Almost beat football powerhouse Duke. Almost.
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Almost beat football powerhouse Duke. Almost.
UConn is just one of those schools that I kind of hear things about. And, you're probably right about the Big 12 not wanting it discussed. While it wasn't really kept a secret, it also wasn't really made public either. But since I don't much like the Big 12 I don't feel too bad about saying that I heard the NO votes were TCU, Baylor, Arizona, and Utah (and one other that I don't know). I didn't even think they'd let Arizona vote since they're so new, and I don't quite get why any of the not want UConn since all four seem to value basketball. TCU is particularly odd. Like...why??? I can see not chomping at the bit to get them, but I can't see why they'd be against it either. But...whatever.
Just thinking out loud after reviewing recent comments on this board including what to do with UCONN, the impact of NIL monies on ticket prices, and the alternatives such as latching on to lower division sports at other schools as affordable collegiate entertainment. I have proposed for consideration on another board the idea of UCONN football going to non-scholarship with the possibility of a Xavier team along with Villanova, Butler and Georgetown playing in a Pioneer Football League Big East Division. I threw this out for some discussion with a few dismissive comments implying that I was beating a dead horse and yet others thinking it would never happen.
I can stand the dismissiveness of the comments by others but the recent discussions on this forum about the aforementioned topics seems that honest comments about such a proposal will be vetted here.
First: Xavier’s concerns for declining enrollments (with fewer males) will continue as the pool of eligible applicants declines.
Second: Xavier ostensibly has non-scholarship football on the back burner.
Third: UCONN is looking for a home for its football team.
Fourth: The Big East wants to keep UCONN in the fold.
Fifth: Non-scholarship football doesn’t break the bank.
Sixth: UCONN played FCS school Merrimack. Playing in a FCS league allows for both playing established rivals and other FBS schools which may placate UCONN football fans.
Seventh: Power 5 football schools will continue to amass monies distancing themselves from the Huskie program.
Eighth: It would be a financially sane(r) for the other Huskie athletic teams.
As I said, just an idea. May or may not be as far-fetched as these other musical-chair league realignments. Most college football teams will play at levels that are not power 5. Could UCONN live with that?
Fire away!
UConn wants to make money with their football team, they can’t do that in non scholarship football. They will continue forward to try to
Make football work there financially, and I think sometime in the future, they will be successful doing so.
I think this assessment makes sense as far as what the positive aspects of it would be, but just because it makes sense does not mean it is a probable outcome.
I don't think UConn intends to drop it's football program outside of the FBS any time soon. There may be a day where they are forced to do it, but as of now they want to keep it going. They were one vote away from being invited to the Big 12 as full members, and they will likely try again at some point in the foreseeable future. It's also possible (as funny as this is) that they will become football only members of the Pac 12.
I don't think Villanova has any intentions at all of dropping scholarship football.
There is a better chance that Georgetown would look to move to the PFL than there is that Nova would do it, but I still don't think they have any intentions of doing it. I think they like being in the Patriot League. In fact, I think they REALLY like being in the Patriot League.
And, as for Xavier, I was under the impression they had all but told the PFL Office (which isn't really much of an office) that they were starting up football and intended to join the conference, and that it would start up within a couple of years. I thought the president was practically screaming for it. But now...silence! I guess they decided not to do it???
So, it doesn't look to me that any of the schools you've mentioned here has any real interest in moving in that direction. I'm not saying it wouldn't work out if they were to do it. I'm just saying it doesn't look like they will. If UConn thinks they can some day soon get into the Big 12 (and I completely understand why they would think that) then I understand them thinking that's a much better option than the PFL. I can totally understand Georgetown not wanting to leave the Patriot League and Nova not wanting to cut scholarships.
I think Xavier should start football and join the PFL whether those other three come in with them or not. That's all been discussed, so i won't rehash it. But, having said that, it doesn't look like they're going to. I was almost certain that it would happen and was getting kind of excited about it, but then it all seemed to disappear. It's their choice, and I guess they've made it.
I have literally no interest in non-scholarship football at Xavier and wouldn't pay much attention to it if we had it, but if Xavier thinks they can grow male enrollment by starting a team and it in no way strains the resources of the athletics department, then have at it.
I'm all for Pioneer league Xavier non-scholarship football, I wish it was happening sooner rather than later
I dont see how it could make any sense at all for XU to add football. Especially non-scholarship football.
First of all, there are FCS leagues that DO offer scholarships. In fact, they all do expect the Pioneer league. So I just dont understand how you're gonna find any decent players who would have alternatives to play somewhere WITH a scholarship. It just seems like we'd be left with a roster full of the lowest level players out there.
And I dont know how it COULDNT negatively impact the overall Sports budget. Some teams have over 100 players. We probably wouldnt have that, but maybe 75? How much equipment and incremental faculties would be needed? How big would the coaching staff be? probably 6 or 7 right? And teh imcremental Administrative people needed (compliance, etc). The cost of a field is gonna be huge, and you get maybe 6 games a year of ticket revenue.
It just doesn't make any sense.
Total loser in my mind.