Dom Amore: If Big 12 calls, UConn will have to choose between Big East love and Power Five money.

[UConnSportsGuy]

The B12 strategy is clear. Add Colorado and UConn now to stake their flag both for West Coast and East Coast future expansion. Lock in Colorado and UConn now. But the eventual plans is to also add 3 more West Coast teams (3 of the Pac12 stragglers) and 3 more East Coast teams (3 of Syracuse, Pitt, Duke, Louisville, Georgia Tech, etc).

To ease the worries of the Basketball Only fans that don't want to leave the Big East, think of having this set of teams as the Top 8 in a conference:

UConn
Kansas
Arizona
Duke
Syracuse
Baylor
Houston
Louisville

Insane.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

RT 44 is a parking lot before WBB games. You think tripling that is feasible?

I sympathize with your ideas. But there are six home games a season for football. It won't be the end of the world if traffic is a little heavier for six hours for each game. Think about the benefits businesses in Willimantic and other nearby towns will see. An on-campus stadium means UConn can have a single graduation ceremony, too. Really renovating the Rent will cost a fortune. The locals there do not want concerts so the place likely will run at a loss. The X-L Center needs hundreds of millions of dollars of work, too.

 

[Waquoit]

I sympathize with your ideas. But there are six home games a season for football. It won't be the end of the world if traffic is a little heavier for six hours for each game. Think about the benefits businesses in Willimantic and other nearby towns will see. An on-campus stadium means UConn can have a single graduation ceremony, too. Really renovating the Rent will cost a fortune. The locals there do not want concerts so the place likely will run at a loss. The X-L Center needs hundreds of millions of dollars of work, too.

Everything you have written on this subject including this post is a silly pipe dream. What business benefits will Willimantic see? The same East Hartford has enjoyed over 20 years? UConn fans are not going to sit in a 12-mile traffic jam and CT taxpayers are not going to pay for a new stadium and new roads for six games and one graduation ceremony.

 

[DoctorWho85]

The B12 strategy is clear. Add Colorado and UConn now to stake their flag both for West Coast and East Coast future expansion. Lock in Colorado and UConn now. But the eventual plans is to also add 3 more West Coast teams (3 of the Pac12 stragglers) and 3 more East Coast teams (3 of Syracuse, Pitt, Duke, Louisville, Georgia Tech, etc).

To ease the worries of the Basketball Only fans that don't want to leave the Big East, think of having this set of teams as the Top 8 in a conference:

UConn
Kansas
Arizona
Duke
Syracuse
Baylor
Houston
Louisville

Insane.

Possible San Diego St too which is no slouch in BBall

 

[LoyalFanCT]

Everything you have written on this subject including this post is a silly pipe dream. What business benefits will Willimantic see? The same East Hartford has enjoyed over 20 years? UConn fans are not going to sit in a 12-mile traffic jam and CT taxpayers are not going to pay for a new stadium and new roads for six games and one graduation ceremony.

QUESTION, MY FRIEND: What has Dave Benedict promised the Big 12 behind closed doors? What would demonstrate Connecticut's commitment to big time college football? Either spend a fortune on the aging, poorly located stadium in East Hartford or build a state of the art complex in Storrs. My choice would be in Storrs on Discovery Drive or nearby. College football fan loyalty begins when students walk from their dorms to the stadium. They return for decades to come with their own families to watch the same team. I don't think we need new roads to build a stadium in Storrs. Also, there are numerous local restaurants within a dozen miles of Storrs. There are wonderful Chinese and Latin restaurants in Willimantic that UConn fans would find tasty and affordable for an early evening supper. If UConn uses some creativity the stadium and neighboring buildings can be used for the university's intelligent effort to transfer STEM research into commercial applications. So far, we have one building on Discovery Drive. More meeting and exhibit space can be found in the new buildings during non-football times. And just look around the nation. Unless there is a pro team most decent college football teams have on-campus stadiums. As for the Rent, give it to Central Connecticut. It's close to their campus. They deserve a college football upgrade.

 

[Waquoit]

There are wonderful Chinese and Latin restaurants in Willimantic that UConn fans would find tasty and affordable for an early evening supper.

No doubt. Do they get added business on BB game nights now? East Hartford has tasty Latin restaurants. You want to kill their business?

