UConn President Says No Plans To Lobby Big 12

[Excalibur]

Again, I think the problem is you could have written that same post circa 2012 and it wouldn't have appeared out-of-place. Burn me once, yada yada yada.

Your position assumes a cause-effect that is not present . . .

 

[MattMang23]

"We're here to have fun"

This is the quote which gives me the most pain. This is not what the B12 wants to hear. FSU and Clemson must be laughing. The Rent wasn't built for fun. You think they play high school football in Texas for fun? It's fun when you win on a big stage. Does Disney show live sports for fun? It's about money, prestige and recognition.

Yeah the fun part of sports ends after high school. Then it becomes business. Time for business.

 

[Excalibur]

Yeah the fun part of sports ends after high school. Then it becomes business. Time for business.

The bigger problem is that, for the people who actually make donations and buy tickets, this is getting less and less "fun" by the year. That comment was just so tone-deaf and insulting . . .

 

[Kolumbo]

This thread took off! I like that she stated UConn will not lobby. Everyone and their grandmother involved knows the score. They know UConn needs an invitation. No amount of lobbying is going to sway the Big 12 and since UConn's chances of getting invited are about as good as BC winning an ACC title, I'd rather show some class than desperately grovel. They are all very familiar with Storrs and they have the phone number.

Besides, lobby seems more a political term. I assume they will put together the requisite presentation materials.

 

[djct1999]

The bigger problem is that, for the people who actually make donations and buy tickets, this is getting less and less "fun" by the year. That comment was just so tone-deaf and insulting . . .

This, 100%. Don't give that answer then beg fans to buy season tickets.

 

[JeepCSC]

What happened in 2012 regardless of what public (boneyard) opinion may be was that FSU & Clemson had the opportunity to jump to the B-12 and used it as leverage to force the tobacco road schools from being in our court to voting for Louisville. Shy of a time machine eliminating the hire of P, there was nothing the administration could have done.

Where the major SNAFU occurred was in the time leading up to the ACC adding Cuse & Pitt.

If we get derailed here it will be due almost entirely to politics local t east Texas and the (somewhat myopic) view that a known football commodity outweighs potential. The former being a priority of the leading member of the B-12, the latter belonging to all lesser members who are attempting to build what they believe would be their best home once the two true assets leave the conference unless than a decade.

The problem with 2011 is it happened in the dark, so it's not quite clear what happened and why. There are hints and rumors of course, but. What we do know is 5/8ths of the 2011 BE have saved themselves (for now) and UConn is still "monitoring the situation". What I don't want is the Big XII to explode and the ACC decide to take WVU with UConn on the table, but as of now I think it's likely. Whatever UConn has been doing hasn't worked. They are good enough that they shouldn't have to do much, yet here we are. If they still decide stealth mode is the way to go, so be it and I hope it works out better this time. But a full-court press to BC or Clemson or Oklahoma or West Virginia or whoever probably wouldn't go amiss. Sports realignment has never really been about subtlety.

 

[Kolumbo]

Apologies if posted already, but UConn is officially part of the ridiculous circus, which to me makes Susan's stance all the more respectable.

All 18 Big 12 expansion candidates seeded in the ultimate realignment bracket

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

Out of curiosity, which of the following schools invited to superior conferences got in because their President kept going in the media and saying how great the University is?

Maryland
Rutgers
Utah
Louisville
Pitt
Syracuse
Colorado
Missouri
Texas A&M

Since obviously we're all experts in conference realignment and we know that this "strong, quiet" approach doesn't work, I'm curious how many universities here succeeded using the #BegHarder method?

You could make a case for maybe Louisville, but even I think that's garbage and just came down to having a superior football program when FSU/Clemson refused to have another basketball school and nobody knew if our basketball program was going to come back from the APR mess/Calhoun retirement.

 

[CallMeBruce]

LOL solid name calling.

Sorry we don't all subscribe to the concept that the administration is infallable.

You do realize they might be wrong?

