Shamrock Series and Independence

Ouch!! Something tells me that Swarbrick is tired of being questioned and I bet ND Nation is in total meltdown about this article.

“I certainly understand people saying, ‘Hey, the Wisconsin series should be home and home, not neutral site,’ ” Swarbrick said. “That’s OK, but you really are saying, ‘It makes no sense to be independent anymore,’ because that is the basis of being independent. That’s why we do it.

“There’s no financial advantage to Notre Dame being independent. There is no competitive advantage to get into the College Football Playoff for Notre Dame to be independent. So why are we independent?

“We’re independent to have opportunities like this one. And I get people who say, ‘You shouldn’t do it.’ But then what you have to acknowledge is that you’re saying, ‘You shouldn’t be independent anymore.’

Not sure I totally get Swarbrick's logic here, but I am definitely getting the feeling that he, himself, is wondering wouldn't it just be easier if we were in the ACC full-time. Of course the last time a regime at ND was thinking along these lines, they were shown the door.

Cheers,
Neil

It must suck to be the AD at ND. 80+ years of answering questions every year about why they won't join a conference.

TerryD is going to be sick.

(11-12-2018 03:46 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  It must suck to be the AD at ND. 80+ years of answering questions every year about why they won't join a conference.

Actually, I don't think he gets many questions about joining a conference at all. I think he gets told how and why independence means something to the ND mystique but then when he tries to live up to that history which includes barnstorming all of the country he then gets pushback on his scheduling that makes him wonder if it just wouldn't be easier to be in a conference.

Cheers,
Neil

(11-12-2018 03:48 PM)XLance Wrote:  TerryD is going to be sick.

Nah, I read it yesterday and thought nothing of it.

(11-12-2018 03:59 PM)OrangeDude Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 03:46 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  It must suck to be the AD at ND. 80+ years of answering questions every year about why they won't join a conference.

Actually, I don't think he gets many questions about joining a conference at all. I think he gets told how and why independence means something to the ND mystique but then when he tries to live up to that history which includes barnstorming all of the country he then gets pushback on his scheduling that makes him wonder if it just wouldn't be easier to be in a conference.

Cheers,
Neil

That is all this article was about.

(11-12-2018 04:01 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 03:59 PM)OrangeDude Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 03:46 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  It must suck to be the AD at ND. 80+ years of answering questions every year about why they won't join a conference.

Actually, I don't think he gets many questions about joining a conference at all. I think he gets told how and why independence means something to the ND mystique but then when he tries to live up to that history which includes barnstorming all of the country he then gets pushback on his scheduling that makes him wonder if it just wouldn't be easier to be in a conference.

Cheers,
Neil

That is all this article was about.

Agreed that is what the article is about. But I think there definitely is an undercurrent there that you are pushing under the rug, so to speak. I think Swarbrick is totally fed up and has had enough. And it's not just the questioning him on scheduling, but also on Kelly, on trying to modernize the stadium, on trying to drag Irish fans out of the 19th century and into the 21st century, etc.

And while it is true this might only lead to his "retirement" or moving on to another institution, the quality of AD to follow is likely to continue to diminish over the next couple of decades. Others outside are noticing him constantly having to and it is not a pretty sight.

Cheers,
Neil

(11-12-2018 04:09 PM)OrangeDude Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 04:01 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 03:59 PM)OrangeDude Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 03:46 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  It must suck to be the AD at ND. 80+ years of answering questions every year about why they won't join a conference.

Actually, I don't think he gets many questions about joining a conference at all. I think he gets told how and why independence means something to the ND mystique but then when he tries to live up to that history which includes barnstorming all of the country he then gets pushback on his scheduling that makes him wonder if it just wouldn't be easier to be in a conference.

Cheers,
Neil

That is all this article was about.

Agreed that is what the article is about. But I think there definitely is an undercurrent there that you are pushing under the rug, so to speak. I think Swarbrick is totally fed up and has had enough. And it's not just the questioning him on scheduling, but also on Kelly, on trying to modernize the stadium, on trying to drag Irish fans out of the 19th century and into the 21st century, etc.

And while it is true this might only lead to his "retirement" or moving on to another institution, the quality of AD to follow is likely to continue to diminish over the next couple of decades. Others outside are noticing him constantly having to and it is not a pretty sight.

Cheers,
Neil

Take Bubba Cunningham (Notre Dame Alum) please!

(11-12-2018 04:09 PM)OrangeDude Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 04:01 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 03:59 PM)OrangeDude Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 03:46 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  It must suck to be the AD at ND. 80+ years of answering questions every year about why they won't join a conference.

Actually, I don't think he gets many questions about joining a conference at all. I think he gets told how and why independence means something to the ND mystique but then when he tries to live up to that history which includes barnstorming all of the country he then gets pushback on his scheduling that makes him wonder if it just wouldn't be easier to be in a conference.

