From an educator's and former coach's standpoint, I have always worried about what the extensive travel might be doing to the student/athletes' studies and ability to attend class. Also, with most of the family members of these student/athletes being from Texas, I can imagine that they were unable to attend as many away events. I attended a football game in Cedar City one time flying in to Vegas and it was a trek to get there. SFA has done well in several sports in the past as a member of SLC so being in that conference or another Texas-exclusive conference would remedy some of those things.

One of the stipulations SFA needs to present if returning to the SLC is that every school use ESPN + for game viewing.

BigJack85 said:

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ServiceJack88 said:

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From what I am being told by someone who went to the introduction of the new AD, it was all but announced that we are going back to the SLC. Was anybody there that can confirm this? Also if y'all did go, how was Mr. McBroom?

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I was there. I was VERY impressed with McBroom. McBroom was polished and professional. He intimated that "regionalization" was important in determining our next affiliation. Beyond that, nothing was said that would confirm that a decision was made. That being said, there was plenty of banter amongst the crowd regarding conference affiliation.

He did speak to our need for updated facilities. It sounds like he already has ideas on what we need and how to tackle the funding issues associated with getting to a better place with football/track and others.

I'm sure there are other "Sawmillers" that made the reception. I'd like to hear them chime in on what they picked up.

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I was there. No denying it, or reason to, since I am in one of the photos posted on all of the social media platforms. I spoke very briefly with Dr. Weaver before things really started. That was my first time to meet him. Very comfortable to talk to, and remained very focused on us in spite of all the people around him. Our time with McBroom was little more than an introduction. My wife and I spent a reasonable amount of time with McBroom's wife. Angela (Angie) is very personable, sharp, and truly excited about coming to Nacogdoches.

McBroom said all of the right things in his comments about student-athlete success, facilities, and winning. He wants all of the facilities to match what basketball has. He wants to get to the point in every sport that a recruit can be honestly told that they have a chance to win a championship at SFA. Every sport.

He brought up conference realignment stating that he knew it was a question everyone had. Initially, he said what I expected, that they would do what is best for the student-athletes, what best promotes SFA, and what brings the greatest value to the community. Then he said what I did not expect. Paraphrasing, he said that it made sense for all involved, including families and friends of student-athletes, to be in a conference with a footprint that 80% of the students live within. He then turned to Dr. Weaver and said something like, "I probably just got in trouble for saying too much." Dr. Weaver simply smiled. Draw your own conclusions. I would never share any of that except it was said in an open to the public setting.

McBroom had a meeting with the head coaches in the morning. I spoke to most of them. There is a general air of excitement about the future.

SFAJack_76 said:

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BigJack85 said:

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ServiceJack88 said:

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From what I am being told by someone who went to the introduction of the new AD, it was all but announced that we are going back to the SLC. Was anybody there that can confirm this? Also if y'all did go, how was Mr. McBroom?

---

I was there. I was VERY impressed with McBroom. McBroom was polished and professional. He intimated that "regionalization" was important in determining our next affiliation. Beyond that, nothing was said that would confirm that a decision was made. That being said, there was plenty of banter amongst the crowd regarding conference affiliation.

He did speak to our need for updated facilities. It sounds like he already has ideas on what we need and how to tackle the funding issues associated with getting to a better place with football/track and others.

I'm sure there are other "Sawmillers" that made the reception. I'd like to hear them chime in on what they picked up.

---

I was there. No denying it, or reason to, since I am in one of the photos posted on all of the social media platforms. I spoke very briefly with Dr. Weaver before things really started. That was my first time to meet him. Very comfortable to talk to, and remained very focused on us in spite of all the people around him. Our time with McBroom was little more than an introduction. My wife and I spent a reasonable amount of time with McBroom's wife. Angela (Angie) is very personable, sharp, and truly excited about coming to Nacogdoches.

McBroom said all of the right things in his comments about student-athlete success, facilities, and winning. He wants all of the facilities to match what basketball has. He wants to get to the point in every sport that a recruit can be honestly told that they have a chance to win a championship at SFA. Every sport.

