Replacing HuskyFanDan & Plea to Athletic Department

[UConn07]

As if you know what's better for the university than Susan Herbst. As stated before, the ACC without their top 5 schools would be equal to the future Big East. Keep hopelessly rambling on.

Who's to say what I'm proposing isn't what she ends up deciding. Even if she does decide to stay in the current conference mess, just because that's what she decides, doesn't mean that is what is the best move for the university. Staying in the conference could work. We are going to a new conference down the line anyway, but what I'm proposing would spark a renewed interest from the fans in this state because it would show that this school is not going to settle for its' current situation. It's going to show that UConn is not going to sit back and continuously wait for greener pastures. It's going to show that UConn is being proactive and is trying to look out for numero uno, something that this school should have been doing for quite some time.

Disagree all you want, but in the long run, I know I'm right. It's time this school makes a splash with their football program and a move to independence would certainly do that.

 

[Vowelguy]

Disagree all you want, but in the long run, I know I'm right. It's time this school makes a splash with their football program and a move to independence would certainly do that.

The Titanic also made quite a splash.

 

[John Greene]

I won't apologize for wanting what is best for the university. It's not blind hope, it's aspirations of making a better university and athletic experience for all future athletes that don the national flag blue and white. It's not misunderstanding that there are over 120 FBS schools that are looking for games over the next two years. We shouldn't peg ourselves down for 8 conference games against sub-par competition. We can do better. The leaders of this school should do better because the players deserve better. If we only can get 4 BCS games on a yearly basis as an independent, then fine. But that still leaves us with 8 games against subpar competition, right where we are now.

I think it is safe to say that most people on these boards want what is best for UConn. That does not mean they think a cobbled together home football schedule against third tier competition is better than a conference which has second tier competition. As an indy we are not going to get games against the top 50 except at their place with no return date.

Some of the 120 schools have already locked in opponents over the next two years. Well, you know what, we've moved games before. Other schools will also move games if they are given something they want in return.

'It isn't easy to put together a football schedule' is the constant response received from the vast majority on this board. I can't help but wonder if all of you are lottery winners and have coasted through life. Life is tough. Get over it and do something about it.

Everyone here wants what is best. But that is not an indy home schedule against third tier schools. As an indy we would not get a game against the top 50 except at their place with no return.

 

[mattp]

Everyone here wants what is best. But that is not an indy home schedule against third tier schools. As an indy we would not get a game against the top 50 except at their place with no return.

Do you honestly think we'll have a better chance of scheduling a home and home with a top 50 type OOC team if we stay in the NNBE? I really don't.

 

[John Greene]

Do you honestly think we'll have a better chance of scheduling a home and home with a top 50 type OOC team if we stay in the NNBE? I really don't.

I don't think I said anything about OOC. Hopefully at least a couple of the NNNBE schools would be top 50 each year and we would have them at home in conference.

 

[whaler11]

I won't apologize for wanting what is best for the university. It's not blind hope, it's aspirations of making a better university and athletic experience for all future athletes that don the national flag blue and white. It's not misunderstanding that there are over 120 FBS schools that are looking for games over the next two years. We shouldn't peg ourselves down for 8 conference games against sub-par competition. We can do better. The leaders of this school should do better because the players deserve better. If we only can get 4 BCS games on a yearly basis as an independent, then fine. But that still leaves us with 8 games against subpar competition, right where we are now.

Some of the 120 schools have already locked in opponents over the next two years. Well, you know what, we've moved games before. Other schools will also move games if they are given something they want in return.

'It isn't easy to put together a football schedule' is the constant response received from the vast majority on this board. I can't help but wonder if all of you are lottery winners and have coasted through life. Life is tough. Get over it and do something about it.

It's not 'it's not easy'.

It's f*c*i*g impossible.

You have no concept of reality. If you are a basketball fan who doesn't give a damn about football just say it. But understand killing the football team kills the basketball program - I know this concept is beyond the grasp of those who support independence, but can you just listen to rational voices?

 

[Dooley]

Being in the same conference with these teams gives them the platform to outperform UConn.

Disagree all you want, but in the long run, I know I'm right. It's time this school makes a splash with their football program and a move to independence would certainly do that.

