Topic: Conference Membership thread

[Bone Crusher]

http://www.seattlepi.com/archives/1994/9412230102.asp

COLORADO REJECTS PAC-10
CU BOARD VOTES TO STAY WITH BIG 12
By Bud Withers P-I Reporter
Friday, December 23, 1994
Section: Sports, Page: F1
The Pac-10 Conference won't be extending to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains anytime soon.

Forty-eight hours after the University of Colorado acknowledged a formal invitation by Pac-10 presidents to join the league and make it 11 teams, the CU board of regents voted 6-3 to stay with a commitment to the newly formed Big 12 Conference.

``I may have wanted to court someone and marry them at a certain point in my life," said CU regent Jim Martin. ``But if they weren't ready, I might have gone on with my life."

After the rejection, Pac-10 officials were resolute in saying they aren't finished looking at expansion - even someday to Colorado.

``It's quite likely that at some point in the future, and I don't know how far, there will be more realignments and more reconfigurations," Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen said. ``We have become convinced major conferences are going to get bigger."

There was speculation earlier this week that the invitation implied probable interest on Colorado's part. The rejection is at best perplexing and at worst embarrassing for the Pac-10, whose timing has been poor ever since expansion became a hot topic a couple of years ago.

At that time, the Pac-10 - noting expanding conferences like the Southeastern and Big Ten and their increased clout with TV networks - courted the University of Texas for its large TV markets. Colorado wasn't invited then because some Pac-10 presidents had reservations about the Buffaloes.

``Texas always expressed concerns about doing anything unilaterally," Hansen said.

Additions of Texas and Texas A&M were discussed, but, said Hansen, ``They couldn't get the state educational system or the state government to approve that."

Those two schools, plus Baylor and Texas Tech, broke up the Southwest Conference and joined the Big Eight to form the Big 12. Colorado, a Big Eight member, worked hard for the merger and helped facilitate two TV contracts totaling $100 over five years.

Meanwhile, other Pac-10 presidents grew more amenable to expansion, leading to the invitation earlier this month. But Colorado, while saying the financial considerations are about even and many intangibles favor a move to the Pac-10, didn't feel it could renege on its Big 12 commitment.

``Last year," said regent Peter Dietze, ``we were at a position of joining the Pac-10, and if we had received a formal invitation, we might have accepted it. Where we are today, it seems appropriate to stay where we are."

Said Judith Albino, the CU president, ``The timing is extremely important here. We have been involved in shaping this and it's not something you walk away from lightly."

Hansen said the Pac-10 has no other immediate alternatives. Missouri and Nebraska have been discussed as targets, but mostly by the Big Ten, and they might have problems similar to Colorado.

The Pac-10 has always refused serious consideration of California schools like Fresno State and San Diego State.

The timing is better now for the Buffs to jump to the Pac-10.  CU, cultrally and academically, is a perfect fit for the Pac-10.  I always have called CU the "ugly duckling" of the Big 12 for those reasons.

[Bone Crusher]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4735336

The Big Ten looks like they will seriously consider expansion this coming year.  I wonder how long it will be before the Pac-10 follows suit?

[thedrUNKenLoper]

A friend and I were talking about this and who would be better in the BigEleven? Pitt or Louisville? If the BigTen expanded here is how I would separate the two.

Division 1: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio State Michigan, Illinois Northwestern
- Keep traveling partners/rivals as closely as you can plus eliminating that East/West that I'd like
 
Division 2: Iowa, Michigan State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Indiana, Purdue
- Well granted Iowa and Michigan State look odd but you still have traveling partners in PSU-Pitt and IU-Purdue
 
In this senario I could be open to having designated rivals such as PSU-Ohio State, Iowa-Wisconsin, Michigan State-Michigan etc

some other ideas-

Division One: Iowa, Minnesota Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State

Division Two: Penn State, Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Illinois, Indiana, Purdue

or

Division One: Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio State, Northwestern, Illinois

Division Two: Penn State, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue



or



BigTen East: Penn State, Pittsburgh, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana

BigTen West: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Illinois, Purdue


The Pac10 expansion isn't as cut and dry since there are 4-5 candidates in my opinion.

[Bone Crusher]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-17-big-ten-brite-dec17,0,3820862.story

The Big 11 could become the Big 14.

[Blackshirts]

If they go 14 or 16 I could see a massive restructure of all conferences

[Bone Crusher]

http://www.cbssports.com/general/story/12905770/pac10-commish-conference-expansion-under-serious-evaluation

Pac-10 commish hires former Big 12 commish as new Pac-10 Deputy Commish (do you smell what is cooking?)