The fact that we are still in this position may show that they aren't experts in appealing to university presidents either?

I actually don't know that a new conference is a priority. What I am told is that we'll just keep on winning and as our AD put it - if it's meant to be it's meant to be.

They can try to set themselves up to deflect blame and criticism, certainly there are plenty here who will defend anything they do or say to the death. If the Big 12 expands and they don't have a dance card they need to be held accountable.

It's too bad that the holier than thou have to deal with unwashed non-believer baffoons - maybe they should prove us wrong this time?

If you don't know that getting into a better conference is a priority, then you need to pay better attention. I know, from my end, we've talked to boosters and people inside the athletic department, and the school has done everything they can to make themselves attractive to the Big 12, and to make sure the Big 12 is aware of all of the schools' strengths. You want to continue to throw a now-weeks-long tantrum, then you do you, bro.

 

[amory]

Out of curiosity, which of the following schools invited to superior conferences got in because their President kept going in the media and saying how great the University is?

Maryland
Rutgers
Utah
Louisville
Pitt
Syracuse
Colorado
Missouri
Texas A&M

Since obviously we're all experts in conference realignment and we know that this "strong, quiet" approach doesn't work, I'm curious how many universities here succeeded using the #BegHarder method?

You could make a case for maybe Louisville, but even I think that's garbage and just came down to having a superior football program when FSU/Clemson refused to have another basketball school and nobody knew if our basketball program was going to come back from the APR mess/Calhoun retirement.

I don't mind the "strong, quiet" approach. But if you're gonna do that, do that.

Resurfacing for the first time in months to tell your fanbase, who's sitting on pins and needles, that this is supposed to be fun....that's not strong and quiet. It's tone deaf and weak.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Out of curiosity, which of the following schools invited to superior conferences got in because their President kept going in the media and saying how great the University is?

Maryland
Rutgers
Utah
Louisville
Pitt
Syracuse
Colorado
Missouri
Texas A&M

Since obviously we're all experts in conference realignment and we know that this "strong, quiet" approach doesn't work, I'm curious how many universities here succeeded using the #BegHarder method?

You could make a case for maybe Louisville, but even I think that's garbage and just came down to having a superior football program when FSU/Clemson refused to have another basketball school and nobody knew if our basketball program was going to come back from the APR mess/Calhoun retirement.

I could swear that West Virginia (not on your list), Virginia Tech (not on your list) and Utah all had their state governments come out and support their cause. We all know the Louisville situation too.

Regardless, I don't know why it's so hard for some of you to understand that we don't know a cheerleader or someone begging harder, but it would mean something for the president of the school to project some confidence and some action as opposed to ho hum well see what happens.

How about a person on staff at UConn that manages the twitter account that can refute the national media when just misinformation is spewed out as fact? So when a Dennis Dodd says 20k on a Thursday night in 20 degrees someone says, well actually that would be lower than our lowest average attendance ever and we averaged 38k plus for almost a decade and when Michigan visited The Rent it was a Saturday night on ABC in front of a sold out crowd that needed temporary seating set up.

Is that to much to ask for an intern to sit there and do this? God knows what some of the assistants up there are making.

 

[whaler11]

If you don't know that getting into a better conference is a priority, then you need to pay better attention. I know, from my end, we've talked to boosters and people inside the athletic department, and the school has done everything they can to make themselves attractive to the Big 12, and to make sure the Big 12 is aware of all of the schools' strengths. You want to continue to throw a now-weeks-long tantrum, then you do you, bro.

Sorry I'm not trying to cultivate sources so I don't have to defend them to the death in the hopes they someday give me a tiny piece of information.

I don't know where 'weeks-long' comes from and I didn't even really dig into her assinine comments until you felt the need to try and defend the indefensible.

Lot of mouth breathing buffoons out on the board last night and this morning - if only they would keep it closer to their hearts that this is fun!

