Once UCF does what it needs to do to earn their ticket into the BE, the BE will call them and invite them just like they did USF. Be patient.

(01-25-2011 08:23 PM)theUCFkid Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 08:16 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  I've warned people that USF has a lot of allies. Whether it's true or not, well, you decide. I do know this, UCF would be wise to keep quiet about this and not cause a public fuss and taking personal shot at USF publicly, well. . . . .

If USF is going to block UCF regardless, why would keeping quite be wise?

With State of Florida being in the economy it currently is in, preventing a another state university from making millions is a serious accusation. I don't pretend to have any knowledge on this subject, but I do know that USF's current president was very much against UCF gaining its Med School.

USF did question the wisdom of the state of florida to open up three medical schools at the same time. What you left out was that the University of Florida and FSU were more vocal with their criticism. UCF's medical school was sold by UCF as the solution to Florida's alleged doctor shortage. The three existing medical schools responded that they could EASILY add capacity to make up the ~ 100-150 MDs UCF's school would churn out every year once they were fully accredited. Moroever, it would be more cost effective to go this route than spend the money to build another medical school the State could not afford. It was nothing personal against UCF, but rather each school standing up and telling the state, "you are barely funding higher ed today, why would you want split up our existing scarce resources even more?". That move hurt the existing medical schools, especially Florida and USF who have spent decades building their programs. It's called looking out for their own interests. BTW, there was never a real doctor's shortage in the state of florida. Instead, our existing medical school graduates usually flee the state as fast as they can because of the lack of tort reform and the impact on potential future earnings.

It's funny b/c I read the UCF board and most of the big anti-USF blowhards are identify themselves as being "conservatives" and decry Obama's alleged agenda to turn this country into socialist state. Redistribution of wealth and government intervention is evil, blah,blah,blah.... I guess the irony does not strike home with these people b/c they are jealous of USF's BCS dollars and now seemingly want the gov't to solve their problems.

Get real....

I'll tell you what, why don't USF & UCF join forces and campaign our legislature to force the University of Florida to actively campaign to bring in USF, UCF and heck....even FSU into the Southeastern Conference. With as much money as the SEC is making the Gators, why should we not get a piece of the action? Afterall, it would be a "win-win" for everyone involved....right?

(01-26-2011 11:42 AM)CyberBull Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 08:23 PM)theUCFkid Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 08:16 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  I've warned people that USF has a lot of allies. Whether it's true or not, well, you decide. I do know this, UCF would be wise to keep quiet about this and not cause a public fuss and taking personal shot at USF publicly, well. . . . .

If USF is going to block UCF regardless, why would keeping quite be wise?

With State of Florida being in the economy it currently is in, preventing a another state university from making millions is a serious accusation. I don't pretend to have any knowledge on this subject, but I do know that USF's current president was very much against UCF gaining its Med School.

USF did question the wisdom of the state of florida to open up three medical schools at the same time. What you left out was that the University of Florida and FSU were more vocal with their criticism. UCF's medical school was sold by UCF as the solution to Florida's alleged doctor shortage. The three existing medical schools responded that they could EASILY add capacity to make up the ~ 100-150 MDs UCF's school would churn out every year once they were fully accredited. Moroever, it would be more cost effective to go this route than spend the money to build another medical school the State could not afford. It was nothing personal against UCF, but rather each school standing up and telling the state, "you are barely funding higher ed today, why would you want split up our existing scarce resources even more?". That move hurt the existing medical schools, especially Florida and USF who have spent decades building their programs. It's called looking out for their own interests. BTW, there was never a real doctor's shortage in the state of florida. Instead, our existing medical school doctors flee the state as fast as they can because of the lack of tort reform.

It's funny b/c I read the UCF board and most of the big anti-USF blowhards are identify themselves as being "conservatives" and decry Obama's alleged agenda to turn this country into socialist state. Redistribution of wealth and government intervention is evil, blah,blah,blah.... I guess the irony does not strike home with these people b/c they are jealous of USF's BCS dollars and now seemingly want the gov't to solve their problems.

Get real....

I'll tell you what, why don't USF & UCF join forces and campaign our legislature to force the University of Florida to actively campaign to bring in USF, UCF and heck....even FSU into the Southeastern Conference. With as much money as the SEC is making the Gators, why should we not get a piece of the action? Afterall, it would be a "win-win" for everyone involved....right?

Great post Cyber.

I wonder if any of our Knight friends will actually respond to this question. If getting the gov't involved is the answer, why doesn't UCF (or USF, or FSU) petition the gov't to get then into the SEC...how could Florida keep them from making all these SEC dollars. Patiently awaiting answer (crickets).

(01-26-2011 11:42 AM)CyberBull Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 08:23 PM)theUCFkid Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 08:16 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  I've warned people that USF has a lot of allies. Whether it's true or not, well, you decide. I do know this, UCF would be wise to keep quiet about this and not cause a public fuss and taking personal shot at USF publicly, well. . . . .

If USF is going to block UCF regardless, why would keeping quite be wise?

With State of Florida being in the economy it currently is in, preventing a another state university from making millions is a serious accusation. I don't pretend to have any knowledge on this subject, but I do know that USF's current president was very much against UCF gaining its Med School.

USF did question the wisdom of the state of florida to open up three medical schools at the same time. What you left out was that the University of Florida and FSU were more vocal with their criticism. UCF's medical school was sold by UCF as the solution to Florida's alleged doctor shortage. The three existing medical schools responded that they could EASILY add capacity to make up the ~ 100-150 MDs UCF's school would churn out every year once they were fully accredited. Moroever, it would be more cost effective to go this route than spend the money to build another medical school the State could not afford. It was nothing personal against UCF, but rather each school standing up and telling the state, "you are barely funding higher ed today, why would you want split up our existing scarce resources even more?". That move hurt the existing medical schools, especially Florida and USF who have spent decades building their programs. It's called looking out for their own interests. BTW, there was never a real doctor's shortage in the state of florida. Instead, our existing medical school graduates usually flee the state as fast as they can because of the lack of tort reform and the impact on potential future earnings.

