Is ESPN Responsible for UConn's Rise

[Wbbfan1]

http://www.thebuckeyebattlecry.com/2014/04/is-espn-responsible-for-the-rise-of-uconn/

I'll post it because its interesting reading, although writers impression on some facts are wrong. If you read the article take the time to read the comments and this blog. http://uponfurtherreviewct.blogspot.com/

 

[BigBird]

Reads like some of the freshman essays I graded in my 40 years of teaching media. Introduction = ask a question, body = don't answer the question nor develop convincing evidence, conclusion = repeat the question. A far better question would be whether the "new" media have served the best interests of UConn and other rising powers in athletics. I think a much stronger case could be made in the affirmative.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Yeah, sure, it's quite a "feet" what UConn has accomplished. Having ESPN in its backyard does help, but not in the way this article implies. It's all about the coaches. If Calhoun doesn't come to UConn, the men's program goes nowhere. If Auriemma doesn't come to UConn the women's program goes nowhere. Sometimes it really is that simple of an explanation. One can only hope the transition of the women's program in the next 5-7 years when Geno retires is as smooth as it has been for the men's program so far.

 

[j66kicker]

ESPN sure hasn't hurt. And UCONN's habitual winning hasn't hurt make them more interesting to ESPN - no interest before the winning started

 

[TDiNozzo]

Sounds like he wrote half (or more) of the story before he left the bar....

 

[Fishy]

He's delusional.

Conference realignment, which was almost entirely underwritten by ESPN, will do a terrific amount of damage to UConn's athletic programs. We've been on the wrong side of ESPN-funded raids for more than a decade.

We rose in spite of ESPN.

 

[doggydaddy]

He's delusional.

Conference realignment, which was almost entirely underwritten by ESPN, will do a terrific amount of damage to UConn's athletic programs. We've been on the wrong side of ESPN-funded raids for more than a decade.

We rose in spite of ESPN.

I just hope this inspires the football players and with the new HC they can squeeze a 7-5 season and a bowl win. It's the next step in getting that conference invite.

Are you more optimistic about it happening?

 

[jsloanjr]

ESPN would be better served if UCONN lands in the B 10 after next season in 2016........The B10 would have a team that controls the NY and New England markets......Hell, friends of mine and fellow Penn Stater's love the way UCONN women play....They cannot understand why every Div 1 coach outsside the top 25 visit Geno for 2 weeks on how to build and run a WCBB program..........Yes, even coaches inside the Top 25...Penn State.. are you listening?

 

[msf22b]

I just hope this inspires the football players and with the new HC they can squeeze a 7-5 season and a bowl win. It's the next step in getting that conference invite.

Are you more optimistic about it happening?

Yes

 

[UcMiami]

Espn was late to the band wagon as far as women's basketball was concerned - now CPTV, they helped grow the brand.

 

[chrissaran]

I don't agree, but the writer is entitled to their opinion. Geno and CD had and have a vision for what the want UConn Husky basketball to be, and they have obviously found astounding success. They continue to find their type of player and get them to buy into their methods. They get some of the best of the best and get them to not only work hard on offense, but the less glamorous aspect of the game, defense.

 

[Icebear]

The article is terrible. It is innaccurate. It makes assumptions not in evidence. It states things that may more assumed in other places about the relationship between ESPN and UCONN which are not true.

ESPN has been responsible for an increase of attention to the sport of WCBB overall and to the point that that rise coincides with the ascent of UCONN to the top of the sport that is the limit of the of any contribution. Any school rising to the top of the sport at that time would have gathered that benefit.

 

[intlzncster]

The article is terrible. It is innaccurate. It makes assumptions not in evidence. It states things that may more assumed in other places about the relationship between ESPN and UCONN which are not true.

ESPN has been responsible for an increase of attention to the sport of WCBB overall and to the point that that rise coincides with the ascent of UCONN to the top of the sport that is the limit of the of any contribution. Any school rising to the top of the sport at that time would have gathered that benefit.

You could also add that UCONN itself (in the TN years) was as responsible as ESPN for the gain in popularity.

 

[EricLA]

The article is terrible. It is innaccurate. It makes assumptions not in evidence. It states things that may more assumed in other places about the relationship between ESPN and UCONN which are not true.

ESPN has been responsible for an increase of attention to the sport of WCBB overall and to the point that that rise coincides with the ascent of UCONN to the top of the sport that is the limit of the of any contribution. Any school rising to the top of the sport at that time would have gathered that benefit.

Agree with Ice. ESPN may want to think they had something to do with UCONN, but it was zero. ZERO. UCONN grew mainly because Geno is simply the best ever at what he does and it's not even close. UCONN grew because Geno took a little irrelevant program in 1985 and in 10 years turned them into the premiere WCBB program.

9 NC's since 2995. That's literally 9 in 20 years. Almost half of the total NC's that have been won were won by UCONN. Tennessee has won 5 in that same time span. Baylor 2, ND Purdue Maryland and aTm all won 1. And it not for totally untimely injuries, UCONN could easily have 2-3 more. It's a dominance probably only seen in women's college soccer (UNC), and then I'm not sure where else. SNY has helped take UCONN to even greater heights making every single game available to anyone who wants to subscribe to the premier sports package.

It's crazy and incredible how good UCONN has been, and continues to be, and the ride is not close to being over. I'm cherishing every minute. Thank you Geno, Chris, CPTV and SNY. ESPN? Thanks for showing the NC game and about 2 minutes of the post game press conference. That's about all I can give them credit for.

 

[reno tony]

Well, if they are in some way responsible for the Rise of UCONN, are they as well responsible in some way for the Fall of TENN?

 

[UcMiami]

People do misinterpret proximity of the national HQ of ESPN with some advantage in coverage. The reality is ESPN probably has less field broadcast equipment located in CT than in Chicago, Los Angeles, NYC, Atlanta, and other major hubs than in Bristol CT so the ability to broadcast Uconn events is no better than 100 other university locations. Their in-studio talent may be located in CT but beyond studio visits which are pretty rare by college personnel or athletes there is no advantage gained.
As for on-air talent ... the range of college affiliation is pretty broad and Uconn certainly is not over represented.
Having the most successful women's and men's basketball programs during the 20 year explosion in sports broadcasting has certainly led to greater national broadcasting exposure, but nothing compared to NDs football program over the last 40 plus years and that didn't actually lead to outstanding success for them. And again, the proximity factor of the ESPN headquarters had nothing to do with that exposure or to the programs success but rather the reverse - the success led to the exposure. Uconn was the only team that could consistently compete/beat TN and so those games between the two became the must see games every year.