 

[ktuck911]

QUESTION, MY FRIEND: What has Dave Benedict promised the Big 12 behind closed doors? What would demonstrate Connecticut's commitment to big time college football? Either spend a fortune on the aging, poorly located stadium in East Hartford or build a state of the art complex in Storrs. My choice would be in Storrs on Discovery Drive or nearby. College football fan loyalty begins when students walk from their dorms to the stadium. They return for decades to come with their own families to watch the same team. I don't think we need new roads to build a stadium in Storrs. Also, there are numerous local restaurants within a dozen miles of Storrs. There are wonderful Chinese and Latin restaurants in Willimantic that UConn fans would find tasty and affordable for an early evening supper. If UConn uses some creativity the stadium and neighboring buildings can be used for the university's intelligent effort to transfer STEM research into commercial applications. So far, we have one building on Discovery Drive. More meeting and exhibit space can be found in the new buildings during non-football times. And just look around the nation. Unless there is a pro team most decent college football teams have on-campus stadiums. As for the Rent, give it to Central Connecticut. It's close to their campus. They deserve a college football upgrade.

I live not far from Sacred Heart.. They're making major upgrades on the regular.. They're only FCS, but, there's still room for more growth up on the Storrs campus I think... get the on campus stadium... It'll make all the difference.. just sayin.... If the B12 officially invites us, and we accept, the stadium has to happen...

 

[Husky25]

When thinking of pros and cons for accepting a Big XII invite, is it weird that money is not on either list for me?

Point being that the two schools that garnered B12 inclusion in the original Power 5 football arrangement are going to the SEC. What media partner is going to pony up $40 million (or whatever the amount is) per year and per school for what the public generally regards as inferior leftovers?

 

[Slick]

The places closed because rent was too high. One of the tenants told me that. Check out who is there over the summer, lots of Mansfield residents. I look forward to a new on-campus stadium -- and if we are allowed into B12 or ACC the new conference will expect to see it too,

Loyal FanCt you would have a much better chance of hitting powerball then Uconn building an on campus stadium.
Its not going to happen.

 

[Khal Drogo]

The great Phil Silvers. Played on NBC before the Rutgers — Michigan in the 1977 Final Four ( I could be off a year).

Phil died in 75

 

[Khal Drogo]

Phil died in 75

Oops I’m wrong. Died in 85

 

[Patman]

The places closed because rent was too high. One of the tenants told me that. Check out who is there over the summer, lots of Mansfield residents. I look forward to a new on-campus stadium -- and if we are allowed into B12 or ACC the new conference will expect to see it too,

I find that store front owners are the most optimistic and money gouging types in the world and will happily run out good businesses if they think there is a small chance they can make 50% more than before. Just an observation, especially around Washington DC. Have success? Oh goodie, now here's a rent hike that's just a coincidently more than you net in profit.

My working theory, as admittedly a know nothing, is a lot of these companies buy a store front, try to rent, fail, then find the next guy who repeats the process. Some of them must make money somehow but I swear its just a series of suckers who find the next wide-eyed guy to try to make the same outsized rent as before. I just don't see how they can keep these places and storefronts empty for years on end.

 

[TheDrifter75]

I find that store front owners are the most optimistic and money gouging types in the world and will happily run out good businesses if they think there is a small chance they can make 50% more than before. Just an observation, especially around Washington DC. Have success? Oh goodie, now here's a rent hike that's just a coincidently more than you net in profit.

My working theory, as admittedly a know nothing, is a lot of these companies buy a store front, try to rent, fail, then find the next guy who repeats the process. Some of them must make money somehow but I swear its just a series of suckers who find the next wide-eyed guy to try to make the same outsized rent as before. I just don't see how they can keep these places and storefronts empty for years on end.

Invest with me and I'll show you how.

 

[businesslawyer]

Phil died in 75

It wasn’t a live performance.

 

[Dizzy21]

When thinking of pros and cons for accepting a Big XII invite, is it weird that money is not on either list for me?

Point being that the two schools that garnered B12 inclusion in the original Power 5 football arrangement are going to the SEC. What media partner is going to pony up $40 million (or whatever the amount is) per year and per school for what the public generally regards as inferior leftovers?

They already did pony it up. Big 12 signed a deal a few months ago that pays a lot more than they were getting per school when Texas and Oklahoma were there, without them.

 

[Dizzy21]

Looks like Colorado is making moves back into the Big 12.... Colorado Holds Talks with Big 12

 

[RSTuthill]

The places closed because rent was too high. One of the tenants told me that. Check out who is there over the summer, lots of Mansfield residents. I look forward to a new on-campus stadium -- and if we are allowed into B12 or ACC the new conference will expect to see it too,

I do not think this is realistic. I see no will at all in the legislature to fund something like that.

 

[hank970]

I do not think this is realistic. I see no will at all in the legislature to fund something like that.