It's funny b/c I read the UCF board and most of the big anti-USF blowhards are identify themselves as being "conservatives" and decry Obama's alleged agenda to turn this country into socialist state. Redistribution of wealth and government intervention is evil, blah,blah,blah.... I guess the irony does not strike home with these people b/c they are jealous of USF's BCS dollars and now seemingly want the gov't to solve their problems.

Get real....

I'll tell you what, why don't USF & UCF join forces and campaign our legislature to force the University of Florida to actively campaign to bring in USF, UCF and heck....even FSU into the Southeastern Conference. With as much money as the SEC is making the Gators, why should we not get a piece of the action? Afterall, it would be a "win-win" for everyone involved....right?

Decent post...except your totally wrong. BCS is a monopoly. UCF fans and a lot of other people would like to see the monoply busted into a million tiny pieces...if not we sure as hell want our seat at the table.

(01-25-2011 10:01 PM)wvucrazed Wrote:  What this says to me is that UCF is getting zero communication from the Big East. If they knew what was going to happen, they'd never going to make a comment like that. If they were confident they were getting into the Big East, they'd simply deny the rumor and say it was ridiculous. Seems like UCF is in the dark and is getting a little agitated about it.

The easiest conclusion to make from this is that there is no consensus in the Big East about what they want to do. There is probably a fracture on how many to add, and which schools, and where Villanova fits into the equation.

All that said, i don't think USF has the power to block UCF if the membership of the BE felt that adding UCF would really benefit the league.

The above is the most level-headed post in this entire thread. It doesn't matter what USF wants. What matters is what the BE as a WHOLE wants. Maybe they want UCF, but maybe they don't. Time will tell.

The one HUGE mistake UCF did make here was even acknowledging it in an official capacity, because that has NEVER ended well in expansion discussions. They should've stated, "We are currently members of C-USA." Period. To even suggest that it's a "win-win" for USF and UCF to be in the same conference means that UCF is publicly stating that it has wandering eyes before it has an official invitation. Look at how well that worked out for Memphis before in getting a BE invite. Look at how well that worked out for Missouri in getting a Big Ten invite. Heck, look at how well that worked out for Utah State in getting a Mountain West invite.

Also, there's no mandate that USF needs to prop up UCF's sports. By that logic, the University of Florida should be obligated to get USF and UCF into the SEC, or Ohio State should get all of the Ohio-based MAC schools into the Big Ten, or the University of Texas needs to put the entire Southwest Conference back together, or UCLA and Berkeley need to get Fresno State and San Jose State into the Pac-10, etc. None of that is true, so it's completely unfair to pin some type of guilt trip onto USF.

If UCF brings in enough TV dollars to the Big East to justify an extra mouth to feed, then they're in. If not, then they're not in. It's quite simple.

(*Edit: if it's unclear whether UCF brings in TV dollars, then they're not in, either. The BE needs sure things.)

(01-26-2011 11:42 AM)CyberBull Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 08:23 PM)theUCFkid Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 08:16 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  I've warned people that USF has a lot of allies. Whether it's true or not, well, you decide. I do know this, UCF would be wise to keep quiet about this and not cause a public fuss and taking personal shot at USF publicly, well. . . . .

If USF is going to block UCF regardless, why would keeping quite be wise?

With State of Florida being in the economy it currently is in, preventing a another state university from making millions is a serious accusation. I don't pretend to have any knowledge on this subject, but I do know that USF's current president was very much against UCF gaining its Med School.

USF did question the wisdom of the state of florida to open up three medical schools at the same time. What you left out was that the University of Florida and FSU were more vocal with their criticism. UCF's medical school was sold by UCF as the solution to Florida's alleged doctor shortage. The three existing medical schools responded that they could EASILY add capacity to make up the ~ 100-150 MDs UCF's school would churn out every year once they were fully accredited. Moroever, it would be more cost effective to go this route than spend the money to build another medical school the State could not afford. It was nothing personal against UCF, but rather each school standing up and telling the state, "you are barely funding higher ed today, why would you want split up our existing scarce resources even more?". That move hurt the existing medical schools, especially Florida and USF who have spent decades building their programs. It's called looking out for their own interests. BTW, there was never a real doctor's shortage in the state of florida. Instead, our existing medical school graduates usually flee the state as fast as they can because of the lack of tort reform and the impact on potential future earnings.

Incorrect.

While FSU and UF both responded to the State BOR's request on how they could help with the upcoming shortage of future MD's and why the State should not add new College of Medicine's at UCF and FIU...both responded with very limited official responses (FSU's was just 4 pages in length while UF's was 8 pages long).

Meanwhile, USF, who obviously was most threatened by the thought of UCF not only starting up a College of Medicine but also starting a brand new Medical City in South Orlando (which has obviously now become a reality with all the new hospitals/research institutions being built there), responded with a 45 page, 8 MB presentation on why a new Med School at UCF was not needed and why USF's College of Medicine could easily help the future needs of the state.

The good news for USF was that just the threat of UCF's COM (and obviously the reality of it being approved) under the strong leadership of COM Dean Stephen Klasko, USF has become a much stronger COM (along with USF Health) organization today...as competition helps rise all boats...as USF Health and USF COM today is almost unrecognizable to the state it was in just 7-8 years ago.

(01-26-2011 12:24 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 10:01 PM)wvucrazed Wrote:  What this says to me is that UCF is getting zero communication from the Big East. If they knew what was going to happen, they'd never going to make a comment like that. If they were confident they were getting into the Big East, they'd simply deny the rumor and say it was ridiculous. Seems like UCF is in the dark and is getting a little agitated about it.

The easiest conclusion to make from this is that there is no consensus in the Big East about what they want to do. There is probably a fracture on how many to add, and which schools, and where Villanova fits into the equation.

All that said, i don't think USF has the power to block UCF if the membership of the BE felt that adding UCF would really benefit the league.

The above is the most level-headed post in this entire thread. It doesn't matter what USF wants. What matters is what the BE as a WHOLE wants. Maybe they want UCF, but maybe they don't. Time will tell.

