Sure this sucks for us, but imagine how Cinci feels

[Hoophound]

I don't think people realize how integral UConn was to what transpired in the BE in the 1990s. You say UConn benefited from the expansions like Cincy did (if not more) but it's not so simple as that. First off, as a BE charter member, from the very beginning, UConn had the option to jump. Secondly, UConn had been pegged for BE football long before the expansions. UConn joining the BE for football was not a consequence of the expansions, not at all, as it was for Cincy. Third, the conference almost split in the early 1990s, but it was UConn that held it together by convincing some Catholics to admit Miami and the like.

Simply, I just don't buy this argument.

Don't forget to remind everyone that it was also UConn's consistent domination of college basketball that kept the Big East relevant while the rest of the conference was either down (PC, Seton Hall etc.) or up and down (Georgetown etc.).

UConn kept the conference up with the ACC without much help from anyone else, save Syracuse in 2003. We earned our spot in football on the hardwood, it wasn't charity.

 

[UPitt]

I don't think people realize how integral UConn was to what transpired in the BE in the 1990s. You say UConn benefited from the expansions like Cincy did (if not more) but it's not so simple as that. First off, as a BE charter member, from the very beginning, UConn had the option to jump. Secondly, UConn had been pegged for BE football long before the expansions. UConn joining the BE for football was not a consequence of the expansions, not at all, as it was for Cincy. Third, the conference almost split in the early 1990s, but it was UConn that held it together by convincing some Catholics to admit Miami and the like.

Simply, I just don't buy this argument.

You went a long ways back to poke holes my quote. Thanks. But I think you missed the point. Yes, Uconn was a founding member. Yes, Uconn BB did great things for the BE. Yes, Uconn was supportive of football programs in the past for the better of the conference. Yes, Uconn likely had an open invitation to join the BE football throughout the years. Yes, Uconn was pegged for the BE football in the late 90's before Cincy.

But it is also a YES, that Uconn benefitted from the BE asking that Uconn improve facilities and promote its football program to D1. Uconn agreed to promote its football program and it has prospered. That was my point.

 

[upstater]

You went a long ways back to poke holes my quote. Thanks. But I think you missed the point. Yes, Uconn was a founding member. Yes, Uconn BB did great things for the BE. Yes, Uconn was supportive of football programs in the past for the better of the conference. Yes, Uconn likely had an open invitation to join the BE football throughout the years. Yes, Uconn was pegged for the BE football in the late 90's before Cincy.

But it is also a YES, that Uconn benefitted from the BE asking that Uconn improve facilities and promote its football program to D1. Uconn agreed to promote its football program and it has prospered. That was my point.

I was away on vacation from July 6th until last night, hardly read the Boneyard.

Your point was that UConn was a beneficiary of expansion. My point was that it wasn't.