Scott said there have been "no serious discussions" with any schools. He said the primary factor in the decision will be finding schools that fit into the conference culturally and academically.

The popular pick is BYU-Utah.  BYU does not meet what Scott is looking for.  Utah does meet that criteria.  It is well known that Boise State does not meet that criteria.

Hawaii and Idaho does meet that criteria but aren't practical canadiates at the time.  Hawaii would need to raze Aloha Stadium and build a new on campus stadium.  There has been talk of a new 62,000 seat stadium at the UH campus but it seems like the HI state legislature opted to refurbish Aloha Stadium for the time being.  Idaho state politics could have a say especially the factions loyal to Boise State when it comes to Idaho.  I am not concerned about Idaho's currnet home playing field because the Vandals are just 10 miles away from Pullman and have used Washington State's home field as their own home field at times.

"I know that's of paramount importance to our presidents and chancellors," Scott said. "There are other economic and athletic considerations such as increased costs that would be involved, increased travel that would be involved, splitting the pie in more ways. You look at how that is offset against potentially greater revenue, potentially greater exposure into more markets, possible recruiting opportunities, the impact on media negotiations generally. There's a whole analysis you would go through in terms of cost benefit."

The conference is also looking at the possibility of starting its own television network. Scott said the priority in the new television deal will be to increase exposure and revenues.

"I always knew that there's a lot of interest in the possibility in a network," he said. "But that's not the only solution to achieve our overall goals."

Scott said the conference will undergo a rigorous evaluation of whether to launch a network in the upcoming months. Weiberg, who helped launch the Big Ten network, will play a big role in that process.

Weiberg said assuring wide distribution of a network is paramount to its success. The Big Ten Network had trouble getting on cable systems in the Midwest when it launched in August 2007 and was initially only available in about 17 million homes.

Within a year, it was available in about 75 million homes.

"Clearly for a network to be successful, you want it to be distributed as broadly as possible not only in the region but hopefully to have distribution that is national in scope," Weiberg said. "One has to think carefully about how to achieve that. It's fundamental to the economic success of such a network."

Weiberg was behind Penn State's move to the Big 10.  He also helped create the Big 10 Network.

California has almost 37 million people living there.
Oregon has almost 4 million people living there.
Washington is at 6.6 million people living there.
Arizona has almost the same populaton as Washington.

That is 54.2 million people.

Nevada's 2.6 million people are basically under the Pac-10's TV coverage area and the same goes for Idaho's 1.5 million people.  That adds up to 58.30.

Now Colorado has 5 million people and along with Utah's 2.7 million people takes that number up to 66 million people.  CU would take away Montana, Wyoming, and New Mexico's 3.4 million people from the Big 12.  That's 69.40 million.  If you add Hawaii and Alaska, that's another two million which puts the Pac-10 above 70 million.  The Big 10 Network reaches 75 million households and adding CU and Utah would lock up the entire western United States for the Pac-10.

[Bone Crusher]

As for Missouri to the Big 10 and that the Big 10 Network is 49% owned by Fox Sports, let it be noted that the Kansas City area and central Missouri used to be under Fox Sports Midwest until Fox Sports Kansas City took that away from the Big 10 region.  Maybe the Big 10 wants that region back.

[Bone Crusher]

http://bigxiiboards.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=29605#29605

A juicy rumor about CU to the Pac-10 in 2011.

Wow...a rumor from nearly a year ago came true.

It's a good time to revisit this thread.

[thedrUNKenLoper]

We could have house that topic right here instead of the many which we have in the football section.

[Bone Crusher]

We could have house that topic right here instead of the many which we have in the football section.

This stuff was very football centric and basketball was pretty much a nonfactor in this.  As a result, those things did have their rightful place in the football thread.  Notice that I started this thread during the 2009 football season under Other Sports as not to make a big mess on the football thread during football season.  When it's offseason in the football, GAME ON!

[Blackshirts]

In all honesty I prefer multiple threads like we had to just one, one thread would have gotten confusing with 20 different stories going on at any given time

[Bone Crusher]

In all honesty I prefer multiple threads like we had to just one, one thread would have gotten confusing with 20 different stories going on at any given time

Once we have the new board up and running, the Pac-10, Big 12-2, and Big Ten+2 should have their own boards and we should have less clutter.  I'm definetly going to roll up my sleeves and keep the Pac-10 board interesting enough to attract attention.

I already know what my first thread will be on that new board.

[Bone Crusher]

This great thread isn't dead just yet.

Remember the posts about UTSA and Texas State?  One UTSA site did an interview with the WAC commissioner.

http://www.utsatailgaters.com/football/articles/utsa-on-wacs-radar

Sounds like UTSA and Texas State will be the next two WAC schools.

