It'll be a while before 'I-AA' disappears
In a post today, the author of the Paladin Walk wonders when everyone will start using Football Championship Subdivision instead of I-AA. I apologize for quoting the entire post but it's all relevant.
I don't know if the name will ever really stick. By labeling both I-A and I-AA as 'subdivisions,' the NCAA is trying to tell us that they're the same. Yea, right. They're both equally talented, some teams would rather have playoffs. Mm hm.
For a this misnomer to disappear, it has to be talked about frequently. The Los Angeles Angels name stuck because it was used often. Major media outlets are going to discuss a Major League Baseball team a lot more than some bush league football teams. Currently, no one cares enough about the FCS to mention it by its proper name.
The solution: make people care. The blog I mentioned is correct. Some early season wins against FBS teams would go a long way towards getting rid of 'I-AA.' It's not going to happen but if the Mountaineers knocked off Michigan, that story would lead with "Back to back FCS National Champions Appalachian State upset Michigan." If it starts with "Michigan trounces I-AA Appalachian State," you'll know there's a long way to go.
I just read this post form the Anderson Independent Online, that reviewed the upcoming season for Clemson. The post again shows the complete lack of knowledge by some sports journalist.As far as comparisons go, I think the Los Angeles Angels are as close as I can come. Both the FCS and LAA name changes weren't needed and were only done to be associated with a more valuable entity when they actually weren't. The Angels didn't want that soft Anaheim look, they wanted the bright lights and LA attitude. The NCAA wanted I-AA football to be grouped with I-A as Division I football. Neither party had done anything to really earn the name.
“Sept. 15 vs. Furman: The Paladins are a decent I-AA team, but that won’t get them much today. Clemson 42, Furman 3.”
First Furman is not a decent IAA team. Furman plays in Division 1 (FCS) Football Championship Subdivision.
Second I wouldn’t be surprised to see Furman be the Tigers toughest out of conference opponent. Hopefully FCS teams such as APP, Furman, JMU, UMass, GSU, Montana, etc… will chalk up some wins in the early seasons of the FCS classification, and the IAA tag will start to disappear.
I don't know if the name will ever really stick. By labeling both I-A and I-AA as 'subdivisions,' the NCAA is trying to tell us that they're the same. Yea, right. They're both equally talented, some teams would rather have playoffs. Mm hm.
For a this misnomer to disappear, it has to be talked about frequently. The Los Angeles Angels name stuck because it was used often. Major media outlets are going to discuss a Major League Baseball team a lot more than some bush league football teams. Currently, no one cares enough about the FCS to mention it by its proper name.
The solution: make people care. The blog I mentioned is correct. Some early season wins against FBS teams would go a long way towards getting rid of 'I-AA.' It's not going to happen but if the Mountaineers knocked off Michigan, that story would lead with "Back to back FCS National Champions Appalachian State upset Michigan." If it starts with "Michigan trounces I-AA Appalachian State," you'll know there's a long way to go.
Colin, you are so right about making people care. The NCAA will never market FCS football and for the most part IAA was mistaken for division 2. FCS schools have to take care of business. Montana appears to take care of its fans. Investing in putting the best possible product it can on the field. And then taking care of its fans in the stands, making improvements in the game day experience so the fans will want to come back again and again. Schools like Furman, Wofford, The Citadel, SC State will never compete with Clemson and South Carolina. It's up to the athletic departments and the school administrations to do what a school like Montana has done to build die-hard fans young and old. Furman does get it, that they have to get their story across to younger kids before they fall into the Clemson and USC camps.
Sorry for the delay, somehow went into spam comments.
The way I see this, Montana isn't doing enough. Montana was so close to playing App State then it fell through and now NAU goes there. Imagine App St and UM setting up a series. Not just a home and home or a three game series, but like a five or six year series like Michigan/ND. FBS type stuff. Arguably the two biggest FCS powerhouses facing off year after year could've done a helluva lot. I imagine the logistics and financials would make this damn near impossible but all the effort would've been worth it. Both schools could charge premium ticket prices to pay for part of travel. If TV networks were ever going to be interested in a regular season FCS game, this would've been it. Could've done wonders for both schools and the entire division.