The one HUGE mistake UCF did make here was even acknowledging it in an official capacity, because that has NEVER ended well in expansion discussions. They should've stated, "We are currently members of C-USA." Period. To even suggest that it's a "win-win" for USF and UCF to be in the same conference means that UCF is publicly stating that it has wandering eyes before it has an official invitation. Look at how well that worked out for Memphis before in getting a BE invite. Look at how well that worked out for Missouri in getting a Big Ten invite. Heck, look at how well that worked out for Utah State in getting a Mountain West invite.

Also, there's no mandate that USF needs to prop up UCF's sports. By that logic, the University of Florida should be obligated to get USF and UCF into the SEC, or Ohio State should get all of the Ohio-based MAC schools into the Big Ten, or the University of Texas needs to put the entire Southwest Conference back together, or UCLA and Berkeley need to get Fresno State and San Jose State into the Pac-10, etc. None of that is true, so it's completely unfair to pin some type of guilt trip onto USF.

If UCF brings in enough TV dollars to the Big East to justify an extra mouth to feed, then they're in. If not, then they're not in. It's quite simple.

(*Edit: if it's unclear whether UCF brings in TV dollars, then they're not in, either. The BE needs sure things.)

Frank...the thing you forget is that the UCF didn't have any quotes on this. The person as UCF's spokesperson is an old employee of the sentinel and was just talking to Bianchi. UCF has made the statement more than once that they are a proud member of CUSA. Nobody in the athletics department or President Hitt said anything regarding this fodder.

The Big East will make a business decision and take who they think will benefit them the most. Articles from columnists are a dime a dozen and they see a million of these things. It's the media and its what they do. UCF isn't trying to campaign itself through the Orlando Sentinel or feels threatened by USF to initiate a media response on UCF's behalf.

If anything...if USF was trying to block UCF...it'd be a good thing for UCF. You wouldn't try to get rid of something you don't want, unless it poses a threat.

(01-26-2011 12:24 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 10:01 PM)wvucrazed Wrote:  What this says to me is that UCF is getting zero communication from the Big East. If they knew what was going to happen, they'd never going to make a comment like that. If they were confident they were getting into the Big East, they'd simply deny the rumor and say it was ridiculous. Seems like UCF is in the dark and is getting a little agitated about it.

The easiest conclusion to make from this is that there is no consensus in the Big East about what they want to do. There is probably a fracture on how many to add, and which schools, and where Villanova fits into the equation.

All that said, i don't think USF has the power to block UCF if the membership of the BE felt that adding UCF would really benefit the league.

The above is the most level-headed post in this entire thread. It doesn't matter what USF wants. What matters is what the BE as a WHOLE wants. Maybe they want UCF, but maybe they don't. Time will tell.

Lost is their almost manic hate and petty jealousy for USF is that fact that Jim Leavitt, who was a professional UCF-hater during his tenure at USF, said last year "...that if the BigEast believed that adding UCF was best for the Big East then he would have NO problem with their addition. Plenty of recruits to go around and what's good for the BigEast is good for USF".

Our new coach, Skip Holtz said essentially the same thing, although he would be biased toward adding ECU....for obvious reasons.

The other point you hit is significant: UCF should never should of acknowledged the questions. It makes you wonder what is going on the BigEast expansion front. UCF has kept quiet for months, deflecting all expansion questions with politically correct answers. In other words they used the same tact that all recent programs who have moved up to AQ conferences have done since 2003.

The schools that are loudest are usually the ones that know that they are on the outside looking in, i.e. Memphis and ECU. UCF had been very quiet until yesterday...which makes you wonder why the sudden change in their public relations posture toward expansion? All of the sudden they "fall back on their making themselves the victims evil plans to destroy UCF". Something has changed over the last week....or you have a clueless Athletic department underling not following the script.

Do they view now Villanova as real threat to take "their" potential slot in the Big East? President Hitt has done a create job at managing the message at UCF from academics to athletics but he clearly fumbled the ball yesterday by letting his administration get goaded into answer a columnist trying to stir up hits to his blogs and radio show.

I'll just say this: USF has weathered the sh!tstorm coming from Orlando over the last 10 years. Yesterday comments make you think why USF would ever want to help UCF with all the constant badmouthing and conspiracy plots. Its one thing for fans to speculate...its another for professional administrators to throw their alleged future win-win colleagues under the bus.

Hey KL....thoughts? Interested in hearing what the private board UCFers think about Bianchi's column. Do you think it helps your cause?

(01-26-2011 12:34 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(01-26-2011 11:42 AM)CyberBull Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 08:23 PM)theUCFkid Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 08:16 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  I've warned people that USF has a lot of allies. Whether it's true or not, well, you decide. I do know this, UCF would be wise to keep quiet about this and not cause a public fuss and taking personal shot at USF publicly, well. . . . .

If USF is going to block UCF regardless, why would keeping quite be wise?

With State of Florida being in the economy it currently is in, preventing a another state university from making millions is a serious accusation. I don't pretend to have any knowledge on this subject, but I do know that USF's current president was very much against UCF gaining its Med School.

USF did question the wisdom of the state of florida to open up three medical schools at the same time. What you left out was that the University of Florida and FSU were more vocal with their criticism. UCF's medical school was sold by UCF as the solution to Florida's alleged doctor shortage. The three existing medical schools responded that they could EASILY add capacity to make up the ~ 100-150 MDs UCF's school would churn out every year once they were fully accredited. Moroever, it would be more cost effective to go this route than spend the money to build another medical school the State could not afford. It was nothing personal against UCF, but rather each school standing up and telling the state, "you are barely funding higher ed today, why would you want split up our existing scarce resources even more?". That move hurt the existing medical schools, especially Florida and USF who have spent decades building their programs. It's called looking out for their own interests. BTW, there was never a real doctor's shortage in the state of florida. Instead, our existing medical school graduates usually flee the state as fast as they can because of the lack of tort reform and the impact on potential future earnings.

