VUGrad1314 wrote:Maybe Vince Gill will do that because he wants Belmont to be ready for the next big thing: MVC Membership.
This is one of the reasons I think you take your expansion obsession too far. Belmont is simply not MVC worthy. Yes, they have had some solid teams over the last decade..but..they have no fans.
Have you ever been to Nashville? They have a very large SEC school there that gets most of the attention. After that, there is a very large SEC school about 150 miles to the east that gets a lot of attention. You also have Middle Tennessee, Austin Peay, Lipscomb, Tennessee State and even Western Kentucky feeding off of that media market. Simply put, even with some recent success, NO ONE in Nashville gives a flying hoot about Belmont, or even mid-major basketball. SEC Football, followed by SEC Basketball is all that matters.
Look at the OVC Tournament. Three schools within 40 miles of Nashville, and they couldn't get 500 people there if Murray wasn't playing. Belmont made the OVC finals last year, and couldn't fill a corner section just two hours away, while Murray traveled farther, and filled the remainder of the lower bowl. They ignore the OVC with three schools there, they will certainly ignore the MVC as well.
There has to be more than just a few NCAA Tournament appearances to be a good fit, and you don't seem to understand that. If the rumor is true, and it really is just a rumor that Belmont turned the MVC down, doesn't that tell you they lack the commitment this league needs to improve. Why would you ever want a school that appears to be unsure about moving up in conferences? Personally, I doubt there has ever been anything more than a possible phone call, but believe what you want. Regardless of how far anything has gone, they are not a good fit. Go read their message board if you don't believe me...............