So Tulsa/SMU/Tulane/UCF being in our same conference gives them the platform to outperform UConn. But what kind of platform would UConn have to outperform the rest of the nation when it schedules FCS, a slew of MAC, a slew of C-USA, and other crappy independents (Notre Dame is NEVER coming to the Rent without expansion so please stop that talk)? Please understand that it takes two parties to commit to a football contract and even then, they're broken quite a bit with buyout clauses. UConn has absolutely zero chance at scheduling top opponents by being independent, which is the basis of your argument. The Michigan AD constantly fields heat from his fanbase that they have to play at our tiny stadium this year and has tried pressuring our AD to move the game to a bigger venue. They originally agreed to this contract because RichRod and Edsall were buds and I think Michigan didn't anticipate the Big East's rapid demise. Just wait, when it comes closer to the time when Tennessee has to come up north, the Tennessee AD will field the same heat that Michigan fans are giving. Unless you're also proposing significant stadium expansion (something I happen to agree with), there is zero possibility of a big-name opponent coming to the Rent if unaffiliated and given the platform to stand out.

Also please understand the effect on recruiting that going independent would have. While you scoff at playing games in Texas, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, those are some very fertile recruiting grounds. Having conference affiliation increases our exposure within those states and nearby areas over time. I know you're looking for a stop gap but let's face it, we could be in the waiting room for a while. The only way to get an invite to the big boy table is to continue to improve our value. The way to do that from a football perspective is to win games against the our current competition while trying to stay relevant in recruiting hotspots.

 

[UConn07]

It's not 'it's not easy'.

It's f*c*i*g impossible.

You have no concept of reality. If you are a basketball fan who doesn't give a damn about football just say it. But understand killing the football team kills the basketball program - I know this concept is beyond the grasp of those who support independence, but can you just listen to rational voices?

I am honestly a football guy first, but also realize that this move benefits the entire athletic department as a whole.

Football - freedom to attempt to schedule whoever you want all season long and not forced to play Temple/Tulane for the next 2 years.

Basketball - in addition to the C7 - Butler and Creighton would be added to the mix, along with most likely Xavier. Get Cincy in on the deal and that's a very good to great basketball conf.

All Other Sports - from Soccer to baseball - traditional rivlaries remain. UConn soccer without the annual St. John's game would be a disgrace and disservice to the program, its' players and its' fans. I really don't care too much about soccer, but knowing the guys in the program and Ray Reid - Warde needs to pull the trigger.

Hockey - we are obviously in the SEC of college hockey in Hockey East. No change needed.

This move would benefit ALL programs moving forward, INCLUDING the football program.

 

[ZooCougar]

Gong independent only works if you have a TV and bowl deal lined up.

UConn just needs to use the Big East to fill its schedule, take advantage of the bowl tie presumably be on TV.

 

[UConn07]

Gong independent only works if you have a TV and bowl deal lined up.

UConn just needs to use the Big East to fill its schedule, take advantage of the bowl tie presumably be on TV.

Does the Big East have a TV contract? I belive UConn does for next season with SNY, but the Big East currently does not...

 

[CTMike]

I think the bowl stuff is harder than the TV, actually.

Netflix is growing like gangbusters and is looking to kill traditional cable TV. Live sports would be a huge coup for them. Or, imagine a "UConn Huskies" app that you could watch live events with. These aren't as much of a stretch as they were even a year ago. UConn could name their price and I'd pay it. They'd be a home run for recruiting too.

 

[UConn07]

I think the bowl stuff is harder than the TV, actually.

Netflix is growing like gangbusters and is looking to kill traditional cable TV. Live sports would be a huge coup for them. Or, imagine a "UConn Huskies" app that you could watch live events with. These aren't as much of a stretch as they were even a year ago. UConn could name their price and I'd pay it. They'd be a home run for recruiting too.

There we go - thinking outside the box! I love it - now only if those in the athletic department up in Storrs would do the same. Not saying that a Netflix/app deal is the solution, but these types of ideas should at least be looked at as a business case.

 

[zls44]

I am honestly a football guy first, but also realize that this move benefits the entire athletic department as a whole.

Football - freedom to attempt to schedule whoever you want all season long and not forced to play Temple/Tulane for the next 2 years
.

