FB: Southern Athletic Association

[SagatagSam]

I was scrolling through Twitter and saw an interesting domestic migration map come up. I was thinking about this in the context of BSC's recent issues. It totally makes sense why they would do everything they can to stay open with the increasing population of the deep south. They've got a much better chance of surviving than a school in a similar situation in, say, New York, which is bleeding population like crazy.

Here's another map showing basically the same thing, but at the state level rather than the county level.

[SagatagSam]

I was scrolling through Twitter and saw an interesting domestic migration map come up. I was thinking about this in the context of BSC's recent issues. It totally makes sense why they would do everything they can to stay open with the increasing population of the deep south. They've got a much better chance of surviving than a school in a similar situation in, say, New York, which is bleeding population like crazy.

Here's another map showing basically the same thing, but at the state level rather than the county level.

Final thought: these maps would scare the daylights out of me if I were a member of the Centennial, Commonwealth Coast, Empire 8, ECFC, Liberty League, Middle Atlantic, NCAC, NESCAC, SCIAC, NEWMAC, NJAC, and PAC. The demographic cliff plus high outbound migration could be a death sentence to many of the schools in these leagues, and may result in the death of one or more of these leagues.

[crufootball]

I was scrolling through Twitter and saw an interesting domestic migration map come up. I was thinking about this in the context of BSC's recent issues. It totally makes sense why they would do everything they can to stay open with the increasing population of the deep south. They've got a much better chance of surviving than a school in a similar situation in, say, New York, which is bleeding population like crazy.

Here's another map showing basically the same thing, but at the state level rather than the county level.

Final thought: these maps would scare the daylights out of me if I were a member of the Centennial, Commonwealth Coast, Empire 8, ECFC, Liberty League, Middle Atlantic, NCAC, NESCAC, SCIAC, NEWMAC, NJAC, and PAC. The demographic cliff plus high outbound migration could be a death sentence to many of the schools in these leagues, and may result in the death of one or more of these leagues.

Sadly there is another mixture to that and that is enrollment cliff that is coming. That will also be kinder to the South but even in that area there will be states that are hit hard with a much smaller pool of college aged students.

https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/analysis/looming-enrollment-cliff-poses-serious-threat-to-colleges/#:~:text=What%20Is%20the%20Enrollment%20Cliff,when%20most%20kids%20start%20college.

[SagatagSam]

I was scrolling through Twitter and saw an interesting domestic migration map come up. I was thinking about this in the context of BSC's recent issues. It totally makes sense why they would do everything they can to stay open with the increasing population of the deep south. They've got a much better chance of surviving than a school in a similar situation in, say, New York, which is bleeding population like crazy.

Here's another map showing basically the same thing, but at the state level rather than the county level.

Final thought: these maps would scare the daylights out of me if I were a member of the Centennial, Commonwealth Coast, Empire 8, ECFC, Liberty League, Middle Atlantic, NCAC, NESCAC, SCIAC, NEWMAC, NJAC, and PAC. The demographic cliff plus high outbound migration could be a death sentence to many of the schools in these leagues, and may result in the death of one or more of these leagues.

Sadly there is another mixture to that and that is enrollment cliff that is coming. That will also be kinder to the South but even in that area there will be states that are hit hard with a much smaller pool of college aged students.

https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/analysis/looming-enrollment-cliff-poses-serious-threat-to-colleges/#:~:text=What%20Is%20the%20Enrollment%20Cliff,when%20most%20kids%20start%20college.

Yep! That's what I was trying to refer to when I said "demographic cliff"--where there are fewer students that could possibly enroll as the birthrate dropped precipitously after 2008-09.

[Ron Boerger]

Trinity announced its incoming class on Twitter and Instagram yesterday - if I counted correctly, 38 young men will be joining the program.  That's in-line with classes which have been 30-35 in the Urban era.  Unlike previous years, the positions of the incoming class aren't shown on the individual announcements so unless I do some googlesluthing that's going to be all I know until we see them on a roster in the fall.

CORRECTION:  The positions are there, they're just teeny-tiny, and I guess I was off by one in my count:

DB: 6
DL: 4
LB: 7

OL: 5
QB: 2
RB: 2
TE: 3
WR: 8

[BSCpanthers]

Last I heard about BSC we only have about 20 signees for our incoming freshman class.  Of course that is on the heals of all the financial worry, so 20 might be considered a success considering all of that.  The last couple years we had quit large classes, so we could see a dip in performance in a couple seasons, but hopefully not this coming season. 

