UConn President Says No Plans To Lobby Big 12 | Page 14 | The Boneyard

UConn President Says No Plans To Lobby Big 12

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UConn Dan said:
Right, so @Scot-e was it someone in:

Pool A
Someone in or close to (booster) UConn Adim/AD
Big 12 President
TV Partner

Pool B
Credible Media Member
Any Other Credible Person with Direct Knowledge of the Situation/Negotiations.

Pool C
Car Wash Attendant
Any other Media Member

Pool D
West Virginia Hillbilly in their basement
Minnesota Fan with an imaginary friend
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OR POOL E- Ramblin' Rich?
 
whaler11 said:
Actually I'm the one who is playing along with this line of thought.

Has anyone ever said that you communicate with the fanbase the same way as the university presidents? No? Good so you can save that same condesending tone that our illustrious bloggers use when talking down to us lowly message board types.

When you are being interviewed by the HARTFORD Courant - who is going to receive that message? Would that be UConn Nation or the Big 12 Presidents?

So you admit she can't communicate with us effectively - but you are sure she can communicate effectively with them? If you want to take that on blind faith that is your decision but why would you expect anyone else to make that leap?

I'll make this as clear as possible because many struggle with reading around here: They may be doing a great job selling the University behind the scenes. However, there is zero evidence of this - and the fact they hide from the FOIA means I (and others) do not have to give them the benefit of the doubt unless they deliver results.

I know my business acumen has been challenged by some posters recently but I've been in negotiations with hundreds of people who are savvier then your average university president. I find it baffling that I'm supposed to assume someone can sell UConn to the Big 12 but can't come up talking points for the frigging Hartford Courant. The latter is so much easier than the prior - but I guess that's trolling.
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I've been a bit busy / checking in on the board a bit less the past day or two, but I just wanted to reiterate one quick point. A year ago we were something like #9 on a list of potential Big12 teams (according to national and Big 12 country sportswriters and people who follow CR). Today, we are more or less in a good spot to get in as #3 or #4. What is completely unknown, and what there has been a lot of back and forth going on through strategically leaks to the media, is whether the Big 12 will do what Boren probably prefers which is expand by four, or do what ESPN wants which is expand by zero, or compromise and expand by two. Obviously, if they expand by less than four it's bad for UConn, period. But that does NOT mean there is "zero evidence". The fact that UConn is today widely regarded as #3 or #4 IS evidence that the leadership is selling the University behind the scenes.

What people want to talk about is the public statements which is fine. In politics they call it optics. Reporters who live in TV studios and have never seen the inside of a legislative chamber or courtroom or policy think tank love to talk about optics, because it's easy. Optics does influence policy, perceptions, and things like public opinion in politics and in sports.

But with reference to CR, let's be clear - the outcome (for UConn) will be entirely determined by whether the Big 12 feels comfortable screwing their TV partners over for a billion dollars, that's the biggest factor in the equation for UConn, bar none. It outweighs lobbying and presentations and networking (oh yeah, there was also evidence of that with KSU's president) .
 
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Is Uconn possibly #3 or #4 because of the administration or the competition? None of the schools being considered, other than BYU would have even been considered a peer of Uconn 5 years ago. Somehow "city" schools with limited reach outside of their own city have surpassed a flagship state university that has been far more successful. I guess I'm just not ready to pat them on back because we're now in a dogfight with USF and UCF. Memphis needed multiple Big East implosions or they would be prepping for another year in Conference USA.
 
One observation. Universities like Houston, Cincy, Memphis are large public research universities. I think some folks consider them smaller city schools because of their names. They may not have the state following because they are all in states which have even larger flagship universities, but I would not sell short their followings.
 
UCONN13KC said:
One observation. Universities like Houston, Cincy, Memphis are large public research universities. I think some folks consider them smaller city schools because of their names. They may not have the state following because they are all in states which have even larger flagship universities, but I would not sell short their followings.
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The fact you mention Memphis in the same breath as Cincy and Houston is laughable! That school is a borderline Community College academic wise compared to the other 2!
 
UCONN13KC said:
One observation. Universities like Houston, Cincy, Memphis are large public research universities. I think some folks consider them smaller city schools because of their names. They may not have the state following because they are all in states which have even larger flagship universities, but I would not sell short their followings.
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That's true of UH and Cincy, but not really Memphis. And size does not equal fan following.
 
None of Cinci, Memphis, or Houston fit the P5 academic profile. Neither do USF or UCF.

