Herbst letter to the Big 12 expressing UConn's interest

[NYUConn]

Just reported on by Jeff Jacobs at the Courant: President Herbst's Letter To Big 12: UConn Has "Strong Interest" In Joining

In case anyone still had a doubt about UConn's athletic intentions, a letter from school president Susan Herbst to Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby confirms the state university very much wants to be part of the Power Five conference.

"I am expressing our strong interest in membership in the Big 12 Conference," Herbst wrote in a letter to Bowlsby dated July 25 and marked confidential.

"I look forward to meeting with you and other Big 12 officials to fully discuss our athletic and academic success. We are prepared to learn more about your criteria for evaluating potential members and to answer any questions pertaining to our commitment and ability to join the Big 12."​

 

[CL82]

Good to get confirmation, other than Blauds say so, that we've expressed interest. This seems like a response to the "houston letter" talking about next steps.

I have no expectation that there are not 19 others of these floating around, but it is good to get confirmation that we are officially in the hunt.

Thanks to JJ for staying on top of this.

 

[huskymedic]

Please @harftordcourant I beg you to kill that "multimedia" Big12 video you keep using when talking about UConn/Big12... please, pretty please.

 

[husky210]

Good to see that the "confidential" mark on the letter means alot

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Good to see that the "confidential" mark on the letter means alot

My guess is that its confidentiality has been redacted, if that's even possible. This letter was written July 25, less than a week after Bowlsby said the B12 would entertain the notion of expansion. Feels like an eternity ago.

 

[FDNY99]

Good to see that the "confidential" mark on the letter means alot

FOI laws make the confidential mark not really mean all that much. At some point there had to be a paper trail that was open to the FOI laws as the process moved on.

 

[huskymedic]

"I am expressing our strong interest in membership in the Big 12 Conference," Herbst wrote in a letter to Bowlsby dated July 25 and marked confidential.

Hmmm - timing? SH letter to BB is dated July 25th in comparison to UH getting "the process" email on 26th.


Cincinnati's response was on the 25th too... Yeah, too much time on my hands.

 

[Drew]

Good to see that the "confidential" mark on the letter means alot

maybe she sent it from the wrong email

 

[Chin Diesel]

My guess is that its confidentiality has been redacted, if that's even possible. This letter was written July 25, less than a week after Bowlsby said the B12 would entertain the notion of expansion. Feels like an eternity ago.

Agree. UConn's compliance and legal office knew exactly how long that marking was good for before being released via FOI and also knew how it would be perceived/treated once made public.

 

[UConn Dan]

Hmmm - timing? SH letter to BB is dated July 25th in comparison to UH getting "the process" email on 26th.


Cincinnati's response was on the 25th too... Yeah, too much time on my hands.
View attachment 15121

Haha. Maybe he started contacting schools alphabetically and didn't get to copy and replace all in one day or maybe, just maybe we are at the top of the priority list.

Here kitty kitty

 

[alexd]

My guess is that its confidentiality has been redacted, if that's even possible. This letter was written July 25, less than a week after Bowlsby said the B12 would entertain the notion of expansion. Feels like an eternity ago.

Yep....seems like it was July 25, 2015.

 

[Waquoit]

Now we need to follow-up the strongly worded letter with a petition!

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Many people laughed when I stated the general statement on how to apply sounded like something you send out a after determining who you really want to interview. We are one of a few who will actually be considered. Those who needed the public instructions ate wasting their time.

 

[History Geek]

Wait, I thought the administration was asleep at the switch again with pina colada in hand...

 

[HuskyHawk]

Hmmm - timing? SH letter to BB is dated July 25th in comparison to UH getting "the process" email on 26th.


Cincinnati's response was on the 25th too... Yeah, too much time on my hands.
View attachment 15121

I think everyone who was interested sent a letter shortly after the announcement. Then Bowlsby sent his email in response to the letter. Houston's email was a response to a communication from them, telling them the more formal process. I have no doubt that he sent a similar email to UConn after he got this letter, and to everyone really.

 

[UConn Dan]

I think everyone who was interested sent a letter shortly after the announcement. Then Bowlsby sent his email in response to the letter. Houston's email was a response to a communication from them, telling them the more formal process. I have no doubt that he sent a similar email to UConn after he got this letter, and to everyone really.

At the July 19th announcement, Bowlsby said he would contact schools that had previously expressed interest.

What we know:
On 7/25 - UConn sent a letter to Bowlsby (I'm assuming UConn had previously received the Bowlsby email that day or a few days earlier)
On 7/25 - Cinci sent a letter to Bowlsby and it was addressed in c/o of the Big 12's law office (same as in the instructions from the Bowlsby UH email).
On 7/26 - Bowlsby sent an email to Houston requesting a letter of interest and addressing it the Big 12's law office.

Hmmm... so if we are deducing things - he emailed UConn and Cinci first... top of priority list, maybe?

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Good to see that the "confidential" mark on the letter means alot

Can she send confidential emails from her personal server?

Wrong board?

 

[husky210]

Can she send confidential emails from her personal server?

Wrong board?

Maybe she should have had her lawyers delete it

 

[jho]

Suzy and her staff have done a commendable job in keeping their paw prints off anything FOIable. I suspect that all off the heavy lifting is being done by Mike Tranghese who probably relays the info back through conversations in dark, basement level parking garages.

 

[Santini35]

Jake Trotter ‏@Jake_Trotter 34m34 minutes ago
Obtained copy of letter UConn's prez sent Big 12 on July 25 expressing the school’s “strong interest” in membership

 

[UConn Dan]

Jake Trotter ‏@Jake_Trotter 34m34 minutes ago
Obtained copy of letter UConn's prez sent Big 12 on July 25 expressing the school’s “strong interest” in membership

Uh oh - not addressed to the Big 12's law office.

What does it mean?! Did Susan just not follow directions?

 

[UConnStats]

Go get 'em Susie

 

[UC1995]

Uh oh - not addressed to the Big 12's law office.

What does it mean?! Did Susan just not follow directions?

No worries... Bob and Susan are tight... no need to jump that hoop!

 

[UConn Dan]

Uh oh - not addressed to the Big 12's law office.

What does it mean?! Did Susan just not follow directions?

Here's Cinci Letter for reference:

 

[Stainmaster]

Here's Cinci Letter for reference:
View attachment 15132

Whelp. Stick a fork in us. We're done.