UConn AD Preparing Pitch, Waiting To Hear From Big 12

[Drew]

UConn AD preparing pitch, waiting to hear from Big 12 (Jul 22, 2016)

UConn's athletic director says he's waiting to hear from the Big 12 about its interest level before making any pitch to join the conference. UConn currently plays most sports as a member of the American Athletic Conference. But David Benedict, in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press on Friday, acknowledged the school aspires to be a member of the Big 12 or another Power Five league. Benedict says that of all candidates, UConn is the most similar to the Power Five schools in terms of resources and budget.

 

[Drew]

Also an article on Yahoo with the exact same title coincidentally:

UConn AD preparing pitch, waiting to hear from Big 12

UConn's David Benedict, in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press on Friday, acknowledged the Huskies are interested in being evaluated.

''At this point in time the Power Five conferences certainly are looked to as the most competitive conferences,'' he said. ''They derive the most money from their multi-media agreements, their television agreements. And therefore, certainly we aspire to be in those conferences and compete at that level.''

UConn currently competes in most sports in the American Athletic Conference.

Benedict was hired in March to succeed Warde Manuel after he left for Michigan. Benedict said of all possible candidates, UConn is the most similar to the Power Five schools, with $71 million athletic budget.

He noted it was one of three division one schools this past year to send its football, baseball and men's and women's basketball teams to the postseason. And since 1995, UConn has won 11 women's national basketball championships, four men's basketball titles, two in field hockey and one in men's soccer. The school's football program also has been to six bowl games.

But Benedict said he has no plans to pick up the phone and call Bowlsby or head to Texas with a PowerPoint presentation.

He said it's his understanding that the Big 12 will reach out to those it knows have an interest.

''I don't think circumventing that process is the way to go,'' he said. ''But I don't think there is a question as to whether or not the Big 12 is aware that we would have an interest if they are interested in us.''

 

[sportsart]

Oh good, another new thread.

 

[NYUConn]

But Benedict said he has no plans to pick up the phone and call Bowlsby or head to Texas with a PowerPoint presentation.

He said it's his understanding that the Big 12 will reach out to those it knows have an interest.

''I don't think circumventing that process is the way to go,'' he said. ''But I don't think there is a question as to whether or not the Big 12 is aware that we would have an interest if they are interested in us.''

I mean I read this as though the school - and everyone else - has been told by Bowlsby that the Big 12 will initiate the next step.

It's entirely possible that after the call this week Bowlsby realized the can of worms he opened up and reached out to the real candidates and said, "We'll let you know what the next step is" rather than his phone blowing up 24/7.

 

[superjohn]

I mean I read this as though the school - and everyone else - has been told by Bowlsby that the Big 12 will initiate the next step.

It's entirely possible that after the call this week Bowlsby realized the can of worms he opened up and reached out to the real candidates and said, "We'll let you know what the next step is" rather than his phone blowing up 24/7.

Think you're right. UConn and Big 12 have been talking for a longtime. There is a mutual respect there and UConn is going about the process the way Bowlsby has asked them to. I have a feeling the Big 12 already knows everything UConn brings to them.

 

[Chief00]

Remember Mike T was hired as UConn's consultant - so if Herbst and Benedict are not talked to Big 12 - that doesn't mean that a back channel doesn't exist.

 

[uconnphil2016]

Remember Mike T was hired as UConn's consultant - so if Herbst and Benedict are not talked to Big 12 - that doesn't mean that a back channel doesn't exist.

There's also little need to reach out at this point IMO. Begging will be annoying. Let em come to us. We're good enough where we don't need to explain to others why we're good.

 

[superjohn]

Remember Mike T was hired as UConn's consultant - so if Herbst and Benedict are not talked to Big 12 - that doesn't mean that a back channel doesn't exist.

UConn is definitely talking through back channels they just know Big 12 doesn't want any of the public lobbying nonsense.

 

[CL82]

Remember Mike T was hired as UConn's consultant - so if Herbst and Benedict are not talked to Big 12 - that doesn't mean that a back channel doesn't exist.

Wait, are you Mike Tranghese?

