A few rambling thoughts not meant to inflame the fan base but I am sure some will perceive it as such.
I am genuinely shocked at the level apathy, acceptance and even enthusiasm by some of the fans (many of whom I respect) moving to the PL, who have lost their lunch over a hastily thought out administrative decisions in the past (Rocco, Dropping Soccer, PL move 1.0) cheer this move. I feel like were looking at this move through rose colored glasses only, desperate to do anything at the changing landscape of college athletics. Most non UR people I know that spoke to me about it think we're insane.
I get we all hate the CAA and not suggesting it wasn't time to leave but there were and are other options that would of benefitted this program. The fact that we only had only 35 fans even vote on this website shows the sad state of the support of this program that within the past 15 years would draw 20k crowds and now cant even put 2k fans in the stands for a game is depressing.
Joining this league is not going to grow the fan base nor attract top notch FCS football talent, it just gives us a convenient landing spot to play on average historically worse programs that we have a ton in common academically with which is something we wailed against for basketball but all of a sudden are fine with in football? A rising tide lifts all boats, and we decided to float in low tide with a nice yacht hoping itll be able to sail smoothly. Just look at some of the players response on social media and tell me you think were going to attract the same level of talent with a straight face.
If you thought crowds were bad before, just wait. Its laughable to think that the students of today, who cant even be bothered to walk across campus when we had JMU, Delaware, WM come to campus to all of a sudden think as alums they're going to go to a Holy Cross-UR game in Worchester.
When we almost left back in 2005, there was enough support to prevent what would of been a catastrophic move for our football program. Less than 3 years later we were a national champion. Show of hands who thinks that we have taken a step towards being that relevant with the same move 20 years later?
Im not going to be all doom and gloom. I do admit something needed to be done, and over time there is potential for this not to be as bad as a move on paper as it seems. There are a couple of nice perks like no longer dealing with Flo and a consistent schedule each year. But it seems that were selling a lot of hope that Villanova (Where there is no smoke currently that they're joining) and that WM will continue the series (Quick search already shows in 25/27 they already have a full non conference slate and WM was quite petty over our departure in 2000 from the CAA refusing to schedule us in hoops (Not nearly as big a deal since we don't need that game). It seems to me that we are trying to force their hand and hope for the best while thinking in the mean time we found ourselves a landing spot. If that's the case I have 0 faith in our administration and in reading the room there.
The move makes sense in some areas one could argue, but its quite a ways away from being a slam dunk, and certainly not something that will provide a boost in incoming talent.
