Link to the thread I started on NCAAbbs.
https://csnbbs.com/thread-906231.htmlThere is Fan support for us to take UConn’s place in the AAC.
Check post #136 on page 7 (from a Temple fan)
If Hamrick wants to show he’s the best AD we’ve ever had, this is his moment.
Don’t take no for an answer and let’s get out of this dumpster fire of a conference.
Quote below:
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Marshall would be an attractive FB candidate right now, since they are currently in the Top 25 and have played in so many recent bowl games.
If you would like to see them considered as a potential replacement for UConn FB, your best bet would be to get together with some other Marshall FB fans and start up a fan-based movment to promote the idea on campus and among the school's alumni supporters.
What you would most need to do is to persuade Marshall's President (and AD) to contact AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco, expressing strong interest in joining the AAC. To have maximum impact, this should happen during, or soon after the FB season, and it should emphasize very strong interest (not just a mild inquiry) and a willingness to make commitments to make any necessary enhancements to facilities or whatever is pertinent.
In addition, it would be very helpful for Marshall's President & AD to put together a rationale emphasizing the positives that Marshall would bring to the table. This will probably have to be a relatively "hard sell," because a "soft sell" approach may not get a response.
Ideally, there would be some publicity when the time is right, so that there is some public pressure on the AAC to take the proposal seriously. One idea would be for Marshall FB fans to start going online (tweeting, possibly making short youtube videos to promote a move to the AAC). You could take a busload of Marshall fans to an AAC game (covid permitting) and cheer for the AAC team(s). That would create some positive responses from AAC fans. You could also come online and express your interest in forums like this one, and on the message boards of the AAC schools. Be creative!
Marshall's major advantage is their strong FB record through the years (e.g., 6 bowl games in the past 7 seasons; 3 AP Final Top 25 teams, 3 10+ win seasons since 2013).
This will have strong appeal since the AAC needs to have 4 or 5 top 25 teams each season to have a chance at achieving power conference status.
It should also be pointed out that Marshall is a nationally recognized football brand, and that Marshall FB would be a clear improvement over the former member that it would be replacing (UConn FB).
Another positive is that Marshall is located near the heart of the conference footprint. Adding Marshall would limit travel costs and travel time, and Marshall would be a good regional rival for AAC schools such as Cincinnati, Memphis, Temple, Navy, and ECU.
Moreover, Marshall would bolster the conference's presence in the nation's "mid-east" region, and would fill in a large regional gap between the the eastern (Temple, ECU, UCF, USF) and central (Cincy, Memphis, Tulane) schools.
If Marshall were to become a member, the AAC could go back to divisional play, with Marshall taking UConn's place in the East Division.
Marshall would help to ensure that the AAC East would have 3 solid FB programs, making the AAC East more competitive with the AAC West:
East: Cincy, UCF, Marshall, Temple, USF, & ECU
West: Memphis, SMU, Navy, Houston, Tulsa, Tulane,
.
Although Marshall's main disadvantage would be that it doesn't tap into a large regional TV market, this would be partially offset by the fact that Marshall has been able to generate enough national recognition through its many bowl games that it would probably be able to contribute to the conference's viewership numbers. This could be made clear by referring to the fact that Marshall has already had at least 1 million viewer games this season.
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Remember - - the AAC executives aren't eager beavers about trying to replace UConn any time soon, so they will need to get a strong push in order to get off the dime, so to speak. The adage "no pussyfooting around" should apply.
It might help to remind them that the AAC has published a strategic plan, in which it plainly states that its goal is to become the nation's next power conference, but has utterly failed to take the first step to actually make this plan a reality.
Commissioner Aresco even came out and stated that he is not going to approach any school or actively try to replace UConn. He made it clear that nothing will happen unless schools with a solid resume pick up the phone and call him, schedule meetings with him, etc.
The key is to make Aresco take Marshall's proposal and supporting materials to the AAC Presidents for a formal vote, and to do it while the AAC Presidents are aware that Marshall is a Top 25 FB program. You've got to strike while the iron is hot.
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