AAC commissioner Mike Aresco: "ESPN believes in the growth potential of this league."
“Our Power 6 campaign is going to be energized. It’s not going away, and I want that to be really clear."
Aresco on future expansion: "It's possible we can add some schools down the road. It's not completely out of the question." {But emphasizes they have to reach out and be interested, the AAC does not poach}
"What I don't want to do is destabilize anything."
Aresco says it's "always a possibility" the AAC loses more schools in future expansion. "But we can't worry about that. We didn't dwell on that" during this process.
"We're a conference that's been in big markets. That's been our DNA ... we're in football hotbeds." “We’ve always been a conference in big marketplaces.”
"It wasn’t one-dimensional. Just because you’re in a big market, doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a good program."
Notes: "East Carolina was one of those schools that wasn't from a large market but had a national reputation."
"It all comes down in the end to schools that you think will invest. And not only will invest but are rapidly growing [their schools, markets and fan bases]."
"I’m more convinced than ever that they not only will make the investment, but they have the vision. We didn’t want anybody in this conference … that didn’t want to be at the highest level of college athletics."
“I think these schools will embrace the [P6] vision,”
“What we’re doing here is building for the long term future”
"Our DNA has always been aspirational... nine years ago people didn't really give us a chance to be a force in college athletics, and look what we've done."
Aresco: “Football is the foundation of a conference.”
“We wanted to strengthen that presence in Texas.”
"The DNA of this conference was never to settle for the 'Group Of Five' level."
Mike Aresco on FAU: "They've been an important presence in South Florida. We now have a partner for South Florida."
AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco says that the league is building for the long term future. He points that nobody thought the conference would be to the level it is at now when it started nine years ago. "The increased exposure" will help the growth of the new programs like #FAU.
"This is not my first realignment rodeo. It's not fun."
Rice:
Joe Karlgaard: "Rice just has so many assets to bring to the table. I think about how the stories play out -- and conference realignment -- at least the consensus and the thinking is that it largely plays out around football. I think Rice is so much more than that."
"We've won 25 conference championships across 12 different sports over the last eight years."
Rice AD Joe Karlgaard says school joining the AAC "will have a significant economic impact."
"Highest revenue distribution in program history" {in the AAC)
" would like to renew the Mayor's Cup rivalry football game with SMU"
Rice president David Leebron: "We know our (football) stadium needs investment."
FAU:
FAU AD "We've built something special at Florida Atlantic... Coach Howard Schnellenerbger built this football program with very high ambitions. Ambition is a theme at Florida Atlantic University."
"we are the fastest improving university in the country... Our university and athletics grow with our community."
FAU's stance will be to "continue the rivalry with the Panthers throughout all sports."
So new teams, believe or STFU. AAC is P6.
I do believe AAC has the best teams over G4 conferences even with the departures.
Time for new people to get on board.
Charlotte :
"This invite by The American not only recognizes the accomplishments of our University & athletics program to date, but it also demonstrates belief in our rising trajectory."
"Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and Charlotte is the fastest-growing school in the state. Joining the AAC will elevate our program and help tell our story."
UAB
UTSA
UTSA AD Lisa Campos: "Obviously we want to expand our brand, our national profile, and we feel like this positions us to do that, in alignment with what the rest of the university is doing in all of the different divisions
"Today is a great day and we cannot be more happy to be celebrating this wonderful news today."
On the program's growth and future facilities projects: "There’s definitely more to come."
UTSA's young institution and athletics program {8years old},
"We've appeared in two bowl games, we are ranked 24th in the nation so just imagine what the next 11 years will look like for UTSA."
(10-21-2021 12:37 PM)pesik Wrote: [ -> ]AAC commissioner Mike Aresco: "ESPN believes in the growth potential of this league."
“Our Power 6 campaign is going to be energized. It’s not going away, and I want that to be really clear."
Aresco on future expansion: "It's possible we can add some schools down the road. It's not completely out of the question." {But emphasizes they have to reach out and be interested, the AAC does not poach}
"What I don't want to do is destabilize anything."
