Left Behind in Realignment

[WestHartHusk]

I should have been more clear because you are right, they exist, but aren't on scholarship. My point (unstated) is that if they were on scholarship you would be using cheer-leading scholarships to offset Title IX requirements of the football team essentially on a beauty contest. At least on a volunteer basis they are doing it in addition to other academic interests (though I personally think the whole thing is ridiculous).

Good point on the women's team.

And I know I'm in a minority here, and am not really hoping to convert anyone. Sometimes I have thoughts and they just kinda end up appearing on a message board.

 

[Hoophound]

I guess you and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum here because I am happy to live in a part of the world where young women aren't encouraged to cheer for the success of men, but instead are encouraged to pursue their own ambitions, athletic or academic, and achieve their own success. And if the fact that our football program represents that emphasis leads us to second tier status in football then so be it. As much as I love college football, and UConn football (I have been a season ticket holder since the Rent opened), I think this country is a little batty on its emphasis in the grand scheme of things.

You and people like you miss the entire point. The girls that tumble and do all the different stunts and the like....want to cheer! Cheerleaders are a part of the show. They aren't there to simply cheer on men (and women,by the way), they are there to do what they love and trained to do. Further, they enhance the game day experience. They aren't there to simply "cheer on men", they are there to perform.

Your stance may seem evolved and based in equality but its really just based in ignorance. The removal of cheerleaders and their replacement with a spirit squad is no different than replacing the basketball team with 5'6" computer science majors simply because "they should be able to play too".

It is more insulting that the real cheerleaders are devalued by the school so much. That is a real disgrace.

 

[UConn9604]

Here's a decent summary of the events that unfolded -- the new stadium for Storrs was supposed to cost $107 million and be about the same as The Rent, with the $15 million difference in cost based on the fact that The Rent was a perfectly flat, graded site, donated by the owner, and with easy access to existing infrastructure:

Oct. 14, 1997
The Courant reports that 100 acres on the north end of the UConn campus is emerging as the preferred stadium site. A public opinion poll indicates 48 percent of Connecticut residents want the stadium in Storrs, and 60 percent favor state funding.

Nov. 25, 1997
After virtually promising UConn it would have an on-campus stadium, Rowland announces he will not call a special session to approve finding for a $107 million stadium in Storrs. ``I'm sad for the university,'' Ritter says. ``This is going to be a day that we will regret for a very long time.'' Says Perkins: ``I think we've taken it as far as we can at this point. We've been talking about this thing five or six years now.''

http://articles.courant.com/2012-08...uconn-and-villanova-uconn-athletic-director/2

See, the neat thing about the internet, is maybe if people are motivated enough, and somebody is outrageous enough, they'll actually learn how to do some research by osmosis or something, and learn how to check something as to validity. I just did, but I'm not posting your homework. I mixed up the 65k, with the Hartford facility propose later, involving Kraft. On Campus facility was for 50k capacity. So, I need to correct myself there. Done.

Rentschler field ended up being essentially constructed from the same HOK sport, and local engineering firm blueprints and planning that went into designing the on-campus facility, except it's smaller, and cost the state more tax payer dollars than it would have had it been constructed as planned on campus, using division of athletics revenue streams and internal infrastructure in construction, even though the on campus facility projected cost was higher, than the eventual cost for Rentshcler (106 million to 91 million) .

As for the politics, you basically summed up everything I've been saying, except I also wrote why the democrats made it fall apart and what motivated it. General assembly politics motivated by a Mansfield area residents that tried to stop it locally, but failed and went to the state level. The same partisan politics almost prevented Rentschler from being built, by politicians that didn't give a rats ass either way about having a stadium. It had to be pushed by some people for the entire adriaens landing project to be voted on in a single vote, to get enough yes votes to construct a stadium.

We simply need more politicians in our state government that have the best interests of UCONN on their minds, and I'll leave this at that.

 

[UCFBfan]

Wasn't there a reason we moved away from the traditional cheerleader type of squad? I know during the early 2000's there was a reason they moved away from the tumbling and such as others want to see returned. Unfortunately I don't recall all the specifics but there was a reason they movrd away from it.

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[WestHartHusk]

You and people like you miss the entire point. The girls that tumble and do all the different stunts and the like....want to cheer! Cheerleaders are a part of the show. They aren't there to simply cheer on men (and women,by the way), they are there to do what they love and trained to do. Further, they enhance the game day experience. They aren't there to simply "cheer on men", they are there to perform.

Your stance may seem evolved and based in equality but its really just based in ignorance. The removal of cheerleaders and their replacement with a spirit squad is no different than replacing the basketball team with 5'6" computer science majors simply because "they should be able to play too".

It is more insulting that the real cheerleaders are devalued by the school so much. That is a real disgrace.

I am not trying to sound evolved. The school has to make a value judgment regarding the use of scholarships, and I happen to agree with their judgment that cheer-leading isn't a great use of valuable scholarships. Out of curiosity, what women's sport(s) would you cut to provide for cheer-leading scholarships to improve the perception of the football team?

