"President Clements and I represented West Virginia University at last night's BIG EAST meeting in New York. The group concluded the meeting with a strategy to recruit top level BCS-caliber institutions that match the league's strong athletic and academic histories and traditions.
"As I stated before, WVU is an excellent flagship, land-grant University, with national-caliber athletic and academic programs. We are, and will remain, a national player in college athletics.
"The conference office will coordinate any further discussion on this issue."
8 months ago
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Can we just go Independent in Football already
or is it just Notre Dame that can leech money off the rest of the conference while bringing in none for football
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
CM PUNK IS MY HERO
Canal Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
Notre Dame are the ones
who don’t look like fools everytime someone starts shouting “the sky is falling!”. They don’t leech a dime off our football television contract either.
I hate the school… but if you’re going to hate them, at least place it in the proper context. Army, Navy and BYU are also independents for football who compete in other conferences’ all-other-sports programs.
Yes they do look like idiots
because being in a conference actually would be good for their program. The only reason Army and Navy are indies is because the Patriot League isn’t a D-1A football league. BYU also looks dumb for not being in a conference when they are BYU and well it’s not like they are the most recognizable program ever.
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
CM PUNK IS MY HERO
Canal Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Sep 21, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
No they get to sit around
and by virtue of being the single most recognized university in the world, sit on top of a big pile of cash they earned for themselves. They don’t look like idiots for fleeing one conference for another after pledging loyalty (Syr/Pitt). They don’t look like idiots for leaving one conference without the certainty of having a home (A&M).
Again, I don’t from a fan’s perspective like Notre Dame, but really, where is it at all advantageous for them to join a conference for football??? Everyone else is flopping around because no one else has long-term stability within their programs the way they do. I’d like to see them go 0-12 every season, but the fact is even doing that they’re going to make more money than we do and that’s the reality, and I’m not going to hate out of jealousy.
And don’t discredit BYU. They have their supporters and alumni and a very strong backing. Not as big as ND’s, but financially, they don’t need a conference to play in.
I don't think ND is the "single most recognized university in the world"
The rest of the world outside the US doesn’t give a hoot about US college football. I doubt that the average European, or Chinese, or Australian, would recognize Notre Dame as anything but a cathedral in Paris. Harvard, maybe, but not ND.
No sig.
by GenericCommenter0001 on Sep 21, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Sportswise though...
I have a large number of European (England, Ireland, Scotland), friends, just from cultural references and movies and stuff, they’ve said that easily Notre Dame is one of the US universities they’re inherently aware of and hear about.
Think about this, they’re playing a game in Dublin either next year or year after with Navy. That’s a big leap, who else can do that?
ND football is defined by its independence
Giving that up would be crushing for ND, its reputation, and its multitude of fans.
Being in a conference would be awful for ND.
Which is why they should be in a conference.
To break them finally.
by Durdens Wrath on Sep 22, 2011 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions
“WVUtoSEC is still alive” Wishful thinking…..We are likely a 2nd or 3rd tier option for the SEC. They don’t need to rush anything and won’t add a team just to prevent a “schedule nightmare”.
Disagree
with WVUColumbus. I think we are attractive enough that they’d “settle” for us to avoid that “nightmare.”
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I just want to be in a better conference.
Whatever conference that is doesn’t matter. Do something OL!
So this is the statement that was originally supposed to be released at 4:00 pm?
The lack of any sort of verbalized commitment by WVU to the Big East Conference is glaring. This statement really makes it look like we have one foot out the door.
www.smokingmusket.com
If
you think the SEC isn’t possible, a new look Big XII?
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
What in that statement gives you any sense that WVU is thoroughly committed to the Big East Conference right now?
www.smokingmusket.com
by Country Roads on Sep 21, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
How about a complete conference
I actually had someone say, “Does the BE play football? I thought it was a bb conference. Georgetown and Villanova don’t play football do they?” Admittedly, a bb fan. But, at least I didn’t have to explain ND’s role.
I’m real tired of this.
All This Shit...
has really clouded the week for me. I feel like we should be paying a whole lot more attention to the bleepin’ huge game we have this Saturday at 8 p.m.!
Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.
Agree.
I think that’ll happen in the next few days, though. Unfortunately it’s a national story too, which is taking some attention away from the game.
www.smokingmusket.com
by Country Roads on Sep 21, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Unfortunately,
the game means relatively nothing if Conference Apocalypse would’ve happened. My guess is that you’ll hear more beginning tomorrow.
The game means a great deal.