He brought up conference realignment stating that he knew it was a question everyone had. Initially, he said what I expected, that they would do what is best for the student-athletes, what best promotes SFA, and what brings the greatest value to the community. Then he said what I did not expect. Paraphrasing, he said that it made sense for all involved, including families and friends of student-athletes, to be in a conference with a footprint that 80% of the students live within. He then turned to Dr. Weaver and said something like, "I probably just got in trouble for saying too much." Dr. Weaver simply smiled. Draw your own conclusions. I would never share any of that except it was said in an open to the public setting.

McBroom had a meeting with the head coaches in the morning. I spoke to most of them. There is a general air of excitement about the future.

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Beautiful put. Well regardless of what happens. Im happy to be a Lumberjack and gives me great joy to see all the coaches excited about the future. This makes me feel like we have a bright future ahead. No matter where we end up. So lets keep it that way.

SFAJack_76 said:

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BigJack85 said:

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ServiceJack88 said:

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From what I am being told by someone who went to the introduction of the new AD, it was all but announced that we are going back to the SLC. Was anybody there that can confirm this? Also if y'all did go, how was Mr. McBroom?

---

I was there. I was VERY impressed with McBroom. McBroom was polished and professional. He intimated that "regionalization" was important in determining our next affiliation. Beyond that, nothing was said that would confirm that a decision was made. That being said, there was plenty of banter amongst the crowd regarding conference affiliation.

He did speak to our need for updated facilities. It sounds like he already has ideas on what we need and how to tackle the funding issues associated with getting to a better place with football/track and others.

I'm sure there are other "Sawmillers" that made the reception. I'd like to hear them chime in on what they picked up.

---

I was there. No denying it, or reason to, since I am in one of the photos posted on all of the social media platforms. I spoke very briefly with Dr. Weaver before things really started. That was my first time to meet him. Very comfortable to talk to, and remained very focused on us in spite of all the people around him. Our time with McBroom was little more than an introduction. My wife and I spent a reasonable amount of time with McBroom's wife. Angela (Angie) is very personable, sharp, and truly excited about coming to Nacogdoches.

McBroom said all of the right things in his comments about student-athlete success, facilities, and winning. He wants all of the facilities to match what basketball has. He wants to get to the point in every sport that a recruit can be honestly told that they have a chance to win a championship at SFA. Every sport.

He brought up conference realignment stating that he knew it was a question everyone had. Initially, he said what I expected, that they would do what is best for the student-athletes, what best promotes SFA, and what brings the greatest value to the community. Then he said what I did not expect. Paraphrasing, he said that it made sense for all involved, including families and friends of student-athletes, to be in a conference with a footprint that 80% of the students live within. He then turned to Dr. Weaver and said something like, "I probably just got in trouble for saying too much." Dr. Weaver simply smiled. Draw your own conclusions. I would never share any of that except it was said in an open to the public setting.

McBroom had a meeting with the head coaches in the morning. I spoke to most of them. There is a general air of excitement about the future.

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Well put 76! There is a bright future ahead for SFA Athletics and I hope everyone continues to stay along for this adventure!

I still don't like it because the Southland is MUCH weaker in basketball. I also think it is weaker at some of the women's sports. It is probably better in football (I haven't really looked closely). If we can't afford the WAC, we can't afford it and that's all there is to it. This should shutdown any FBS talk for several years. If we can't afford the WAC, we are extremely far from affording FBS.

If anyone is still talking FBS football for SFA, they are daffy.

Thanks to those that reported from the get together.

The 80 mile radius comment would leave me to believe that the SLC it will be. No other conference would come close to that dynamic. Even if the Texas League that McBroom championed does ever come to pass, I don't see how it could become real that quickly.

Depending on how many Texas WAC teams join us in a Southland move, we might have the Texas league in all but name soon enough.

Could be 9-10 Texas schools vs 5 Louisiana ones.

