UCF to Join the Sunbelt Conference

AppWyo · Unread post by **AppWyo** » Tue Jun 21, 2022 10:05 pm

/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09 · Unread post by **/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09** » Tue Jun 21, 2022 11:02 pm

Can't think of a more perfect time to have a men's soccer program in the Sun Belt. It's a shame App State can't be a part of that excitement. UCF would add a plane trip (Starting 2023), but similar to football that would be only every other year. All other conference games could realistically be bus trips, especially given how spaced out games are on the calendar. Could easily find some out of conference games that wouldn't be far to travel. Of course I bring that up because cost was given as a reason the program was dropped. I think I saw where D.G. said it would be awhile before that program returned, but when it does I assume due to overall conference affiliation, we'd automatically be a part of this conference for men's soccer?

On a more selfish note, being a fan of the sport, and with my middle child interested and playing soccer these days, I'm very fortunate to live close to Harrisonburg to catch some games against this new conference. Of course similar to their game against William and Mary we attended last year, I explain to the kids that under no circumstances do we ever pull for JMU.

APPdiesel · Unread post by **APPdiesel** » Wed Jun 22, 2022 11:38 am

/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09 wrote: ↑
Tue Jun 21, 2022 11:02 pm
Can't think of a more perfect time to have a men's soccer program in the Sun Belt. It's a shame App State can't be a part of that excitement. UCF would add a plane trip (Starting 2023), but similar to football that would be only every other year. All other conference games could realistically be bus trips, especially given how spaced out games are on the calendar. Could easily find some out of conference games that wouldn't be far to travel. Of course I bring that up because cost was given as a reason the program was dropped. I think I saw where D.G. said it would be awhile before that program returned, but when it does I assume due to overall conference affiliation, we'd automatically be a part of this conference for men's soccer?

On a more selfish note, being a fan of the sport, and with my middle child interested and playing soccer these days, I'm very fortunate to live close to Harrisonburg to catch some games against this new conference. Of course similar to their game against William and Mary we attended last year, I explain to the kids that under no circumstances do we ever pull for JMU.

Not only that but it would certainly establish and or strengthen relationships between ADs. Maybe WVU or UCF’s ADs wouldn’t normally take Doug Gillin’s calls regarding a football game but after building a soccer relationship, that conversation becomes easier to have.

yosef95 · Unread post by **yosef95** » Wed Jun 22, 2022 12:45 pm

I have misleading headline posts. Yeesh. UCF to Join SB Conf for Soccer. Yeesh

appstate77 · Unread post by **appstate77** » Wed Jun 22, 2022 12:49 pm

SBC to have a wickedly good men's soccer league. Wish we could get men's soccer back on the pitch.

/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09 · Unread post by **/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09** » Wed Jun 22, 2022 3:13 pm

APPdiesel wrote: ↑
Wed Jun 22, 2022 11:38 am

/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09 wrote: ↑
Tue Jun 21, 2022 11:02 pm
Can't think of a more perfect time to have a men's soccer program in the Sun Belt. It's a shame App State can't be a part of that excitement. UCF would add a plane trip (Starting 2023), but similar to football that would be only every other year. All other conference games could realistically be bus trips, especially given how spaced out games are on the calendar. Could easily find some out of conference games that wouldn't be far to travel. Of course I bring that up because cost was given as a reason the program was dropped. I think I saw where D.G. said it would be awhile before that program returned, but when it does I assume due to overall conference affiliation, we'd automatically be a part of this conference for men's soccer?

On a more selfish note, being a fan of the sport, and with my middle child interested and playing soccer these days, I'm very fortunate to live close to Harrisonburg to catch some games against this new conference. Of course similar to their game against William and Mary we attended last year, I explain to the kids that under no circumstances do we ever pull for JMU.
Not only that but it would certainly establish and or strengthen relationships between ADs. Maybe WVU or UCF’s ADs wouldn’t normally take Doug Gillin’s calls regarding a football game but after building a soccer relationship, that conversation becomes easier to have.

I never thought of it that way, but solid point. Add Kentucky to that list as well.