Big 10 Report: Conference Realignment

[Mr. Laz]

A source in St. Louis familiar with the situation told NewsCenter 16 Thursday afternoon that Missouri will leave the Big XII and soon join the Big 10. Other schools expected to follow the Tigers are Syracuse, Pitt, Rutgers and Nebraska.

Many have speculated that such an expansion would include Notre Dame but ND athletic director Jack Swarbrick told me today that the Irish prefer to stay independent in football and in the Big East for other sports. Swarbrick said maintaining football Independence is such a part of what Notre Dame is.

He went on to say the Big East is a great partner for the University in other sports.

"We do have to monitor what is going on," Swarbrick said. "There will be significant shifts. "Hopefully we can navigate them by keeping our football independent and keeping our Big East affiliation because that is what we care about."

The move of Syracuse, Pitt and Rutgers to the Big Ten from the Big East could categorically change the landscape of the Big East itself. Thus, what Swarbrick is referring to when stating the University must continue to monitor what is going on.

The interview with Swarbrick was done before the late afternoon announcement.

http://www.wndu.com/sports/headlines/92447574.html

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

The New York market cares about pro sports first and foremost.

They do....

But "god forbid" KU went to the Big East....

We would instantly become part of the Eastern Sports Proganada Network and all its glorly....

Then we could be part of the Big East Foulfests and KU's would run over...

[Bambi]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

What's so sad about it?

This will bring millions into the city of Columbia.

You think I give a large rat's ass about tradition when I can dump it so that the University Hospital will get millions more in research dollars on account of being in the Big 10? When the Campus will be able to upgrade its facilities across the board? When the community is able to expand and bring in businesses to develop the northern part of town around the new High School that we just broke ground on?

**** that. This would improve the Columbia community immensly. And isn't that what intercollegiate athletics is supposed to be about anyway? Sports make money for the University and provide an identity to foster longstanding loyalty. A move to the Big 10, and the money that would entail, furthers that mission at every step.

This is all sour grapes. "Tradition" is the last straw these folks have and it's nonsense. You don't put the well-being of an institution which employs thousands and is the life-blood of a fairly significant city behind "tradition".

Hard to argue with that. I hope this deal goes through for you if it will help your community improve as that much.

[Bambi]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

The New York market cares about pro sports first and foremost.

Yep.

And then UConn, Syracuse, Georgetown, St. Johns.... oh wait. We don't have financials on sports from those schools for some reason

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

That's gone through my mind as well. But I'm not terribly worried, obviously there is something about Lincoln that makes him want to be there, seeing that he came back after he was run out the door in '03. I think as long as the university keeps putting lots of zeroes on the end of his paycheck he will be good.

True but i'm wondering if they would be able to match Ohio State if it comes to money. It would be impossible for him to leave if they move to the Big Ten so they better do it. Plus he is starting to get some talent from Ohio. I would love for them to be able to recruit in Ohio/Pennslyvania theres plenty of talent in that area.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Wickedson

Hard to argue with that. I hope this deal goes through for you if it will help your community improve as that much.

It would help any college community.

That's what bothers me about the stuff I'm hearing out of Lawrence. These folks have the gall to act like they wouldn't be doing the exact same thing if the opportunity arose.

Yes, it's about money. We've become so conditioned to believe 'profit=evil' that we ignore the actors. Additional profit here means a larger budget for the biggest college in the state. It means more money for educators and more programs for students. It means a lesser tax burden on the state's citizens.

There's absolutely nothing evil about chasing $$ here and "tradition" shouldn't even enter the discussion when looking at the benefits of that additional revenue.

[chiefsnorth]

It's starting to look like KU is going to be left out in the cold. What do you guys think the future looks like in CUSA or the Mountain West?

Do you think KU will be able to maintain basketball prominence as a mid-major team? Minus all the revenue, notoriety, and TV exposure that being in a BCS conference brings?

I wonder how this will change the landscape in both sports, say 5-6 years and beyond
Posted via Mobile Device

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

http://www.kmbc.com/news/23824319/detail.html


Will KU, K-State Go Separate Conference Ways?


KANSAS CITY, Kan. --



Kansas University and K-State University may not share the same fate if the Big 12 conference were to disband, according to the vice chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents.

"It is not automatic," said Gary Sherrer in an interview Monday with KMBC's Micheal Mahoney. "I think everybody would be disappointed if those two schools weren't in a regular league together."

The Board of Regents is the governing body for Kansas universities. The board discussed the Big 12's future in a conference call this afternoon.Both Sherrer and board Chairwoman Jill Docking said they are "unwavering in our belief that the best course of K-State and KU is continued affiliation in the Big 12."