[SagatagSam]

Last I heard about BSC we only have about 20 signees for our incoming freshman class.  Of course that is on the heals of all the financial worry, so 20 might be considered a success considering all of that.  The last couple years we had quit large classes, so we could see a dip in performance in a couple seasons, but hopefully not this coming season.

I would imagine most of those signees made their decision prior to the heavy discussions of potential closure, right? I'm newer to this BSC conversation than basically all of you, so I don't know when those discussions began or became widely publicized. Waiting on next year's numbers could have the folks on this board on pins and needles.

[BSCpanthers]

Last I heard about BSC we only have about 20 signees for our incoming freshman class.  Of course that is on the heals of all the financial worry, so 20 might be considered a success considering all of that.  The last couple years we had quit large classes, so we could see a dip in performance in a couple seasons, but hopefully not this coming season.

I would imagine most of those signees made their decision prior to the heavy discussions of potential closure, right? I'm newer to this BSC conversation than basically all of you, so I don't know when those discussions began or became widely publicized. Waiting on next year's numbers could have the folks on this board on pins and needles.

News came out in December that the school might not continue after the spring and wasn't confirmed until mid-April that BSC was indeed continuing.  We had a few commits before April and 5-6 announced the day after the school confirmed.  The coaches are out now recruiting heavy trying to fill out the class. 

[BSCpanthers]

Off subject, BSC run ruled UAB in baseball in 7 innings last night at Rickwood Field.  Good to get a win against a fan base that seemed to be cheering on the demise of BSC last month.

[WLCALUM83]

Another off subject--that BSC/Berry SAA softball tournament final figures to be very interesting. I hear one of your 1st year pitchers has been hurling virtually lights out, giving your veteran starter and squad great support. (Both top pitchers with ERA less than 2.00 and a combined record of 27-5 overall.)

Question is, will they be able to slow down Berry's high-powered offense enough to advance?
This figures to be the time to do it.

[Hawks88]

An Alabama senate bill for the college loan program was approved by committee yesterday and will head to the floor for a vote.

https://www.al.com/educationlab/2023/05/birmingham-southern-loan-bill-moves-forward-in-alabama-legislature.html

[BSCpanthers]

An Alabama senate bill for the college loan program was approved by committee yesterday and will head to the floor for a vote.

https://www.al.com/educationlab/2023/05/birmingham-southern-loan-bill-moves-forward-in-alabama-legislature.html

That's good for BSC and all the other private schools in this state.  Now it may turn out to be a "loan shark" type deal, but it at least gives them all a chance to fix a problem.  I have a feeling the future for BSC is bright, they will be adding masters programs next year. 

[Ron Boerger]

https://twitter.com/greezbock/status/1654145176015626240

Rebecca Griesbach
@greezbock

SB278 just passed unanimously in the full Senate.

A House bill dropped yesterday and will have to go through committee/a full House before the legislation is able to be signed into law.

[Ron Boerger]

https://twitter.com/greezbock/status/1654145176015626240

Rebecca Griesbach
@greezbock

SB278 just passed unanimously in the full Senate.

A House bill dropped yesterday and will have to go through committee/a full House before the legislation is able to be signed into law.

Checking Legiscan to see where these bills (SB278 and the companion in the House, HB431) stand:  a hearing is scheduled tomorrow (May 24th) before the House Ways and Means committee.  I believe that the committee must approve the bill before it will be sent back to the House for final approval (three readings seem to be necessary). 

[Ron Boerger]

https://twitter.com/greezbock/status/1654145176015626240

Rebecca Griesbach
@greezbock

SB278 just passed unanimously in the full Senate.

A House bill dropped yesterday and will have to go through committee/a full House before the legislation is able to be signed into law.

Checking Legiscan to see where these bills (SB278 and the companion in the House, HB431) stand:  a hearing is scheduled tomorrow (May 24th) before the House Ways and Means committee.  I believe that the committee must approve the bill before it will be sent back to the House for final approval (three readings seem to be necessary).

The House has signed off by a 66-27 count but the Senate must concur on two (surprisingly common-sense) amendments made in the House.