Incorrect.

While FSU and UF both responded to the State BOR's request on how they could help with the upcoming shortage of future MD's and why the State should not add new College of Medicine's at UCF and FIU...both responded with very limited official responses (FSU's was just 4 pages in length while UF's was 8 pages long).

Meanwhile, USF, who obviously was most threatened by the thought of UCF not only starting up a College of Medicine but also starting a brand new Medical City in South Orlando (which has obviously now become a reality with all the new hospitals/research institutions being built there), responded with a 45 page, 8 MB presentation on why a new Med School at UCF was not needed and why USF's College of Medicine could easily help the future needs of the state.

The good news for USF was that just the threat of UCF's COM (and obviously the reality of it being approved) under the strong leadership of COM Dean Stephen Klasko, USF has become a much stronger COM (along with USF Health) organization today...as competition helps rise all boats...as USF Health and USF COM today is almost unrecognizable to the state it was in just 7-8 years ago.

That's not true. Politics in the state of florida, especially higher ed politics don't get done without UF being in the mix. All three COMs were very vocal publicly and privately about the politically driven charge to not only start one medical school but three (UCF, FIU and soon to be expanded FAU). The message all three, and namely UF & USF was duplication of programs in a fiscally challenged state guaranteed that all of these schools will be terminally mediocre on a national level. It had nothing to do with UCF personally....just business.

(01-26-2011 12:24 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 10:01 PM)wvucrazed Wrote:  What this says to me is that UCF is getting zero communication from the Big East. If they knew what was going to happen, they'd never going to make a comment like that. If they were confident they were getting into the Big East, they'd simply deny the rumor and say it was ridiculous. Seems like UCF is in the dark and is getting a little agitated about it.

The easiest conclusion to make from this is that there is no consensus in the Big East about what they want to do. There is probably a fracture on how many to add, and which schools, and where Villanova fits into the equation.

All that said, i don't think USF has the power to block UCF if the membership of the BE felt that adding UCF would really benefit the league.

The above is the most level-headed post in this entire thread. It doesn't matter what USF wants. What matters is what the BE as a WHOLE wants. Maybe they want UCF, but maybe they don't. Time will tell.

The one HUGE mistake UCF did make here was even acknowledging it in an official capacity, because that has NEVER ended well in expansion discussions. They should've stated, "We are currently members of C-USA." Period. To even suggest that it's a "win-win" for USF and UCF to be in the same conference means that UCF is publicly stating that it has wandering eyes before it has an official invitation. Look at how well that worked out for Memphis before in getting a BE invite. Look at how well that worked out for Missouri in getting a Big Ten invite. Heck, look at how well that worked out for Utah State in getting a Mountain West invite.

Also, there's no mandate that USF needs to prop up UCF's sports. By that logic, the University of Florida should be obligated to get USF and UCF into the SEC, or Ohio State should get all of the Ohio-based MAC schools into the Big Ten, or the University of Texas needs to put the entire Southwest Conference back together, or UCLA and Berkeley need to get Fresno State and San Jose State into the Pac-10, etc. None of that is true, so it's completely unfair to pin some type of guilt trip onto USF.

If UCF brings in enough TV dollars to the Big East to justify an extra mouth to feed, then they're in. If not, then they're not in. It's quite simple.

(*Edit: if it's unclear whether UCF brings in TV dollars, then they're not in, either. The BE needs sure things.)

Thank you thank you....There is no damn conspiracy. If the presidents deem these schools worthy then you will be invited. I just find the usf will piss on anything we do mentality ridiculous. Sounds like the "little brother" syndrome to me. I can't believe they even let that drivel go to print and the fact he actually spoke to people at the school is ridiculous. Demanding response from USF and then demanding state involvement is petty. I can only imagine how many ucf fans bought in to that nonsense. The big east will invite the best candidate and that school may or may not be ucf. USF should be the least of your worries but is it necessary to have a conspiracy article!

CyberBull, your thoughts are, almost without failure, well thought out and well stated. That said, I'm still trying to see where the "UCF shouldn't have said a word" stuff is coming from. UCF did nothing other than acknowledge that they, too, had heard the rumors that USF has been working hard to prevent UCF from being invited to the Big East. There were no accusations, insinuations, or anything else. The only other part of the statement was simply, "We hope that this is not true." Period.

The funny part is, did anyone really think that USF was NOT working hard to keep UCF out of the Big East? While there are numerous elements of both UCF and USF being in the Big East that could be greatly beneficial to BOTH schools, I, (and most others with an IQ over 80), fully understand the numerous reasons that they would NOT want UCF in the BE.


Bottom line; none of us truly knows how this is going to go down. I absolutely believe that, on merit alone, UCF gets the call. I also believe Houston will as well, with ECU getting the nod if Villanova says "no". My gut tells me that this recent barrage of ESPN-based love towards UCF isn't happening by coincidance. There are a whole bunch of "tie-ins" that make a lot of sense, when you look at them, that are in play here. (UCF - Orlando - Disney - ABC/ESPN - BE TV deal up pretty soon, ready for negotiations). There is a pretty easily viewed "connect-the-dots" thing going on here... Just a thought.

(01-26-2011 01:43 PM)LLB53 Wrote:  CyberBull, your thoughts are, almost without failure, well thought out and well stated. That said, I'm still trying to see where the "UCF shouldn't have said a word" stuff is coming from. UCF did nothing other than acknowledge that they, too, had heard the rumors that USF has been working hard to prevent UCF from being invited to the Big East. There were no accusations, insinuations, or anything else. The only other part of the statement was simply, "We hope that this is not true." Period.

The funny part is, did anyone really think that USF was NOT working hard to keep UCF out of the Big East? While there are numerous elements of both UCF and USF being in the Big East that could be greatly beneficial to BOTH schools, I, (and most others with an IQ over 80), fully understand the numerous reasons that they would NOT want UCF in the BE.


