UConn

[GoMuskies]

Almost beat football powerhouse Duke. Almost.

[xubrew]

Curious where you hear this? Seems like something that the Big 12 would not want discussed?

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.

[xubrew]

Almost beat football powerhouse Duke. Almost.

They would have sold more tickets had they just let the basketball teams play.

[nickgyp]

It simply amazes me that most fans seem to focus in on conference/media payouts without considering the rest of the income statement that comes along with these athletic businesses ...... er, athletic programs for student-athletes. I go back to the point that there are truly only about 20 of these large all-sports athletic departments that operate on a net surplus basis.

THE SIMPLE FACT IS THAT IF YOU WANT TO PLAY "COLLEGE FOOTBALL" AT THIS LEVEL, YOUR EXPENSES ARE GOING TO GO UP, AND RATHER DRAMATICALLY. I'm talking about operating expenses here. Capital expenditures/improvements are an entirely different matter, and can really send an athletic department into "orbit."

Think about UC's new indoor football practice facility. About $140 million. I have no doubt that it will be a nice facility. What I don't get is that it is parked close to a stadium that only seats about 40,000 people. Pumping money like that into a program that has such game day revenue limitations kind of baffles my mind. Of course, they believe they HAVE TO DO IT. They have to stay in the game, because their academic world will come to an end if they can't play football well. They'll continue to pump on student fees to help fund the department, and they'll continue to pump on alumni donations to help with NIL, etc.

But what happens when it goes into full employment / revenue sharing mode? We'll have to put up with that, too, but without the ball and chain of non-SEC/B1G football around our necks.

Even a university that has grown to 41k students only has so much fundraising bandwidth. $70 million into Nippert. $140 million into the new practice facility. 5.3 Arena received its lipstick on a pig renovation. I wonder where Wes Miller's practice facility for hoops stands at this point.

Then you have UCONN, which is facing a $175 million facelift to their crappy off campus stadium, or a new build on campus that will be a hell of a lot more than that.

All of this in order to where a badge on your chest that says you are a member of the distant 3rd best conference in the United States. Nice.

But they have to do it. You know, because of the REVENUE.

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!

[Xville]

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.

[xubrew]

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!

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.

[GoMuskies]

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.

[Jehoya]

I'm all for Pioneer league Xavier non-scholarship football, I wish it was happening sooner rather than later

[xubrew]

I'm all for Pioneer league Xavier non-scholarship football, I wish it was happening sooner rather than later

About two years ago I would have said it was almost assuredly happening and would be here for either the 2024 or 2025 season. Meaning...now.

But, that obviously didn't happen. I don't think it's going to happen any time soon. Maybe later. MUCH much later.

[MHettel]

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.