Here’s a bombshell

[gampelcrazies]

It’s definitely not big time. That’s the point. Don’t build a new stadium with unrealistic expectations. Use a MLS venue that is close and right sized for a program that is not big time.

UConn didn’t reach 19,000 for a single game last year and averaged 14,700 per game.

As someone who went to every football game. There’s no shot there was 14.7k a game.

 

[Zissou]

If you want to count your 1939 and 1971 final fours as being relevant when the NIT was still the main tournament at the time then so be it. Nova had 1 other good run with Rolli in 1985 which is exactly the equivalent to UConn and Kevin Ollie in 2014 (even the seeds were almost the same). Nova had a few good years with Kerry Kittles, but was otherwise irrelevant until Jay Wright took over. Even if you don’t think it’s true, your program was HUGELY successful the past 10 years and that is 100% because of Jay Wright. He absolutely was your Jim Calhoun.

My point still stands that Nova should be putting 1000% of their effort into football because the future of their basketball program depends on it.

Al Severance 413-201
Jack Kraft 238-95
Rollie Massimino 355-241
Steve Lappas 174-110
Jay Wright 520-197

Yes, 3 Final Fours and one national championship prior to Jay.

Only 4 coaches between 1936 and 1992 prior to Jay with a lot of wins.

 

[Zissou]

As someone who went to every football game. There’s no shot there was 14.7k a game.

Official ticket sales can be reported as attendance instead of the actual gate.

The point remains, an MLS stadium for FBS Nova would be right sized for most of its home schedule. Play Temple every year at the Linc, and the occasional big game like a Penn State or Notre Dame.

 

[Zissou]

FBS Nova vs Temple would draw every year at the Linc.

Nova leads the series 19-14-1 overall. Since Nova dropped to 1AA/FCS, Temple leads 4-3.

Last game was 32,000+, even with Nova at FCS level.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Now, for the larger discussion, Nova to the ACC is unlikely from many directions.

Nova is more interested in the Big East. Nova is “Basketball-First” and the Big East is a great conference and a platform to compete at the highest level.

The ACC ain’t what it used to be, even today before any potential poaching. Fans of the Old ACC schools think that the New ACC is diluted and cumbersome, not playing old members as much in a scheduling compromise. Fans of schools new to the New ACC mostly see failure on the court and the field with outlier status for recruiting and rivalries: Pitt, Cuse, BC…

The ACC isn’t that attractive to Nova.

In the other direction, why would the ACC want Nova? Basketball excellence for sure, but what else? Football now drives even the ACC, but even Nova moving up would dilute the average. It could work in an overall strategy to fill a spot and strengthen hoops, support rivalries for other Northern schools like Pitt, Cuse, and BC, but it’s not really a driving force for consideration. Another discussion point is academic prestige. There was a time when that was critical for the PAC, the Big Ten, and the ACC, but the ACC gave up on that long ago with FSU and Ville so it not much of a consideration today.

It’s really likely there will be unexpected turns for those outside the P2 and resulting opportunities. The Big East might play in that with additions, but really UConn is the only risk to leave. Nova is unlikely. UConn leaving would likely benefit their football but detract from hoops. It would be another unattractive compromise, making the best of what is left.

I can see Villanova moving up to FBS football when Providence and Lehigh do the same thing.

 

[Zissou]

I can see Villanova moving up to FBS football when Providence and Lehigh do the same thing.

Or maybe after UConn gets invited to the B1G

 

[Punkbo]

Jay took Nova to a new level, but Jay isn’t to Nova what Calhoun was to UConn.

Nova had been to Final Fours and had won a title before Jay. Jay was another in a long tradition of winning, and took the program to another level. I’m excited to see what Nova might accomplish with Neptune, and I like that Jay shaped the transition and is part of the ongoing program. We shall see!

UConn won a title after Calhoun, then faltered. I do like where Hurley is on the rebuild.

Ville, UK, Kansas, and UNC have won over many coaches, with bumps in the road.