Not to the larger conference picture, but for our state, our university, our team, the players and coaches…this is our time to shine with the eyes of the college football world watching us. Not since the Fiesta Bowl has the spotlight shined so brightly on WVU with a chance to earn national respect and the attention of fans and recruits by beating the #2 team in the country – from the SEC, no less. If we win this game, the path is open to make a run at the national championship because we won’t play anyone else as good as LSU.
[Reading your comment over again, it seems like you were trying to say that the game would have been swallowed up among the conference realignment story if the Big 12 had split up, which I tend to a gree with. My response was just too good to delete.]
www.smokingmusket.com
by Country Roads on Sep 21, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I like
Let’s look at the Texas A&M and their journey to SEC acceptance. It’s much more complicated than the following, but I’m just focused on dates.
August 14th, 2011 – A&M admits to desire to join Big XII.
Link
September 8th, 2011 – A&M is invited to join the SEC; Big XII schools, notably Baylor (in hindsight) threaten litigation. Link
It took three weeks for A&M to get an invite. Don’t expect a two day turn-around now. The SEC can afford to be and should be patient. This tweet
My final thought for the night is that I’ll be STUNNED, after talking to 3 people today, if Mizzou ends up in SEC.
makes Mizzou to the SEC seem doubtful. That leaves, as the frontrunners, FSU and WVU. I bet FSU is clearly in first, and the SEC is just waiting on them. Let’s be patient. I’d say FSU is less than a 50/50 to move, meaning we have, in my opinion, better than a 50% chance of being invited to the SEC. For the record, I’m 100% sure the SEC will NEVER play a season with 13 teams.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 2:10 PM EDT reply actions
Florida state would be retarded to leave the ACC for the SEC.
And Florida has stated all along they don’t want them in the SEC so FSU to SEC seems unlikely at this time.
by Dynamicduo on Sep 21, 2011 2:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I agree
the 20 million dollar buyout would take years to make up in the SEC, plus they’d go from a top dog in the ACC to a mid-to-top dog in the SEC.
Just pointing out it’s a possibility and that FSU has reportedly formed a committee to investigate the possibility of moving to the SEC.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Missouri option off the table???
according to this piece, printed today:
“The Pac-12’s decision to not expand means the Big 12’s remaining schools appear likely to stay together with a new commitment. Missouri was reported to have an SEC invitation if the league fell apart, but that option appears gone.”
so what you are saying is
there is a chance
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
CM PUNK IS MY HERO
Canal Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Sep 21, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
how was i supposed to hear that...
amongst all the sweet nothings you were whispering to me?…yeah, i know. too far
I'm Confused
What exactly does this mean. Is the SEC off the table?
by PicktownMountie on Sep 21, 2011 2:45 PM EDT reply actions
it means the BE is dead and just doesn't know it yet
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
CM PUNK IS MY HERO
Canal Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Sep 21, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep
For WVU, the SEC would be the big prize. The situation looks significantly better right now than it did 24 hours ago. 24 hours ago I’d put WVU’s chances of joining the SEC this year as the 14th team at 5-15%. Now, with Missouri reportedly off the table, I’d put them at 50-60%. Even if that doesn’t happen, a Big XII that adds, say WVU, Louisville, and TCU, is a solid, hopefully stable football conference (and solid basketball as well). There are reports (looking for links) that the Big XII talked to WVU, UoL, Cincy, and Pitt before Pitt bolted for the ACC.
A 12 team Big XII would look like this..
Baylor
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Louisville
Missouri
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Texas
Texas Christian University
Texas Tech
West Virginia
That looks significantly better than a reformed Big East, or the Big East at the beginning of the year for that matter.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Texas supposedly doesn't want TCU in. That's why TCU agreed to join big east last year and didn't go to big 12.
BYU is number 1 on big 12’s list right now. That makes 10, if they go to 12 the next 3 they are reportedly looking at is WVU, UofL, and air force. I would think we are at the top of that group. But some may say air force is ahead of us. If they take BYU and air force. They still need 1 more, if Texas changes their mind they could take TCU or wvu. Still way too many questions, but I feel better about our chances at landing in a more stable conference now than I did yesterday.
by Dynamicduo on Sep 21, 2011 3:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes
much better now than 24 hours ago. Texas might swallow adding TCU because A&M is now gone, if that will strengthen the Big XII.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
We only go to the SEC as #15 or #16. If they wanted us as #14, we’d be there already. Last night was bad for us, because not only does it mean that the conferences aren’t going to race for 16 right now, almost assuring us a spot, but the Big 12 survives, so instead of merging with the Big East, the Big East will just become Conference USA.
It
took Texas A&M three weeks to get an invite. Plus, clearly we weren’t SEC’s option #1, Missouri was option #1. Now that option #1 is cold and fading, if we were option #2, why can’t we still join the SEC?
