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Message: [QUOTE="Nostical, post: 4721026, member: 749"] Let’s face it. The only person in a position of note who ever expressed a real interest in UConn joining a P-5 conference (and expressed it publicly) was Bret Yormark. His vision embraced having a Northeast/NYC presence for the Big 12 conference, valuing basketball in a way that others do not. And to Yormark, UConn wasn’t just a ‘throw a name out there’ choice among many possibilities —we were the crown jewel he wanted to add to his domain. But I also get why the current members of the conference were skeptical—even while we wanted to scream “you don’t really get who we are or what we can become“. It’s also obvious that TV was pulling the strings. They write the checks and have lots of data to support their preferences— even self serving ones like FOX not wanting to dilute its Big East ratings ‘franchise’. I even get why, when the Pac12 collapsed and the three remaining 4 corner schools were stunningly sitting there vulnerable and available, they were selected over us. But I also understand that 16 is not a magic number, nor an end point for the Big12. Why would it be? Having grabbed the low hanging fruit of Az, AzSt, and Utah—UConn still remains available. I don’t believe UConn was “played” by BY. I also believe his vision for the conference persists. It would not surprise me to learn that one of the reasons David Benedict has not been more vocal in either his disappointment or disdain, is that he and Yormark are still talking. Nothing needs to happen now. We’re in that post-frantic period. Now we have the breathing room to showcase an improved football program under Mora. That's why I believe NC St is a critical game for us—more so for perception of what we can become—at a time when, given the recent happenings, lots of TV’s in the Big12 (and ACC) will be watching. Put up a fight, take the lead, keep it close with our crowd engaged and we live to fight another day. Get crushed 42-6, and all the ‘Berry Tramel’s out there feel vindicated. Yes, FOX, prefers us in the Big East—who can blame them—but I also believe Bret Yormark‘s vision and his skill at promoting it still give us a chance down the road. The only way to dispel any misconceptions about UConn and UConn football isn’t with an op-ed article. We have to prove them wrong at a time when it actually matters, when the spotlight is upon us. Since history and legacy can help or hurt a program, I say forget about the past. It’s all about the here and now. And right now UConn is the NC in basketball, and we have a football coach with the credibility and gravitas to engender interest from the media should we show that we warrant that attention. And if we do, more of the media will visit the campus, see what we have and write or blog with perhaps a more positive spin. We may even get Berry Tramel to make the trip. [/QUOTE]

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