Outing what Herbst and Manuel are doing behind the scenes, though interesting and emotionally satisfying for us, isn't particularly helpful to the cause and could well be harmful to it. What is useful is Jeff writing a series of columns asking what are the metrics by which a conference chooses to expand and then, and this is the key, talking about UConn meets or exceeds those metrics. I can envision a 10 column series.
Column 1 - Value I'd love to see an article program value net of conference affiliated money, which would show that when the impact of mega million TV conference deals are excluded UConn is one of the most profitable sports programs around. Show where UConn ranks among the existing P5. Create a graphic to include with article.
Column 2 - Market The Hartford/New Haven DMA is the best prize left on the board. Add to that just under another million people in FFC, and we bring more value than any other piece left on the board and more that many of the existing P5. Keep in mind that FFC is a part of the coveted NYC DMA. Show where UConn ranks among the existing P5. Create a graphic to include with article.
Column 3 - Athletic Department - Overall List the number of sports that we offer and show that we are competent across the board in pretty much all of them. Show the P5 opponents we schedule, etc. Great place to talk about the move to Hockey East and highlight the extent of the content UConn could generate to a conference TV network. Show where UConn ranks among the existing P5. Create a graphic to include with article.
Column 4 - Facilities Gampel, the Werth Champions Center, Burton, Shenkman are first class facilitities that rank well against the P5. The Rent is an outstanding place to see a game and was designed to be easily upgraded to add another 10-15 thousand in capacity. Plans are in the works for new hockey barn, but note UConn's outstanding attendance. Likewise, a new soccer stadium will be done in the immediate future as well. Millions in private donations have already been given for these projects. Add to that the concept drawings for a new baseball stadium and it shows Connecticut's commitment to athletics. Show where UConn ranks among the existing P5. Create a graphic to include with article.
Column 5 - Academics UConn is a very good university academically and it is improving it's standing at an impressive rate. This is a huge advantage we have over the rest of the G5, we need to emphasize it. Be sure to include shared initiatives with Yale and Wisconsin, etc. Show where UConn ranks among the existing P5. Create a graphic to include with article.
Column 6 - State Support UConn is a land grant college that has, to my knowledge, unmatched investment in by the State of Connecticut. Talk about the initiatives that have taken place form UConn 2000 forward to the current STEM initiative. Show where UConn ranks among the existing P5. Create a graphic to include with article.
Column 7 - NYC/ MSG It has become cannon: NYC/MSG is UConn country. Iowa State and Michigan State learned that the hard way. Write about that weekend. Write about the 6 OT game. Write about the Allen/Iverson duel. Write about the outstanding 5 games in 5 days to win the BET. Note that if a conference wants a presence in NYC, UConn brings it. Ranking vis a vis the rest of the P5? Unmatched. Create a graphic that says just that to include with article.
Column 8 - Championships We all know them, but it needs to talked about as a part of this series. When UConn decides to compete, it does so at the highest level. An amazing 4 National Championships for Men's Basketball since 1999, an outstanding 10 National Championships for Women's Basketball since 1995, 3 National Championships for Men's Soccer, 4 National Championships for Field Hockey...that's 21 National Championships in total. Add to that a BCS Bowl berth in football. We aren't just another mouth to feed, we'll bring success and recognition at the highest level to any conference we join. Show where UConn ranks among the existing P5. Create a graphic to include with article.
Column 9 - Summary Hit the highlights of the prior 8 articles. Make the case for UConn being a unique and valuable addition to any conference. Create an composite ranking for where UConn ranks among the existing P5. Create a graphic to include with article.
Column 10 - Announce our membership in P5 conference.