While Duke was good pre-K (final four with Gminski/Spanarkel/Banks), their title success is only with K. They truly have a succession test.

Few is more defining for the Zags as well.

You’re off base on the importance of football to Nova. I’m in the minority at Nova that even recognizes the football potential.

I like this guy Zissou. He is well-informed and level-headed. A tribute to Nova athletics, although I’m not sure what a Zissou is.

 

[Fishy]

What are the penalties for Texas, OK, USC & UCLA?

The reason they are waiting until the contract for their conferences to expire before making a move is to avoid penalties.

UT & OK announced last year which is 4 years in advance of the B12 contract expiration & USC/UCLA are going to play a full 2 seasons in the PAC before they bale

The penalties are massive - they would give up every penny of revenue as it pertains to their media rights until the GOR expires. (OU and Texas also have to pay an exit fee no matter when they leave - it‘s basically about $80M.)

Texas could probably pay any exit fee and be fine, but the other three schools have some budget issues.

 

[Nostical]

I don't understand how UConn still doesn't have a school president.

These are critical times for a President to be in place at UConn-- but we don’t yet have one. What we need is a President with both academic gravitas as well as an interest and hopefully an influential voice in athletics.
Scott Cowan, the now retired President of Tulane is a NJ native. He is 75 years young. In 1964 he was recruited by Lou Holtz to play football for UConn when Holtz was an assistant coach. After earning his degree from UConn in 1968, he went on to leadership positions at several universities.
He serves as trustee emeritus of Notre Dame! He is a former chairman of the Association of American Universities and is currently a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.
His wife of 30 years passed away a few years ago. Whether or not he has any interest, it’s clear he has the experience--yes, the energy--and now potentially the time commitment needed to steer UConn, at least through its next few decisive years. I'm not sure if the BOD has a President ready to go but if they're still floundering, I’d make the call.

 

[CL82]

lol, poking the bear.

LoyalFanCT said:
Couldn't Nova use UPenn's stadium or even Lincoln Financial Field. Nova is close to Philadelphia.

Yes, Nova has stadium options. One scenario is having most home games at the Philadelphia Union MLS stadium. It’s 18 miles (30 minutes) from campus, seated 18,500 (and was built to expand beyond that). Occasional larger games, like Penn State or ND, (and an annual game against Temple) would be at the Linc (Eagle’s and Temple’s home). This was the plan when Nova was considering the Big East FBS invite. Pitt and WVU rejected this Nova stadium plan as they were negotiating themselves out of the Big East.

Really? I thought Villanova made the decision not to upgrade to football. It’s a shame, because had they done so, in all likelihood the biggest remains intact in the C7 and the remaining big east teams all end up making more money.

 

[Zissou]

Really? I thought Villanova made the decision not to upgrade to football. It’s a shame, because had they done so, in all likelihood the biggest remains intact in the C7 and the remaining big east teams all end up making more money.

In 2010 the Big East had the BCS minimum 8 teams. UConn, Cuse, Pitt, WVU, Rutgers, Cincy, USF, Ville. The Sept 2010 invite to Nova would have added stability to 9 had Nova accepted. Instead, Nova initiated its infamous “study the invite” process.

As Nova churned the invite, the Big East offered to TCU and TCU quickly accepted, at the time stepping up to the coveted BCS status. TCU made 9 football members, with Nova expected to be the tenth in early 2011.

"We are excited about the addition of TCU, as they bring a great deal of value to the Big East," Villanova AD Vince Nicastro said Monday. "However, our timeframe has not changed. We are continuing to move forward with our comprehensive evaluation of FBS level football, and are still targeting a decision by the spring of 2011."

Pitt had reportedly taken an outsized leadership role in the conference. It had taken the lead in rejecting the ESPN offer in the exclusive negotiating window, and also had secretly started talks with the ACC on membership.