As the Big 10 and Pac10 consider raiding the Big 12, neither Kansas school has figured in any of the scenarios based on media reports.

Sherrer said the regents could support KU and K-State taking different paths if that was in the best interest of each school.

Media reports Monday said the PAC 10 is ready to offer Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State slots. And other media reports have indicated the universities of Missouri and Nebraska are in talks to join the Big 10 conference.

KMBC's Nick Griffith reports that Mizzou and Nebraska have until Friday to decide their future.

If the raids were to succeed, that would leave KU, K-State, Iowa State and Baylor University as the only Big 12 schools, likely forcing it to dissolve.

Sherrer blasted the state of things in college sports."What do you think it says, when traditional rivalries that built up over all those years, with all the alums, are just kind of tossed out the window? For one reason: the buck."

I love how Sherrer (ostensibly a BOR member) doesn't seem to grasp the academic implications of the move.

[ArrowheadHawk]

Originally Posted by chiefsnorth

It's starting to look like KU is going to be left out in the cold. What do you guys think the future looks like in CUSA or the Mountain West?

Do you think KU will be able to maintain basketball prominence as a mid-major team? Minus all the revenue, notoriety, and TV exposure that being in a BCS conference brings?

I wonder how this will change the landscape in both sports, say 5-6 years and beyond
Posted via Mobile Device

I think KU BB will be fine. Its football that worries me.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by chiefsnorth

It's starting to look like KU is going to be left out in the cold. What do you guys think the future looks like in CUSA or the Mountain West?

Do you think KU will be able to maintain basketball prominence as a mid-major team? Minus all the revenue, notoriety, and TV exposure that being in a BCS conference brings?

I wonder how this will change the landscape in both sports, say 5-6 years and beyond
Posted via Mobile Device

What team do you follow? Thanks

[chiefsnorth]

Originally Posted by ArrowheadHawk

I think KU BB will be fine. Its football that worries me.

With respect, how can basketball be fine?

Will they draw as well playing Air Force and Colorado State and Wyoming?

Will they be televised nationally playing Utah or New Mexico?

Will recruits conside the school as attractive as it was in a major conference?

Will the dramatically reduced football revenue spill over to the rest of the athletic department?

I actually wish them well, but it's hard to see it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[kepp]

Could ku basketball do something similar to Notre Dame football...ku football could go to a mid-major and basketball be "independent"? The bball program is very good...does it have that kind of pull? Is that even possible?

[chiefsnorth]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

What team do you follow? Thanks

Well I'm a native of KC and grew up following MU. However I went off to a non-Big 12 school and now reside in Big 10 (16?) country.

So I still support Missouri as much as one can when they are rarely on tv here (hoops I don't follow so much anyway, more MU football is on here than you'd think).

For me this Big 10 thing could be a boon because all the football games would be televised and they'd play in my neighborhood every other year.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by chiefsnorth

Well I'm a native of KC and grew up following MU in the Big 8 days. However I went off to a non-Big 12 school and now reside in Big 10 (16?) country.

So I still support Missouri as much as one can when they are rarely on tv here (hoops, more MU football is on here than you'd think).

For me this Big 10 thing could be a boon because all the football games would be televised and they'd play in my neighborhood every other year.
Posted via Mobile Device

Gotcha. Thanks

[Bambi]

Originally Posted by kepp

Could ku basketball do something similar to Notre Dame football...ku football could go to a mid-major and basketball be "independent"? The bball program is very good...does it have that kind of pull? Is that even possible?

Yes but ending up in the ACC, Big East, or SEC or "some" type of superconference is more likely.

Problem is it may take a year or two to get to that point after things shake out, if indeed they do.

[ArrowheadHawk]

Originally Posted by chiefsnorth

With respect, how can basketball be fine?

Will they draw as well playing Air Force and Colorado State and Wyoming?

Will they be televised nationally playing Utah or New Mexico?

Will recruits conside the school as attractive as it was in a major conference?

Will the dramatically reduced football revenue spill over to the rest of the athletic department?

I actually wish them well, but it's hard to see it.
Posted via Mobile Device

I think New Mexico has actually been playing good ball lately but it will be more about out of conference scheduling than anything. KU won't lose prestige overnight. They should still be able to schedule well.

Originally Posted by kepp

Could ku basketball do something similar to Notre Dame football...ku football could go to a mid-major and basketball be "independent"? The bball program is very good...does it have that kind of pull? Is that even possible?

It would be risky. Scheduling 12 games is a whole lot different than sheduling 30. But it just might work.