Val Ackerman on the future of college athletics & conference realignment

[jostar1]

Val Ackerman said that she was told that UConn could have joined with the C7 when they broke off. That surprised me.
Regarding UConn and the Big 12, she said that the Big East intel was that the votes weren't there so it was a disservice that it dragged out publicly for so long.
Regarding Gonzaga, the travel couldn't be worked out. No surprise there. No additional schools are on the horizon because of strength of schedule considerations.

 

[shizzle787]

Also mentions if league goes to 12, they would consider keeping round robin.

 

[Forte]

Val Ackerman said that she was told that UConn could have joined with the C7 when they broke off. That surprised me.
Regarding UConn and the Big 12, she said that the Big East intel was that the votes weren't there so it was a disservice that it dragged out publicly for so long.
Regarding Gonzaga, the travel couldn't be worked out. No surprise there. No additional schools are on the horizon because of strength of schedule considerations.

If this is true then it further credits that the leak was an intentional sabotage to a bball first podcaster by likely a bball first donor. Especially with the way it was worded to stir the pot ...imminent. When it was anything but....

We should assume that any leaks going forward that don't come from a more credible source like Dodd etc is an attempt to sabotage UConn bball leaving the BEAST.

 

[UConnJim]

Also mentions if league goes to 12, they would consider keeping round robin.

No way the schools would agree to 22 conference games. The ACC is currently playing 20 conference games and they are looking to cut back to play more out of conference games to improve their NCAAT metrics.

 

[shizzle787]

No way the schools would agree to 22 conference games. The ACC is currently playing 20 conference games and they are looking to cut back to play more out of conference games to improve their NCAAT metrics.

The second they cut back conference games they get less from ESPN. The ACC is huffing and puffing but they will not go back to 18 games. The Big Ten is considering going to 22, and the SEC is considering going to 9 football games.

 

[UConnJim]

The second they cut back conference games they get less from ESPN. The ACC is huffing and puffing but they will not go back to 18 games. The Big Ten is considering going to 22, and the SEC is considering going to 9 football games.

If the OOC game is an ACC home contest, they still get the media credit for the game and you can get better matchups. In basketball, ESPN would rather have Duke vs Michigan St. than Duke vs Cal, or UNC vs Kansas than UNC vs SMU, or Louisville vs Kentucky instead of Louisville vs BC. ACC basketball has become so diluted by expansion, they need to figure out ways to get better games.

 

[Kolumbo]

Isn't the ACC the conference that likes to play conference opponents as OOC games? I don't get it, but I've seen it. Anyway, stick a forking fork in the ACC.

 

[freescooter]

If this is true then it further credits that the leak was an intentional sabotage to a bball first podcaster by likely a bball first donor. Especially with the way it was worded to stir the pot ...imminent. When it was anything but....

We should assume that any leaks going forward that don't come from a more credible source like Dodd etc is an attempt to sabotage UConn bball leaving the BEAST.

This is all true. Wouldn’t shock me if the NEWBE was involved in the leak either directly or indirectly. Probably lobbied the B12 against us too. But maybe that is just my lack of confidence in Val. Her whole view makes no sense. We aren’t adding anyone because nobody helps our sos but when we do we will play 22 conference games. Val, figure out a way to get rid of the garbage that makes up 20% of the league. Work out a deal for DePaul to leave. Just pay them an exit fee over 4-5 years to be gone. Go to a more appropriate league for their level of competition. Give Georgetown an ultimatum. Carry your weight or leave. Be at least Seton Hall Providence level. Nothing you can do to keep UConn if a real league calls.

 

[WestHartHusk]

I'm assuming it was a combination of NBE/Fox.

 

[DFW HOYA]

Go to a more appropriate league for their level of competition. Give Georgetown an ultimatum. Carry your weight or leave.

It carries its weight. It also has no other place to go.

 

[shizzle787]

DePaul is the one that needs the ultimatum.

 

[John]

Val Ackerman said that she was told that UConn could have joined with the C7 when they broke off. That surprised me.
Regarding UConn and the Big 12, she said that the Big East intel was that the votes weren't there so it was a disservice that it dragged out publicly for so long.
Regarding Gonzaga, the travel couldn't be worked out. No surprise there. No additional schools are on the horizon because of strength of schedule considerations.

I'm not surprised the C7 offered UConn, they don't care about our athletic department's overall health, just the basketball portion of it. Let football rot, they don't care.

 

[noeynox]

I'm not surprised the C7 offered UConn, they don't care about our athletic department's overall health, just the basketball portion of it. Let football rot, they don't care.

Especially rich considering they implored us to move up and to move up our timeline in upgrading FB.

 

[ZooCougar]

I'm not surprised the C7 offered UConn, they don't care about our athletic department's overall health, just the basketball portion of it. Let football rot, they don't care.

I don't believe it.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I really need to see the details as to how we were asked and fully understand the context before I'm willing to accept the idea that we not only flat out refused, we also gave up what should have been a leadership position (as the senior member of the remaining schools and the school with the highest profile) when the AAC was initially slapped together.

Remember, this was a group of schools that wouldn't let us compete in the last BE tournament the hybrid version of the conference ever held. They were never quick to extend us any courtesies.