In April 2011, Pitt led an opposition to Nova’s plan to use the MLS stadium (Pitt, WVU, and Rutgers objecting). That was the signal to Nova that the 6+ month old invite was now stale. TCU was already signed up, and we now have hindsight to see Pitt’s departure was likely in motion.

A few months later it was official Pitt was going to the ACC and Cuse was their flight partner. With Nova’s FBS ascension a failure, the Pitt and Cuse departures critically dropped the Big East to 7. WVU then followed to the exit dropping the conference to 6.

Would a responsive acceptance by Nova in Sept 2010 increased the stability to where Pitt would not have led a defection? Maybe, maybe not. Would the Big East at the minimum 8 after the Pitt/Cuse defection kept WVU in the fold? Maybe, maybe not. We’ll never know. Would the C7 have acted if Nova was in for football? Probably.

The split was probably inevitable when the mass invites went out after WVU left, and at some point a Tulane or ECU became a last straw. FS1 facilitated the C7 action.

It all worked out, somewhat miraculously, for Nova with titles in ‘16 and ‘18. FS1 brought stability to a new Big East. Creighton, X, and Butler were great adds. Keeping the name and the MSG tournament kept a sense of history to the conference and the MSG tournament continued to sell out with high energy contests. The Big East magic continued.

Nova football paid a price as it continues to languish at FCS, but very few really care when it’s in the shadow of so much hoops success. Nova’s legendary FCS coach won his national championship in 2009 but failed to see his FBS ascension dreams realized.

After Pitt led the rejection of the ESPN contract, the rejection of Nova to FBS, and the defection to the ACC, has it worked out for Pitt? They do have more money, but I wouldn’t be happy if I was a Pitt fan

Did Pitt conspire with ESPN to try to kill the Big East? The extent we will probably never know.

ESPN produced Requiem for the Big East as the Big East continued, flourished in its new configuration, and sent Nova forward to win a few titles. Was it Karma that sent ESPN into a financial crisis that gutted its operations and professional staff? Was it Karma that has sent Pitt, Cuse, BC, and WVU into oblivion?

As a Nova fan I have zero interest in an ACC / ESPN invite. We don’t need you. The Big East is a better basketball conference for the schools, the athletes, and the fans. Just ask Cuse and Pitt basketball fans.

 

[UKemba15]

I like this guy Zissou. He is well-informed and level-headed. A tribute to Nova athletics, although I’m not sure what a Zissou is.

Pictured: a “Zissou”

 

[bendm]

havent heard it suggested that ND should join the B1G as a partial member like they are of the ACC. as in join for all sports except football but have a football scheduling agreement?

seems like a win-win. they maintain their semi-independence and substantially increase their conference affiliation payout, and the B1G gets ~6 conference games in exchange for ~25% of a revenue share. who says no?

this of course assumes they have to forfeit their olympic sports media revenue until 2036 or whenever due to the ACC GOR.

 

[ScottVib]

Both the Big Ten & Notre Dame. 25% of a revenue share for 6 games isn't moving the needle for the Big Ten. Notre Dame isn't buying out to the tune of $120M (that's just the exit fees for the ACC right, now at 3x the conference operating cost) to get the same arrangement they have now, with rights fees that would take a long time to recoup. For the Big Ten, Notre Dame's name appeal comes from football. The olympic sports brings little to no added value for them to deal with the headache (at least not without a clear timeframe that says Notre Dame will join in football in year XX).

 

[Edward Sargent]

These are critical times for a President to be in place at UConn-- but we don’t yet have one. What we need is a President with both academic gravitas as well as an interest and hopefully an influential voice in athletics.
Scott Cowan, the now retired President of Tulane is a NJ native. He is 75 years young. In 1964 he was recruited by Lou Holtz to play football for UConn when Holtz was an assistant coach. After earning his degree from UConn in 1968, he went on to leadership positions at several universities.
He serves as trustee emeritus of Notre Dame! He is a former chairman of the Association of American Universities and is currently a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.
His wife of 30 years passed away a few years ago. Whether or not he has any interest, it’s clear he has the experience--yes, the energy--and now potentially the time commitment needed to steer UConn, at least through its next few decisive years. I'm not sure if the BOD has a President ready to go but if they're still floundering, I’d make the call.