Aresco says it's "always a possibility" the AAC loses more schools in future expansion. "But we can't worry about that. We didn't dwell on that" during this process.
"We're a conference that's been in big markets. That's been our DNA ... we're in football hotbeds." “We’ve always been a conference in big marketplaces.”
"It wasn’t one-dimensional. Just because you’re in a big market, doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a good program."
Notes: "East Carolina was one of those schools that wasn't from a large market but had a national reputation."
"It all comes down in the end to schools that you think will invest. And not only will invest but are rapidly growing [their schools, markets and fan bases]."
"I’m more convinced than ever that they not only will make the investment, but they have the vision. We didn’t want anybody in this conference … that didn’t want to be at the highest level of college athletics."
“I think these schools will embrace the [P6] vision,”
“What we’re doing here is building for the long term future”
"Our DNA has always been aspirational... nine years ago people didn't really give us a chance to be a force in college athletics, and look what we've done."
Aresco: “Football is the foundation of a conference.”
“We wanted to strengthen that presence in Texas.”
"The DNA of this conference was never to settle for the 'Group Of Five' level."
Mike Aresco on FAU: "They've been an important presence in South Florida. We now have a partner for South Florida."
AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco says that the league is building for the long term future. He points that nobody thought the conference would be to the level it is at now when it started nine years ago. "The increased exposure" will help the growth of the new programs like #FAU.
"This is not my first realignment rodeo. It's not fun."
I think thats true. I think it also took 8 years to get where we are now. So---I fully expect the MW---maybe even the Sunbelt---to pass the AAC in the very short run---but the AAC existing strength in SMU and Memphis---will keep the AAC in the access bowl conversation during that tough transition period. Hopefully---expanded exposure and committed investment in athletics will quickly show up allowing some of the new teams to gain traction. UAB and UTSA bring some current football momentum. Existing teams like Temple, ECU, and Tulsa are also prime candidates to start seeing results from their rebuilding efforts. Thus, assuming the plan works----within 4 to 6 years I would expect the AAC will again be the obvious clear clubhouse leader for the G5 access bowl/CFP playoff slot. However, in these transition years---I think we can expect to see a much more wide open race among the conferences for the G5 access bowl slot.
(10-21-2021 12:37 PM)pesik Wrote: [ -> ]AAC commissioner Mike Aresco: "ESPN believes in the growth potential of this league."
“Our Power 6 campaign is going to be energized. It’s not going away, and I want that to be really clear."
Aresco on future expansion: "It's possible we can add some schools down the road. It's not completely out of the question." {But emphasizes they have to reach out and be interested, the AAC does not poach}
"What I don't want to do is destabilize anything."
Aresco says it's "always a possibility" the AAC loses more schools in future expansion. "But we can't worry about that. We didn't dwell on that" during this process.
"We're a conference that's been in big markets. That's been our DNA ... we're in football hotbeds." “We’ve always been a conference in big marketplaces.”
"It wasn’t one-dimensional. Just because you’re in a big market, doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a good program."
Notes: "East Carolina was one of those schools that wasn't from a large market but had a national reputation."
"It all comes down in the end to schools that you think will invest. And not only will invest but are rapidly growing [their schools, markets and fan bases]."
"I’m more convinced than ever that they not only will make the investment, but they have the vision. We didn’t want anybody in this conference … that didn’t want to be at the highest level of college athletics."
“I think these schools will embrace the [P6] vision,”
“What we’re doing here is building for the long term future”
"Our DNA has always been aspirational... nine years ago people didn't really give us a chance to be a force in college athletics, and look what we've done."
Aresco: “Football is the foundation of a conference.”
“We wanted to strengthen that presence in Texas.”
"The DNA of this conference was never to settle for the 'Group Of Five' level."
Mike Aresco on FAU: "They've been an important presence in South Florida. We now have a partner for South Florida."
AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco says that the league is building for the long term future. He points that nobody thought the conference would be to the level it is at now when it started nine years ago. "The increased exposure" will help the growth of the new programs like #FAU.
"This is not my first realignment rodeo. It's not fun."
yes
Quote: Aresco on future expansion: "It's possible we can add some schools down the road. It's not completely out of the question." {But emphasizes they have to reach out and be interested, the AAC does not poach}
"What I don't want to do is destabilize anything."
