Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Thanks to the SWAC, Jackson State is still undefeated this conference season. The conference decided that, since Grambling State forfeited the game over the weekend, the Tigers could claim it as a victory.
I understand the Grambling players being upset about mold and mildew in their training facility. It is dangerous and should be cleaned up by the university on the double quick.
To a certain extent, I can also understand them being mad about paying for their own Gatorade and the supplement Muscle Milk. I also understand being upset about having to drink water from hoses in the hot southern heat.
But Grambling State players causing a stir over taking bus trips is a bit of a stretch for me. A lot of schools send players on bus trips instead of flying to save money.
Barring abuse from interim coach George Ragsdale, players have no reason not to support him. I understand that Grambling firing Doug Williams is like Ole Miss firing Archie Manning, but coaches get fired midseason all the time.
The university could have handled Williams' firing better, or given him more time, but that is not a reason to boycott practice. The players will now have to play under a third coach this season: Dirt Winston, which the school named interim coach last week.
The idea that 60 or 70 football players could try to hold the university hostage and demand the president step down is an even bigger stretch. The football team shouldn't dictate terms to the entire university.
Grambling State is the same university that great football coach Eddie Robinson once led. I'm sure Robinson would be sad to see the state of the Grambling football program after this past week.
While Jackson State is busy reaching its goal of an undefeated conference season and gearing up to play in the SWAC Championship Game, it also might be time for the school to take a look at the SWAC. Historically, JSU has been good for the SWAC, and the SWAC has been good for JSU, but is that still the case?
Perhaps Jackson State should take a look around the conference to see if Grambling's problems were just an exception or about to become the rule? Is it time for JSU to leave the SWAC in search of a more stable conference?
If JSU assesses the SWAC and deecides everything is not fine and dandy, the school should try to make a move as early as possible. No one wants to be the last one left on the Titanic.
Jackson State should put out feelers to other FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) conferences or look into moving up the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) level. The athletic arms race isn't going to end anytime soon, and no one wants to see JSU left out in the cold.
Comments
Knowledge06 10 years, 6 months ago
Where exactly would JSU Go? No FCS conference has a major TV contract which would benefit JSU from a revenue sharing vantage point. You may talk about the SWAC but it has lead the FCS in attendance for 34 of the last 35 years. In order to move up to the FBS, JSU would need to average 15000 per game. JSU is currently NOT doing that on a consistent basis. I'm a JSU alum but I'm realistic about the dome that won't be built and moving to another FCS Conference that would increase team travel costs and lower game attendance and therefore revenue!
Duan 10 years, 6 months ago
Bryan,
First let me say this - good job on the article, great topic, thanks for bringing it up.
It's a great question you pose - but before we can move up or even considering to move out of the SWAC - we have to dominate the competition in order to take moving into serious consideration.
Also, how do we face against our standard bearing brethren in the MEAC conference. We have not faired well against the MEAC in quite sometime - matter of fact since I came to Mississippi in 1993 we have not been strong against the MEAC, probably since the 70's and early 80's.
At this time - we send our best against the MEAC's best the beginning of every year and the SWAC is 2-7 against the MEAC in the last 9 games.
We need to improve in our out of conference games as well.
We have a lot of work to do, if we were to make that move. With the current University president - I think she would be game for it - because she is a progressive administrator.
She has JSU thinking outside of the box and anything is possible. I would be game for the move.
But I think we should be dominating in the conference before seriously considering it.
JLucas 10 years, 6 months ago
The idea of JSU moving up to the FBS is a dream that I hear some older alumni sometimes express. It's not a dream that I share, not when they aren't even competitive against one of the weakest teams in the SEC. In fact, I'm reminded of FAMU's disastrous foray into Division 1-A almost a decade ago.
Maybe one day a move to the SoCon might be possible, but it wouldn't really give JSU any meaningful exposure or substantial revenue. Like Duan mentioned, JSU should be dominating the SWAC, manhandling all of their rivals with strong and consistent play before giving serious consideration to making a conference change.
justjess 10 years, 6 months ago
@Bryan Flynn
Suggesting that Jackson State University should take a look at leaving the SWAC, while yet, criticizing the players for the stand they took for life-threatening conditions at Gramblin is a definite dichotomy.
Gramblin State University has experienced a "wake-up call" which should be a "hint to the wise". We must work to strengthen the SWAC - not abandon it. We must also remember that these kids are students, first. Riding 19 hrs. on a bus one way with an immediate return of 19hrs. is not fair and it also lessens the chance of producing your best effort. These young men are human and require rest. Just remember that they had to hit the campus going to class.
The President did a lousy job in how he terminated Doug Williams, coach. I'm not saying that he should not have been fired: What I am saying is that it is a good way to do a bad thing and firing Doug in the presence of his players was not only WRONG, but, STUPID.
These youngsters used the only power they had against an Administration who would not listen. Now - may cooler heads prevail!
NotLikeU 10 years, 6 months ago
This question has been circling the block for a few years now. At this very point, no, but in the very near future, yes.
Instead of looking at the SWAC, let’s look at JSU. Since that's the focus of this article.
JSU is making great, strong progress as a university. The next area of focus in campus development should be athletics. I have a feeling some contract are about to come to an end, so the question will be, will they be renewed? If not, this will provide JSU the opportunity to hire leaders who are about growth; fundraising, investing, competition and winning. When JSU is equipped and does decide to leave the SWAC, they might have to go independent for a period of time. This will give JSU more flexibility of scheduling different teams in FCS, plus keeping some SWAC traditional games to help support transition.
With being more athletically competitive with teams from other FCS conferences, JSU will build up their portfolio as a competitive football program. As everyone can tell, the institution as a whole is already competitive for any conference. With a strong football (and athletics) portfolio, JSU has stronger odds in being invited into a regional FCS conference than going door-to-door asking if there is room for one. JSU needs to continue to dominate the SWAC in every aspect. Not just win, dominate.
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