Cheers,
Neil

That is all this article was about.

Agreed that is what the article is about. But I think there definitely is an undercurrent there that you are pushing under the rug, so to speak. I think Swarbrick is totally fed up and has had enough. And it's not just the questioning him on scheduling, but also on Kelly, on trying to modernize the stadium, on trying to drag Irish fans out of the 19th century and into the 21st century, etc.

And while it is true this might only lead to his "retirement" or moving on to another institution, the quality of AD to follow is likely to continue to diminish over the next couple of decades. Others outside are noticing him constantly having to and it is not a pretty sight.

Cheers,
Neil

So it goes...

I happen to support and am a big fan of the new stadium additions, Field Turf, first ever athletic training table, new strength and conditioning program, the Jumbotron, etc... It may surprise you how "modern" my viewpoints are.

But, it must be tough being the AD of an athletic department that brings in $132 million a year, whose football team is 10-0, has won ten games three of the last four seasons and is 20-3 in the past two seasons.

Also, a men's basketball team that has made the Elite 8 twice in the last few years, a hockey team who just dominated the Big Ten, made it to the Frozen Four and played in the title game and a women's basketball team that won the national championship.

If he is tired of the fans, it is mutual for many.

Lots of ND fans have wanted him gone for several years now.

If he is tired of the job.......

Next man in. I think that ND would find an adequate replacement.

(11-12-2018 04:40 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 04:09 PM)OrangeDude Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 04:01 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 03:59 PM)OrangeDude Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 03:46 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  It must suck to be the AD at ND. 80+ years of answering questions every year about why they won't join a conference.

Actually, I don't think he gets many questions about joining a conference at all. I think he gets told how and why independence means something to the ND mystique but then when he tries to live up to that history which includes barnstorming all of the country he then gets pushback on his scheduling that makes him wonder if it just wouldn't be easier to be in a conference.

Cheers,
Neil

That is all this article was about.

Agreed that is what the article is about. But I think there definitely is an undercurrent there that you are pushing under the rug, so to speak. I think Swarbrick is totally fed up and has had enough. And it's not just the questioning him on scheduling, but also on Kelly, on trying to modernize the stadium, on trying to drag Irish fans out of the 19th century and into the 21st century, etc.

And while it is true this might only lead to his "retirement" or moving on to another institution, the quality of AD to follow is likely to continue to diminish over the next couple of decades. Others outside are noticing him constantly having to and it is not a pretty sight.

Cheers,
Neil

So it goes...

I happen to support and am a big fan of the new stadium additions, Field Turf, first ever athletic training table, new strength and conditioning program, the Jumbotron, etc... It may surprise you how "modern" my viewpoints are.

But, it must be tough being the AD of an athletic department that brings in $132 million a year, whose football team is 10-0, has won ten games three of the last four seasons and is 20-3 in the past two seasons.

Also, a men's basketball team that has made the Elite 8 twice in the last few years, a hockey team who just dominated the Big Ten, made it to the Frozen Four and played in the title game and a women's basketball team that won the national championship.

If he is tired of the fans, it is mutual for many.

Lots of ND fans have wanted him gone for several years now.

If he is tired of the job.......

Next man in. I think that ND would find an adequate replacement.

Not disputing any of that, but "adequate replacement" is the key phrase above. ND Nation fans moan and complain about Swarbrick and Kelly constantly to the point where their concerns actually get asked for the AD and Coach to address in articles like this. Even with $132 million in revenues, nothing ever seems good enough.

Cheers,
Neil

A solid core of ND alums and fans loathe Swarbrick and Kelly. I would venture to say they dislike Saavy more than Kelly. This game and the cash register which is the ND football program is frustrating. I want Jack gone for many reasons, this game at Yankee stadium is a small microcosm of where Jack has not done a good job. I am not going to go into other issues too much because they're unseemly and not the proper forum to address.

I bet if Jack and Father Jenkins could they would join a conference tomorrow, but they know the consequence is really large if they do so. So they have to here the complaints, and that is why he is the highest paid AD in the land, cry me a river.

Quote:There’s no financial advantage to Notre Dame being independent. There is no competitive advantage to get into the College Football Playoff for Notre Dame to be independent. So why are we independent?

It's not really clear if Swarbrick is stating this himself or (more likely) generalizing comments he has received. He goes on to justify why they are independent.

(11-12-2018 06:35 PM)Wolfman Wrote:  

Quote:There’s no financial advantage to Notre Dame being independent. There is no competitive advantage to get into the College Football Playoff for Notre Dame to be independent. So why are we independent?

It's not really clear if Swarbrick is stating this himself or (more likely) generalizing comments he has received. He goes on to justify why they are independent.

If ND joined a conference we would make a ton more money on the front end. Think Texas type money. But, ND makes a lot with donations and the admin are scared to piss off the core big money people. Plus, ND's reach is greater with an independent schedule. I believe this is a generalaztion of what is "shared".

