Key tweets, and it's all gone to Hell.

[jostar1]

So excuse me if I don't buy this "lack of football history and success". Even when we had it, it wasn't good enough.

UConn never had football history.

As far as success goes, all of those schools that you mentioned (BC, Cuse, Pitt, Ville, Cincy, UCF, Houston) had more football success than UConn. Regardless of whether you want to believe it or not.

The Fiesta Bowl was in 2011. What has UConn football looked like in the past 13 years?

Here is one year (2019). UConn football was ranked 123 out of 130 schools.

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-football-top-130-team-rankings-2019

Other years were similar for many years. You may not want to believe it but those are the facts. UConn football stunk for many years and it has held UConn back. UConn couldn't get the Big12 to bite last year. Lack of football success was obviously a problem (not the only problem); hence, the 5 year runway for football to be added was proposed.

I agree about the grandfathered schools in the P4 Conferences who add nothing to those conferences. If conferences were right-sized, those schools would be kicked out. But that's not happening.

 

[Kolumbo]

I must say, I am so tired of this excuse. We made a Fiesta Bowl (after several winning seasons and bowl games) and the hayseeds clutched their pearls and went crazy, even making up lies about ticket sales. They were offended we made it. So excuse me if I don't buy this "lack of football history and success". Even when we had it, it wasn't good enough.


This is the truth. All these schools with the "football history and success" that made it (BC, Cuse, Pitt, Ville, Cincy, UCF, Houston, etc etc) are a helluva closer to us, than they ever will be to Ohio State, Michigan, and the top SEC schools. Only we have men's and women's bball powerhouses that can bring in millions annually through tournament credits and create months worth of content for their TV deals. The hayseeds have no vision which is why all the deadweight (which is what most of the schools invited to the ACC/Big 12 are and we should know because most of them were dead weight in the old Big East) have weighed down the ACC to the point of completely diluting it's football and basketball product. If the Big 12 isn't careful, it will happen to them to. How are UCF, Cincy, and Houston's "football history and success" translating to the Big 12? Spoiler, it isn't.

Exactly. When I was at UConn we couldn't even get a UConn vs PC basketball game on tv. We were the bottom of the newly created Big East Conference. Now UConn is a blue blood. They don't like UConn because of football. We don't have enough history. We don't have enough revenue. All that changes if UConn joins a power conference. I just don't understand why all of the decision makers don't get it. When UConn has an opportunity on a level playing field, it wins. And wins bigly.

 

[UConnJim]

Tradition and history matter in college football (moreso than in college basketball) and, unfortunately, UConn was late to upgrade to FBS football and had no football history when large scale conference realignment began. Think about this, many of the schools that moved ahead of UConn in the realignment game have had a Heisman Trophy winner: TCU, SMU, BYU, Pitt, Syracuse, BC, Louisville, Houston. And, some of the schools have won "theoretical" national championships: SMU, TCU, Pitt, Syracuse, BYU.

 

[Waquoit]

Those schools didn't sink to the depths of being in the 100-130 power rating for ~ 10 years. If we stayed up in the 40-60 range like we were under RE1, then we'd have been in a P4 years ago.

You do know we were cast adrift unlike any program ever during that time, right?

 

[Kolumbo]

Tradition and history matter in college football (moreso than in college basketball) and, unfortunately, UConn was late to upgrade to FBS football and had no football history when large scale conference realignment began. Think about this, many of the schools that moved ahead of UConn in the realignment game have had a Heisman Trophy winner: TCU, SMU, BYU, Pitt, Syracuse, BC, Louisville, Houston. And, some of the schools have won "theoretical" national championships: SMU, TCU, Pitt, Syracuse, BYU.

Yeah, I get all that. I'm sure all the old guys calling the shots feel all that history is important. I don't think all the young fans today care too much about the old heisman trophy winners. UCF and USF have much less history than UConn and I wouldn't be surprised to see USF get a call soon.

 

[ZooCougar]

Yeah, I get all that. I'm sure all the old guys calling the shots feel all that history is important. I don't think all the young fans today care too much about the old heisman trophy winners. UCF and USF have much less history than UConn and I wouldn't be surprised to see USF get a call soon.

History matters less than being good. UCF was good at football. They are kind of atrocious in every other category. Also they were a Big 12 panic buy.