There are 64 P5 teams. Here's how the expansion candidates stack up by US News rankings:

UConn: 21st (68th percentile)
BYU: 27th (59th percentile)
Cinci: 57th (12th percentile)
USF: 61st (6th percentile)
UCF: 62nd (5th percentile)
Houston: LAST (NA)
Memphis: LAST (NA)

Cinci would be in the bottom 1/8th of P5 schools academically.

USF would be bottom 1/10th. UCF would be bottom 1/20th.

Houston and Memphis would each be THE WORST academic school in the P5 if invited. Memphis would compound the academic failure as the only P5 school not even considered "Tier 1."
 
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VAHuskyFan said:
None of Cinci, Memphis, or Houston fit the P5 academic profile. Neither do USF or UCF.

There are 64 P5 teams. Here's how the expansion candidates stack up by US News rankings:

UConn: 21st (68th percentile)
BYU: 27th (59th percentile)
Cinci: 57th (12th percentile)
USF: 61st (6th percentile)
UCF: 62nd (5th percentile)
Houston: LAST (NA)
Memphis: LAST (NA)

Cinci would be in the bottom 1/8th of P5 schools academically.

USF would be bottom 1/10th. UCF would be bottom 1/20th.

Houston and Memphis would each be THE WORST academic school in the P5 if invited. Memphis would compound the academic failure as the only P5 school not even considered "Tier 1."
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With the caveat of course that this is based on one source that doesn't really care about research. You see so many variations of academic ratings.
 
Muddler said:
Is Uconn possibly #3 or #4 because of the administration or the competition? None of the schools being considered, other than BYU would have even been considered a peer of Uconn 5 years ago. Somehow "city" schools with limited reach outside of their own city have surpassed a flagship state university that has been far more successful. I guess I'm just not ready to pat them on back because we're now in a dogfight with USF and UCF. Memphis needed multiple Big East implosions or they would be prepping for another year in Conference USA.
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If Memphis/UH/Cincinatti had UConn's academic and athletic profile this whole thing would be a lot more clear cut. The fact that conference 1000 miles away is considering adding UConn is all you need to know about the schools overall strength.
 
VAHuskyFan said:
None of Cinci, Memphis, or Houston fit the P5 academic profile. Neither do USF or UCF.

There are 64 P5 teams. Here's how the expansion candidates stack up by US News rankings:

UConn: 21st (68th percentile)
BYU: 27th (59th percentile)
Cinci: 57th (12th percentile)
USF: 61st (6th percentile)
UCF: 62nd (5th percentile)
Houston: LAST (NA)
Memphis: LAST (NA)

Cinci would be in the bottom 1/8th of P5 schools academically.

USF would be bottom 1/10th. UCF would be bottom 1/20th.

Houston and Memphis would each be THE WORST academic school in the P5 if invited. Memphis would compound the academic failure as the only P5 school not even considered "Tier 1."
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I don't like rankings as much as another type of independent measure or grade. I do believe Cinci, Memphis and Houston fit the P5 academic profile, whatever that means. They are all public research universities. My point is, if there were 80 programs in the P5, some will be ranked in the 60's and some in the 70's but there wouldn't be much difference between say 66 and 80. Where is Louisville by the way.
 
UCONN13KC said:
I don't like rankings as much as another type of independent measure or grade. I do believe Cinci, Memphis and Houston fit the P5 academic profile, whatever that means. They are all public research universities. My point is, if there were 80 programs in the P5, some will be ranked in the 60's and some in the 70's but there wouldn't be much difference between say 66 and 80. Where is Louisville by the way.
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I don't know why, but it drives me nuts that you use that font.
 
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UCONN13KC said:
I don't like rankings as much as another type of independent measure or grade. I do believe Cinci, Memphis and Houston fit the P5 academic profile, whatever that means. They are all public research universities. My point is, if there were 80 programs in the P5, some will be ranked in the 60's and some in the 70's but there wouldn't be much difference between say 66 and 80. Where is Louisville by the way.
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Memphis is about as bad as you can get for a major university. They are unranked which puts them sub-280
 
Santini35 said:
Yeah using USNWR to compare #50 to #80 - useless, but if you dont even show up on the list....
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Point taken. But in the words of the democratic candidate, "What difference at this point does it make?" None. It makes no difference. I wish academics were weighted 80%, athletics 19% and all the other shinola 1%. UConn would have 5 invitations tonight.
Besides, Memphis and Tulane in a P5 conference would increase their academics and athletics respectively by leaps and bounds. The supposed criteria for admittance is all part of the dog and pony show.
 