I don't think the Montana schools will move up anytime soon so UTSA and Texas State are the most obvious choices.

[Bone Crusher]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/062210dnospount.1df8fb9.html

UNT will hire a consultant to determine where UNT athletics should go.  The WAC seems the most likely destination.  UNT would entice Louisana Tech and NMSU to stay in that conference.  If TSU and UTSA join as well, that would leave one more school to be added to make a 12 team conference.  I read that SHSU has been told by advisors to go ahead and move up.

[thedrUNKenLoper]

http://www.lopers.com/news/2010/8/2/GEN_0802101529.aspx?path=general

Seems like Nebraska-Kearney will be leaving the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for the MIAA, this is something which I feel is a much better fit than the RMAC mainly due to travel costs.

[Bone Crusher]

http://www.lopers.com/news/2010/8/2/GEN_0802101529.aspx?path=general

Seems like Nebraska-Kearney will be leaving the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for the MIAA, this is something which I feel is a much better fit than the RMAC mainly due to travel costs.

Wow...Colorado's links to the midwest are being greatly reduced.  This means Chadron State will stay in the RMAC right?

If the MIAA goes to 16 teams, how do you see the divisions being split?

Colorado is becoming more western than ever and its ties with California will only deepen.  I read somewhere that there are more Pac-10 alumni than Big 12 alumni in the state of Colorado.

[thedrUNKenLoper]

Chadron State is closer to Colorado than UNK is so yeah they'll stay for sure because its the only option for them right now. Currently the RMAC consists of Colorado, New Mexico and Nebraska (CSC). But my thoughts on a MIAA split probably have a divisions with UNKearney, UNOmaha, Washburn, Pitt St, Fort Hays, UCO, the other two Okla schools then the other being NWMissouri, Missouri Western, Central Missouri, Truman State, and the other schools in that state. You probably have the Pitt St-NWMSU preserved since they play yearly at Arrowhead in the Fall Classic.

[Blackshirts]

Chadron State is closer to Colorado than UNK is

Chadron is only 15 minutes closer to Colorado School of mines than UNK is and Omaha is only an hour closer to UNK compared to the school of mines.

Given Hays is closer to UNK than the other schools but trips to Joplin and Tahlequah, Oklahoma are not going to be much better than the trips they make now

[Bone Crusher]

Chadron State is closer to Colorado than UNK is so yeah they'll stay for sure because its the only option for them right now. Currently the RMAC consists of Colorado, New Mexico and Nebraska (CSC). But my thoughts on a MIAA split probably have a divisions with UNKearney, UNOmaha, Washburn, Pitt St, Fort Hays, UCO, the other two Okla schools then the other being NWMissouri, Missouri Western, Central Missouri, Truman State, and the other schools in that state. You probably have the Pitt St-NWMSU preserved since they play yearly at Arrowhead in the Fall Classic.

There's a Big 8 feel to the MIAA...should be exciting times for Loper fans.

[thedrUNKenLoper]

Chadron is only 15 minutes closer to Colorado School of mines than UNK is and Omaha is only an hour closer to UNK compared to the school of mines.

Given Hays is closer to UNK than the other schools but trips to Joplin and Tahlequah, Oklahoma are not going to be much better than the trips they make now

Kearney is three and a half hours from Omaha, where Denver is five and the Mines are located in Golden which is around five plus change. UNK is 10+ hours from the western Colorado schools and 15+ hours from the New Mexico schools. Nebraska-Kearney will be better off by this move I feel as an alumnus of the school.

[Blackshirts]

I would like to see UNO, UNK, Chadron and Wayne all in a conference, but that is probably a pipe dream

[thedrUNKenLoper]

If this happens that'll be one of the down sides for myself and fellow Lopers that the schedule won't include Chadron State and Wayne State. Granted most UNK and CSC fans don't like one another.

[Blackshirts]

You would guess somehow they would keep Chadron, they play UNO pretty much every year now.  The year I was there Chadron was by far the game to see.

[thedrUNKenLoper]

You would guess somehow they would keep Chadron, they play UNO pretty much every year now.  The year I was there Chadron was by far the game to see.

are you a UNK guy also BS? and while I was in school Woodhead was at CSC, his senior year and my redshirt year (5th year just kidding about playing football) he got hurt the game which I was doing for campus radio and it was on CBS College Sports got hurt on the second play. But I'd guess that if there was one non-conf game the Lopers and Eagles would play.

[Blackshirts]

Went my freshman year to UNK, was there when the RB transfer from Air Force was tearing it up for the Lopers, can't remember the guys name.