Bottom line; none of us truly knows how this is going to go down. I absolutely believe that, on merit alone, UCF gets the call. I also believe Houston will as well, with ECU getting the nod if Villanova says "no". My gut tells me that this recent barrage of ESPN-based love towards UCF isn't happening by coincidance. There are a whole bunch of "tie-ins" that make a lot of sense, when you look at them, that are in play here. (UCF - Orlando - Disney - ABC/ESPN - BE TV deal up pretty soon, ready for negotiations). There is a pretty easily viewed "connect-the-dots" thing going on here... Just a thought.

If its so easy to connect the dots then what will the new TV contract be commish. Sounds like you put the Sherlock Holmes hat on and figured it all out.lol

(01-26-2011 01:14 PM)CyberBull Wrote:  

(01-26-2011 12:24 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 10:01 PM)wvucrazed Wrote:  What this says to me is that UCF is getting zero communication from the Big East. If they knew what was going to happen, they'd never going to make a comment like that. If they were confident they were getting into the Big East, they'd simply deny the rumor and say it was ridiculous. Seems like UCF is in the dark and is getting a little agitated about it.

The easiest conclusion to make from this is that there is no consensus in the Big East about what they want to do. There is probably a fracture on how many to add, and which schools, and where Villanova fits into the equation.

All that said, i don't think USF has the power to block UCF if the membership of the BE felt that adding UCF would really benefit the league.

The above is the most level-headed post in this entire thread. It doesn't matter what USF wants. What matters is what the BE as a WHOLE wants. Maybe they want UCF, but maybe they don't. Time will tell.

Lost is their almost manic hate and petty jealousy for USF is that fact that Jim Leavitt, who was a professional UCF-hater during his tenure at USF, said last year "...that if the BigEast believed that adding UCF was best for the Big East then he would have NO problem with their addition. Plenty of recruits to go around and what's good for the BigEast is good for USF".

Our new coach, Skip Holtz said essentially the same thing, although he would be biased toward adding ECU....for obvious reasons.

The other point you hit is significant: UCF should never should of acknowledged the questions. It makes you wonder what is going on the BigEast expansion front. UCF has kept quiet for months, deflecting all expansion questions with politically correct answers. In other words they used the same tact that all recent programs who have moved up to AQ conferences have done since 2003.

The schools that are loudest are usually the ones that know that they are on the outside looking in, i.e. Memphis and ECU. UCF had been very quiet until yesterday...which makes you wonder why the sudden change in their public relations posture toward expansion? All of the sudden they "fall back on their making themselves the victims evil plans to destroy UCF". Something has changed over the last week....or you have a clueless Athletic department underling not following the script.

Do they view now Villanova as real threat to take "their" potential slot in the Big East? President Hitt has done a create job at managing the message at UCF from academics to athletics but he clearly fumbled the ball yesterday by letting his administration get goaded into answer a columnist trying to stir up hits to his blogs and radio show.

I'll just say this: USF has weathered the sh!tstorm coming from Orlando over the last 10 years. Yesterday comments make you think why USF would ever want to help UCF with all the constant badmouthing and conspiracy plots. Its one thing for fans to speculate...its another for professional administrators to throw their alleged future win-win colleagues under the bus.

Hey KL....thoughts? Interested in hearing what the private board UCFers think about Bianchi's column. Do you think it helps your cause?

I'm not sure I agree with the bolded part. It's arguable that Memphis and UCF have by far been the loudest over the past year. To the point of having the Big East address it publicly. ECU has made it's share of comments but the noise around ECU has been far less. Not suggesting that means ECU is on the inside. Far from it.

Personally, I think most UCF folks (fans, media and administration) suffer from a huge case of golden child syndrome. At some point the golden child is bound to get pissed off when it thinks it should have the door opened for it...but no one is doing it. Impatience for what should have already been theirs. I seriously doubt people haven't seen that echoed throughout comments made by fans, Orlando media, UCF recruits and arguably by UCF administration. Maybe Big East fans are ignoring it because they feel UCF is inevitable. Who knows? But the attitude is undeniably there.

And before anyone goes calling me a hater...I'd love for ECU and UCF to be in the same AQ conference.

(01-26-2011 01:57 PM)kardphan Wrote:  

(01-26-2011 01:43 PM)LLB53 Wrote:  CyberBull, your thoughts are, almost without failure, well thought out and well stated. That said, I'm still trying to see where the "UCF shouldn't have said a word" stuff is coming from. UCF did nothing other than acknowledge that they, too, had heard the rumors that USF has been working hard to prevent UCF from being invited to the Big East. There were no accusations, insinuations, or anything else. The only other part of the statement was simply, "We hope that this is not true." Period.

The funny part is, did anyone really think that USF was NOT working hard to keep UCF out of the Big East? While there are numerous elements of both UCF and USF being in the Big East that could be greatly beneficial to BOTH schools, I, (and most others with an IQ over 80), fully understand the numerous reasons that they would NOT want UCF in the BE.


Bottom line; none of us truly knows how this is going to go down. I absolutely believe that, on merit alone, UCF gets the call. I also believe Houston will as well, with ECU getting the nod if Villanova says "no". My gut tells me that this recent barrage of ESPN-based love towards UCF isn't happening by coincidance. There are a whole bunch of "tie-ins" that make a lot of sense, when you look at them, that are in play here. (UCF - Orlando - Disney - ABC/ESPN - BE TV deal up pretty soon, ready for negotiations). There is a pretty easily viewed "connect-the-dots" thing going on here... Just a thought.

If its so easy to connect the dots then what will the new TV contract be commish. Sounds like you put the Sherlock Holmes hat on and figured it all out.lol

ummm...didn't claim to have solved or figured out anything; with all of the renewed talk, espn stuff, etc... it's just a matter of looking at some, admittedly,circumstancial evidence.

I love how when a theory,(and believe me, I'm putting this out there as nothing more than that), doesn't jibe with someone's personal views/thoughts/hopes, it is summarily dismissed and punctuated with an "lol".

As stated previously, my guess is that none of those that frequent this board, ultimately , has any firmer idea of how this is going to end up than my 5 year old kid.