UCONN13KC said:
Point taken. But in the words of the democratic candidate, "What difference at this point does it make?" None. It makes no difference. I wish academics were weighted 80%, athletics 19% and all the other shinola 1%. UConn would have 5 invitations tonight.
Besides, Memphis and Tulane in a P5 conference would increase their academics and athletics respectively by leaps and bounds. The supposed criteria for admittance is all part of the dog and pony show.
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Once again with your posts, could not disagree more. Tulane has no history of pumping any money whatsoever into athletics. My high school fields were nicer than theirs
 
JMick said:
Once again with your posts, could not disagree more. Tulane has no history of pumping any money whatsoever into athletics. My high school fields were nicer than theirs
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What part do you disagree with? That a prestigious academic university could greatly improve its athletics if it received an additional $25-$30 million per year? OK, disagree. Continue to disagree with my posts. That's what I am here for.
First of all, I used Tulane as an example of what could happen to a great academic university if it were fortunate enough to join the elite P5...vastly improving its athletics, not as a specific case study. You could insert Buffalo or BU or Rice.
Secondly, the Green Wave have a brand new football stadium, and that was just for joining the AAC. Don't be so obtuse.
 
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UCONN13KC said:
What part do you disagree with? That a prestigious academic university could greatly improve its athletics if it received an additional $25-$30 million per year? OK, disagree. Continue to disagree with my posts. That's what I am here for.
First of all, I used Tulane as an example of what could happen to a great academic university if it were fortunate enough to join the elite P5...vastly improving its athletics, not as a specific case study. You could insert Buffalo or BU.
Secondly, the Green Wave have a brand new football stadium, and that was just for joining the AAC. Don't be so obtuse.
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yes, I'm obtuse for pointing out facts. Tulane's athletic department is a complete disaster and always has been. Money doesn't make your institutional problems go away
 
JMick said:
yes, I'm obtuse for pointing out facts. Tulane's athletic department is a complete disaster and always has been. Money doesn't make your institutional problems go away
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Well, don't be obtuse.
 
UCONN13KC said:
Well, don't be obtuse.
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You argue like your avatar. Disregard facts and knowledge for some random narrative you've set in your own head. You've been proven wrong with just about every post you've written in the last 24 hours, time to throw in the towel.
 
JMick said:
You argue like your avatar. Disregard facts and knowledge for some random narrative you've set in your own head. You've been proven wrong with just about every post you've written in the last 24 hours, time to throw in the towel.
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Did you even read my post? I made a general comment and you harp on Tulane, you failed to point out any facts, and I directly contradicted your statement that Tulane spends no money on athletics. I am all for hearing objections but when you offer no substance, I just wonder why you reply in the first place. Forget about Tulane. Just try to think about how joining a P5 conference might help a university, academics or athletics. Keep it simple.
 
Muddler said:
Is Uconn possibly #3 or #4 because of the administration or the competition? None of the schools being considered, other than BYU would have even been considered a peer of Uconn 5 years ago. Somehow "city" schools with limited reach outside of their own city have surpassed a flagship state university that has been far more successful. I guess I'm just not ready to pat them on back because we're now in a dogfight with USF and UCF. Memphis needed multiple Big East implosions or they would be prepping for another year in Conference USA.
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Cincy and Houston as a total package haven't surpassed us. But they are a better fit location wise and there's nothing we can do about that. They are also better at football, which isn't the current administration's fault, it's on the previous administration. If the Big 10 or ACC was expanding, we'd beat out Cincy and Houston wouldn't even be considered. And whether we are actually in a dogfight or not with USF, UCF or Memphis depends on which media people you believe.
 
UCONN13KC said:
Did you even read my post? I made a general comment and you harp on Tulane, you failed to point out any facts, and I directly contradicted your statement that Tulane spends no money on athletics. I am all for hearing objections but when you offer no substance, I just wonder why you reply in the first place. Forget about Tulane. Just try to think about how joining a P5 conference might help a university academics or athletics. Keep it simple.
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If your AD has no history of pumping money into athletics to compete, an invitation to join a better league isn't going to change that. Tulane has no alumni presence whatsoever and LSU is *the* team in Louisiana. Good luck getting any donations for your program when you have an undergrad pop of 8500 students. You can't build a program without donations even if you're making P5 money
 
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