This is the UB's new president's statement of what the MAC is and why he likes it. It might not fly with certain schools (hint: they are leaving us anyway). The following is from the Buffalo News:
Yet when asked if he believed Division I is a viable option for UB, Simpson said, "You bet."
"Things seem to be working very well," said Simpson, who has already attended several basketball games and wrestling matches. "I like the basic philosophy that the presidents in the MAC institutions have about the need to balance academics and athletics and this is different than what I was used to in some other places. We need time to adjust to being in the MAC, to competing in this league and I think it's premature to make any conclusions about major changes."
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My comment: and folks criticize the MAC, but for what? Seems the MAC has a good balance and sense of perspective what collegiate athletics is about.
Many conferences can't say that!!
emu steve Wrote:My comment: and folks criticize the MAC, but for what? Seems the MAC has a good balance and sense of perspective what collegiate athletics is about.
Many conferences can't say that!!
I can only echo that emu steve. It's one of the things that I really enjoy about the MAC.
How would balancing academics and athletics not fly at UCF? Our academics improve every year. Just 5 years ago average SAT of freshmen was 990. Next year, the average freshman is expected to have a 1210 SAT score. Since UCF is in such high demand, they are putting a cap and taking only the best scores.
If your intention by your comment was that UCF has no balance between academics and athletics, then you're way off base.
HuronDave Wrote:emu steve Wrote:My comment: and folks criticize the MAC, but for what? Seems the MAC has a good balance and sense of perspective what collegiate athletics is about.
Many conferences can't say that!!
I can only echo that emu steve. It's one of the things that I really enjoy about the MAC.
Well I can see where he's coming from. The MAC is a great Academic and Athletic Conference and it does (the MAC) illustrate very well what a traditional Conference should be like (close rivals, similar cultures, similar goals). The MAC is great when you look at it that way and there's nothing wrong with that. Just because some schools chose to leave doesn't mean that the league isn't right for everyone else. And just because other schools are staying doesn't meant that it's wrong for others to leave.
Good luck to the MAC.
No offense to UCF although some might take exception to their new coaching salaries which are now part of the financial arms race.
I just hope that UCF doesn't get into that "win at all cost" mentality which pervades college today.
emu steve Wrote:I just hope that UCF doesn't get into that "win at all cost" mentality which pervades college today.
Too late! They are already there.
Just to add some perspective, UB's new president, John Simpson, came from UC Santa Cruz. Before that he spent the majority of his career at the Univ of Washington in the Pac-10. When he talks about balancing athletics & academics he's probably referring back to his days at U of Wash. I don't think anyone in the MAC can be compared to schools like UW and the athletic spending that goes on at a university like that.
DexterEagle Wrote:emu steve Wrote:I just hope that UCF doesn't get into that "win at all cost" mentality which pervades college today.
Too late! They are already there.
Care to explain? Just because we hired a great coach? If we were "winning at all costs", wouldn't we have NOT suspended our star QB over a couple forged attendance slips? Wouldn't we had turned a blind eye?
You guys need to think...alot....before speaking.
The Knight Time Wrote:You guys need to think...alot....before speaking.
Excellent advice, KT! :rofl:
Oddball/KT, I want to respectfully disagree.
I believe I thought my position out and the other posters and I are probably in basic agreement.
Some already feel that UCF crossed the line in salaries for their head and assistant coaches.
They could cause a salary war among the non-BCS schools which could affect many schools.
If Bob Pruitt has any kind of clause tieing his salary and bonuses to other coaches in the conference (I've Herd that stated), he could be the biggest winner in the Herd move to C-USA.
The UCF contract to O'Leary could raise the salary bar in C-USA big time across the board.
This is what I had in mind...
emu steve Wrote:Oddball/KT, I want to respectfully disagree.
I believe I thought my position out and the other posters and I are probably in basic agreement.
Some already feel that UCF crossed the line in salaries for their head and assistant coaches.
They could cause a salary war among the non-BCS schools which could affect many schools.
If Bob Pruitt has any kind of clause tieing his salary and bonuses to other coaches in the conference (I've Herd that stated), he could be the biggest winner in the Herd move to C-USA.
The UCF contract to O'Leary could raise the salary bar in C-USA big time across the board.
This is what I had in mind...
emu_steve, my comment was not directed at you. My "agreement" with KT was not quite so literal. I agree with you that UCF has started down a path that may not be quite prudent. Time will tell.
I'd just like to publicly thank EMU Steve for this topic..
Just a little more history- Former UB President Greiner was largely responsible for the push to Division 1 athletics for UB. When he recently retired, there was concern as to the level of support for athletics from the incoming president. Until the recent interview in the Buffalo News, he seemed to hedge on the issue- didn't want to rush to judgement, have to look at the overall costs, etc. It was good to see those positive comments coming from him.
This guy actually attended UB wrestling matches! I think I could really learn to like him. :D
Thanks guys. We agree and respect each other's opinion.
I like this board.
It is difinitely more civil than most.
Oddball Wrote:emu steve Wrote:Oddball/KT, I want to respectfully disagree.
I believe I thought my position out and the other posters and I are probably in basic agreement.
Some already feel that UCF crossed the line in salaries for their head and assistant coaches.
They could cause a salary war among the non-BCS schools which could affect many schools.
If Bob Pruitt has any kind of clause tieing his salary and bonuses to other coaches in the conference (I've Herd that stated), he could be the biggest winner in the Herd move to C-USA.
The UCF contract to O'Leary could raise the salary bar in C-USA big time across the board.
This is what I had in mind...
emu_steve, my comment was not directed at you. My "agreement" with KT was not quite so literal. I agree with you that UCF has started down a path that may not be quite prudent. Time will tell.
Since when is improving your athletics "down the wrong path"?
I've never seen a league more afraid of expanding and moving up.
klingon288 Wrote:This guy actually attended UB wrestling matches! I think I could really learn to like him. :D
Another wrestling fan?
Pretty soon the women's golf fans are going to be outnumbered.
klingon288 Wrote:This guy actually attended UB wrestling matches! I think I could really learn to like him. :D
This is a little off topic, but I just wanted to let you know that I've only seen Simpson at maybe 2 of our basketball (one mens and one womens) games. As far as I know he was nowhere to be seen for the Kent State game. It's sorta weird that he's said that he wants to get to know what athletics means to this school before he makes any judgements, but when the biggest game in modern UB sports rolls around, he's nowhere to be seen...
[quote="The Knight Time"] [quote="Oddball"] [quote="emu steve"] Oddball/KT, I want to respectfully disagree.
UB probably has as much potential as any school in the MAC. If they just start winning....
And how this initial post could possibly be seen as a shot against UCF is beyond me.
UCF's salaries are in line with an number of other programs. I have no problem with it. Furthermore, UCF has made a lot of progress academically. It's still no UF, but it's getting closer.
The Knight Time Wrote:DexterEagle Wrote:emu steve Wrote:I just hope that UCF doesn't get into that "win at all cost" mentality which pervades college today.
Too late! They are already there.
Care to explain? Just because we hired a great coach? If we were "winning at all costs", wouldn't we have NOT suspended our star QB over a couple forged attendance slips? Wouldn't we had turned a blind eye?
You guys need to think...alot....before speaking.
don't you have to actually "win" before you can be accused of "winning at all costs"?