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[TX Flyer]

Originally Posted by UACFlyer Football drives the bus in all the big- time conferences, including the AAC. Currently the conferences has 13 members....12 playing big-time BB and 12 FBS FB. I haven't heard any talk about a desire to add schools. There is plenty of talk (and action) of elevating the AAC level of play to that of the Power 5 conferences. The AAC is pretty close in FB and added WSU to beef up BB. Continued strengthening is the primary focus...not expansion, as I understand it. Also, with nine of the AAC 13 members being large public universities UD is not a good institutional fit. I don't understand why UD and the other A10 schools that are demonstrating that excellence in men's BB is school priority do not organize a "mini-revolt" so to speak, i.e., band together to force change. A conference doesn't need 14 members. Schools that are content to play in antiquated, poorly maintained Div III-level facilities are sending the message loud-and-clear that top-tier BB is not a priority for them.....not as regards recruiting, coaching, post-season play, etc. Excellence requires investment. If I see that a school refuses to invest at a level required for success the message is clear. Perhaps I just don't understand the politics, dynamics, etc., of conference operation. Perhaps the weak sisters in the A10 do not hurt Dayton is any significant way. I would love to hear Neil's view re this issue. If there are changes in A10 operation or composition that would benefit Dayton why aren't we aggressively pursuing them? Are we simply trapped in the conference with no viable alternative and little ability to effect change and improvement?

Other than VCU, SLU, and UD...who would you consider they also get to revolt? SBU? RI? maybe 5 schools total.

	St Bonaventure SAINT BONAVENTURE Founded in 1858, St. Bonaventure University is a liberal arts college located on 500 acres in southwestern New York state. SBU offers 43 undergraduate majors, the most popular of which are elementary education, journalism, psychology, accounting, marketing, finance, and management. Total undergraduate enrollment is 2,000. Virtually all freshmen and most undergraduates live on campus. A founding member of the A10 Conference. Famous athletes include Bob Lanier. Historical nickname was the Brown Indians, but later changed to the Bonnies. Their mascot is a wolf.

	Saint Louis SAINT LOUIS Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 12,700 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Located in St. Louis, MO, and just five minutes from the Gateway Arch, SLU offers 85 undergraduate programs and over 50 graduate study tracks. Over 99% of the SLU faculty hold the highest degree in their respective fields. Fellow member of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Billikens, but also commonly known as "Sloo", the phonetic pronunciation of the school's initials. Athletic claims to fame include multiple national titles in men's soccer and men's basketball star Larry Hughes.