TallTexan said:

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Depending on how many Texas WAC teams join us in a Southland move, we might have the Texas league in all but name soon enough.

Could be 9-10 Texas schools vs 5 Louisiana ones.

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It's a bigger Gulf Star.

SFA88 said:

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TallTexan said:

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Depending on how many Texas WAC teams join us in a Southland move, we might have the Texas league in all but name soon enough.

Could be 9-10 Texas schools vs 5 Louisiana ones.

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It's a bigger Gulf Star.

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Haha. Somebody remembers that POS. Funny. At that time we thought the SLC was our savior.

This is the week we'll probably get an answer I'd reckon.

TallTexan said:

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This is the week we'll probably get an answer I'd reckon.

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Agreed. I can only hope that we are part of a few teams (ACU and UCA) and maybe Tarleton ditches the FBS itch. One heck of a FCS conference, with a few solid basketball schools.

The basketball ceiling is modest but an improvement over legacy SLC.

BigJack85 said:

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SCH890 said:

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TallTexan said:

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ServiceJack88 said:

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Random text I just got….

“Our AD just told us to start working on our game schedule as if SFA is gone. Meaning get two more games.”

Take that for what it’s worth SFA fans and #WAChoops fans.

— WACHoopsNation (@WACHoopsNation) May 22, 2024

Here we go!

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Not gonna lie, I feel like moving now might be the best option.

Immediate cost savings and potentially helps you avoid a football/basketball buyout.

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I agree 100%. WAC Just posted another quote seems like two different schools.

Makes me wonder if ACU, Tarleton and UTA all come next year?

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Maybe. Not sure if UTA comes. I'm still convinced Arlington wants MVC.

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Reasonable enough. I can just see UTA following us to get both UT School systems in the same conference. Easier to manage.

BigJack85 said:

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Wednesday.

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Well as i posted in the AD thread. People won't be happy but lets think about the end picture. We all want the best for what SFA has to offer. No matter what the conference SFA will still be competing. Hopefully somewhere that has a vision not a place that vision seems very blurry.

It's probably a smarter move and hopefully we have enough teams wanting to make something of themselves to outvote the ones who don't.

Will be real interesting to see what the other 3 Texas WAC teams do. If anyone else decides to leave, we might have the votes to just dissolve the conference and pay no fee.

TallTexan said:

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It's probably a smarter move and hopefully we have enough teams wanting to make something of themselves to outvote the ones who don't.

Will be real interesting to see what the other 3 Texas WAC teams do. If anyone else decides to leave, we might have the votes to just dissolve the conference and pay no fee.

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I think that could be the goal in the end. This speeds up the decision for others.

Some of those that are the most vocal against going to the SLC were also the most vocal against going to the WAC. Interesting.

I was in favor of going to the WAC. SFA had a President and an AD that recognized the SLC was stuck. The SLC member Presidents were comfortable with the status quo, keeping a commissioner that was bad at best. Getting the other Texas schools to go with us made the WAC very attractive. Travel costs were a concern, but the numbers said that would largely be offset by increased revenue. The travel would be a challenge for the student-athletes, but I heard from coaches that many of their kids loved it. Several were getting on an airplane for the first time in their lives.

Then the world changed. Sam, UTRGV, NMSU, and Lamar left the WAC. UIW, ugh, committed to come, then backed out last minute. GCU and Seattle are leaving the WAC, and CBU probably is not far behind. Tarleton desperately wants to go play FBS football (although Missouri State got the CUSA slot they coveted.) The WAC is on life support. Travel costs blew up post pandemic. NIL, transfer portal, a plethora of conference realignments, potential revenue sharing, to name a few of the current changes and challenges. And, SFA changed. We joined the UT System, brought on Dr. Neal Weaver as President, and Michael MCBroom as AD. I see the mission for Dr. Weaver being very clear. Grow the University through enrollment and revenue increases while managing costs. He sees athletics as playing a major role in that. Yes, the UT System brings opportunity for improved funding. It also comes with the expectation that every member university stands on its own financially.

