 16, 2011 I think it is "all about the money". I do not think the WAC is in any position to turn down any school that plays football and has the money and fan support to go FBS. I think LAMAR will be added in due time(2013 or 2014). We just need to be patient.
Big T Posted July 16, 2011 Posted July 16, 2011 Portland doesn't have football. They won't be a pick. The WAC is now looking for two football schools after adding two basketball schools in Seattle and UTA.
jdcurran235 Posted July 16, 2011 Posted July 16, 2011 MnSt = Yes UM = Yes LU = Yes CalPoly = Yes I dont think they get invited because of DMA reasons UCSB = No UCDavis = Yes Portland = Yes SacSt = Yes
Big T Posted July 16, 2011 Posted July 16, 2011 Cal Poly UC Davis Sacramento State MSU MU Lamar SHSU These are the football schools. Most of the Cali schools have already turned down the WAC at one time or another though. And the Montana schools are not going WAC.
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