 

[Hoophound]

I am not trying to sound evolved. The school has to make a value judgment regarding the use of scholarships, and I happen to agree with their judgment that cheer-leading isn't a great use of valuable scholarships. Out of curiosity, what women's sport(s) would you cut to provide for cheer-leading scholarships to improve the perception of the football team?

They don't need to have scholarships. The girls will still show up and put on a show.

 

[Waquoit]

Does anyone really give two craps about cheerleader stunts? Besides their parents I mean. It's slow, boring stuff that adds nothing to the "game-day experience." Cheerleaders that just cheer and dance are fine. To call the lack of stuntleaders a disgrace is to devalue the word "disgrace."

 

[Hoophound]

Does anyone really give two craps about cheerleader stunts? Besides their parents I mean. It's slow, boring stuff that adds nothing to the "game-day experience." Cheerleaders that just cheer and dance are fine. To call the lack of stuntleaders a disgrace is to devalue the word "disgrace."

It isn't the stunts, it is the fact that people somehow feel better that we took something away from the old cheerleaders and gave it to the new spirit squad. What did we accomplish? It is just plain dumb.

 

[huskymedic]

I'm wondering about the Spirit Squad. With the addition of scholarships to UConn Hockey, would additional scholarships be added for women (Title IX) to the SS to upgrade to a Competitive Cheer Squad with coaching as other institutions have. The decision to downgrade the cheerleaders due to insurance issues was done under the Hathaway regime. Would WM consider this as a solution to Title IX balance?

Quinnipiac got smacked down in court trying to do that just a year or so ago. The hockey plan has already budgeted for increases to the existing women's tennis and women's rowing teams, anyhow.

Yup - Competitive cheerleading is not an official sport that colleges can use to meet gender-equity requirements. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38347400/?GT1=43001

Very, very, very few schools offer cheerleading scholarships and those that do are mostly partial and endowed (on here I should probably change that word but you know what I mean).

 

[HuskyHawk]

Wasn't there a reason we moved away from the traditional cheerleader type of squad? I know during the early 2000's there was a reason they moved away from the tumbling and such as others want to see returned. Unfortunately I don't recall all the specifics but there was a reason they movrd away from it.

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Political correctness is the reason.

 

[UCFBfan]

Political correctness is the reason.

No I was being serious and not politically correct. There was a legit reason. Anyway, it's a silly argument to worry about. We have bigger fish to fry than worrying about not making a pyramid anymore.

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[HuskyHawk]

No I was being serious and not politically correct. There was a legit reason. Anyway, it's a silly argument to worry about. We have bigger fish to fry than worrying about not making a pyramid anymore.

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I don't mean you were being PC, UConn was.

 

[hthusky74]

I guess you and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum here because I am happy to live in a part of the world where young women aren't encouraged to cheer for the success of men, but instead are encouraged to pursue their own ambitions, athletic or academic, and achieve their own success. And if the fact that our football program represents that emphasis leads us to second tier status in football then so be it. As much as I love college football, and UConn football (I have been a season ticket holder since the Rent opened), I think this country is a little batty on its emphasis in the grand scheme of things.

We always had male cheerleaders too as do most schools.

 

[uconnell]

No I was being serious and not politically correct. There was a legit reason. Anyway, it's a silly argument to worry about. We have bigger fish to fry than worrying about not making a pyramid anymore.

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Wasn't insurance the issue?

 

[juan]

Warde talks a whole lot of the same

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...uskies-to-move-on-from-conference-realignment

 

[coachcap]

Wasn't insurance the issue?

That was the excuse given. Supposedly, insurance premiums were going to skyrocket due to policies having to pay out when cheerleaders at some institutions fell from the top of pyramids & suffered head injuries. UConn's A. Dept. decided on a preemptive strike & dissolved the squad.
There was also an issue of the former cheer coach not sending the squad to away games because of not wanting to travel.
With the insurance issue, isn't the University paying for a blanket policy to cover all of its sports teams? Isn't the risk of head injuries just as great with football (i.e. Rutgers Erik LeGrande & his broken neck) or hockey?

 

[Waquoit]

It isn't the stunts, it is the fact that people somehow feel better that we took something away from the old cheerleaders and gave it to the new spirit squad. What did we accomplish? It is just plain dumb.

I don't think most people can tell the difference between the old and new cheerleaders. The unis are about same. We just got rid of the dopey stunts and added a dance team. The new way is better.

 

[ASweet3781]

There should be one and only one requirement that anyone from fans to the school should care about in regards to the cheerleaders/spirit squad or whatever you want to call them.

They should be A.) Physically attractive or close to it and B.) should not illicit groans when shown on national television during games and end up in screen caps on popular blogs as a symbol of how our girls are "Husky".

We still have a ways to go. I would say 60% of the squad meet A and B. The other 40% fall short.

