B1G

[auggie22]

I might add that UConn's AAU profile is currently very similar to Nebraska's, which just got kicked out of the AAU. Nebraska had the problem that the AAU refused to count their medical center in Omaha as part of the campus in Lincoln, dropping the Univ of Nebraska way down the research rankings. If they count Storrs separately from the medical center, then UConn's profile is not good. But taken together, the two are close to meeting all AAU standards. Storrs is 36 miles from Farmington, Lincoln 53 miles from Omaha. I think there will be a lot of politics involved in whatever decision is reached.

I believe Nebraska med school research doesn't count bc it is organized as a separate legal entity with a separate governing board. It is UN in name only. Uconn is part of the flagship, med school research would be counted in the total research picture, same as UM, OSU, etc.

 

[RuffRuff]

Definitely a candidate, but definitely B list at this point. They need some breaks to get where they want to get. They are not being courted.

 

[Dooley]

I might add that UConn's AAU profile is currently very similar to Nebraska's, which just got kicked out of the AAU. Nebraska had the problem that the AAU refused to count their medical center in Omaha as part of the campus in Lincoln, dropping the Univ of Nebraska way down the research rankings. If they count Storrs separately from the medical center, then UConn's profile is not good. But taken together, the two are close to meeting all AAU standards. Storrs is 36 miles from Farmington, Lincoln 53 miles from Omaha. I think there will be a lot of politics involved in whatever decision is reached.

Research dollars are counted under each chancellor not university president. UConn has the same chancellor covering Storrs and the medical school in Farmington, so they would be credited with both campus' research.

 

[pj]

Research dollars are counted under each chancellor not university president. UConn has the same chancellor covering Storrs and the medical school in Farmington, so they would be credited with both campus' research.

That's good for us, but these kind of criteria are political in nature and there's no guarantee that the standards UConn will be held to will be the same as other applicants. Depending on whether existing AAU schools want us in the club, they can apply different standards or emphasize some standards more than others to get the outcome they want.

We're not so strong research-wise that the AAU has to have us to strengthen their lobbying function. So it will come down to whether the other schools like us and want us or not.

 

[pj]

it makes me wonder, for susan to be just lighting the science high ups on fire with adding heads to the school and the aau push and everything she must have some sense of support on the other end. right? why go all out if your not getting love from the aau members? i mean we can go all out for aau to help a b10 profile or just to help uconn be the best possible but would we be doing it so so quick and the massive push with science heads and all that? i have to think she has a good idea of a goal whether its a # or w/e metric she has something in mind and i think she has support of get there and your in type hint/ideas. susan was at duke and gtech before uconn right? she has major ties to other aau schools like nwest, the suny system and others i remember reading what ever they are. having aau connections from those previous jobs may have her leading uconn on the fast track aau wise and we just aren't aware of how fast.

That's what I believe. We shall see. ... The big question is if she's after the AAU membership just as a milestone accomplishment in itself or if it's also to help get us in the B1G. It would be great if she's been told, meet the standards to get in the AAU and we'll negotiate your entry to the B1G (maybe with improvements to stadium size, games in NYC, etc). No question these conversations have taken place and she knows UConn can join the AAU if it improves its profile.

As far as lighting up the science heads, I don't read anything into that. If you're going for being a major research university, go for it full-bore, don't be half-assed about it.

 

[Dann]

That's what I believe. We shall see. ... The big question is if she's after the AAU membership just as a milestone accomplishment in itself or if it's also to help get us in the B1G. It would be great if she's been told, meet the standards to get in the AAU and we'll negotiate your entry to the B1G (maybe with improvements to stadium size, games in NYC, etc). No question these conversations have taken place and she knows UConn can join the AAU if it improves its profile.

As far as lighting up the science heads, I don't read anything into that. If you're going for being a major research university, go for it full-bore, don't be half-assed about it.

yup 2 things that just hit me. i went to her wiki and she has a lot of schools/systems in her past connections and many are aau. her idea of hiring so many research ppl so quickly i think is big news in that community from what some have told us on here. i think iots a serious thing and something that doesn't happen especially in these times economy wise. maybe its a calculated risk on her part. she could spend millions expanding the stadium or going for aau. maybe she looked at the 2 and said we can always expand the stadium based off the invite so the aau is the way to go type deal. i would love to know lol...

but looking at the wiki it says she was bron in nyc. if she lived up here for any amount of time we need to pump that. figure out a nice way to do it and get on it...is that going to win us a recruit? no, what its going to win us is the support of teachers and high ups in nyc. just think of the uconn and nyc schools initative u can make up and start pumping to improve classes for kids. use kemba hs at example #1 and just crush it. ideas....for days....