 

[ZooCougar]

I really need to see the details as to how we were asked and fully understand the context before I'm willing to accept the idea that we not only flat out refused, we also gave up what should have been a leadership position (as the senior member of the remaining schools and the school with the highest profile) when the AAC was initially slapped together.

Remember, this was a group of schools that wouldn't let us compete in the last BE tournament the hybrid version of the conference ever held. They were never quick to extend us any courtesies.

The C7 wanted nothing to with anything football. They only wanted to be associated with like minded schools. They thought football was a source of instability.

If you go on Twitter there are UConn and Big East fans that actually believe that dropping football in 2012 to join a bunch of stupid little catholic schools was the way to go and that actually would have been seriously considered.

 

[CL82]

I really need to see the details as to how we were asked and fully understand the context before I'm willing to accept the idea that we not only flat out refused, we also gave up what should have been a leadership position (as the senior member of the remaining schools and the school with the highest profile) when the AAC was initially slapped together.

Remember, this was a group of schools that wouldn't let us compete in the last BE tournament the hybrid version of the conference ever held. They were never quick to extend us any courtesies.

The offer to join the C7 defecting group may have been contingent upon our dropping FBS football and this would be a non-starter.

 

[ZooCougar]

The offer to join the C7 defecting group may have been contingent upon our dropping FBS football and this would be a non-starter.

I don’t believe any such offer was made, and even Warde would have been smart enough to laugh those guys out of the room.

How many STHs did we have back then?

 

[CL82]

I don’t believe any such offer was made, and even Warde would have been smart enough to laugh those guys out of the room.

How many STHs did we have back then?

I've heard rumblings about it over the years. I have no idea if it's true. Absolutely agree it should have been turned down, if offered.

 

[ScottVib]

How many STHs did we have back then?

I can't find the number now.. but the average attendance was 34,672 with UConn's second to last sell out a part of that season (the final one was Michigan in 2013).

 

[ZooCougar]

I've heard rumblings about it over the years. I have no idea if it's true. Absolutely agree it should have been turned down, if offered.

I’m sure Notre Dame did. The fact that they probably never seriously considered makes it like it never happened.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

It was hush hush if there even was an offer
UConn people seemed stunned by the news the C7 was departing but it’s possible their were in the loop.
However if there was an offer you could bet your life the only reason was if UConn departed then the Big East could be destroyed completely and the assets divided between 10 school. EST $70-80million
Cinncy and USF probably joined CUSA
which would be dtill be a top G4 conference
UConn‘s football was pretty much in Limbo
if we bit on that offer. Unless CUSA took us as a football only .
We choose along with the other two schools to continue the Big East later renamed the AAC . It was a financial windfall ($20,000,000) UConn as that money kept us going for years .
I think the decision worked out despite our missed opportunities because it’s possible we would not be ever considered for p status if we decided to disband the Big East in 2012-13.and football abandoned.

 

[ScottVib]

When the C7 left they needed the votes of two FBS schools to dissolve the conference (part of the bylaws to keep both "sides" protected). The only voting FBS members left at that point were UConn, Cincinnati & USF.

To dissolve completely the C7 probably would've had to include UConn & Cincinnati, with both of those schools needing to find a favorable home for their football programs. Absent that, there's not a way that the schools could've voted, without killing football, which wasn't a viable option for Cincinnati (or USF, if someone tried to make them the second FBS school)... as a result, it was never going to happen, which is why things went they way they did.

The alternate history had that somehow come to fruition would've been interesting... as the majority of conferences had already backfilled the schools they lost. C-USA for example was already back to 12, MWC which had flirted with Houston & SMU as things were going bad for the Big East/AAC had ended up filling to 10 holding the spots for Boise State & San Diego State that they ended up taking. The only conference that had obvious openings was the Sun Belt, which was likely unacceptable to most members. As a result, Houston, SMU, Tulane, Memphis, ECU, UCF, USF would've been looking for new all sport homes and may have still created their own conference. Presumably Temple could've gone back to MAC (which was at 13 but had hoped to be 14 when UMass joined)/A10 (backfilling the newly joined Butler who likely would've been the C7+UConn & Cincy #10) & Navy goes back to Independent. Bad-blood after UConn and Cincy had torched the conference plans of the leftover schools, leaving them with few good options may well have blocked the two of them from the solution the leftover schools came up with.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

When the C7 left they needed the votes of two FBS schools to dissolve the conference (part of the bylaws to keep both "sides" protected). The only voting FBS members left at that point were UConn, Cincinnati & USF.

To dissolve completely the C7 probably would've had to include UConn & Cincinnati, with both of those schools needing to find a favorable home for their football programs. Absent that, there's not a way that the schools could've voted, without killing football, which wasn't a viable option for Cincinnati (or USF, if someone tried to make them the second FBS school)... as a result, it was never going to happen, which is why things went they way they did.