Did Aresco say this with a straight face?
(10-21-2021 12:47 PM)Sideshow2313 Wrote: [ -> ]So new teams, believe or STFU. AAC is P6.
I do believe AAC has the best teams over G4 conferences even with the departures.
Time for new people to get on board.
(10-21-2021 01:03 PM)Attackcoog Wrote: [ -> ] (10-21-2021 12:37 PM)pesik Wrote: [ -> ]AAC commissioner Mike Aresco: "ESPN believes in the growth potential of this league."
“Our Power 6 campaign is going to be energized. It’s not going away, and I want that to be really clear."
Aresco on future expansion: "It's possible we can add some schools down the road. It's not completely out of the question." {But emphasizes they have to reach out and be interested, the AAC does not poach}
"What I don't want to do is destabilize anything."
Aresco says it's "always a possibility" the AAC loses more schools in future expansion. "But we can't worry about that. We didn't dwell on that" during this process.
"We're a conference that's been in big markets. That's been our DNA ... we're in football hotbeds." “We’ve always been a conference in big marketplaces.”
"It wasn’t one-dimensional. Just because you’re in a big market, doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a good program."
Notes: "East Carolina was one of those schools that wasn't from a large market but had a national reputation."
"It all comes down in the end to schools that you think will invest. And not only will invest but are rapidly growing [their schools, markets and fan bases]."
"I’m more convinced than ever that they not only will make the investment, but they have the vision. We didn’t want anybody in this conference … that didn’t want to be at the highest level of college athletics."
“I think these schools will embrace the [P6] vision,”
“What we’re doing here is building for the long term future”
"Our DNA has always been aspirational... nine years ago people didn't really give us a chance to be a force in college athletics, and look what we've done."
Aresco: “Football is the foundation of a conference.”
“We wanted to strengthen that presence in Texas.”
"The DNA of this conference was never to settle for the 'Group Of Five' level."
Mike Aresco on FAU: "They've been an important presence in South Florida. We now have a partner for South Florida."
AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco says that the league is building for the long term future. He points that nobody thought the conference would be to the level it is at now when it started nine years ago. "The increased exposure" will help the growth of the new programs like #FAU.
"This is not my first realignment rodeo. It's not fun."
I think thats true. I think it also took 8 years to get where we are now. So---I fully expect the MW---maybe even the Sunbelt---to pass the AAC in the very short run---but the AAC existing strength in SMU and Memphis---will keep the AAC in the access bowl conversation during that tough transition period. Hopefully---expanded exposure and committed investment in athletics will quickly show up allowing some of the new teams to gain traction. UAB and UTSA bring some existing momentum. Existing teams like Temple, ECU, and Tulsa are also prime candidates to start seeing results from their rebuilding efforts.
Agree with most of that but I don’t see the MW or the SB moving ahead of the AAC. In perception or in results. The NY6 bid and the expanding playoff spot for the highest ranked non-P5 champ will go to the AAC most years.
(10-21-2021 01:10 PM)KevMo4UAB Wrote: [ -> ]Quote: Aresco on future expansion: "It's possible we can add some schools down the road. It's not completely out of the question." {But emphasizes they have to reach out and be interested, the AAC does not poach}
"What I don't want to do is destabilize anything."
Did Aresco say this with a straight face?
he's been saying it for years, and something i think he probably actually does live by
he's noted before realignment is the worst thing that happens is college football, and doesnt want to go out of his way to create it... almost notes in every interview involving realignment that the interested schools have to reach out first, the aac wont reach out to them
the fact Georgia state wasn't included in this kinda backs that point.. Georgia state new president supposedly isnt interested in realignment and happy with the level where Georgia state is ... if ga state had come to the aac super interested and promised investments in their facilities, they likely jump some folks... ga state also wanting to stay in the sunbelt likely also indicates they arent rearing to to do a ton of investments and put hundreds of millions down
(10-21-2021 12:44 PM)pesik Wrote: [ -> ]Rice:
Joe Karlgaard: "Rice just has so many assets to bring to the table. I think about how the stories play out -- and conference realignment -- at least the consensus and the thinking is that it largely plays out around football. I think Rice is so much more than that."