 

[KryHavok]

people think UConn doing ok means UConn is doing great as an academic school

UConn is not great. The state does not pour enough money to get it there and UConn won't get there on its own because we're so gosh darn precious.

Mate, why so downtrodden? So the school isn't in the same category as Chicago (was gonna say Puke, but nah), or Stanford, or UNC in terms of academics...you gonna think your doctorate is less worthy cuz it came from UConn rather than some other uni? In my field, I think my doctorate from UConn carries some weight given the program I was in. It's small comfort, but I'm not gonna p!ss in my cereal to spite my school's lack of prestige cuz it's not considered elite. Yeah, it can use more money, that's true of most schools not in the Ivy league or having billion dollar endowments.

 

[Patman]

Mate, why so downtrodden? So the school isn't in the same category as Chicago (was gonna say Puke, but nah), or Stanford, or UNC in terms of academics...you gonna think your doctorate is less worthy cuz it came from UConn rather than some other uni? In my field, I think my doctorate from UConn carries some weight given the program I was in. It's small comfort, but I'm not gonna p!ss in my cereal to spite my school's lack of prestige cuz it's not considered elite. Yeah, it can use more money, that's true of most schools not in the Ivy league or having billion dollar endowments.

No, my program is one of the better ones going and the university is better off for it.

I'm OFFERING that you stop lying to yourself about UConn's position in the world. What i am SUGGESTING is you kick the states goverments ass for not making up for lost time the big schools got in the 50s and 60s in terms of funding.

I find self-delusion is a waste of time better spent moving upwards.

 

[Patman]

You know the adage that if you want to look like an athlete then you have to be an athlete?

 

[KryHavok]

I'm OFFERING that you stop lying to yourself about UConn's position in the world. What i am SUGGESTING is you kick the states goverments ass for not making up for lost time the big schools got in the 50s and 60s in terms of funding.

I find self-delusion is a waste of time better spent moving upwards.

What the hell are you flipping out about?! Who is lying to themselves, cuz I sure as hell ain't. I've no delusion that UConn is Yale or Cal Berkeley, but I'm not gonna doomsday it and say it ranks with Memphis...jeez, calm down dude . Can't do anything about the 50s or 60s or even last year. If the assembly in CT wants to grow the school, they gotta do it today and tomorrow. If it wasn't for that horse...

 

[CL82]

I have to laugh about people complaining about UConn's place in the academic world. It is a very good school, though not an Ivy League school. That shouldn't have been surprising to anyone who applied there. To hear a grad whine about Connecticut "not being elite" seems laughable to me. If you wanted an Ivy League degree, you should've applied and attended an Ivy League school.

For my part, I had a choice between attending an Ivy League school and attending UConn. I haven't regretted my choice to attend UConn even once. The education that I received there was, in fact, outstanding. But often in academics you get out what you put into it. The friendships and memories I have from my time there are treasured by me including starting me on my lifelong love of UConn athletics.

As for Connecticut's reputation, it's a very good university for many reasons, including:

For anyone for whom that's "not enough" I shrug and wish them well in their academic endeavors

 

[Ha Who]

It worked for FSU and Clemson. And the lawsuit kept the Big East from dissolving. It's a joke that UConn is the only school tarred by that lawsuit. Wasn't it filed in Pittsburgh?

WORTH NOTING; UConn vs. A.C.C, Round 2: This Time the Lawsuit Is Against Boston College (Published 2003)

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal files second lawsuit on behalf of University of Connecticut and three other Big East universities against Boston College, athletic director Gene DeFilippo and Atlantic Coast Conference after Boston College announces that it will join ACC (M)

www.nytimes.com

 

[RitzLuce1]

Tradition and history matter in college football (moreso than in college basketball) and, unfortunately, UConn was late to upgrade to FBS football and had no football history when large scale conference realignment began. Think about this, many of the schools that moved ahead of UConn in the realignment game have had a Heisman Trophy winner: TCU, SMU, BYU, Pitt, Syracuse, BC, Louisville, Houston. And, some of the schools have won "theoretical" national championships: SMU, TCU, Pitt, Syracuse, BYU.

Maybe they can put "we thought tradition and history mattered in college football moreso than college basketball" on their epitaph.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Tradition and history matter in college football (moreso than in college basketball)

Please defend this statement.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

You do know we were cast adrift unlike any program ever during that time, right?

Of course I do - I've been to every game at the Rent since day one and have endured every part of the unfortunate downfall. Three bad coaching hires drove a sad decade. Hope springs eternal for me, but it doesn't change the reality of what occurred unfortunately.

