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If we are stuck in what is now called the "Big East" for the long term, it is extremely unlikely that we will be able to maintain the current athletic budget, right? If that ends up being the unfortunate fact of life, which option do you think is the most likely path that we end up going down:
Option A - The Rutgers and UL model - continue to spend the same amount on football and basketball (or up the amount) to the detriment of other programs, both athletic and academic, with the hope that we are finally viewed as "aggressive" by another conference. This is obviously the all-in/boom-or-bust option.
Option B - The Tulane and SMU model - reduce the amount spent on athletics but maintain high academic goals and standards. Essentially de-empahasizing all athletic programs pro-rata meaning we will still be relatively competitive some years, but won't ever have the firepower to really compete against the big boys for championships. Think minor bowls and a sweet 16 every once in a while.
Option C - The Memphis and ECU model - with reduced revenue the school has to lower it's overall spending (both on academics and athletics). To maintain athletic relevance UConn reduces the amount spent on most athletic programs but picks 1 major sport to be competitive in on national scale (football or basketball) and allocate more assets to that sport appropriately.
Hopefully the "Big East" isn't the final resting place for UConn and something happens relatively soon before too much harm is done to the school's athletic and academic programs. If we are continued to be viewed as the red-headed stepchild of college athletics than I guess we will just have to rise up and be the fairest red-headed stepchild of the group. I still can't believe this is happening.
Option A - The Rutgers and UL model - continue to spend the same amount on football and basketball (or up the amount) to the detriment of other programs, both athletic and academic, with the hope that we are finally viewed as "aggressive" by another conference. This is obviously the all-in/boom-or-bust option.
Option B - The Tulane and SMU model - reduce the amount spent on athletics but maintain high academic goals and standards. Essentially de-empahasizing all athletic programs pro-rata meaning we will still be relatively competitive some years, but won't ever have the firepower to really compete against the big boys for championships. Think minor bowls and a sweet 16 every once in a while.
Option C - The Memphis and ECU model - with reduced revenue the school has to lower it's overall spending (both on academics and athletics). To maintain athletic relevance UConn reduces the amount spent on most athletic programs but picks 1 major sport to be competitive in on national scale (football or basketball) and allocate more assets to that sport appropriately.
Hopefully the "Big East" isn't the final resting place for UConn and something happens relatively soon before too much harm is done to the school's athletic and academic programs. If we are continued to be viewed as the red-headed stepchild of college athletics than I guess we will just have to rise up and be the fairest red-headed stepchild of the group. I still can't believe this is happening.