- Joined
- Jun 26, 2014
- Messages
- 1,428
- Reaction Score
- 1,837
Good morning.
I can see that there has been a lot of uncertainty about the UConn program as a result of CR. One can totally understand what you are going through. I am not here to gloat or take pleasure in your anxieties. At the same time, I'm not going to blow sunshine and roses, like certain other posters, but make my best case as to why the ACC is the best fit for UConn.
To start, I'm just an average citizen. I have no connections to athletic directors, commissioners, presidents or academics. Just someone who appreciates the athletic prowess of the ACC, not just two/three sports. I want the ACC to not only be the best in sports but also stick to a common philosophy of being Eastern and proud of it. UConn would be a tremendous addition to the conference and I'm sorry that it hasn't happened already.
The potential of the merger of Big East and ACC schools has yet to be realized
I am a big believer of the whole is greater than the sum. Imagine the combination of most of the greatest programs up and down the East Coast from UNC to FSU to now include UConn. Too bad the small-minded folks within many of the fan bases don't see it like I do. There has to be a better effort at integrating the schools in order to work out the differences. Maryland was becoming too estranged from the ACC even before someone there thought up the idea of moving conferences. The finances were just the convenient excuse to leave. I also think we need a new commissioner who can better able to make the new mix work.
The focus on state flagships by certain competitors limits their ability to address athletic competitiveness demands
This I believe is a big weakness in the Big Ten. Yes, flagships have historically been shown to produce more alumni who would potentially purchase season tickets, donations, etc.. However, there is a correlation/causation issue. In the Midwest, especially in the small towns where those universities are located, sports options are limited, therefore, those sports programs were better positioned to get needed exposure. By contrast, in the East, there are much greater potential eyeballs for programs who take advantage of the opportunities. Look at the exposure UConn has gotten through the success of their programs. Although we unfortunately have a yahoo contingent who only see things through football, most of the more rational ACC'ers see the potential of UConn teams competing against the best of what the ACC has to offer. The flagship model is resource-intensive, meaning that schools have to continually ask for more money to make the model work. It's interesting that those ultra-conservatives in the Midwest have been displeased by the move East of the B1G. But that was borne out of the necessity of the B1G having to get new monies for the bloat they have had to carry. The ACC is hungrier, more nimble, cares about more sports. In other words, a true fit for UConn.
Academics are important but not to the point of diminishing athletics
This is a point I see many UConn fans have trouble with. Look, Louisville is a great athletics program. Who wouldn't want to see a program that has grown leaps and bounds since they were in the Metro? I know it's a sore point with many of you but, otoh, what UConn fan hasn't enjoyed beating the Ville in various sports when they both were in the Big East? I hope that you can be brought along so that you can renew those rivalries with Ville and other ACC teams. The B1G attitude on academics smacks me of elitism, something that I see many here put on the private schools. All of this focus on research, research, research. What about the quality of the research? How has mankind benefitted from the CIC that individual universities couldn't achieve on their own? Meanwhile, the point of a sports league is to be the best possible in sports, within reason of course. If the B1G wants to insist on that particular kind of elitism that's on them. But the college sports world doesn't revolve around them, despite what many Midwesterners believe.
Better position to appeal across multiple demographics in the Eastern seaboard
Northeast, Southeast, South Florida, North Florida, and everywhere in between. Access to wealthier parents with children through women's soccer, lacrosse, basketball, field hockey, etc.. With the mix of the schools involved, we can reach both private school and public school graduates, plus potential new fans who aren't graduates of schools. Look at the ratings when Cuse and Duke play in basketball. Get UConn in there to mix it up with the best of what we have to offer. If we could somehow overcome the small-mindedness of certain fans and administrators, this could happen much sooner.
Recruiting much easier when you only have to worry about one time zone
Very important. No need to fly teams to Chicago, Minneapolis other than to play OOC games. Yes, Louisville and South Bend almost touch the CTZ but those schools have always looked East through their recent histories. The East has historically been a fertile ground for recruits in so many sports and now the resource-intensive conferences realize this and are desperately trying to change the equation.
The B1G doesn't see you as one of them
Probably the most controversial thing I'm going to say here, knowing how frustrated you are by CR. But somebody has to say it. They won't say it in public but, trust me, that's how they think. This has nothing to do with sports but everything to do with status and arrogance. You are nouveau riche, meaning that they don't see you as of their quality. Meanwhile, if the SEC Network and BTN grow too humongous that they bully the other conferences then both the ACC and UConn would be on the outside looking in. I think there needs to be a change in the minds of both sides. A lot of ACC'ers won't agree with this realistic assessment that I just gave here but there are times when one has to see it for what it is. By the way, I don't think there would be further expansion by the SEC/B1G. They'd rather gain untold power w/o adding more mouths to feed. Those last moves were about power, money and control. The reality is the B1G looks down on you. I don't say these things for effect. The ACC has fumbled the ball, yes, but there is another opportunity to set it right next time.
To conclude, I'm aware and understand your anger at the ACC. I'm also unhappy with how the ACC has treated you. But I believe there is a chance to persuade you on the potential of a more powerful East Coast sports league that can counter the B1G/SEC. I can expound on that further if you can allow me to. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to write to you on this.