It’s been about 18 hours since SEC"s option #1 took a big hit. These things take some time…
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree 1000%
Why would we not be at the top of the SEC’s list now that mizzu is more than likely staying in big 12. FSU would be ahead of us but it is highly unlikely they go to the SEC, SO WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE FRONT RUNNER for the SEC, haters???? Until something new comes out we r right up there. It was confirmed that sec was looking at missouri and WVU. If Missouri isn’t in the running, it makes since that we are at the top of the running now.
by Dynamicduo on Sep 21, 2011 3:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
With the way things have played out everything is just a guess.
But the logical guess is we r still in the running for the big 12 and SEC. The big east is more then likely done. I don’t see anyway for them to keep auto bcs bid status. I still have faith WVU will be fine and find a bcs home.
by Dynamicduo on Sep 21, 2011 3:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I disagree that "we'd be there already."
The SEC but the brakes on the whole Texas A&M thing while waiting on Baylor to back down off their threat of legal action. If they don’t add A&M, they’re not going to go add anyone else either. Once Baylor backs down and the SEC is free to add A&M without legal recourse, I think that’s when you’ll see them add #14.
www.smokingmusket.com
by Country Roads on Sep 21, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
about FSU......
I don’t think you have to worry about FSU getting an invitation. They were offered a slot back in the early ’90’s and turned it down to go ACC. I would bet my last dime that the powers of Gatorville have been calling the SEC offices to stop further consideration. Some sports press will promote it, but the Gators do not want the share the State of Florida with anybody else.
I think there is a very small chance WVU will be added to the SEC (and virtually no chance we’ll be added to the Big XII)….The fan in me wants to believe it’s possible. The realist in me has looked at the past week through a microscope and can only see $$$….Most likely thing to happen right now
SEC remains at 13 (or 14 if Mizzou joins)
Big XII goes to 10 with addition of BYU
ACC stops at 14 for the time being because they think they have a shot at Texas/ND in future.
Pac 12 and Big Ten stay at 12
I think it’s all over for now…..except for BYU
Now let’s get ready for Saturday!!
If ANYTHING happens
my money would be on Rutgers and UCONN going to the ACC within coming weeks/months….Lots of TVs in that region and they would be foolish to postpone this offer for dreams of ND or UTexas
ESPN REPORTS
West Virginia won’t be leaving for the ACC or SEC after overtures were rejected by both conferences, according to a report on CBSSports.com. The Mountaineers explored the potential of a move to either the ACC or SEC, but school officials told the Big East they were denied and would remain in the Big East, according to the report
by PicktownMountie on Sep 21, 2011 3:27 PM EDT reply actions
That's
been pretty much refuted.. at least the SEC part. We were “rejected” by the SEC in the sense that an immediate invitation wasn’t offered. Instead we were essentially told to “hold on.”
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
if we joined BIG VII
think of the travel- no more driving to away games-i live in NC & thats still a long a$$ drive I’d rather just tread water & hope to get to the #WVUtoSEC when things kick up again-
just throwing something out-any chance-any chance @ all Saban @ bama helps WVU or am i dreaming?
you’re dreaming…it has nothing to do w/ coaches, our academics, etc. We just don’t bring anything to the table. Saban is worried about Arkansas not West Virginia.
sorry….meant don’t bring anything in terms of why conferences would want to add……not ANYTHING at all (because we bring culture, fanbase, competitive teams, etc.)….They don’t care about the on-field performance of the program…only its demographics
Not
dreaming. Saban has been a vocal advocate for WVU to the SEC. He’s certainly not a huge player, but your crazy if Bama’s President/Chancellor hasn’t at least had a conversation with Saban. He’s basically god in the state of Alabama right now.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
New idea...
one that i’ve had for a few hours, but now someone smarter than me has mentioned it…
Expansion also will be on the table for the presidents, the source said, with the three likely candidates — BYU (independent in football/West Coast Conference in other sports) and Big East schools Louisville and West Virginia. Those were three of the five schools that the Big 12 athletic directors were charged to call when Texas A&M announced it was leaving.
There's
that link. Thanks. WVU to the Big XII is a back-up plan for WVU.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I know, but...
I know we all want the same thing…a real conference. As to the ACC and SEC, especially the SEC, it’s not about money…it’s about the amount of money, and we don’t represent allota bucks.
The Big 12 is much more feasible but we’d be like BC is in the ACC, completely separated from the main body of the conference..out on a limb, with no real conference identity. These are issues that concern fans but I doubt they concern the decision makers.
To me, the ACC is a natural fit, strong basketball and developing football. I mean, if VaTech is acceptable to the ACC, we should be a real catch.
How many times does it need to be said...