 

[pj]

she was bron in nyc. if she lived up here for any amount of time we need to pump that. figure out a nice way to do it and get on it...is that going to win us a recruit? no, what its going to win us is the support of teachers and high ups in nyc. just think of the uconn and nyc schools initative u can make up and start pumping to improve classes for kids. use kemba hs at example #1 and just crush it. ideas....for days....

Good idea. We could even have some kind of regional initiative where there's some intermediate tuition between in-state and out-of-state for "regional" applicants, ie NY and NE. Or maybe enhanced financial aid, or endowed scholarships. (E.g., whenever an athlete wins a national championship in bball or football, we endow a scholarship to UConn for the top-ranking academic applicant from his high school. The "Kemba Walker Memorial Scholarship" for someone from Kemba's high school.) Try to be the flagship university of NY and NE, and let people in those areas know that UConn is trying to serve them. It could help build a larger market and cultivate fans.

 

[Dooley]

That's good for us, but these kind of criteria are political in nature and there's no guarantee that the standards UConn will be held to will be the same as other applicants. Depending on whether existing AAU schools want us in the club, they can apply different standards or emphasize some standards more than others to get the outcome they want.

We're not so strong research-wise that the AAU has to have us to strengthen their lobbying function. So it will come down to whether the other schools like us and want us or not.

You're absolutely right. Membership is by invite only, just like CR. My feeling is that if UConn is invited (and accepted) to the AAU, it will be a good sign for UConn's CR positioning. Some of the same back channel discussions that would take place behind many closed doors to discuss UConn's value for the AAU might also lead to discussing UConn's value in CR.

 

[Dooley]

Good idea. We could even have some kind of regional initiative where there's some intermediate tuition between in-state and out-of-state for "regional" applicants, ie NY and NE. Or maybe enhanced financial aid, or endowed scholarships. (E.g., whenever an athlete wins a national championship in bball or football, we endow a scholarship to UConn for the top-ranking academic applicant from his high school. The "Kemba Walker Memorial Scholarship" for someone from Kemba's high school.) Try to be the flagship university of NY and NE, and let people in those areas know that UConn is trying to serve them. It could help build a larger market and cultivate fans.

I absolutely love this idea. I've seen it in another thread somewhere (might have been you, I can't remember) and think the idea of reduced tuition for New England/NY residents is a great idea. It would not only increase the number of applicants (and quality of applicants by default), but it would also demonstrate UConn's flagship footprint in the northeast.

 

[Dooley]

fwiw @pj and @dooley the reason i brought up keba among others is that he went to a great hs which is now closed in nyc i believe so that should be a starting point for uconns initative to help build nyc classrooms type stuff...think the hs was rice or something tech.

It's a good idea HFD. You're right, Kemba went to Rice and according to their Wiki page, it closed in 2011. It would be an excellent opportunity to increase our profile within NYC.

 

[pj]

fwiw @pj and @dooley the reason i brought up keba among others is that he went to a great hs which is now closed in nyc i believe so that should be a starting point for uconns initative to help build nyc classrooms type stuff...think the hs was rice or something tech.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_High_School_(New_York). Didn't realize it had closed.

 

[specialisthusky]

the mizzu ad just can't keep himself out of trouble lol. he said more expansion is coming...read it on mrsec site

so the sec always answers the b10 expansion for expansion. they match here with vt and ncst lets say? does the b10 go for the kill asap?

If the sec is next go why would they "settle" for Vpi and nc state when they still have a chance at unc and UVA. I just can't see any teams other than fsu leaving for any conference before unc/UVA leave.

 

[Adios]

Here's what I got about our chances to get into the B1G. Our football program and our demographics work against us. That's the perception at the moment. I beg to differ about demographics but now that we know our football program is key to an invite, we know what to work on. At the same time, we never know what the future holds. We do have a solid school with a solid athletic department.