BYU
New Mexico State
Idaho
Navy
FCS #1
FCS #2

Enjoy. There's your home slate.

 

[zls44]

We have a rival. Its name is Boston College.

UConn and Boston College are neither rivals in football nor basketball. In no way, shape, or form.

Message board vitriol does NOT equal rivalry. There is no rivalry. None.

 

[UConn07]

UConn and Boston College are neither rivals in football nor basketball. In no way, shape, or form.

Message board vitriol does NOT equal rivalry. There is no rivalry. None.

If UConn/Boston College were on next years schedule - aside from Michigan (for obvious reasons), it would be the game everyone from fans, players and coaches looked forward to the most.

That is the definition of a rivalry.

 

[zls44]

If UConn/Boston College were on next years schedule - aside from Michigan (for obvious reasons), it would be the game everyone from fans, players and coaches looked forward to the most.

That is the definition of a rivalry.

It doesn't go both ways. BC wouldn't care. Not one iota. Can't be a rivalry.

Personally, I'd anticipate a top 10 Louisville team and Randy's return far far far far more than a terrible BC team.

 

[ZooCougar]

Does the Big East have a TV contract? I belive UConn does for next season with SNY, but the Big East currently does not...

Oh stop. SNY broadcasts essentially the football games that ESPN does not want.

 

[UConn07]

Oh stop. SNY broadcasts essentially the football games that ESPN does not want.

But they'd still be broadcast. UConn/NC State was on SNY. So was UConn/Louisville last year. The argument that if UConn was independent they wouldn't get the proper exposure, isn't valid. They wouldn't get the conference TV money, but they'd still be on TV.

 

[CTMike]

Well there's also the fact that ESPN is in millions upon millions more households than SNY.

 

[ZooCougar]

But they'd still be broadcast. UConn/NC State was on SNY. So was UConn/Louisville last year. The argument that if UConn was independent they wouldn't get the proper exposure, isn't valid. They wouldn't get the conference TV money, but they'd still be on TV.

How much TV money does UConn get omits own as a football Indy?

There used to be a bevy of football indies in the East. Miami, Pitt, Temple, SU, RU, WVU, BC etc. Then one day this TV thing got pretty big and everyone realized that It was more profitable to join a conference.

As far as I know, if you aren't Notre Dame, BYU or Army. That hasn't changed.

 

[CL82]

It doesn't go both ways. BC wouldn't care. Not one iota. Can't be a rivalry.

Personally, I'd anticipate a top 10 Louisville team and Randy's return far far far far more than a terrible BC team.

Geez, their AD has made public statements against UConn and you think there is no rivalry? Maybe you are right. Maybe he was just doing what his ESPN masters told him to do in crapping on UConn.

 

[zls44]

Geez, their AD has made public statements against UConn and you think there is no rivalry? Maybe you are right. Maybe he was just doing what his ESPN masters told him to do in crapping on UConn.

Brad Bates crapped on UConn?

 

[CL82]

Brad Bates crapped on UConn?

Not that I'm aware of, but Gene DeFillipo sure did. Maybe you guys haven't instructed Bates to yet? You might want to get to work on that.

 

[UConn07]

How much TV money does UConn get omits own as a football Indy?

There used to be a bevy of football indies in the East. Miami, Pitt, Temple, SU, RU, WVU, BC etc. Then one day this TV thing got pretty big and everyone realized that It was more profitable to join a conference.

As far as I know, if you aren't Notre Dame, BYU or Army. That hasn't changed.

I'd sacrifice it for the publicity that would be made by the move and the potential higher profile games over the next two years. Remember the end game is a new conference (ACC/BIG) in two seasons.

 

[ZooCougar]

I'd sacrifice it for the publicity that would be made by the move and the potential higher profile games over the next two years. Remember the end game is a new conference (ACC/BIG) in two seasons.

How does going independent generate positive publicity? Do you realize we would be on our own in getting bowl agreements? There are not alot of bowls signing up to lock in UConn for an appearance.

The games would be lower profile. The end state, would be us as an independent Sun Belt like school, seeking big payday games at other venues in order to make up for the lost revenue of less TV money.

It's a terrible bet to make. Odds are less than 1 in 100.

 

[CTMike]

At least we can all agree that the ACC/B1G is the goal here.