The alternate history had that somehow come to fruition would've been interesting... as the majority of conferences had already backfilled the schools they lost. C-USA for example was already back to 12, MWC which had flirted with Houston & SMU as things were going bad for the Big East/AAC had ended up filling to 10 holding the spots for Boise State & San Diego State that they ended up taking. The only conference that had obvious openings was the Sun Belt, which was likely unacceptable to most members. As a result, Houston, SMU, Tulane, Memphis, ECU, UCF, USF would've been looking for new all sport homes and may have still created their own conference. Presumably Temple could've gone back to MAC (which was at 13 but had hoped to be 14 when UMass joined)/A10 (backfilling the newly joined Butler who likely would've been the C7+UConn & Cincy #10) & Navy goes back to Independent. Bad-blood after UConn and Cincy had torched the conference plans of the leftover schools, leaving them with few good options may well have blocked the two of them from the solution the leftover schools came up with.

My recollection is the Old Big Rast needed all three FSB schools to stay together to remain a conference. .UConn was the obvious choice but , going to the the C7 screwed our football team.
The Big East / AAC treasury was primarily
Built by the football.schools , exit fees
plus the majority of NCAA basketball money
UConn, Cuse , Pitt , Cinncy , , Louisville. ND , and West VA were all usually good .
OMG that was the best BB conference ever
If the NBE is worth $7million a team how much is that conference worth

 

[freescooter]

When the original Big East was at its height the bottom tier included Providence, Seton Hall, St John’s and of course De Paul. I used to say those guys held up the league since they regularly were in the basement. Only Villanova really competed at a high level consistently. Georgetown did on and off. Since 2014, of the C 7 only Villanova was a real program. The rest have been what they had been. Just less competition in the conference.

 

[John]

My recollection is the Old Big Rast needed all three FSB schools to stay together to remain a conference. .UConn was the obvious choice but , going to the the C7 screwed our football team.
The Big East / AAC treasury was primarily
Built by the football.schools , exit fees
plus the majority of NCAA basketball money
UConn, Cuse , Pitt , Cinncy , , Louisville. ND , and West VA were all usually good .
OMG that was the best BB conference ever
If the NBE is worth $7million a team how much is that conference worth

it was a very entertaining time to be a UConn SPORTS fan.

 

[freescooter]

It carries its weight. It also has no other place to go.

It carried its weight in the 1980s and 90s. And it hasn’t been relevant on a national level since 2007. Never really in the New Big East. Since then it has been just another mouth to feed. I agree that DePaul is awful and really someone should work an arrangement to just get them out. Best for the league. Best for them to actually be competitive for the first time in 20 years. I think the Horizon would be good. The NBE can pay their entry fee and pay them the minimum Big East payment reducing to 0 over 5 years.

As for Georgetown, I say give us a workable plan to become a serious program over 5 years. If you can’t or won’t do it, we will give you the same deal as DePaul got to join the MAAC or the A10.

This league cannot be taken seriously when 20% of the members stink.

 

[Kolumbo]

It carried its weight in the 1980s and 90s. And it hasn’t been relevant on a national level since 2007. Never really in the New Big East. Since then it has been just another mouth to feed. I agree that DePaul is awful and really someone should work an arrangement to just get them out. Best for the league. Best for them to actually be competitive for the first time in 20 years. I think the Horizon would be good. The NBE can pay their entry fee and pay them the minimum Big East payment reducing to 0 over 5 years.

As for Georgetown, I say give us a workable plan to become a serious program over 5 years. If you can’t or won’t do it, we will give you the same deal as DePaul got to join the MAAC or the A10.

This league cannot be taken seriously when 20% of the members stink.

Georgetown and DePaul are the largest Catholic U's in large markets. Even if they are excommunicado, they would need to be replaced and the pickings are slim.

Georgetown really is the biggest failure. If Cooley can't turn it around, and I do think Cooley has a chance, then I have no idea. Georgetown has history, location, prestige.

DePaul with Chris Holtmann - who knows. Even if he pulls off a miracle there he'll be gone sooner than later.

 

[CL82]

Georgetown and DePaul are the largest Catholic U's in large markets. Even if they are excommunicado, they would need to be replaced and the pickings are slim.

Georgetown really is the biggest failure. If Cooley can't turn it around, and I do think Cooley has a chance, then I have no idea. Georgetown has history, location, prestige.

DePaul with Chris Holtmann - who knows. Even if he pulls off a miracle there he'll be gone sooner than later.

Cooley's claim to fame was that he was able to take Providence out of the basement so that they can compete for a shot at going to the NCAA's every few years. That's hardly lighting the world on fire. I always felt as if he was an odd choice and that Georgetown overpaid. Apparently they've been bad enough, long enough, that the promise of being mediocre seemed inviting.

 

[Kolumbo]

Cooley's claim to fame was that he was able to take Providence out of the basement so that they can compete for a shot at going to the NCAA's every few years. That's hardly lighting the world on fire. I always felt as if he was an odd choice and that Georgetown overpaid. Apparently they've been bad enough, long enough, that the promise of being mediocre seemed inviting.

That's an odd take. Cooley did a great job at PC and he was beloved until he stuck a sword in their backs. I mean, taking PC out of the basement and bringing them to the NCAA's is commendable. He should be able to do at least that at Georgetown which would be a huge lift for the program, and the conference.