(01-26-2011 01:14 PM)CyberBull Wrote:  

(01-26-2011 12:24 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 10:01 PM)wvucrazed Wrote:  What this says to me is that UCF is getting zero communication from the Big East. If they knew what was going to happen, they'd never going to make a comment like that. If they were confident they were getting into the Big East, they'd simply deny the rumor and say it was ridiculous. Seems like UCF is in the dark and is getting a little agitated about it.

The easiest conclusion to make from this is that there is no consensus in the Big East about what they want to do. There is probably a fracture on how many to add, and which schools, and where Villanova fits into the equation.

All that said, i don't think USF has the power to block UCF if the membership of the BE felt that adding UCF would really benefit the league.

The above is the most level-headed post in this entire thread. It doesn't matter what USF wants. What matters is what the BE as a WHOLE wants. Maybe they want UCF, but maybe they don't. Time will tell.

Lost is their almost manic hate and petty jealousy for USF is that fact that Jim Leavitt, who was a professional UCF-hater during his tenure at USF, said last year "...that if the BigEast believed that adding UCF was best for the Big East then he would have NO problem with their addition. Plenty of recruits to go around and what's good for the BigEast is good for USF".

Our new coach, Skip Holtz said essentially the same thing, although he would be biased toward adding ECU....for obvious reasons.

The other point you hit is significant: UCF should never should of acknowledged the questions. It makes you wonder what is going on the BigEast expansion front. UCF has kept quiet for months, deflecting all expansion questions with politically correct answers. In other words they used the same tact that all recent programs who have moved up to AQ conferences have done since 2003.

The schools that are loudest are usually the ones that know that they are on the outside looking in, i.e. Memphis and ECU. UCF had been very quiet until yesterday...which makes you wonder why the sudden change in their public relations posture toward expansion? All of the sudden they "fall back on their making themselves the victims evil plans to destroy UCF". Something has changed over the last week....or you have a clueless Athletic department underling not following the script.

Do they view now Villanova as real threat to take "their" potential slot in the Big East? President Hitt has done a create job at managing the message at UCF from academics to athletics but he clearly fumbled the ball yesterday by letting his administration get goaded into answer a columnist trying to stir up hits to his blogs and radio show.

I'll just say this: USF has weathered the sh!tstorm coming from Orlando over the last 10 years. Yesterday comments make you think why USF would ever want to help UCF with all the constant badmouthing and conspiracy plots. Its one thing for fans to speculate...its another for professional administrators to throw their alleged future win-win colleagues under the bus.

Hey KL....thoughts? Interested in hearing what the private board UCFers think about Bianchi's column. Do you think it helps your cause?

Believe most will just view Bianchi's column as just that...another opinion piece.

Also, Bianchi didn't post any reaction from those in UCF Athletics as he only went to the spokesperson of Dr Hitt's office...which has had their own problems in recent years.

As I stated in another post, believe USF Prez refusal to even make a public statement on his request (even something as "USF is always our #1 goal and we wish our fellow state Univ, UCF, the best in all of their endeavors") would have killed his opinion piece from the get go...but he gave her multiple chances to respond...she didn't...and he has his column/opinion piece.

Off the record, believe most know Bianchi will never be a "friend" of UCF...and he is only doing whats best for him (i.e. increasing his profile since he now has a 3 hour radio show on 740 AM and seeing how many of his other middle age white guys in his Sports Dept have been fired in recent years).

(01-26-2011 02:34 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(01-26-2011 01:14 PM)CyberBull Wrote:  

(01-26-2011 12:24 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 10:01 PM)wvucrazed Wrote:  What this says to me is that UCF is getting zero communication from the Big East. If they knew what was going to happen, they'd never going to make a comment like that. If they were confident they were getting into the Big East, they'd simply deny the rumor and say it was ridiculous. Seems like UCF is in the dark and is getting a little agitated about it.

The easiest conclusion to make from this is that there is no consensus in the Big East about what they want to do. There is probably a fracture on how many to add, and which schools, and where Villanova fits into the equation.

All that said, i don't think USF has the power to block UCF if the membership of the BE felt that adding UCF would really benefit the league.

The above is the most level-headed post in this entire thread. It doesn't matter what USF wants. What matters is what the BE as a WHOLE wants. Maybe they want UCF, but maybe they don't. Time will tell.

Lost is their almost manic hate and petty jealousy for USF is that fact that Jim Leavitt, who was a professional UCF-hater during his tenure at USF, said last year "...that if the BigEast believed that adding UCF was best for the Big East then he would have NO problem with their addition. Plenty of recruits to go around and what's good for the BigEast is good for USF".

Our new coach, Skip Holtz said essentially the same thing, although he would be biased toward adding ECU....for obvious reasons.

The other point you hit is significant: UCF should never should of acknowledged the questions. It makes you wonder what is going on the BigEast expansion front. UCF has kept quiet for months, deflecting all expansion questions with politically correct answers. In other words they used the same tact that all recent programs who have moved up to AQ conferences have done since 2003.

The schools that are loudest are usually the ones that know that they are on the outside looking in, i.e. Memphis and ECU. UCF had been very quiet until yesterday...which makes you wonder why the sudden change in their public relations posture toward expansion? All of the sudden they "fall back on their making themselves the victims evil plans to destroy UCF". Something has changed over the last week....or you have a clueless Athletic department underling not following the script.

Do they view now Villanova as real threat to take "their" potential slot in the Big East? President Hitt has done a create job at managing the message at UCF from academics to athletics but he clearly fumbled the ball yesterday by letting his administration get goaded into answer a columnist trying to stir up hits to his blogs and radio show.

I'll just say this: USF has weathered the sh!tstorm coming from Orlando over the last 10 years. Yesterday comments make you think why USF would ever want to help UCF with all the constant badmouthing and conspiracy plots. Its one thing for fans to speculate...its another for professional administrators to throw their alleged future win-win colleagues under the bus.

Hey KL....thoughts? Interested in hearing what the private board UCFers think about Bianchi's column. Do you think it helps your cause?