 

[rich1122]

We need to expand the Rent, obviously, and build a hoop/hockey arena of at least 20K - hell- 25K , adjacent. We were supposed to piggyback the Pats at Adrien's Landing, but we know that went to sh&t. EH is good with potential. DO IT

Yes we should expand our 25,000 person stadium to look more empty than it already is. Great idea.

 

[Hoophound]

I don't think most people can tell the difference between the old and new cheerleaders. The unis are about same. We just got rid of the dopey stunts and added a dance team. The new way is better.

Class S Connecticut High Schools have cheerleaders and dance teams these days. Good grief.

 

[Alum86]

Yes we should expand our 25,000 person stadium to look more empty than it already is. Great idea.

It holds 40K, it is mostly full for our FB games.
I am saying the XL is tired and worn. A new arena near the Rent that holds 20-25K would be good for us and entice a NHL move (back) here.
But hey, you want us to play in Guyer gym and mirror lake

 

[rich1122]

It holds 40K, it is mostly full for our FB games.
I am saying the XL is tired and worn. A new arena near the Rent that holds 20-25K would be good for us and entice a NHL move (back) here.
But hey, you want us to play in Guyer gym and mirror lake

Just being facetious about 25K. I have never missed a home game - ever!!! We can't fill every seat for 40K then we are doomed to mediocrity. Did you go to the NC State game last year. Pathetic. Michigan will be 50% Michigan fans.

 

[Waquoit]

Class S Connecticut High Schools have cheerleaders and dance teams these days. Good grief.

What does this mean? What do you want, jugglers and unicycles? Jugglers on unicycles? I've been to SEC, B1G and ACC FB games in just the last few years. Cheerleader stunts are a big "so what". I don't remember seeing one. You called UConn cheerleaders a disgrace. Back it up.

 

[Alum86]

Just being facetious about 25K. I have never missed a home game - ever!!! We can't fill every seat for 40K then we are doomed to mediocrity. Did you go to the NC State game last year. Pathetic. Michigan will be 50% Michigan fans.

If you have not missed a home game in E Htfd you are hard core. I have missed some due to conflicts (why do folks marry in the fall?) etc . I was at the NC State game and it was gorgeous that day. It seemed pretty full, but will defer. I was blinded by coaching ineptitude that day, along with the past 2 seasons.
However, better to have it and not need it then not have it and need it, i.m.o.
(Larger stadium)

 

[Nostical]

I was at the NC State game and it seemed pretty full, but will defer.

Thanks for deferring. Here's the TV image viewers in North Carolina and throughout the ACC saw at kickoff last season vs NC St. It's called shooting yourself in the foot (or getting what you deserve). I trust Swofford and the ACC Presidents were highly impressed.

https://www.dropbox.com/l/1ATJooSLB1xp4UItJ3lqVb

 

[Srqhusky]

Thanks for deferring. Here's the TV image viewers in North Carolina and throughout the ACC saw at kickoff last season vs NC St. It's called shooting yourself in the foot (or getting what you deserve). I trust Swofford and the ACC Presidents were highly impressed.

https://www.dropbox.com/l/1ATJooSLB1xp4UItJ3lqVb

We need to be better than this. This was after a 37-0 drubbing of umass and high hopes. I know we love our tailgating g but this needs to change

 

[specialisthusky]

We need to be better than this. This was after a 37-0 drubbing of umass and high hopes. I know we love our tailgating g but this needs to change

I'm of the opinion that if they opened the lots earlier people would get in to the stadium earlier. The 4 hour window is shorter than most other stadiums allow for tailgaiting.

 

[Alum86]

Thanks for deferring. Here's the TV image viewers in North Carolina and throughout the ACC saw at kickoff last season vs NC St. It's called shooting yourself in the foot (or getting what you deserve). I trust Swofford and the ACC Presidents were highly impressed.

https://www.dropbox.com/l/1ATJooSLB1xp4UItJ3lqVb

LOL. Thanks. I am not that observant obviously. 3-4 hours tailgating will do that.
No point in history gets by this board. Love that.
I have to admit my group does not make into the game usually until 5-10 mins before kickoff.
Don't judge. Will get to UM game at least 30 mins prior I promise. UM being Michigan not Maryland.

 

[Hoophound]

What does this mean? What do you want, jugglers and unicycles? Jugglers on unicycles? I've been to SEC, B1G and ACC FB games in just the last few years. Cheerleader stunts are a big "so what". I don't remember seeing one. You called UConn cheerleaders a disgrace. Back it up.

It means that if Coventry High can roll out a dance team and real cheerleaders then so can UConn. Especially considering that all the schools we are dying to rub elbows with have real cheerleaders.

I did not call the cheerleaders a disgrace. I said canning them and devaluing them only to replace them with a less talented version of themselves is a disgrace.

 

[Alum86]

Whoever gives me buttons in the parking lot is tops with me. I like the cheerleaders and the cheer squad. The tee shirts fired into the crowd will not fit me.