My problem with all this is that I believe it is severely damaging for this to happen again. You were better off not talking to them at all.
At this point I blame the administrators on up to the President of UConn. I know they are desperate, but when asked, "Will you make a pitch to our Presidents?" the administrators should have required the legwork be done by Yormark beforehand.
They are not competing currently with any other school. It is a Yes or No, but instead we're treated to Emperor Nero with a thumbs up or thumbs down based on how much the crowd is booing or roaring in approval.