Believe most will just view Bianchi's column as just that...another opinion piece.

Also, Bianchi didn't post any reaction from those in UCF Athletics as he only went to the spokesperson of Dr Hitt's office...which has had their own problems in recent years.

As I stated in another post, believe USF Prez refusal to even make a public statement on his request (even something as "USF is always our #1 goal and we wish our fellow state Univ, UCF, the best in all of their endeavors") would have killed his opinion piece from the get go...but he gave her multiple chances to respond...she didn't...and he has his column/opinion piece.

Off the record, believe most know Bianchi will never be a "friend" of UCF...and he is only doing whats best for him (i.e. increasing his profile since he now has a 3 hour radio show on 740 AM and seeing how many of his other middle age white guys in his Sports Dept have been fired in recent years).

If MB is going to jump on the UCF bandwagon because he thinks it has potential...don't you think he'd do it in a way that gets the reader's support? If the UCF attitude is one that thinks of itself as a golden child (whether they realize they do or not) do you think Bianchi best angle would also be to mimic that golden child attitude in his article?

(01-26-2011 02:52 PM)apex_pirate Wrote:  

(01-26-2011 02:34 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(01-26-2011 01:14 PM)CyberBull Wrote:  

(01-26-2011 12:24 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 10:01 PM)wvucrazed Wrote:  What this says to me is that UCF is getting zero communication from the Big East. If they knew what was going to happen, they'd never going to make a comment like that. If they were confident they were getting into the Big East, they'd simply deny the rumor and say it was ridiculous. Seems like UCF is in the dark and is getting a little agitated about it.

The easiest conclusion to make from this is that there is no consensus in the Big East about what they want to do. There is probably a fracture on how many to add, and which schools, and where Villanova fits into the equation.

All that said, i don't think USF has the power to block UCF if the membership of the BE felt that adding UCF would really benefit the league.

The above is the most level-headed post in this entire thread. It doesn't matter what USF wants. What matters is what the BE as a WHOLE wants. Maybe they want UCF, but maybe they don't. Time will tell.

Lost is their almost manic hate and petty jealousy for USF is that fact that Jim Leavitt, who was a professional UCF-hater during his tenure at USF, said last year "...that if the BigEast believed that adding UCF was best for the Big East then he would have NO problem with their addition. Plenty of recruits to go around and what's good for the BigEast is good for USF".

Our new coach, Skip Holtz said essentially the same thing, although he would be biased toward adding ECU....for obvious reasons.

The other point you hit is significant: UCF should never should of acknowledged the questions. It makes you wonder what is going on the BigEast expansion front. UCF has kept quiet for months, deflecting all expansion questions with politically correct answers. In other words they used the same tact that all recent programs who have moved up to AQ conferences have done since 2003.

The schools that are loudest are usually the ones that know that they are on the outside looking in, i.e. Memphis and ECU. UCF had been very quiet until yesterday...which makes you wonder why the sudden change in their public relations posture toward expansion? All of the sudden they "fall back on their making themselves the victims evil plans to destroy UCF". Something has changed over the last week....or you have a clueless Athletic department underling not following the script.

Do they view now Villanova as real threat to take "their" potential slot in the Big East? President Hitt has done a create job at managing the message at UCF from academics to athletics but he clearly fumbled the ball yesterday by letting his administration get goaded into answer a columnist trying to stir up hits to his blogs and radio show.

I'll just say this: USF has weathered the sh!tstorm coming from Orlando over the last 10 years. Yesterday comments make you think why USF would ever want to help UCF with all the constant badmouthing and conspiracy plots. Its one thing for fans to speculate...its another for professional administrators to throw their alleged future win-win colleagues under the bus.

Hey KL....thoughts? Interested in hearing what the private board UCFers think about Bianchi's column. Do you think it helps your cause?

Believe most will just view Bianchi's column as just that...another opinion piece.

Also, Bianchi didn't post any reaction from those in UCF Athletics as he only went to the spokesperson of Dr Hitt's office...which has had their own problems in recent years.

As I stated in another post, believe USF Prez refusal to even make a public statement on his request (even something as "USF is always our #1 goal and we wish our fellow state Univ, UCF, the best in all of their endeavors") would have killed his opinion piece from the get go...but he gave her multiple chances to respond...she didn't...and he has his column/opinion piece.

Off the record, believe most know Bianchi will never be a "friend" of UCF...and he is only doing whats best for him (i.e. increasing his profile since he now has a 3 hour radio show on 740 AM and seeing how many of his other middle age white guys in his Sports Dept have been fired in recent years).

If MB is going to jump on the UCF bandwagon because he thinks it has potential...don't you think he'd do it in a way that gets the reader's support? If the UCF attitude is one that thinks of itself as a golden child (whether they realize they do or not) do you think Bianchi best angle would also be to mimic that golden child attitude in his article?

No...Bianchi will do what he always does...does what he thinks is best for himself and/or his employer (paper and radio station).

That's why for years he was against UCF building their own on-campus stadium, even when the City of Orlando told UCF to "get lost" for 1-2 years and leave the Citrus Bowl.

Now that Bianchi is one of the lone-leftovers from the newspaper glory days (most other experienced sports reporters & columnists have been fired over the past few years), Bianchi jumped on the Top 25 UCF Bandwagon...as UCF Football and UCF Basketball joined the Top 25 ranks for the first time ever this past fall/winter...then and only then, did he really jump on the bandwagon.

(01-26-2011 02:55 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  No...Bianchi will do what he always does...does what he thinks is best for himself and/or his employer (paper and radio station).

That's why for years he was against UCF building their own on-campus stadium, even when the City of Orlando told UCF to "get lost" for 1-2 years and leave the Citrus Bowl.

Now that Bianchi is one of the lone-leftovers from the newspaper glory days (most other experienced sports reporters & columnists have been fired over the past few years), Bianchi jumped on the Top 25 UCF Bandwagon...as UCF Football and UCF Basketball joined the Top 25 ranks for the first time ever this past fall/winter...then and only then, did he really jump on the bandwagon.