 

[jostar1]

This is what Boren said on the conference call:

"So at the end of all of that discussion, the direction from the Board was to the commissioner to contact those schools, recontact those schools who have expressed interest to us, who have come to us, and to find out exactly the nature of the interest, evaluate what proposals they might make in accordance with their interests, and then he'll be reporting back to us".

So Bowlsby is supposed to contact the schools.

 

[FDNY99]

Remember Mike T was hired as UConn's consultant - so if Herbst and Benedict are not talked to Big 12 - that doesn't mean that a back channel doesn't exist.

And there for no FOIable information exists

 

[CTMike]

Any schools that are under the impression that Bowlsby's recent comments were an invite to start a pitch now (looking at you, ECU, SMU) are sorely mistaken and over a year behind.

UConn isn't preparing a pitch, it's been prepared and vetted and tailored to exactly what the B12 wants. This is the home stretch not the starting line.

 

[Tenspro2002]

If we're passed over again, these comments won't look good in retrospect.

That said, this appears to be the right approach. The XII clearly knows of our interest, and will reach out to us when appropriate. We're not going to be forgotten or ignored.

 

[uchusky32]

Oh good, another new thread.

Was about to post the same thing. Read this in another post. Spending to much time navigating these posts.

 

[Nostical]

The Jersey Guy chimes in.
AAC in the eye of another expansion storm

 

[Adios]

Well, we do know UConn will be getting a "letter of interest".

 

[junglehusky]

The Jersey Guy chimes in.
AAC in the eye of another expansion storm

nuuuuuuuuuuuuuut kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick

 

[hardcorehusky]

You know what's laughable. It's Herbst who already has the presentation ready. Marinatto, Herbst, Rubin et al have had this presentation ready for a while - probably before Benedict got here. So, he isn't lying when he says he is waiting for the call, because Herbst probably has already got it!!

 

[junglehusky]

From the non-key tweets thread

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 30m30 minutes ago
Per text BTM: Herbst has been given B12 ok to proceed. Location of Formal Presentation with Big 12 officials is unknown. Date is soon.


Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 27m27 minutes ago
Per TEXT BTM: Will call you tonight. OU contacts confirm Formal Presentations by invitation will happen soon. No confirm on UCONN info.

 

[huskymedic]

You know what's laughable. It's Herbst who already has the presentation ready. Marinatto, Herbst, Rubin et al have had this presentation ready for a while - probably before Benedict got here. So, he isn't lying when he says he is waiting for the call, because Herbst probably has already got it!!

Marinatto??

 

[huskymedic]

The Jersey Guy chimes in.
AAC in the eye of another expansion storm

nuuuuuuuuuuuuuut kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick

nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut joooooooooooooooooooooooob!

 

[hardcorehusky]

Marinatto??

Marinatto might not have been a great Conference Head, but he is well respected in the industry and has multiple contacts. His firm is successful and he has done lots of legwork for UCONN on this project.

 

[huskymedic]

Marinatto might not have been a great Conference Head, but he is well respected in the industry and has multiple contacts. His firm is successful and he has done lots of legwork for UCONN on this project.

You sure your not referring to Tranghese?

 

[BUConn10]

This whole fiasco with Texas political figures and university heads giving support to UH is evidence that public lobbying and being a "go getter" in this regard is better than the "let's not annoy them" approach we are taking.

Right now UH is winning the spotlight and getting people talking so much that most casual fans have it as a foregone conclusion that they will be included in expansion.

 

[Chin Diesel]

This whole fiasco with Texas political figures and university heads giving support to UH is evidence that public lobbying and being a "go getter" in this regard is better than the "let's not annoy them" approach we are taking.

Right now UH is winning the spotlight and getting people talking so much that most casual fans have it as a foregone conclusion that they will be included in expansion.

Well, Connecticut residents have voted for House and Senate Representatives to represent the state and make alliances for multiple factors. Not saying conference realignment should be foremost on the minds of voters, but the overall congressional delegation's ability to advocate for the state is dependent upon who Ct. residents vote for in elections. Choices have implications.