Cincy funded its expansion of its football stadium and renovation of its basketball arena solely with private donations. Combined costs were in the $170 million range. Certainly UConn has wealthy alumni who could pony up some cash for an on-campus stadium.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Cincy funded its expansion of its football stadium and renovation of its basketball arena solely with private donations. Combined costs were in the $170 million range. Certainly UConn has wealthy alumni who could pony up some cash for an on-campus stadium.

Richard970

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Richard970

If he's who I think he is ignore him. He's a troll trying feel as if his school's feeble program is somehow superior to ours.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

If he's who I think he is ignore him. He's a troll trying feel as if his school's feeble program is somehow superior to ours.

He is. They are only a Wlacrosse and sailing power now in their conference.

 

[freescooter]

I do not think this is realistic. I see no will at all in the legislature to fund something like that.

If we end up in either of those leagues, and I certainly hope we do, it won’t be a requirement that we play in an on-campus stadium. UCLA, USC, Miamb, Pitt all play off campus. So do some others. While I would have preferred a stadium in Storrs, it isn’t going to happen for decades.

 

[Viet Vet]

Phil died in 75

Phil Sellers. Phil Silvers portrayed Sgt. Bilko on TV.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

Cincy funded its expansion of its football stadium and renovation of its basketball arena solely with private donations. Combined costs were in the $170 million range. Certainly UConn has wealthy alumni who could pony up some cash for an on-campus stadium.

naming rights can be sold, too

 

[CL82]

Unless Mansfield got a change of hart, the NIMBYs will never allow it. They didn't want it 20+ years ago, you think they want the traffic now? The state would have to build a GAME DAY HIGHWAY for traffic to and from UConn and you think if we couldn't get Route 6 fixed.

I don't believe that the university would require any approvals to build a stadium in the existing athletic campus.

 

[CL82]

RT 44 is a parking lot before WBB games. You think tripling that is feasible?

Yes, because unlike basketball, people tailgate for football feathering out the traffic, like happens at pretty much every major college football stadium in America.

 

[uconnric]

Please stop with the on campus stadium nonsense. It's not even on the state's radar. And Mansfield would freak out (again).

 

[CL82]

Please stop with the on campus stadium nonsense. It's not even on the state's radar. And Mansfield would freak out (again).

As noted above there is no requirement for Mansfield to approve a stadium built within the athletic campus footprint. There's not a doubt in my mind that the same old NIMBY's would not be out in force complaining about being inconvenienced six days a year. So, yes, "Mansfield would freak out", but Mansfield is freaking out every day because the university even exists. A little more barking at the moon isn't going to make a difference, one way or the other.

 

[Jimdish255]

As noted above there is no requirement for Mansfield to approve a stadium built within the athletic campus footprint. There's not a doubt in my mind that the same old NIMBY's would not be out in force complaining about being inconvenienced six days a year. So, yes, "Mansfield would freak out", but Mansfield is freaking out every day because the university even exists. A little more barking at the moon isn't going to make a difference, one way or the other.

Traffic for 90 minutes before a game and 90 minutes after, 6 times with a few lesser events thrown in isn't going to ruin anybody's life. And we do know how to adjust traffic patterns nowadays. Locals know how to use alternate routes so it's just a silly argument. This isn't a mall or an airport or a racetrack we're talking about. If you get the parking right you eliminate a lot of congestion and on campus means less student vehicles and more foot traffic.

 

[Padutch5]

I sympathize with your ideas. But there are six home games a season for football. It won't be the end of the world if traffic is a little heavier for six hours for each game. Think about the benefits businesses in Willimantic and other nearby towns will see. An on-campus stadium means UConn can have a single graduation ceremony, too. Really renovating the Rent will cost a fortune. The locals there do not want concerts so the place likely will run at a loss. The X-L Center needs hundreds of millions of dollars of work, too.

“ a little heavier”. I take it math is not your strong point. A minimum of 50000 to 60000 is five or six times basketball. Do you even go to BB games in Storrs? Penn State has added highways but before they did, fans were arriving on Thursday and leaving on Monday rather that sit in traffic for hours.
The Rent held 45000 for Michigan by temporary seats in the end zone. My memory is that when the Rent was built they put in foundations for a second deck on one side. I don’t know if that brings it to 55000 or 60000?

In all the focus on the Big 12 as the magic bullet. Missing is the impact on the bodies of the athletes off flying coast to coast. Also what about all of the other teams? Are we going to have them joinning another league and at what cost.

One other factor that could change the world. California, where NIL started is now debating on where the athletes deserve to share the revenues of college sports. A true socialist idea which actually might be attractive in Ct. there goes that $40million.