 

[UConn9604]

the mizzu ad just can't keep himself out of trouble lol. he said more expansion is coming...read it on mrsec site

I saw those quotes and got very excited, but unfortunately, they're devoid of details and they focus on schools wanting to move, not on leagues looking to take. When you read between the lines, he could very well be talking about us...

I don't know that if there have been any that really surprised me too much. You and me may have talked about this, but I know when we first made our move on Nov. 6 — 13 months ago — I said, "This isn't over. There's going to be more coming." I don't know that it surprised me that Maryland or Rutgers did what they did (by going to the Big Ten) or whoever else had made the moves. I guess my only thought on that is I think there's more coming. It's not over. The Big East is at a real, real disadvantage right now for them to be able to regroup and be at the same level as some of the other leagues. But I still think there are schools continuing to try to line themselves up with like institutions.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2012/dec/30/alden-discusses-year-in-transition/

What I found to be remarkably interesting about that interview? Alden says they've received $36.4 million in TWO donations. $36.4 million is about four times what the Shenkmans, the Burtons and the Wirths have contributed to the basketball and football practice facilities.

Where do we have to go to find donors like that?

 

[Adios]

Where do we have to go to find donors like that?

Donors are not the issue to get an invite. We are absolutely on the list of candidates for expansion. But to succeed, we need to work on the football side.

 

[UConn9604]

Donors are not the issue to get an invite. We are absolutely on the list of candidates for expansion. But to succeed, we need to work on the football side.

Oh, I wasn't linking the two (of course, having more donors like that would lead to other things that would make us more attractive to other leagues). I was just saying, wow, that's a lot of money from not a lot of people.

 

[Adios]

Oh, I wasn't linking the two (of course, having more donors like that would lead to other things that would make us more attractive to other leagues). I was just saying, wow, that's a lot of money from not a lot of people.

If we can get into one of the highest profile athletic conference possible, donations will skyrocket.

 

[Nostical]

Herbst is trying like heck to make up for so much lost time. It's almost criminal that our endowment is so low---no excuses are acceptable. She is doing more on the academic hiring side than any other University. She is increasing our research footprint, building a technology park and going after grants Gangham Style. We'll be ready for the next level on all academic fronts. Now it's time to concentrate on lifting our football profile. We've all discussed how. But it's clear that if we just improved athletics and facilities, we'd still be an acceptable candidate for the ACC ( see Louisville) but not the B1G. What's clear is that Herbst's drive for academic excellence increases our list of possible landing spots.

 

[specialisthusky]

Herbst is trying like heck to make up for so much lost time. It's almost criminal that our endowment is so low---no excuses are acceptable. She is doing more on the academic hiring side than any other University. She is increasing our research footprint, building a technology park and going after grants Gangham Style. We'll be ready for the next level on all academic fronts. Now it's time to concentrate on lifting our football profile. We've all discussed how. But it's clear that if we just improved athletics and facilities, we'd still be an acceptable candidate for the ACC ( see Louisville) but not the B1G. What's clear is that Herbst's drive for academic excellence increases our list of possible landing spots.

bump because i want to #b1glieve

#B1Gharder
#B1Gproblemsifwedontgetin
#B1GgerisbetterthanBigeast
#I'llstilltaketheaccinaecond

 

[Adios]

But it's clear that if we just improved athletics and facilities, we'd still be an acceptable candidate for the ACC ( see Louisville) but not the B1G. What's clear is that Herbst's drive for academic excellence increases our list of possible landing spots.

From what I have gathered, we're somewhat acceptable to the B1G, at the very least. Maybe not completely yet due to the lack of the AAU label. But one very, very well placed figure made absolutely no mention of the AAU when asked about our chances. Just mentioned football and demographics. And still said, "hey, you never know."

 

[CL82]

Herbst is trying like heck to make up for so much lost time. It's almost criminal that our endowment is so low---no excuses are acceptable. She is doing more on the academic hiring side than any other University. She is increasing our research footprint, building a technology park and going after grants Gangham Style. We'll be ready for the next level on all academic fronts. Now it's time to concentrate on lifting our football profile. We've all discussed how. But it's clear that if we just improved athletics and facilities, we'd still be an acceptable candidate for the ACC ( see Louisville) but not the B1G. What's clear is that Herbst's drive for academic excellence increases our list of possible landing spots.