"We've won 25 conference championships across 12 different sports over the last eight years."
Rice AD Joe Karlgaard says school joining the AAC "will have a significant economic impact."
"Highest revenue distribution in program history" {in the AAC)
" would like to renew the Mayor's Cup rivalry football game with SMU"
Rice president David Leebron: "We know our (football) stadium needs investment."
FAU:
FAU AD "We've built something special at Florida Atlantic... Coach Howard Schnellenerbger built this football program with very high ambitions. Ambition is a theme at Florida Atlantic University."
"we are the fastest improving university in the country... Our university and athletics grow with our community."
FAU's stance will be to "continue the rivalry with the Panthers throughout all sports."
That’s my issue with Rice. They have more money than God. But acting like they can now invest because they’ll be making $7M a year.
(10-21-2021 01:11 PM)Sea Pirate Wrote: [ -> ] (10-21-2021 12:47 PM)Sideshow2313 Wrote: [ -> ]So new teams, believe or STFU. AAC is P6.
I do believe AAC has the best teams over G4 conferences even with the departures.
Time for new people to get on board.
(10-21-2021 01:03 PM)Attackcoog Wrote: [ -> ] (10-21-2021 12:37 PM)pesik Wrote: [ -> ]AAC commissioner Mike Aresco: "ESPN believes in the growth potential of this league."
“Our Power 6 campaign is going to be energized. It’s not going away, and I want that to be really clear."
Aresco on future expansion: "It's possible we can add some schools down the road. It's not completely out of the question." {But emphasizes they have to reach out and be interested, the AAC does not poach}
"What I don't want to do is destabilize anything."
Aresco says it's "always a possibility" the AAC loses more schools in future expansion. "But we can't worry about that. We didn't dwell on that" during this process.
"We're a conference that's been in big markets. That's been our DNA ... we're in football hotbeds." “We’ve always been a conference in big marketplaces.”
"It wasn’t one-dimensional. Just because you’re in a big market, doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a good program."
Notes: "East Carolina was one of those schools that wasn't from a large market but had a national reputation."
"It all comes down in the end to schools that you think will invest. And not only will invest but are rapidly growing [their schools, markets and fan bases]."
"I’m more convinced than ever that they not only will make the investment, but they have the vision. We didn’t want anybody in this conference … that didn’t want to be at the highest level of college athletics."
“I think these schools will embrace the [P6] vision,”
“What we’re doing here is building for the long term future”
"Our DNA has always been aspirational... nine years ago people didn't really give us a chance to be a force in college athletics, and look what we've done."
Aresco: “Football is the foundation of a conference.”
“We wanted to strengthen that presence in Texas.”
"The DNA of this conference was never to settle for the 'Group Of Five' level."
Mike Aresco on FAU: "They've been an important presence in South Florida. We now have a partner for South Florida."
AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco says that the league is building for the long term future. He points that nobody thought the conference would be to the level it is at now when it started nine years ago. "The increased exposure" will help the growth of the new programs like #FAU.
"This is not my first realignment rodeo. It's not fun."
I think thats true. I think it also took 8 years to get where we are now. So---I fully expect the MW---maybe even the Sunbelt---to pass the AAC in the very short run---but the AAC existing strength in SMU and Memphis---will keep the AAC in the access bowl conversation during that tough transition period. Hopefully---expanded exposure and committed investment in athletics will quickly show up allowing some of the new teams to gain traction. UAB and UTSA bring some existing momentum. Existing teams like Temple, ECU, and Tulsa are also prime candidates to start seeing results from their rebuilding efforts.
Agree with most of that but I don’t see the MW or the SB moving ahead of the AAC. In perception or in results. The NY6 bid and the expanding playoff spot for the highest ranked non-P5 champ will go to the AAC most years.