 

[UConnJim]

Please defend this statement.

College football is all about tradition. Alums go back to their schools for the Homecoming football game, not a basketball game. And, you have football rivalries that have been around for 50 to 100+ years. Auburn/Alabama, Florida/Florida St., Georgia/Georgia Tech, Texas/Texas A&M, Michigan/Ohio St., USC/UCLA, Cal/Stanford, ... There are football tailgates, fraternities and sororities, Homecoming kings and queens, ... There are no basketball rivalries or traditions, with the exception of Duke/UNC that come close.

Even when you are in high school, alums come back for the Homecoming football game, not a basketball game.

 

[Kolumbo]

History matters less than being good. UCF was good at football. They are kind of atrocious in every other category. Also they were a Big 12 panic buy.

Yes, UCF was pretty good. It had an undefeated season and just 2 years prior it was unvictoried. In the American. It had a 67% winning percentage over 10 years. Imagine going the entire season without a win and then going to the Big XII just 8 years later. Big time panic move. Orlando is a fairly decent destination too. I'm not sure about academics but USF is now in the AAU. They are both very large and very inexpensive in great markets which bodes well for large alumni bases.

 

[Hoophound]

Yes, UCF was pretty good. It had an undefeated season and just 2 years prior it was unvictoried. In the American. It had a 67% winning percentage over 10 years. Imagine going the entire season without a win and then going to the Big XII just 8 years later. Big time panic move. Orlando is a fairly decent destination too. I'm not sure about academics but USF is now in the AAU. They are both very large and very inexpensive in great markets which bodes well for large alumni bases.

All of the major Florida state U’s are very good now. UF, FSU, UCF and USF are very competitive for admission. UF is ridiculously hard to get into and UCF and FSU are at 34-35%. USF is a tad easier to get in, but still tough. It’s actually kind of sad. The B student has no shot at these schools. Fortunately, there are schools like FAU, FIU, North Florida, FGCU etc that will take them.

 

[jostar1]

USF is AAU and is building a new on-campus football stadium. They will be the next one chosen ahead of UConn. Meanwhile, UConn is asleep at the switch.

"Construction on the University of South Florida’s transformational new on-campus stadium will soon ramp up significantly following the latest approval from the university’s Board of Trustees.

The plan presented today by USF leadership includes a project cost of $348.5 million, which has been revised from what was approved by the board in June 2023. Since that time USF has added to the project’s scope, including design and structural upgrades for potential future stadium expansion beyond the current expected seating capacity of approximately 35,000, build-out of academic space in the facility, vertical expansion of the Tampa General Hospital Center for Athletic Excellence, and enhanced locker room amenities, in addition to the general cost of goods increasing over the past two years. The funds added to the project will come from interest earnings on the $200 million in financing previously issued by the USF Financing Corp.

Since the formal groundbreaking ceremony for the stadium in late 2024, site preparation has been ongoing. The project team will now move forward with additional clearing at the site in May with full construction set to pick up shortly after. The construction schedule calls for final inspections to be completed in spring 2027, with USF moving into the facility over the summer in preparation of hosting the first events in fall 2027."

 

[Hoophound]

USF is AAU and is building a new on-campus football stadium. They will be the next one chosen ahead of UConn. Meanwhile, UConn is asleep at the switch.

"Construction on the University of South Florida’s transformational new on-campus stadium will soon ramp up significantly following the latest approval from the university’s Board of Trustees.

The plan presented today by USF leadership includes a project cost of $348.5 million, which has been revised from what was approved by the board in June 2023. Since that time USF has added to the project’s scope, including design and structural upgrades for potential future stadium expansion beyond the current expected seating capacity of approximately 35,000, build-out of academic space in the facility, vertical expansion of the Tampa General Hospital Center for Athletic Excellence, and enhanced locker room amenities, in addition to the general cost of goods increasing over the past two years. The funds added to the project will come from interest earnings on the $200 million in financing previously issued by the USF Financing Corp.

Since the formal groundbreaking ceremony for the stadium in late 2024, site preparation has been ongoing. The project team will now move forward with additional clearing at the site in May with full construction set to pick up shortly after. The construction schedule calls for final inspections to be completed in spring 2027, with USF moving into the facility over the summer in preparation of hosting the first events in fall 2027."