The SLC is better than it was when we left. They got a new commissioner. It's still got some meaningful shortcomings, and always will with seriously underfunded Louisiana schools, and HCU and UIW. If only those would start making positive moves like McNeese is. To reiterate what I posted that McBroom said, we will make decisions based on what's best for the University, the student-athletes, and the community. He pointed out that 80% of the current enrollment lives within the footprint of one conference. Family and friends can more easily see the kids play if they are closer to home. That obviously is the SLC.

Why go immediately rather than giving notice and waiting a year? Why spend the reported $2 million exit fee? I don't pretend to know all of the reasons. I do know that travel costs drop by about $1million, so the net is half of the exit fee. Have they found a way to fund the balance without impacting the SFA P&L? But, what about the fall sport schedules? Well, we've done that before on less notice than this. FB is more challenging than VB and soccer, but I suspect McBroom will figure that out in a reasonable manner.

I gagged initially at the thought of going to the SLC, but I have come to believe that it is the right thing to do, right now. For the student-athletes, the University, and the community. I look forward to all recruits in all sports being able to be told, that if they come to SFA, they will have the opportunity to compete for championships. There are, and will be, other significant changes at SFA. Athletics is just the most public. For now.

Great writeup and great points.

I do particularly like the new SLC commish and if he'd been around 2 years earlier, I honestly do not think we'd have left in the first place. Burnett and Co were terrible. Negligent even comes to mind.

I did not realize travel savings were a million. I was guessing about half that. So I can get why they'd pull the trigger a year earlier.

A few folks had reported that SFA, the Southland, and the WAC had been looking at a 2025 start date solely to let the rest of the WAC find lifeboats. Makes me curious what changed(maybe more immediate defections happening?

I saw some other Texas Southland schools fans mention that with SFA coming back & potential others, maybe it'll be enough to move all the championship games out of Lake Charles bc they are not fans of the permanent home field advantage.

I think we can thrive in the Southland and still hit our goals for the university. Now let's go get back to playing big time games in March.

https://www.americanpress.com/2024/05/24/sfa-set-to-return-to-slc/

I may be mistaken, but I think the SLC helped to pay some or all of the exit fee for Lamar.
The above article explains a bit about the upcoming football and basketball seasons.
I believe all SLC schools are required to use ESPN+ now. Some of the minor sports like volleyball are not 100% broadcast by some schools due to cost. All conference football and basketball games are on ESPN+.

mccowboys said:

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https://www.americanpress.com/2024/05/24/sfa-set-to-return-to-slc/

I may be mistaken, but I think the SLC helped to pay some or all of the exit fee for Lamar.
The above article explains a bit about the upcoming football and basketball seasons.
I believe all SLC schools are required to use ESPN+ now. Some of the minor sports like volleyball are not 100% broadcast by some schools due to cost. All conference football and basketball games are on ESPN+.

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Nice. Trying to turn on a basketball game and getting a PPV used to drive me insane.

And fwiw, seen some folks online saying the SLC is helping pay part of SFAs fee too.

Not 100% a fan of going back to the SLC, but I understand the move.

Football will be tricky, but not terrible because the SlLC is a large conference football wide, so making sure the schedule is full will not be as big of a deal. Volleyball will be trickier.

That said, because we are saving $1 million in travel costs, I hope they can reallocate those funds to facility improvements. That is our biggest problem. $1 million can go a long way to soccer and volleyball. We have already discussed that baseball/softball will need significantly more money. Winning cures everything and being more competitive can hopefully generate more donations and sponsorships.

As long as the SLC is not a permanent home, I can live with it (Not that I really have a choice).

Pretty compact, travel friendly.

No, no, 09. You're forgetting the lawsuit "settlement, aka robbery". That million bucks we will save will be used to pay those poor, neglected athletes in the Power Four conferences who have been deprived of their well-deserved NIL bounty over the last few years.