 

[freescooter]

This all means 1 of 3 things.
A She knows we are in so lobbying is not necessary
B She knows we are out so lobbying is not necessary
C Warde wasn't the one who deserved the blame for monitoring the ACC situation . If it is C it confirms my sense that for all the good things she has done Susan really doesn't care about athletics any more than the minimal level required of any college president

 

[whaler11]

I could swear that West Virginia (not on your list), Virginia Tech (not on your list) and Utah all had their state governments come out and support their cause. We all know the Louisville situation too.

Regardless, I don't know why it's so hard for some of you to understand that we don't know a cheerleader or someone begging harder, but it would mean something for the president of the school to project some confidence and some action as opposed to ho hum well see what happens.

How about a person on staff at UConn that manages the twitter account that can refute the national media when just misinformation is spewed out as fact? So when a Dennis Dodd says 20k on a Thursday night in 20 degrees someone says, well actually that would be lower than our lowest average attendance ever and we averaged 38k plus for almost a decade and when Michigan visited The Rent it was a Saturday night on ABC in front of a sold out crowd that needed temporary seating set up.

Is that to much to ask for an intern to sit there and do this? God knows what some of the assistants up there are making.

No no no. They are doing everything they can. Sure they can't tell you what it is - but totally trust them. Make sure you buy the tickets and send the donations.

Sure they are going to hide from the FOIA and they aren't going to take responsibility for the outcomes - but you can totally trust them they have a great track record.

Bloggers told us they care.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I could swear that West Virginia (not on your list), Virginia Tech (not on your list) and Utah all had their state governments come out and support their cause. We all know the Louisville situation too.

Regardless, I don't know why it's so hard for some of you to understand that we don't know a cheerleader or someone begging harder, but it would mean something for the president of the school to project some confidence and some action as opposed to ho hum well see what happens.

How about a person on staff at UConn that manages the twitter account that can refute the national media when just misinformation is spewed out as fact? So when a Dennis Dodd says 20k on a Thursday night in 20 degrees someone says, well actually that would be lower than our lowest average attendance ever and we averaged 38k plus for almost a decade and when Michigan visited The Rent it was a Saturday night on ABC in front of a sold out crowd that needed temporary seating set up.

Is that to much to ask for an intern to sit there and do this? God knows what some of the assistants up there are making.

True, those making the decision on who to add to the B-12 will say "UConn has an excellent academic reputation, is unparalleled in quality of women's hoops while as good as any in men's hoops and is solid in many other sports. Their football program while young, has had some success and they do appear to be back on track. They did not however publicly refute a misstatement on their attendance so we cannot consider them".

 

[ConnHuskBask]

True, those making the decision on who to add to the B-12 will say "UConn has an excellent academic reputation, is unparalleled in quality of women's hoops while as good as any in men's hoops and is solid in many other sports. Their football program while young, has had some success and they do appear to be back on track. They did not however publicly refute a misstatement on their attendance so we cannot consider them".

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying. Take a lap.

 

[JeepCSC]

Out of curiosity, which of the following schools invited to superior conferences got in because their President kept going in the media and saying how great the University is?

Maryland
Rutgers
Utah
Louisville
Pitt
Syracuse
Colorado
Missouri
Texas A&M

Since obviously we're all experts in conference realignment and we know that this "strong, quiet" approach doesn't work, I'm curious how many universities here succeeded using the #BegHarder method?

You could make a case for maybe Louisville, but even I think that's garbage and just came down to having a superior football program when FSU/Clemson refused to have another basketball school and nobody knew if our basketball program was going to come back from the APR mess/Calhoun retirement.

The argument isn't that the "strong, quiet" approach doesn't work, just that it doesn't seem to be working for UConn. But Mizzou, A & M, and Louisville were fairly loud as they kicked down the door running out of their conferences. And of course VPI is probably the textbook case. As for the rest, they got where they wanted to be. And that really is the key to all this. Strategy is just a tool to get there, the question now is if UConn is using the right strategy for themselves.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying. Take a lap.

Please enlighten me as that is exactly what your whining appears to be saying.