It will need to be the ACC, because the big 12 isn’t going for another Florida school with a mediocre following and AD. In order for the ACC to do that, they’ll need Miami to leave the conference.

 

[ZooCougar]

USF is AAU and is building a new on-campus football stadium. They will be the next one chosen ahead of UConn. Meanwhile, UConn is asleep at the switch.

"Construction on the University of South Florida’s transformational new on-campus stadium will soon ramp up significantly following the latest approval from the university’s Board of Trustees.

The plan presented today by USF leadership includes a project cost of $348.5 million, which has been revised from what was approved by the board in June 2023. Since that time USF has added to the project’s scope, including design and structural upgrades for potential future stadium expansion beyond the current expected seating capacity of approximately 35,000, build-out of academic space in the facility, vertical expansion of the Tampa General Hospital Center for Athletic Excellence, and enhanced locker room amenities, in addition to the general cost of goods increasing over the past two years. The funds added to the project will come from interest earnings on the $200 million in financing previously issued by the USF Financing Corp.

Since the formal groundbreaking ceremony for the stadium in late 2024, site preparation has been ongoing. The project team will now move forward with additional clearing at the site in May with full construction set to pick up shortly after. The construction schedule calls for final inspections to be completed in spring 2027, with USF moving into the facility over the summer in preparation of hosting the first events in fall 2027."

I think they have been building it for 10 years.

 

[Eavesdrop]

All of the major Florida state U’s are very good now. UF, FSU, UCF and USF are very competitive for admission. UF is ridiculously hard to get into and UCF and FSU are at 34-35%. USF is a tad easier to get in, but still tough. It’s actually kind of sad. The B student has no shot at these schools. Fortunately, there are schools like FAU, FIU, North Florida, FGCU etc that will take them.

Your point absolutely stands. Though I believe UF has an acceptance rate of around 24%, FSU is close at 25%, USF sits at about 40%, and UCF is around 45%.

Demographics have played a huge role here. Florida has a population of about 24 million, which has naturally generated a high level of demand for in-state universities. On top of that, the Florida Legislature established the Bright Futures program a few decades ago. It offers free tuition to in-state students with a GPA of around 3.5 or higher, and significantly reduced tuition for those with GPAs between 3.0 and 3.49.

Parents have been known to sweeten the deal to keep their kids in-state. Some have even gone as far as offering a car in exchange for skipping out on schools like Stanford or Duke.

 

[Kolumbo]

Your point absolutely stands. Though I believe UF has an acceptance rate of around 24%, FSU is close at 25%, USF sits at about 40%, and UCF is around 45%.

Demographics have played a huge role here. Florida has a population of about 24 million, which has naturally generated a high level of demand for in-state universities. On top of that, the Florida Legislature established the Bright Futures program a few decades ago. It offers free tuition to in-state students with a GPA of around 3.5 or higher, and significantly reduced tuition for those with GPAs between 3.0 and 3.49.

Parents have been known to sweeten the deal to keep their kids in-state. Some have even gone as far as offering a car in exchange for skipping out on schools like Stanford or Duke.

It seems to me it would follow that more and more Florida residents would follow schools like UCF and USF more so than the old guard UF and FSU.

What I found out earlier while looking up USF is that the campus was built over an old airfield, Hillsborough Army Air Field. Plus you got Bush Gardens. Going to school in Florida is like going to Disney. Literally.

"The University of South Florida campus began construction in 1957 on a site adjacent to the north side of Henderson Airport, and the Busch Gardens theme park was opened in 1959 just south of the airport. The surviving runways are used as a driver training area by Busch Gardens to instruct new drivers on some of their vehicles.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

It seems to me it would follow that more and more Florida residents would follow schools like UCF and USF more so than the old guard UF and FSU.

It will likely take a couple generations One problem UCF and USF face is that the bulk of their students are from families who have been UF or FSU fans for generations.

If for example, you had a kid who for whatever reason attends URI or UMass and they played UConn in a basketball game, who would your kid be rooting for?

 

[KryHavok]

If for example, you had a kid who for whatever reason attends URI or UMass and they played UConn in a basketball game, who would your kid be rooting for?

Unless they're getting a full ride from whatever school they're attending, I told my kids they're rooting for UConn, cuz that's the school that got me my post-doctorate employement, which in turn enabled me to pay for their food, school, and shelter. Fealty to the Husky, or get a job and pay yer own way.