Saavy Jack is a lawyer (no offense Terry) and speaks out of both sides of his mouth.

(11-12-2018 06:28 PM)domer1978 Wrote:  A solid core of ND alums and fans loathe Swarbrick and Kelly. I would venture to say they dislike Saavy more than Kelly. This game and the cash register which is the ND football program is frustrating. I want Jack gone for many reasons, this game at Yankee stadium is a small microcosm of where Jack has not done a good job. I am not going to go into other issues too much because they're unseemly and not the proper forum to address.

I bet if Jack and Father Jenkins could they would join a conference tomorrow, but they know the consequence is really large if they do so. So they have to here the complaints, and that is why he is the highest paid AD in the land, cry me a river.

What is the problem with the ‘Cuse game in your opinion?

I wonder what Notre Dame would do if the P5 became its own division and expanded to 8 14 team conferences with no independent membership allowed. The play off for the National Championship would only the champion from each conference. The playoff would look like this for 2018:

1) SEC Alabama
8) CUSA Alabama Birmingham

3) B10 Michigan
6) AAC Central Florida

2) ACC Clemson
7) MWC Utah State

4) B12 Oklahoma
5) PAC 12 Washington State

If each conference would go to 14 teams. This would mean 10 teams would get a life line tossed to them. Notre Dame, BYU and Army would likely be added and the other 7 would be hard choice to make. So would Notre Dame be willing to be left behind and play at a lower division?

(11-13-2018 01:25 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 06:28 PM)domer1978 Wrote:  A solid core of ND alums and fans loathe Swarbrick and Kelly. I would venture to say they dislike Saavy more than Kelly. This game and the cash register which is the ND football program is frustrating. I want Jack gone for many reasons, this game at Yankee stadium is a small microcosm of where Jack has not done a good job. I am not going to go into other issues too much because they're unseemly and not the proper forum to address.

I bet if Jack and Father Jenkins could they would join a conference tomorrow, but they know the consequence is really large if they do so. So they have to here the complaints, and that is why he is the highest paid AD in the land, cry me a river.

What is the problem with the ‘Cuse game in your opinion?

I don't have a problem with it. That is part of being independent, moving a home game somewhere else.

Some of the complaints on Rock's House involve the hideous uniforms and the fact that ND has two West Coast trips and an East Coast trip this year, putting on something like 6,500 miles of travel on a team in the playoff hunt in November.

Some think the game should have stayed at ND Stadium.

Again, I agree with Swarbrick in that the travel is a consequence of aspiring to be independent and play a national schedule.

(11-13-2018 03:23 PM)TerryD Wrote:  I don't have a problem with it. That is part of being independent, moving a home game somewhere else.

Some of the complaints on Rock's House involve the hideous uniforms and the fact that ND has two West Coast trips and an East Coast trip this year, putting on something like 6,500 miles of travel on a team in the playoff hunt in November.

Some think the game should have stayed at ND Stadium.

Again, I agree with Swarbrick in that the travel is a consequence of aspiring to be independent and play a national schedule.

PICAYUNE SQUABBLING

I have an issue with the the "home" game being 4 hours from Syracuse. This is a smaller issue than many other issues I have with Saavy Jack. Rock House ND fans are a passionate bunch of a alumni and subway alums, and at times we're not the most popular opinion among our fan-base (other boards have threads dedicated to us, we're in there heads lol). But, we hold the university accountable, sometimes really, really, passionately :)

The ads that were put up in South Bend and the Star originated from this board.

(11-13-2018 03:23 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(11-13-2018 01:25 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 06:28 PM)domer1978 Wrote:  A solid core of ND alums and fans loathe Swarbrick and Kelly. I would venture to say they dislike Saavy more than Kelly. This game and the cash register which is the ND football program is frustrating. I want Jack gone for many reasons, this game at Yankee stadium is a small microcosm of where Jack has not done a good job. I am not going to go into other issues too much because they're unseemly and not the proper forum to address.

I bet if Jack and Father Jenkins could they would join a conference tomorrow, but they know the consequence is really large if they do so. So they have to here the complaints, and that is why he is the highest paid AD in the land, cry me a river.

What is the problem with the ‘Cuse game in your opinion?

I don't have a problem with it. That is part of being independent, moving a home game somewhere else.

Some of the complaints on Rock's House involve the hideous uniforms and the fact that ND has two West Coast trips and an East Coast trip this year, putting on something like 6,500 miles of travel on a team in the playoff hunt in November.

Some think the game should have stayed at ND Stadium.

Again, I agree with Swarbrick in that the travel is a consequence of aspiring to be independent and play a national schedule.

Considering the various locations the ND/Navy game has been played I wouldn’t think playing SYR in NYC would be that big of a deal unless the Irish needed 7 home games.

Kind of see why he seems pissed, in the final four and still whining...