 

[noeynox]

Sorry I'm not trying to cultivate sources so I don't have to defend them to the death in the hopes they someday give me a tiny piece of information.

I don't know where 'weeks-long' comes from and I didn't even really dig into her assinine comments until you felt the need to try and defend the indefensible.

Lot of mouth breathing buffoons out on the board last night and this morning - if only they would keep it closer to their hearts that this is fun!

Have you considered starting your own "hater blog"?

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Please enlighten me as that is exactly what your whining appears to be saying.

Whining? I guess instead of seeing the same misinformation constantly being touted as fact, I'd like someone at UConn stand up for the schools national perception.

We've been absolutely slaughtered in realignment and the only time we ever see anything that extols our values or combats the negative image we have is our fans doing what they can on twitter, social media, etc.

University Presidents make the decision, but like anyone in a position to make a decision, they are certainly going to be influenced by a few different people and a few different factots. Would it kill us to make sure that the people reading things are actually getting the truth about UConn?

 

[Jimdish255]

If President Herbst doesn't care about sports and is building up her resume for a "non-athletic" school, she will have a very hard time explaining the following in her next interview:

1. authorizing all of the money spent on hiring Mike Tranghese to lobby power conferences on our behalf;
2. marketing expenditures for "UConn 6th Borough";
3. hiring not 1, not 2, but 3 qualified Athletic Directors;
4. acquiring land (not money) in a stadium naming contract with the sole expectation that the stadium will require additional land to park additional cars carrying additional fans to said stadium;
5. proceeding with plans to upgrade baseball, soccer and hockey campus facilities, in addition to expanding the campus football training facility;
6. authorizing a move to partner with The Aspire Group to help handle an expected increase in volume of ticket sales in the coming year(s)

If President Herbst hates sports as much as this thread suggest, she sure has a very odd way of showing it.

100% onboard with this and both the public and private efforts at making tangible progress. Where she seems to have fallen short is getting the Athletic Department on the same page and marshalling as many "surrogates" as possible within the Media, Alumni Athletes within the professional ranks and Political Reps to promote our successes and stature among the candidates. We haven't been effective at countering the claims of the other candidates or the criticisms of the old-guard sports media who are either clueless about or biased against UConn for whatever reasons. We shouldn't have to promote the obvious but unfortunately it's not obvious to a lot of people seeking to influence this outcome who only seem to remember Memphis and Houston had decent FB teams last year. And if the Big12 didn't care a whiff about public perception then why have they made this a public spectacle?

Messaging is important and even if it makes a small difference you want to maximize all of your assets instead of assuming everybody "gets it" and is immune to outside pressure.

 

[whaler11]

Whining? I guess instead of seeing the same misinformation constantly being touted as fact, I'd like someone at UConn stand up for the schools national perception.

We've been absolutely slaughtered in realignment and the only time we ever see anything that extols our values or combats the negative image we have is our fans doing what they can on twitter, social media, etc.

University Presidents make the decision, but like anyone in a position to make a decision, they are certainly going to be influenced by a few different people and a few different factots. Would it kill us to make sure that the people reading things are actually getting the truth about UConn?

College sports is completely driven by perception. The University and Athletic Department find it beneath them to attempt to change the perception.

The idea that the opinions of the Big 12 presidents aren't somewhat driven by public perception is laughable.

The Supreme Court doesn't live up to that standard - forget a bunch of guys who don't want to get raked over the coals by their media and fan bases.

 

[UC313]

I did it. I cant fuggin believe it. I'm taking to twitter. My life is over but my last known rememberence will be fighting to dispel the errant rumors about my much beloved huskies. #BleedHuskyBlue (am I doin it right?)

 

[Kolumbo]

The Rent has Cabela's onsite, based out of Nebraska by the way. Bass Pro Shops is based in Mizzou. What does this have to do with anything? Nothing.
They should have designated some area over there for cattle and a huge Big 12 logo.

 

[Pudge]

What a bunch of babies ...

