In Retrospect Was Leaving the AAC for the New Big East the Best Move?

[LoyalFanCT]

Does lacrosse generate income? If not, it is highly unlikely that UConn will be fielding a lacrosse team anytime soon, unless the huge crowds at the lacrosse games are willing to pay big money for tickets.

If the UConn Foundation were doing its job, lacrosse fans in CT could help finance a varsity men's team at UConn. Sailing is in the same boat. But it would be even cheaper to fund a more competitive program in sailing. New England colleges have some of the best sailors in the US. URI, Conn College, Coast Guard, Yale, etc. are excellent and it would not take much money for UConn to push up the ranks.

 

[Waquoit]

Don't forget that lacrosse is a lousy sport mostly played for the benefit of white kids. Hard pass.

 

[Zissou]

Does lacrosse generate income? If not, it is highly unlikely that UConn will be fielding a lacrosse team anytime soon, unless the huge crowds at the lacrosse games are willing to pay big money for tickets.

No, lax does not generate enough income to cover expenses. It takes alumni to step up and fund the program. It’s a talent rich region and a good conference. The AD should rally local supporters to fund it.

 

[Zissou]

Don't forget that lacrosse is a lousy sport mostly played for the benefit of white kids. Hard pass.

What do you have against white kids? Or any kids?

 

[ScottVib]

It was interesting to see the responses on this same topic on the AAC board as it moved onto was the AAC foolish to sell off the Big East name.

I was against the move based on the impact to football (and the fact that I still don't blame the AAC for the basketball shortcomings, while the Big East name can help, the teams issues in the AAC were poor coaching, just as they've been for the football team). In the end ticket sales were up (pre-COVID) for both men's & women's basketball. The football schedule is more interesting most years (this year notwithstanding, as 2020 would've been a better schedule than this) and now has P5s signed up for home and home through 2026. TV-wise it seems to be at least close to revenue neutral (not counting the exit/entrance fees) without being tied into a below market deal for more than a decade.

I'm cautiously optimistic.

 

[VCE]

Don't forget that lacrosse is a lousy sport mostly played for the benefit of white kids. Hard pass.

Doesn’t UCONN sponsor an equestrian team?

the Big East is far better for geography, basketball, m&w soccer, m&w lacrosse, m&w cross country. Far worse in baseball and probably track & field and golf if I had to guess.

Georgetown has one of the better sailing programs in the country with multiple national championships should UCONN go in that direction as another poster mentioned. The conferences we are in for rowing are ones that UCONN would love to be in.

I’m hopeful you guys get the fiscal side of the house in order and happy to have you back.

 

[metsfan2323]

The move absolutely hurts the baseball team from a competition standpoint. I’m not pretending UConn didn’t make the right move for the school as a whole but the AAC is regularly a top 4 baseball league with multiple top 25 teams. The Big East is a 1 bid league.

I agree about the conference competition, the point I made is that the move isn't costing us any baseball recruits so I don't think there is any harm to the quality of the team.

 

[metsfan2323]

UCONN is heavily invested in a much better version of lacrosse, it's called ice hockey.

 

[husky8273]

If the UConn Foundation were doing its job, lacrosse fans in CT could help finance a varsity men's team at UConn. Sailing is in the same boat. But it would be even cheaper to fund a more competitive program in sailing. New England colleges have some of the best sailors in the US. URI, Conn College, Coast Guard, Yale, etc. are excellent and it would not take much money for UConn to push up the ranks.

how ironic that this year's and the 2022 NCAA Lacrosse Final Four/Championship is at the Rent

 

[John]

I just hope that this is only a temporary conference situation, I'd hate to think we're stuck in the Big East long term.

 

[billybud]

how ironic that this year's and the 2022 NCAA Lacrosse Final Four/Championship is at the Rent

Ironic...there is a good chance that one of these men's lacrosse teams... Duke #1, UNC #3, Notre Dame #4, Virginia #6, or Cuse #9 will be in that group.....

....maybe could meet Georgetown.

 

[Zissou]

Ironic...there is a good chance that one of these men's lacrosse teams... Duke #1, UNC #3, Notre Dame #4, Virginia #6, or Cuse #9 will be in that group.....

....maybe could meet Georgetown.

Denver 5, Georgetown 10, Villanova 20

three Big East members ranked.

 

[billybud]

I forget Denver plays (ironically) in the Big East.....

 

[billybud]

On the Women's Soccer side...United Soccer Coaches Poll

Georgetown is also #10 (consistent)....

NCAA DI Womens Rankings – National | United Soccer Coaches

unitedsoccercoaches.org

 

[billybud]

Polls differ a lot...Soccer Wire for men's rankings has Georgetown #2...Seton Hall #9...Marquette #17...Nova NR

NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Rankings: April 6, 2021

New college soccer rankings were released.

www.soccerwire.com

 

[Dean Wormer]

Don't forget that lacrosse is a lousy sport mostly played for the benefit of white kids. Hard pass.

I know (hope) you're just being facetious here but isn't Jim Brown at Cuse considered the GOAT in this sport? Besides lax is expanding everywhere but mostly in the NE. Would make sense for UConn to invest and get in early.

 

[billybud]

I know (hope) you're just being facetious here but isn't Jim Brown at Cuse considered the GOAT in this sport? Besides lax is expanding everywhere but mostly in the NE. Would make sense for UConn to invest and get in early.

Men's Lacrosse...Last 20 Champions

Syracuse (5)..........2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009
Virginia (4)..............2003, 2006, 2011, 2019
J. Hopkins (2).........2005, 2007
Duke (2)..................2010, 2013

Yale..........2018
UNC.........2016
Denver.....2015
Loyola......2012
Princeton..2001

 

[Kolumbo]

Leaving the AAC was the Beast Move.

 

[Waquoit]

I know (hope) you're just being facetious here but isn't Jim Brown at Cuse considered the GOAT in this sport? Besides lax is expanding everywhere but mostly in the NE. Would make sense for UConn to invest and get in early.

Name another guy since Jim over 60 years ago. Here's the story of another Cuse lacrosse player. Let's face it, it's a sport for guys who can't make the basketball team.

 

[Zissou]

Men's Lacrosse...Last 20 Champions

Syracuse (5)..........2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009
Virginia (4)..............2003, 2006, 2011, 2019
J. Hopkins (2).........2005, 2007
Duke (2)..................2010, 2013

Yale..........2018
UNC.........2016
Denver.....2015
Loyola......2012
Princeton..2001

You shorted Duke and left out Maryland

 

[billybud]

You shorted Duke and left out Maryland

I did indeed..make it 3 for Duke..

and add Maryland to the list of one offs.

That makes it Cuse (5), Virginia (4) and Duke (3) as the top three in Championships of the last twenty.

 

[Zissou]

Name another guy since Jim over 60 years ago. Here's the story of another Cuse lacrosse player. Let's face it, it's a sport for guys who can't make the basketball team.

Gait twins

 

[Zissou]

I did indeed..make it 3 for Duke..

and add Maryland to the list of one offs.

That makes it Cuse (5), Virginia (4) and Duke (3) as the top three in Championships of the last twenty.

No surprise on that tally.

maryland has been very good, but only one title.

 

[billybud]

Gait twins

Before my time....didn't know that Lacrosse existed when they played.

 

[billybud]

I had watched Creek and Miccosukee/Seminole traditional ball games...kind of a cross between Lacrosse and a bar fight.