Former this, emeritus that he's 75. No way any business would put him in the President's position

 

[Zissou]

Former this, emeritus that he's 75. No way any business would put him in the President's position

 

[Edward Sargent]

View attachment 77516

Exactly my point.

 

[Ha Who]

Former this, emeritus that he's 75. No way any business would put him in the President's position

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

www.berkshirehathaway.com

 

[navery12]

 

[Deadrody]

Al Severance 413-201
Jack Kraft 238-95
Rollie Massimino 355-241
Steve Lappas 174-110
Jay Wright 520-197

Yes, 3 Final Fours and one national championship prior to Jay.

Only 4 coaches between 1936 and 1992 prior to Jay with a lot of wins.

Oh FFS, please tell us more about ancient history. Thank you for your interest in UConn basketball

 

[Zissou]

Oh FFS, please tell us more about ancient history. Thank you for your interest in UConn basketball

Well history WAS the discussion with hurleyman, so, yeah.

Nova had a more prominent history pre-Jay than UConn had pre-JC.

JC put UConn on the national stage in the 1990s and then became an all time great with his collection of titles.

Nova had already reached the highest levels, including a title game against Wooden’s UCLA and Rollie’s title in 1985. Jay took Nova to another level, but Nova had a title and 3 Final Fours prior to Jay.

 

[Jbirdp5]

Oh FFS, please tell us more about ancient history. Thank you for your interest in UConn basketball

Lol such a bad comment about a good poster who was asked to comment

 

[HooperScooper]

Probably would have happened anyway but screw the ACC frauds.

The ACC doled out $35 million to $38 million per school in fiscal 2021 and that won’t change much over the next 14 years. The SEC and Big Ten, meanwhile, are projected to hit $100 million per school later this decade.

Exactly how long can you remain competitive when someone is doubling or tripling your revenue?

Maybe the only option for Phillips is to beg for mercy and harken back to a sepia-toned vision of what college athletics supposedly used to be. Student-athletes. Local competition. Shared values. All for one and one for all.

Except the ACC all but started this expansion craze two decades ago when it raided the old Big East for Boston College, Miami and Virginia Tech. Ten years later it finished the conference off by adding Louisville, Pitt and Syracuse.

Amid backstabbing and shaky college football reality, ACC commish Jim Phillips just wants everyone to get along - Yahoo Sports

While the college football landscape shifts drastically in real time, Jim Phillips is pleading for everybody to think of the common good.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Greedo]

Probably would have happened anyway but screw the ACC frauds.

The ACC doled out $35 million to $38 million per school in fiscal 2021 and that won’t change much over the next 14 years. The SEC and Big Ten, meanwhile, are projected to hit $100 million per school later this decade.

Exactly how long can you remain competitive when someone is doubling or tripling your revenue?

Maybe the only option for Phillips is to beg for mercy and harken back to a sepia-toned vision of what college athletics supposedly used to be. Student-athletes. Local competition. Shared values. All for one and one for all.

Except the ACC all but started this expansion craze two decades ago when it raided the old Big East for Boston College, Miami and Virginia Tech. Ten years later it finished the conference off by adding Louisville, Pitt and Syracuse.

Amid backstabbing and shaky college football reality, ACC commish Jim Phillips just wants everyone to get along - Yahoo Sports

While the college football landscape shifts drastically in real time, Jim Phillips is pleading for everybody to think of the common good.

sports.yahoo.com

You reap what you sow.

 

[bendm]

Except the ACC all but started this expansion craze two decades ago when it raided the old Big East

what goes around...gonna enjoy watching the snake-bit acc limp along for the next 15 years or however long their GOR lasts after which i hope clemson joins the sec and unc joins the big16. they lose their best football and bball programs and duke gets a rude awakening all in one foul swoop.