100% Correct........all you need to do is look at what ESPN is paying AAC and what others like sbc, mw, etc. are making from their contracts
Fascinating to have a commissioner who optimistic and dreams about what could be. If you don't dream big you fail big. No inspirational words from our former commissioner. Not even sure she has made a public comment on the departure of the 6 schools. Her last public comment was the letter from C-USA to AAC. I am ready to go.
UNT presser that just happened was the most interesting. Noted that UNT has actually been prepping for this for 2 years. hired a realignment consultant, noted he has been in touch with almost every AAC school for a while now
he doesnt say in the presser but was probably doing the same thing with the MWC
UNT was determined to get out.... likely why their facilities were already aac/mwc level..they didn't want to have anything discounted against them
(10-21-2021 01:10 PM)KevMo4UAB Wrote: [ -> ]Quote: Aresco on future expansion: "It's possible we can add some schools down the road. It's not completely out of the question." {But emphasizes they have to reach out and be interested, the AAC does not poach}
"What I don't want to do is destabilize anything."
Did Aresco say this with a straight face?
He never said ESPN doesn't want to though
Sent from my SM-F916U1 using Tapatalk
I don’t get the direction. They say they want growing programs and schools, but Rice and UNT are neither of those. UNT doesn’t even have the recognition as a university Rice does, what do they bring honestly? Rice is all of a sudden going to invest now after 50 years of not? I don’t understand at all what Rice or UNT brings why go to 14 for them??
(10-21-2021 01:33 PM)DowdyPirate Wrote: [ -> ]I don’t get the direction. They say they want growing programs and schools, but Rice and UNT are neither of those. UNT doesn’t even have the recognition as a university Rice does, what do they bring honestly? Rice is all of a sudden going to invest now after 50 years of not? I don’t understand at all what Rice or UNT brings why go to 14 for them??
I would not have made the same expansion decisions---but its done now. We can only hope that a commitment to invest at budget levels near the current AAC median was obtained from everyone invited. If that happens---then after an initial dip in performance---the increased investment and exposure will ideally start to be reflected on the field and court as improved performance at the top end of the conference. Just have to remember it will of course take some time for this primordial soup to marinate and produce results....
(10-21-2021 01:33 PM)DowdyPirate Wrote: [ -> ]I don’t get the direction. They say they want growing programs and schools, but Rice and UNT are neither of those. UNT doesn’t even have the recognition as a university Rice does, what do they bring honestly? Rice is all of a sudden going to invest now after 50 years of not? I don’t understand at all what Rice or UNT brings why go to 14 for them??
UNT facilities are probably the best in the g3. UNT has without question invested..
their made the ncaa tournament last year, and despite sucking this year, were competitive a few years back..
UNT budget is also one of the best among the g3.. Foundationally UNT is set, and have elite recruiting grounds..
UNT is probably a few winning seasons (to establish a recruiting brand in the area) to be aac ready
Rice is literally everything but football and basketball success is the obvious #1 choice.. rice doesnt "invest" to its capability but actually invest rather well for a g3..
also every team left out of the SWC stopped investing for like a decade, Houston only started re-investing in basketball like 6 years ago...what broke almost everyone out was tasting elite success, and realizing they want to keep it... rice hasn't tasted success.. houston went from offering briles 600k, to 7 years later offering herman 5mill.. the difference between rice and baylor is rice is richer in better recruiting grunds, and the governor of texas was a baylor alum when the SWC broke up
UNT and Rice arent the issue.. if i had to get rid of an invite its FAU... their facilities arent good and have no active plans to improve them..
(10-21-2021 01:21 PM)pesik Wrote: [ -> ] (10-21-2021 01:10 PM)KevMo4UAB Wrote: [ -> ]Quote: Aresco on future expansion: "It's possible we can add some schools down the road. It's not completely out of the question." {But emphasizes they have to reach out and be interested, the AAC does not poach}
"What I don't want to do is destabilize anything."