…that if performance were a deciding factor, we’d be long gone by now. This has next to nothing to do with how good our programs are. It has all to do with money and eyeballs and tv sets.
by MountaineerAirman on Sep 21, 2011 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Can you imagine
How apeshit our stadium would go if Ollie were to walk out onto the field before the game and announce our SEC invite? You think that would pump them up?
by WVU-Atlanta on Sep 21, 2011 4:28 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
He
should do it either way… even if it’s not true.. haha
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Guessing
1) The SEC will do nothing about 14 until the A&M situation is resolved
2) The SEC given its druthers probably does not PREFER WVU as 14; however
3) WVU should have a strong pragmatic appeal to the SEC as 14 if, and only if, we can get out of the Big East quickly and without hair. Luck will have to be very,very good to negotiate a squeaky-clean and immediate exit given the damage done by Pitt and Syracuse. Nothing else would likely be acceptable to the SEC.
by westvirginnyreb on Sep 21, 2011 4:39 PM EDT reply actions
Pitt and Syracuse can't leave immediately
Pitt and Cuse have both been told that they can’t just leave for the ACC immediately. In fact, they’ve been told that they have to play in the Big East until 2014! They, of course, want to leave ASAP. I suspect what will happen is that they’ll have to fork over a pile of money (and/or NCAA tournament credits, if possible) to get out of playing in the Big East next year.
WVU would be in the same situation in the (fantastically unlikely) event that they are invited to the SEC.
Ya
but if we bolt, then UConn and Rutgers will try to bolt, and Cincy, Louisville, and USF won’t have the teeth nor the balls to try to impose that.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Majority vote
If Pitt/Cuse/UConn/Rutgers and WVU all want to leave, they can force a vote to either eliminate any fees/penalties for early exit or just dismantle the conference outright. They’ll have a majority, whereas right now Pitt and Syracuse are far from a majority. (I don’t believe TCU has a vote yet.)
If nothing else, it would behoove Pitt/Cuse to try and get invites for UConn and Rutgers, to get them that much closer to a clean exit.
Thanks. My point was just
to indicate some of the considerations around the possibility of WVU as no. 14. The Big East’s response (2014) to Pittsburgh’s and Syracuse’s departure was part of that problematic background.
by westvirginnyreb on Sep 21, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Where
the hell is this 4 PM press announcement by Luck?
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 5:28 PM EDT reply actions
4pm was just tossed around (no time was ever confirmed)
the full/only statement today is quoted in it’s entirety above
It was the earlier release
I think.
by WVU-Atlanta on Sep 21, 2011 5:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
At least it was Obama-esk
Filled with sincerity, signifying nothing. We are in the middle of a bad situation. We have expressed our distaste for the BE, rightly so. But, we can’t get a hug from anybody else. I feel all alone.
Our only recourse is to kick LSU’s ass as a symbol of our frustration.
I still
feel like we are in a good situation. Other than Notre Dame, we are the best looking option for the SEC and the Big XII, not including ACC teams and the 20 million buyouts that are attached to them.
Call me optimistic, but I’d say the chances we end up in one of those two conferences (and when I say Big XII, I mean one that still has Texas, Oklahoma, OSU) in time to play in that conference next year is 80-90%.
Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Sep 21, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
80-90%
are you being truthful to yourself or optimistic? I would put the chances of us being somewhere beginning next season at less than 3-5%, and I desperately want us to be in either of those conferences.
I just don’t think that all the reports of us being undesirable are false. For the most part, we bring no TVs, no recruiting, no academic standing (although this truly doesn’t matter) and we’re very strong at b-ball and f-ball….therefore, we’re extra competition to the ADs who are in charge of allowing us in or not.
Perfect storm against WVU in my opinion. Not saying impossible but highly unlikely
Was Ollie asleep at the switch?
After the BS settles, someone has to ask the question as to why wasn’t a WVU-Pitt or WVU-Syracuse part of the original equation. We are certainly a stronger athletic presence than Syracuse, and a better geographical fit to the ACC, plus our fan base is stronger.
Did Ollie piss somebody off?
Question for everyone
I was talking with some alumnis from Virginia and Georgia. They were in an agreement that the vulgar tee’s the couch burning and the party school image is hurting us from getting accepted in an elite conference. Do you think Luck knows this and is trying to straighten this up as quickly so we can get us out of the Big East.
by WVUDIEHARD1976 on Sep 22, 2011 7:33 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
That’s exactly what he’s doing. The days of drunken fan behavior, passed out students, and burning couches are numbered….and that’s not a good thing…it’s a GREAT thing.
Please, not like UVA...
Applause is considered an outrageous demonstration.
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