University of Tulsa President Steadman Upham wanted to secure a different address for the Golden Hurricane.

"We watched the steady erosion of membership in Conference USA with increasing dismay," Upham explained during a news conference at TU's Reynolds Center on Tuesday. "I think really the final straw was when Tulane left the conference. We realized we needed to take action.

"We assembled our coaches and had a pretty frank conversation about which direction the university ought to go. I'm pleased to say that we were able to pull that off."

(04-03-2013 01:41 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  University of Tulsa President Steadman Upham wanted to secure a different address for the Golden Hurricane.

"We watched the steady erosion of membership in Conference USA with increasing dismay," Upham explained during a news conference at TU's Reynolds Center on Tuesday. "I think really the final straw was when Tulane left the conference. We realized we needed to take action.

"We assembled our coaches and had a pretty frank conversation about which direction the university ought to go. I'm pleased to say that we were able to pull that off."

Why do you want to rattle the cage bro?

I think Tulane's inclusion in C-TBA was the final straw for a lot of people.

(04-03-2013 01:41 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  University of Tulsa President Steadman Upham wanted to secure a different address for the Golden Hurricane.

"We watched the steady erosion of membership in Conference USA with increasing dismay," Upham explained during a news conference at TU's Reynolds Center on Tuesday. "I think really the final straw was when Tulane left the conference. We realized we needed to take action.

"We assembled our coaches and had a pretty frank conversation about which direction the university ought to go. I'm pleased to say that we were able to pull that off."

Tulsa and Tulane are very close allies. Our athletic director is an alumnus and played football at Tulsa. He was also athletic director there long time ago. I'm a fan of Tulsa as a school. They frustrate me as a fan for tulane because they kick ass like we use to a few years ago. Great school.

(04-03-2013 01:49 PM)Texas2Step Wrote:  Why do you want to rattle the cage bro?

Because the pet hamster inside is so entertaining when he starts running in his spinning wheel.

But the hamster seems to have been taking a nap for the last few days.

(04-03-2013 02:09 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(04-03-2013 01:49 PM)Texas2Step Wrote:  Why do you want to rattle the cage bro?

Because the pet hamster inside is so entertaining when he starts running in his spinning wheel.

But the hamster seems to have been taking a nap for the last few days.

Or he's just given up. We can only hope.

who knew how much clout Tulane had?

I think honestly, the split with the C7/BE happens regardless, the Tulane add was just something the presidents could latch on as a cover quite frankly.

I think not only Tulane but ECU leaving cemented the president's opinions of CUSA. I think if you gave the USM president truth serum, he'd be saying the exact same things.

I'm reminded about a year ago when I asked CUSA fans who the one that mentally would be toughest to lose. Tulsa was it overwhelmingly.

(04-03-2013 02:45 PM)stever20 Wrote:  I think honestly, the split with the C7/BE happens regardless, the Tulane add was just something the presidents could latch on as a cover quite frankly.

We'll never know for sure, but I'm sure that Fox would have made the play regardless ~ with MLB, and guaranteed pieces of the Big12 and Pac12, plus additional college football available on franchise from ESPN, they really do need the extra winter inventory substantially more than they need extra fall inventory.

Tulane may have featured in the argument that Fox made to the C7 Presidents, but if Tulane hadn't have happened, some other argument would have been made.

Did he watch the steady erosion of the Big East with increasing dismay too?

(04-03-2013 01:49 PM)Texas2Step Wrote:  

(04-03-2013 01:41 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  University of Tulsa President Steadman Upham wanted to secure a different address for the Golden Hurricane.
"We watched the steady erosion of membership in Conference USA with increasing dismay," Upham explained during a news conference at TU's Reynols Center on Tuesday. "I think really the final straw was when Tulane left the conference. We realized we needed to take action.

"We assembled our coaches and had a pretty frank conversation about which direction the university ought to go. I'm pleased to say that we were able to pull that off."

Why do you want to rattle the cage bro?

To see what is lurking in the tall grass?

(04-03-2013 03:07 PM)gocards#1 Wrote:  Did he watch the steady erosion of the Big East with increasing dismay too?

I sure did. The BIG invite was a God send for us. Although I also was curious to see these new schools who were actually excited about being in the BE.

(04-03-2013 03:07 PM)gocards#1 Wrote:  Did he watch the steady erosion of the Big East with increasing dismay too?

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

My, we are quick to find something negative.

(04-03-2013 04:01 PM)apex_pirate Wrote:  

(04-03-2013 03:07 PM)gocards#1 Wrote:  Did he watch the steady erosion of the Big East with increasing dismay too?

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

My, we are quick to find something negative.

Have you read his posts?

(04-03-2013 01:41 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  University of Tulsa President Steadman Upham wanted to secure a different address for the Golden Hurricane.

"We watched the steady erosion of membership in Conference USA with increasing dismay," Upham explained during a news conference at TU's Reynolds Center on Tuesday. "I think really the final straw was when Tulane left the conference. We realized we needed to take action.

"We assembled our coaches and had a pretty frank conversation about which direction the university ought to go. I'm pleased to say that we were able to pull that off."

Just saw this, hilarious title Cougar Red !

BTW, one other interesting takeaway from Upham's press conference is his stressing that the new conference invitation "is for ALL sports, and that was one of the things we felt very strongly about". For me this subtly confirms the persistent rumor on Tulsa message boards from the fall that Tulsa turned down a football-only invite several months ago.

(04-04-2013 11:03 PM)Tulsafanzz Wrote:  For me this subtly confirms the persistent rumor on Tulsa message boards from the fall that Tulsa turned down a football-only invite several months ago.

Interesting comment... I hadn't heard of such a rumor but the ECU-scenario obviously gives credence to it. I agree that a school in Tulsa's position shouldn't have accepted a football-only invite. To be honest I'm sort of surprised that ECU did. Thankfully that awkward moment is over now.

Isn't it time for Tallgrass to comment on this?? (ducking)

What a shock Trollgrass is nowhere to be found.

(04-05-2013 08:27 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  What a shock Trollgrass is nowhere to be found.

He's out buying an "AAC" cap.

(04-05-2013 08:27 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  What a shock Trollgrass is nowhere to be found.

The fact that he's too embarrassed to comment actually is a positive indication. Suggests that he isn't totally shameless, and therefore (potentially) not totally-impervious to new information/evidence.

(04-03-2013 02:45 PM)stever20 Wrote:  who knew how much clout Tulane had?

I think honestly, the split with the C7/BE happens regardless, the Tulane add was just something the presidents could latch on as a cover quite frankly.

I think not only Tulane but ECU leaving cemented the president's opinions of CUSA. I think if you gave the USM president truth serum, he'd be saying the exact same things.

I'm reminded about a year ago when I asked CUSA fans who the one that mentally would be toughest to lose. Tulsa was it overwhelmingly.

USM had only an interim president from early 2012 through April 1st, 2013. Our AD has only a one-year contract. Now that we've got an actual president in place, look for more of a strategic approach from USM. He's already hired an outside consultant to help with realignment. The AD issue will inevitably get resolved as well.

There is a strong contingent of USM fans who aspire to bigger things. We're not happy right now, but I also think we're far from giving up.