I simply have no problem with what President Herbst stated publicly (while hiring widely respected LOBBYIST Mike Tranghese & that's not available through FOIL). There is ONLY one reason we aren't taken in the first two or first four: Our Location in the Northeast is far from the core of the B12. If they really believe their Value Add is the Memphis program or UCF or even Cincinnati - from a Market & Brand position - then they truly are the dysfunctional bunch of 10 Presidents. Herbst bluntly stated our case. We are the best outside the P5 cartel.

 

[whaler11]

What a bunch of babies ...

I simply have no problem with what President Herbst stated publicly (while hiring widely respected LOBBYIST Mike Tranghese & that's not available through FOIL). There is ONLY one reason we aren't taken in the first two or first four: Our Location in the Northeast is far from the core of the B12. If they really believe their Value Add is the Memphis program or UCF or even Cincinnati - from a Market & Brand position - then they truly are the dysfunctional bunch of 10 Presidents. Herbst bluntly stated our case. We are the best outside the P5 cartel.

Of course: If the outcome is bad it's someone else's fault.

It's hilarious that people support UConn hiding from FOIA. God forbid we actually know what highly compensated employees are actually doing. Take their words for it - they are awesome - ignore what they actually say - the hidden stuff is the good stuff.

And you babies stop trying to force accountability - send your checks and stop asking questions.

 

[TRest]

What a bunch of babies ...

I simply have no problem with what President Herbst stated publicly (while hiring widely respected LOBBYIST Mike Tranghese & that's not available through FOIL). There is ONLY one reason we aren't taken in the first two or first four: Our Location in the Northeast is far from the core of the B12. If they really believe their Value Add is the Memphis program or UCF or even Cincinnati - from a Market & Brand position - then they truly are the dysfunctional bunch of 10 Presidents. Herbst bluntly stated our case. We are the best outside the P5 cartel.

Enjoy remaining the best OUTSIDE of the P5 cartel. You're Suzy's kind of FAN.

 

[Pudge]

This I believe ...

Susan Herbst is the best President/Executive leadership at the University of Connecticut since I started paying attention to stuff like this (circa 1990). Dave Benedict has had an outstanding first few months; better (IMHO) than Warde Manual. We have solid FB, BB, WBB and Olympic coaches all down the line. We have major Brand awareness far beyond the small state into the #1 and #6 market. Hiring Tranghese was a smooth commendable push. The senior people pulling for the University - politicians, money from Fairfield County, community leaders, assorted trustee types - are doing their thing. Knowing what I do about the University executives beyond that ... I guess its my view that they don't need to be out there publicly. (Who we talking about? Enright? Chardis?)

As this advanced, I suspect that Fox and ESPN are holding cards we don't even suspect. That is a component that UConn (in my view) either flies very high or not. I do think Texas in Foxborough or Oklahoma/Kansas in MSG ... is a far more resonant call than another game at Fifth Third Arena. But what the hell ...

 

[Pudge]

Enjoy remaining the best OUTSIDE of the P5 cartel. You're Suzy's kind of FAN.

You are probably one of the guys who thought Louisville was selected over us because our AD was in the Caribbean watching WBB. I think I understand the politics of this. I truly can't fault not loudly crowing on Twitter. Or .... kissing a Dallas sportswriters Ass.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

The decision will come down to what the lesser members of the B-12 view ad their best chance of claiming they are still a power football conference once UT & OU leave for greener pastures.

Tell me how we can be sold as anything other than a remote possibility in that scenario.

 

[Dooley]

I did it. I cant fuggin believe it. I'm taking to twitter. My life is over but my last known rememberence will be fighting to dispel the errant rumors about my much beloved huskies. #BleedHuskyBlue (am I doin it right?)

#BleedBlue
#UConnNation
#UConn6thBorough
#UConnBig12
#AnywhereButTheAAC

Good luck out there. Steer clear of the Memphis fans. There aren't many, but they are truly amongst the densest people you will ever encounter.