RE: Pac-12 expansion?
My stance has been all along that the B12 is NOT the best spot for the University of Houston. I've gone into my reasons in the past.
Sure, if it is the only invite we accept and we celebrate our regional rivalries but the reasons why we are not viewed as valuable for the Big 12 are exactly the opposite reasons on why we would be valuable to the other Power Conferences. We offer a large public school, in one of the largest markets in the country, and offer their conference access to one one of the most important states in the United States of America.
After the 2011 Big 12 snub (TCU + WVU), our leaders aggressively contacted and met with other Power Conferences to discuss where we currently stand and what we need to accomplish in the next 10 years to be a viable expansion candidate. Some of the items on the list were already in place but YES our leaders felt that the most realistic option might be the PAC. The PAC gave us a specific list, or a road map, and we all feel we are way AHEAD of schedule.
Here's where we stand in 2016 with the PAC's list of requested items handed to us in 2011:
Access to Texas: True the PAC went after UT but that deal fell through so we at least know they covet the state of Texas. If UT is unwillingly to reach a deal they could add UH to enter the Texas market and the increased carriage fees. CHECK
Large Public NON RELIGIOUS School: The University of Houston would be the Texas counter to UCLA. They both have around 43,000 students, are liberal and diverse research institutions, and sit in the#2 and #4 most populated cities in the United States of America. Throw in the history between UH and UCLA (1968 Game of the Century) and you could see how there could be a connection between these West and East bookends. I won't go into all the academic improvements but they also play into the PAC's requests. CHECK
I've also wondered if they would make a strategic play for a UH +Rice addition. Rice because it would add a premiere academic institution and it would give them TWICE the exposure in the Houston market but that's not part of the items UH was asked to accomplish.
New Football Stadium: As you all know we opened a brand new on campus football stadium two seasons ago. Phase one of the stadium seats about 42,000+ (with SRO) but phase 2 and 3 each will add another 10,000 or so seats. So, after full expansion UH will have about 65,000 seats on campus. Not only is this comparable to other PAC stadiums but the current configuration beats many of them. CHECK
Improved Basketball Facilities: UH just opened up a brand new Basketball Practice Facility complete with lockers and a player lounge areas. This facility is to serve both the mens and womens team. CHECK
The UH Board of Regents also just recently approved a $65 million Hofheinz renovation project. It is currently in the Construction Document Phase and a timeline has been established for construction. IN PROGRESS
Indooor Football Facility: I believe this project is in the design development/bidding phase. It is such a high priority that it was written into Coach Herman's contract. IN PROGRESS
Baseball Field House: Renderings and financing are in place for this project. IN PROGRESS
Success on the Field/Court:
Football- The team is coming off a 13 win season (2nd in the last 5 years) including an impressive win over Florida State in a New Years Six Bowl. Not many other G5 hopefuls can boast that kind of success. More importantly, close to 25,000 University of Houston supporters traveled to Atlanta for the game. It was a sell out and it drew huge TV ratings in Houston. These items are of great importance to conferences as football is the biggest force. CHECK
Oh, and for those not paying attention, we've sold 100 NEW season tickets a day for over 30 days running. 25,000 seasons tickets sold BEFORE the first game is now a very realistic goal! The PAC stated they wanted to see us reach 20,000 season tickets sold........ we should meet their request BEFORE Summer.
Baseball- The University of Houston Baseball team just HOSTED a regional last year and is expected to make it to the post season AGAIN this year. CHECK
Basketball- Coach Herman gets most of the press, but the Kelvin Sampson hire was just as noteworthy and instrumental in UH's bid to land a Power Conference invite. The Cougar basketball team finished the regular season 22-8 and are the #2 seed going into the AAC tournament. There is a realistic possibility they could land a spot in the NCAA tournament...way ahead of Sampson's rebuilding plan (they only won 13 games last year). Again this would put the Cougars in another high profile position.
Name another G5 candidate that won a New Year's Six Bowl game, hosted a Regional in Baseball, and played in the NCAA tournament in basketball? Throw in the large public school element, large TV market element, and access tot he state of Texas and you start to understand why we've had SERIOUS conversations with many Power Conferences about potential membership.
All I'm saying is that no one should be surprised if another Power 5 Conference decides to pull the trigger on the University of Houston. We've been in discussions for over 5 years and are doing EXACTLY what they are asking of us. Also, if you look at the other G5 programs, the University of Houston has many advantages. They may not translate to a Big 12 invite but that doesn't mean others aren't running the numbers.
(This post was last modified: 03-06-2016 09:42 PM by UH1927.)
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