Did Aresco say this with a straight face?
he's been saying it for years, and something i think he probably actually does live by
he's noted before realignment is the worst thing that happens is college football, and doesnt want to go out of his way to create it... almost notes in every interview involving realignment that the interested schools have to reach out first, the aac wont reach out to them
the fact Georgia state wasn't included in this kinda backs that point.. Georgia state new president supposedly isnt interested in realignment and happy with the level where Georgia state is ... if ga state had come to the aac super interested and promised investments in their facilities, they likely jump some folks... ga state also wanting to stay in the sunbelt likely also indicates they arent rearing to to do a ton of investments and put hundreds of millions down
I appreciate that detailed response. I’m not familiar with the guy, but if he has consistently said that, I’m good. Thanks!
(10-21-2021 01:11 PM)Sea Pirate Wrote: [ -> ] (10-21-2021 12:47 PM)Sideshow2313 Wrote: [ -> ]So new teams, believe or STFU. AAC is P6.
I do believe AAC has the best teams over G4 conferences even with the departures.
Time for new people to get on board.
(10-21-2021 01:03 PM)Attackcoog Wrote: [ -> ] (10-21-2021 12:37 PM)pesik Wrote: [ -> ]AAC commissioner Mike Aresco: "ESPN believes in the growth potential of this league."
“Our Power 6 campaign is going to be energized. It’s not going away, and I want that to be really clear."
Aresco on future expansion: "It's possible we can add some schools down the road. It's not completely out of the question." {But emphasizes they have to reach out and be interested, the AAC does not poach}
"What I don't want to do is destabilize anything."
Aresco says it's "always a possibility" the AAC loses more schools in future expansion. "But we can't worry about that. We didn't dwell on that" during this process.
"We're a conference that's been in big markets. That's been our DNA ... we're in football hotbeds." “We’ve always been a conference in big marketplaces.”
"It wasn’t one-dimensional. Just because you’re in a big market, doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a good program."
Notes: "East Carolina was one of those schools that wasn't from a large market but had a national reputation."
"It all comes down in the end to schools that you think will invest. And not only will invest but are rapidly growing [their schools, markets and fan bases]."
"I’m more convinced than ever that they not only will make the investment, but they have the vision. We didn’t want anybody in this conference … that didn’t want to be at the highest level of college athletics."
“I think these schools will embrace the [P6] vision,”
“What we’re doing here is building for the long term future”
"Our DNA has always been aspirational... nine years ago people didn't really give us a chance to be a force in college athletics, and look what we've done."
Aresco: “Football is the foundation of a conference.”
“We wanted to strengthen that presence in Texas.”
"The DNA of this conference was never to settle for the 'Group Of Five' level."
Mike Aresco on FAU: "They've been an important presence in South Florida. We now have a partner for South Florida."
AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco says that the league is building for the long term future. He points that nobody thought the conference would be to the level it is at now when it started nine years ago. "The increased exposure" will help the growth of the new programs like #FAU.
"This is not my first realignment rodeo. It's not fun."
I think thats true. I think it also took 8 years to get where we are now. So---I fully expect the MW---maybe even the Sunbelt---to pass the AAC in the very short run---but the AAC existing strength in SMU and Memphis---will keep the AAC in the access bowl conversation during that tough transition period. Hopefully---expanded exposure and committed investment in athletics will quickly show up allowing some of the new teams to gain traction. UAB and UTSA bring some existing momentum. Existing teams like Temple, ECU, and Tulsa are also prime candidates to start seeing results from their rebuilding efforts.
Agree with most of that but I don’t see the MW or the SB moving ahead of the AAC. In perception or in results. The NY6 bid and the expanding playoff spot for the highest ranked non-P5 champ will go to the AAC most years.
While it's possible that the American will continue to get the NY6 bid (or new playoff spot) in the future it's certainly not a given. Losing Cinci, UCF and Houston hurt but they are not losses that cannot be replaced in the long run. On that note, I think that Cinci has the most likelihood of continuing their run of success because I have my doubts that Fickell will be leaving Cinci anytime soon.
It goes without saying that we need for Memphis to get back to their winning ways shortly, for SMU to continue winning and for ECU and USF to continue rebuilding and get back to winning football.
Aresco specifically mentioned ECU for good reason: we have stuck it up the worst when it came to expectations vs reality. We are trying to right the ship and are doing just that.
I'm willing to give this thing a chance and am hoping for the best.