This. Herbst's vision for what the flagship university in Connecticut is academically based. She's building up our endowment because it enhances us academically. She's building up our research capabilities because that is where we ought to be. Just like "good enough was good enough" in athletics pre-Calhoun, the same was true academics. Herbst is working to change that. The fact that it enhances our CR resume is entirely secondary to her academic goals, as it should be.

Someone said that our endowment (and I'll add our research capabilities) were at near 'criminal' levels. Hyperbole aside, I agree. With better management we could and should be much further along (eg. the Pfizer research partnership that got killed because the locals liked the trim on an old, but not historic, barn.) It's tougher to root for academics, but that is UConn's core mission. I feel good about Herbst's head on approach. Coincidentally it will help us down the road for CR. Sucks for now, but it is what it is.

 

[junglehusky]

(paraphrasing from memory...)

Vito Corleone: I never wanted any of this for you... I wanted you to be Senator Corleone, Governor Corleone...

Michael Corleone: We'll get there, Pop. We'll get there.

 

[HobokenHusky]

FWIW some Jabroni on the Rutgers board with a PSU connection says GT and BC are #15 and #16 in B1G, and UNC UVA are #17 and #18. This scenario would leave us in a crappy ACC momentarily, with the potential to fill in the gap from Boston to Piscataway for the B1G if they go to 20, assuming BC can't block us there too b/c Delaney is an actual business man with vision. I can live with this.

http://rutgers.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=642&tid=161402084&mid=161402084&sid=988&style=2

 

[CL82]

It always amazes me how little love UConn gets in other boards CR threads. There are a couple of mentions but other than that, nada.

 

[Dooley]

I would throw up in my mouth, drink it, and throw up again in a continuous nauseating loop if BC is invited to the B1G over UConn.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

It always amazes me how little love UConn gets in other boards CR threads. There are a couple of mentions but other than that, nada.

I've always thought the same thing. I'm fairly realistic as to where our programs stand nationally and I'm even amazed at how we're perceived.

Awful football - ignores 2 Big East Championships and being a solid program before Coach P
Good basketball - only 'good'? In the last 15 years there aren't more than 2 other teams that even come close to our success.
Ok or bad academics - I'm inclined to think the 21st best public institution in America is better than 'ok' or 'bad'.
Small market - Hartford/New Haven is the 30th biggest DMA in America, not to mention 1/18 of the NYC DMA is in CT. That's not small at all.
UConn led lawsuit - Ignores the fact that the other Big East schools, except Cuse if memory serves (because they thought they were in), sued the ACC as well.

 

[Hoophound]

The media dictates the discussion. If the
media sang our praises and pumped up our positives, fans would too. What you see on other boards is discussion based
on the information the average poster sees in the media. How often have you read that UConn has lousy football facilities on other boards? They have no idea that we have great facilities because no one ever tells them.

 

[HuskyHawk]

FWIW some Jabroni on the Rutgers board with a PSU connection says GT and BC are #15 and #16 in B1G, and UNC UVA are #17 and #18. This scenario would leave us in a crappy ACC momentarily, with the potential to fill in the gap from Boston to Piscataway for the B1G if they go to 20, assuming BC can't block us there too b/c Delaney is an actual business man with vision. I can live with this.

http://rutgers.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=642&tid=161402084&mid=161402084&sid=988&style=2[/quote]

Well here's the latest from our favorite Twitter guy. Next moves are imminent and will up the basketball profile. When questioned about GT and UVA, he said, one of those two. The other is a suprise.

MHver3 ‏@MHver3
The BiG is definitively going to raise their basketball profile with the next moves.

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40m​

MHver3 ‏@MHver3
looking like this game of cat and mouse the BiG has been playing is drawing to a close and the next 2 invites are on the cusp

 

[HuskyHawk]

Now this: Discuss amongst yourself, while I calmly return to dry land.

MHver3 ‏@MHver3
UNC and GT. This is what I am hearing from several sources now.

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[Kevin Caliendo]

Dude and MHVer both pushing the B1G on the cusp of doing something. lol. Amore follows the Dude?