P.S. Those who disagree and offer much different opinions already have several threads to promote them. This is about how UConn and the ACC could work together.
I can see that there has been a lot of uncertainty about the UConn program as a result of CR. One can totally understand what you are going through. I am not here to gloat or take pleasure in your anxieties. At the same time, I'm not going to blow sunshine and roses, like certain other posters, but make my best case as to why the ACC is the best fit for UConn.
To start, I'm just an average citizen. I have no connections to athletic directors, commissioners, presidents or academics. Just someone who appreciates the athletic prowess of the ACC, not just two/three sports. I want the ACC to not only be the best in sports but also stick to a common philosophy of being Eastern and proud of it. UConn would be a tremendous addition to the conference and I'm sorry that it hasn't happened already.
The potential of the merger of Big East and ACC schools has yet to be realized
I am a big believer of the whole is greater than the sum. Imagine the combination of most of the greatest programs up and down the East Coast from UNC to FSU to now include UConn. Too bad the small-minded folks within many of the fan bases don't see it like I do. There has to be a better effort at integrating the schools in order to work out the differences. Maryland was becoming too estranged from the ACC even before someone there thought up the idea of moving conferences. The finances were just the convenient excuse to leave. I also think we need a new commissioner who can better able to make the new mix work.
The focus on state flagships by certain competitors limits their ability to address athletic competitiveness demands
This I believe is a big weakness in the Big Ten. Yes, flagships have historically been shown to produce more alumni who would potentially purchase season tickets, donations, etc.. However, there is a correlation/causation issue. In the Midwest, especially in the small towns where those universities are located, sports options are limited, therefore, those sports programs were better positioned to get needed exposure. By contrast, in the East, there are much greater potential eyeballs for programs who take advantage of the opportunities. Look at the exposure UConn has gotten through the success of their programs. Although we unfortunately have a yahoo contingent who only see things through football, most of the more rational ACC'ers see the potential of UConn teams competing against the best of what the ACC has to offer. The flagship model is resource-intensive, meaning that schools have to continually ask for more money to make the model work. It's interesting that those ultra-conservatives in the Midwest have been displeased by the move East of the B1G. But that was borne out of the necessity of the B1G having to get new monies for the bloat they have had to carry. The ACC is hungrier, more nimble, cares about more sports. In other words, a true fit for UConn.
Academics are important but not to the point of diminishing athletics
This is a point I see many UConn fans have trouble with. Look, Louisville is a great athletics program. Who wouldn't want to see a program that has grown leaps and bounds since they were in the Metro? I know it's a sore point with many of you but, otoh, what UConn fan hasn't enjoyed beating the Ville in various sports when they both were in the Big East? I hope that you can be brought along so that you can renew those rivalries with Ville and other ACC teams. The B1G attitude on academics smacks me of elitism, something that I see many here put on the private schools. All of this focus on research, research, research. What about the quality of the research? How has mankind benefitted from the CIC that individual universities couldn't achieve on their own? Meanwhile, the point of a sports league is to be the best possible in sports, within reason of course. If the B1G wants to insist on that particular kind of elitism that's on them. But the college sports world doesn't revolve around them, despite what many Midwesterners believe.
Better position to appeal across multiple demographics in the Eastern seaboard
Northeast, Southeast, South Florida, North Florida, and everywhere in between. Access to wealthier parents with children through women's soccer, lacrosse, basketball, field hockey, etc.. With the mix of the schools involved, we can reach both private school and public school graduates, plus potential new fans who aren't graduates of schools. Look at the ratings when Cuse and Duke play in basketball. Get UConn in there to mix it up with the best of what we have to offer. If we could somehow overcome the small-mindedness of certain fans and administrators, this could happen much sooner.
Recruiting much easier when you only have to worry about one time zone
Very important. No need to fly teams to Chicago, Minneapolis other than to play OOC games. Yes, Louisville and South Bend almost touch the CTZ but those schools have always looked East through their recent histories. The East has historically been a fertile ground for recruits in so many sports and now the resource-intensive conferences realize this and are desperately trying to change the equation.
The B1G doesn't see you as one of them
Probably the most controversial thing I'm going to say here, knowing how frustrated you are by CR. But somebody has to say it. They won't say it in public but, trust me, that's how they think. This has nothing to do with sports but everything to do with status and arrogance. You are nouveau riche, meaning that they don't see you as of their quality. Meanwhile, if the SEC Network and BTN grow too humongous that they bully the other conferences then both the ACC and UConn would be on the outside looking in. I think there needs to be a change in the minds of both sides. A lot of ACC'ers won't agree with this realistic assessment that I just gave here but there are times when one has to see it for what it is. By the way, I don't think there would be further expansion by the SEC/B1G. They'd rather gain untold power w/o adding more mouths to feed. Those last moves were about power, money and control. The reality is the B1G looks down on you. I don't say these things for effect. The ACC has fumbled the ball, yes, but there is another opportunity to set it right next time.
To conclude, I'm aware and understand your anger at the ACC. I'm also unhappy with how the ACC has treated you. But I believe there is a chance to persuade you on the potential of a more powerful East Coast sports league that can counter the B1G/SEC. I can expound on that further if you can allow me to. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to write to you on this.
P.S. Those who disagree and offer much different opinions already have several threads to promote them. This is about how UConn and the ACC could work together.