Well, then he did exactly what I said. I never hinted that he jumped on many years ago. Just saying that if he was going to jump on now wouldn't the golden child attitude, that UCF so prominently displays, be the best way for him to do it.

(01-26-2011 02:34 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(01-26-2011 01:14 PM)CyberBull Wrote:  

(01-26-2011 12:24 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-25-2011 10:01 PM)wvucrazed Wrote:  What this says to me is that UCF is getting zero communication from the Big East. If they knew what was going to happen, they'd never going to make a comment like that. If they were confident they were getting into the Big East, they'd simply deny the rumor and say it was ridiculous. Seems like UCF is in the dark and is getting a little agitated about it.

The easiest conclusion to make from this is that there is no consensus in the Big East about what they want to do. There is probably a fracture on how many to add, and which schools, and where Villanova fits into the equation.

All that said, i don't think USF has the power to block UCF if the membership of the BE felt that adding UCF would really benefit the league.

The above is the most level-headed post in this entire thread. It doesn't matter what USF wants. What matters is what the BE as a WHOLE wants. Maybe they want UCF, but maybe they don't. Time will tell.

Lost is their almost manic hate and petty jealousy for USF is that fact that Jim Leavitt, who was a professional UCF-hater during his tenure at USF, said last year "...that if the BigEast believed that adding UCF was best for the Big East then he would have NO problem with their addition. Plenty of recruits to go around and what's good for the BigEast is good for USF".

Our new coach, Skip Holtz said essentially the same thing, although he would be biased toward adding ECU....for obvious reasons.

The other point you hit is significant: UCF should never should of acknowledged the questions. It makes you wonder what is going on the BigEast expansion front. UCF has kept quiet for months, deflecting all expansion questions with politically correct answers. In other words they used the same tact that all recent programs who have moved up to AQ conferences have done since 2003.

The schools that are loudest are usually the ones that know that they are on the outside looking in, i.e. Memphis and ECU. UCF had been very quiet until yesterday...which makes you wonder why the sudden change in their public relations posture toward expansion? All of the sudden they "fall back on their making themselves the victims evil plans to destroy UCF". Something has changed over the last week....or you have a clueless Athletic department underling not following the script.

Do they view now Villanova as real threat to take "their" potential slot in the Big East? President Hitt has done a create job at managing the message at UCF from academics to athletics but he clearly fumbled the ball yesterday by letting his administration get goaded into answer a columnist trying to stir up hits to his blogs and radio show.

I'll just say this: USF has weathered the sh!tstorm coming from Orlando over the last 10 years. Yesterday comments make you think why USF would ever want to help UCF with all the constant badmouthing and conspiracy plots. Its one thing for fans to speculate...its another for professional administrators to throw their alleged future win-win colleagues under the bus.

Hey KL....thoughts? Interested in hearing what the private board UCFers think about Bianchi's column. Do you think it helps your cause?

Also, Bianchi didn't post any reaction from those in UCF Athletics as he only went to the spokesperson of Dr Hitt's office...which has had their own problems in recent years.

I find it very hard to believe that this middling administrator went rogue. Especially when its right out of Dr. Hitt's office. We both know what control freaks University Presidents or any senior level executive can be....in other words Hestor's comments are either what UCF believes or what they are trying to plant in the public consiousness.

I guess to a certain degree its worked....ppl are talking about it, but not exactly how it has worked in the past. Talk radio in Tampa has had a little buzz about it today, but they have not been as sympathetic as they have been in the past when USF cancelled our series. Similarly, based on the emails with some of my close UCF friends they are not too happy with how Bianchi is making you guys look.

It's easy to view this as another attempt from the UCF and the Orlando media to make UCF the victim and USF the evil villain. Come on, UCF has done enough to earn an invite w/o the help from USF. Moreover, even if its true....I have no idea anymore...USF only has one vote. Finally, the laughable call to action to get lawmakers involved is silly and ill-timed. the political climate has changed significantly when constantine threatened to get involved. People are out of work in record numbers, our school system is being threatened with budget cuts that will drag us back to the Dark Ages....and Bianchi thinks that our new Governor cares about things like this?

I wish you guys "luck", I guess...you know my feelings...but it does get VERY OLD to see the same tired tactics blaming USF for all your problems.

(01-26-2011 03:58 PM)CyberBull Wrote:  I find it very hard to believe that this middling administrator went rogue. Especially when its right out of Dr. Hitt's office. We both know what control freaks University Presidents or any senior level executive can be....in other words Hestor's comments are either what UCF believes or what they are trying to plant in the public consiousness.

I guess to a certain degree its worked....ppl are talking about it, but not exactly how it has worked in the past. Talk radio in Tampa has had a little buzz about it today, but they have not been as sympathetic as they have been in the past when USF cancelled our series. Similarly, based on the emails with some of my close UCF friends they are not too happy with how Bianchi is making you guys look.

It's easy to view this as another attempt from the UCF and the Orlando media to make UCF the victim and USF the evil villain. Come on, UCF has done enough to earn an invite w/o the help from USF. Moreover, even if its true....I have no idea anymore...USF only has one vote. Finally, the laughable call to action to get lawmakers involved is silly and ill-timed. the political climate has changed significantly when constantine threatened to get involved. People are out of work in record numbers, are school system is being threatened with budget cuts that will drag us back to the Dark Ages....and Bianchi thinks that our new Governor cares about things like this?

I wish you guys luck...you know my feelings...but it does get VERY OLD to see the same tired tactics blaming USF for all your problems.

Cyber. Bianchi is an ass, he will write anything to sell papers or get picked up by the national media (Real Clear Sports always posts his shiznit)
Word has it that the UCF "official" Bianchi quoted is a buddy who replied to an email ( I have no way of knowing if this is true) so I am not sure Hitt wanted a UCF "official" on the record saying this stuff...but who knows? Maybe UCF is trying to counter a pro Houston move or prepare the UCF fanbase for a Nova pick by blaming the Bulls but as of now I doubt it is part of a plan.