Which is what should have already happened. Unfortunately, the ACC decision makers seem to be even less astute than the Big XII decision makers.
95% of UConn fans do not care about football. The fact we average 25,000 a game is proof of that, not proof a lot of the fanbase cares. For half the people that show up to the games, it’s a fun way to kill a Saturday afternoon in the fall with family and friends. It’s not to watch the product.
The subtext is screaming “best get comfy, we’re not going anywhere”
That expansion by the ACC last year was a pure panic move by all parties.
AI written?Dave Benedict just sent an email advising the Big 12 is pausing expansion.
Dear UConn Nation,
As you know, it’s been both an exciting and turbulent time in college athletics over the past few years. With the emergence of NIL and the transfer portal, the landscape has changed dramatically. Further, conference realignment has significantly blurred the national panorama.
Undoubtedly, many of you have followed recent media reports about the Big 12’s renewed interest in UConn as a conference member. It is always our objective to put UConn in the very best position for future success, so we did engage in exploratory dialogue with the Big 12. Ultimately, the Big 12 determined that it will pause on conversations about membership expansion.
I encourage all who care deeply about the Huskies to pause and reflect. Certainly, it is flattering to be courted; it says a lot about UConn and what others think of us. Further, we have enjoyed tremendous success since our return to the BIG EAST in 2020, which has included 36 conference championships (across all conferences in which we are affiliated) and, of course, our back-to-back NCAA men’s basketball titles.
No matter our conference home, our mission has been, and will always be, to provide an exceptional academic and athletic experience to the outstanding young men and women who proudly wear the UConn uniform. It is our North Star, and we must never forget the shining principle which guides our everyday work.
Let’s celebrate who we are and be proud of our greatness. We will push forward, stay grounded in what drives us, and demonstrate our ability to be highly successful in every one of our 21 varsity sports. We will stay focused on achievement in everything we do. And we will continue to position UConn as one of the nation’s premier brands. Your ongoing support, both emotionally and financially, remains critical to ensuring a bright future and maintaining the championship tradition which defines UConn Athletics.
Thank you for your dedication to our nearly 600 student-athletes. Go Huskies!
Sincerely,
David Benedict
Director of Athletics
Seems like AD DB is working hard to put us in a better position, but the fans are fighting it all the way.
I agree but the football program hasn't exactly been trending in the right direction for awhile. If they were highly competitive - albeit at the FCS level - I wonder if that would be better than what we have now. Not suggesting that's the answer, just spit balling and curious what others think about it. They're gonna do what they're gonna do regardless, but it's interesting to think of alternatives.
My friend, I don't think you really grasp how bad off UConn basketball will be if the school doesn't end up in a power conference. I really don't think you understand.
Butchie?
I bet I do grasp what you think is going to happen. I don't believe you. Because you (and everyone else) actually have zero idea of what it will be.
Because that P4 (or Px) will be the haves and will dictate sports and media contracts. They will force the acceptance of New Coke, and those not part of the haves will be relegated to the likes of being RC cola...yes it has fans, but it's not the de facto leader and is more of an afterthought. We don't want UConn to be an afterthought. I like the Big East, I do, but nostalgia cannot override financial security or national relevance.
This exactly. UConn isn't out of the Big 12 because of losing 50-7 to Maryland. UConn is out of the Big 12 because the majority of the Big 12 doesn't want us and the ones on the fence said "lol" after we hyped up our football NIL only to lose by 6 TDs to the Big Ten's preseason #11.
The p4 are already the haves and dictate sports and media contracts have been for over 2 decades.
