danefan

Grading work is starting n the visitor's side. Perhaps we'll get a chance to see what is in store for the visitor's side. Brutus - any insight on the visitor's side? Its the one thing we have zero visibility into the plans for.

The problem I foresee with the $88m is it is specifically earmarked for the Emerging Technology center Stony Brook, on the other hand, got a very vague grant of $60m....

According to the passed Capital budget bill, there was $286m Capital Funding appropriated this year. Albany specifically got $88m SBU got $60m No other specific projects listed. The rest got goes SUNY admin to decide.

I stand corrected. I thought it was discussion only. Didnt know the rest of the league agreed.

Just a note, the Big 10 is not banning FCS games. I believe those comments were one AD saying he hopes it happens. Plus there will always be FBS-FCS games as long as those classifications exist. The question really is, how long will they exist?

Is questionable whether the current NCAA rules allow it. You have to have an FBS conference invitation to transition from FCS to FBS.

You'll know when the turf is getting ready to go down - they'll clear out that staging area in the south end zone. The real answer on expansion, in my mind, will be answered when we see what kind of temporary stands they put on the away side. If they're cheap and really really temporary, then I think we'll know they plan the expansion sooner rather than later. If they spend a lot of money putting in bleachers that look like they'll be there a few years, I think its safe to say they will be there a few years.

The Stadium plans actually indicate that a 2nd level concourse is possible in future phase. The real answer will be when you take the elevator whether there is an inoperaple "2nd floor stop" right now.

Let's get out to the Spring Game this year. It will be the last event ever before it's ton up and the new track is built. Send it out style.

Bing shoud remain associated with its peers. Mid-sized Northeastern liberal arts schools. UA and SBU should join Buffalo.

The biggest impediment to FBS is a conference invite.

Thank you 72!!!! Definitely progress.

What in the world is going on at UA that they would be holding the Nanocollege back? What independence does the Nanocollege gain becoming a 5th SUNY center? They want to compete with MIT and Stanford......you're not going to do that with 1 school.....MIT and Stanford are multi-disciplinary research institutions - like UAlbany is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My god - the Nanocollege has some serious PR power....they've literally convinced just about every reporter that UAlbany is holding them back.

They'd also be realigned with UMass. It won't be the immediate end of the world for us if JMU and Delawre leave the CAA and go FBS. We'll still be in a league with: Albany Stony Brook Maine UNH URI Richmond Towson Villanova William & Mary The problem, of course, is that the above league only has 2 CAA members in it. Why would the CAA continue operate the CAA Football conference if it only has two members involved? Especially becuase I'm sure William & Mary would be looking at the SoCon in that scenario. Maybe, just maybe this will end up giving AEast another shot at a football conference. JMU-->Sun Belt Delaware-->MAC/A10 William & Mary-->SoCon Towson-->America East (natural rival with UMBC) That would give AEast/A10/Big East FCS football conference of: Albany Stony Brook Maine UNH URI Richmond Towson Villanova The natural 10th team is Georgetown (Big East) but only if they commit to facilities and scholarships (highly unlikely). If not, then I say extend Monmouth an invite and ask them to at least get up to 8,500 seats.

Delaware to the A10 doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But that may mean they're headed to the MAC for football only.

Ahhh!!!!! What's going on! Did they put the second deck on? Did the scoreboard go up? Did the turf go down? Are they playing a game right now! AHHHHH-----I need to know!

The old Big East football schools are basically what used to be in Conference USA plus UConn and Cincy. They'd raid the MAC before they came after us. Not an option at this point.

FYI - Georgia Southern and App State won't leave the SoCon until the 2015 season. I suspect this will drag on for some time now.

Personally - I'm scared. A first round loss and small 8,500 seat stadium (albeit nice) are not exactly marketbale assets in this wacky world. There is a very high likelihood that we, along with SBU, UNH, Maine, etc..., will be left in no-man's land after all this.

No one else added. Monmouth wanted in, but the CAA said no thanks. GMU --> A10 Georgia State --> Sun Belt Old Dominion --> Conference USA

The CAA TV deal has 4 more years on it as well. The landscape will look entirely different in 4 years. Barring a miracle invite to the A10, a move to the CAA is the only chance we have to get increased exposure for our basketball team. Would anyone argue against that benefit? Would you say its worth less than playing Vermont, Binghamton, and UMass Lowell?

As far as I can tell, there was only $286m total new appropriations made to the SUNY construction fund in that bill. $60m to Stony Brook $88m to UA for the SUNY 2020 (Emerging Technology Center) $25m to Project Administration $25m to State University Capital Projects Fund $50m to State University Residence Hall Renovation Fund $38m to Community College General Maintendance Fund Total of $286m

The one thing to keep in mind in all of this is that the major catalyst to most of these conference realignments has been TV contracts and revenues. The American East is light years behind the CAA in terms of a TV deal right now. The CAA's TV deal with NBC is one of the best in the country for a mid-major conference.

Construction cam withdrawls........ Stuck on Sunday AM at 4:30!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rhode Island is in the A10 - the league everyone is trying to get into right now. They're not going anywhere. Delaware left the AEast to go to the CAA. They aren't coming back. Rhode Island is our closest peer in the A10 - larger state full scholarhsip football playing school - and their budget is $25m or so a year. George Mason - the newest addition to the A10 - does not have football and spends about $18m per year. We spent about $15m in 2011-2012, which will increase of course with football rides, Title IX compliance, and the stadium. But it will definitely be less than $20m. Stony Brook spends about $20m.