A Conversation with Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett

[Bobcatfan4life]

A few pieces from that conversation about Texas State and UTSA leaving as well as future expansion plans and interest from other school to join the Southland:

http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18400&ATCLID=205160131


[u][b]Before we get too far into the future, how will the league first transition UTSA and Texas State from the league next summer?[/b][/u]
As determined by the Board of Directors last fall after the departure announcements, both UTSA and Texas State have full membership rights in most areas through 2011-12. More importantly, the Board was not interested in penalizing the student-athletes of either departing members, and granted championships access and NCAA qualification to both schools. The one championships participation exception is Texas State's football team this fall. Because of its transition to Football Bowl Subdivision that requires addition of scholarships, the team is not eligible for the NCAA Division I Football Championship, thus cannot compete for the Southland title this year. But that's really an NCAA restriction, and necessary for any transitioning school. All other sports under the Southland umbrella will be fully eligible. Also, the Southland continues to provide administrative assistance to both institutions such as compliance, financial and national letter-of-intent services through the coming year.

[u][b]Discuss the departure of the two schools and the impact on the Conference.[/b][/u]
Well, first and foremost, there is no pleasure in losing any Conference member. Both schools have been great members of the Southland for two decades or more. And, as with all members past and present, the Conference has also been very beneficial in the growth of the Texas State and UTSA athletic programs. For nearly half a century, this is a league that's fostered competitive success for all members in all sports. Because of this, and like so many other times during past membership changes, the Southland Conference will provide its members plentiful opportunities for winning and NCAA championships access.

[u][b]What are your thoughts on the possibilities that other longstanding institutions leaving the Conference?[/b][/u]
Knowing what I know today, it doesn't take up too much of my time. When you fully understand the national landscape and you're in constant contact with other Division I commissioners and athletic directors around the country, you learn what others are thinking and planning for. That being said, you have to monitor and anticipate because tomorrow is a new day and things can change. Needless to say, if one of our institutions has the opportunity to join a BCS automatic-qualifying conference, it probably shouldn't think twice about it. Anything less than that, however, and I think an institution needs to completely understand the necessary finances for real measurable success at that level. And that's not just a few million dollars more or one-time financial gifts. That's at least doubling and probably tripling your athletic budget, and requiring significantly higher levels of sustained giving that probably doesn't exist currently. And with the media rights amounts coming to the BCS AQ leagues in coming years, the financial disparity within FBS will continue to grow and it's going to take much more money in the future. And that doesn't even begin to address the current financial difficulty that most of higher education is faced with. It's a tremendous challenge to transition from FCS to FBS, and those attempting it need to do so with real thoughtfulness and effective, executable planning.

[u][b]Looking ahead, what are the possibilities for membership expansion in the Southland?[/b][/u]
Well, as I think everyone familiar with the Southland knows, issues related to league membership fall within the purview of the Board of Directors. And while the presidents have expressed interest in monitoring the Division I landscape for future possibilities, there has so far been no direction from this group to add new institutions. With an eye on what else may be out there, the Board has found comfort with a 10-member league beginning in 2012-13.

[u][b]Is that reflective of not much interest from other institutions?[/b][/u]
Oh no, there's plenty of interest in Southland membership, and some of that has been mentioned in the media recently. Additionally, people might be surprised at the number of institutions, as well as the quality of such, that we've had some level of contact with in recent months. I'd be quick to say that the presidents are interested in what they term as "value-added," something that moves the needle, so to speak. The Board looks back on the additions of Central Arkansas and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in 2006 as just that. If there were similar opportunities to enhance the Conference, something that makes membership even more valuable, I think the Board would naturally be attracted to that.

[Roger Korby]

Is A&M-Corpus Christi considering fielding a football team at any point in the near future?