Tilting at Windmills?

[Mama_Bull]

 

So, I was on the Houston message board yesterday reading a thread:

https://www.coogfans.com/t/mizzou-coach-says-aac-is-a-power-conference/9332/5

I happened to see this response:

pray10PatrickRegular

1d

 

There’s a law on the North Carolina books that requires UNC and NC State to play ECU yearly.

 

That interested me enough to see if that really was true.

Frankly, I don't know if it is.

Perhaps, someone here really knows the answer.

 

I did, however, find this somewhat related article:

It’s in everyone’s interest for State, UNC to play East Carolina – 

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/luke-decock/article100822787.html

 

I cannot imagine any of our current newspaper "columnists" writing such an article. That's too bad.

 

We all KNOW that if we could get yearly games with UF or FSU in football that would that would create tremendous excitement and help our program in so many ways.

Of course, that is easier said than done.

Historically, some Florida schools have tried to force a football series. UCF was the last school to attempt doing that to USF.

Being realistic, FSU and UF control the Florida legislature.

So, even USF and UCF acting jointly would be unsuccessful trying to legislate a mandatory requirement for UF and FSU to play one of us each year in a home and home series.

We would be tilting at windmills.

However, USF and UCF could go around the legislature by joining together in support of a properly drafted REFERENDUM to compel UF and FSU to play one of us each year in football on a home and home basis.

There are many arguments that can me made to the public to garner their support.

It is common knowledge that there is a tremendous disparity in conference money received by UF and FSU with that received by USF and UCF.

As a result, USF and UCF have to charge their students much more in athletic fees to make up some of that difference.

By having USF and UCF play UF and FSU  it will help to lessen the financial burden on their students.

Instead of USF, UCF, FSU and UF having to pay money to out of state schools for games, that can now be saved.

It is also in the best interest of the public to keep Florida HS athletes home, rather than to see them play in out of state universities.

Those are just a few of the possible reasons for such a referendum.

I'm certain that USF and UCF could argue the merits much better than myself.

Perhaps, just the idea of there possibly being such a referendum on the ballot will get the attention of UF and FSU,  and they might try heading that off by coming forward with a proposal to USF and UCF regarding scheduling football games in the future.

Considering our present position in a G5 conference, without being able to get quality opponents to  schedule in football, I don't see the harm in trying this approach. Even if it doesn't achieve the desired results immediately, it would be worth the effort. The national sports media would run with the story and play it up as: "Why are UF and FSU afraid of scheduling USF and UCF?"

Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2017 by Mama_Bull

[Apis Bull]

That would be a great idea, but as you said, UF and FSU run the legislature and it will never happen

[Mama_Bull]

4 minutes ago, Apis Bull said:

That would be a great idea, but as you said, UF and FSU run the legislature and it will never happen

I realize that.

My idea was to go around the legislature by getting "enough signatures" on a referendum.

We wouldn't need the approval of the legislature to do that.

If it got on the ballot, like medical marijuana did, it just might pass.

 

Edited October 26, 2017 by Mama_Bull

[Apis Bull]

Just now, Mama_Bull said:

I realize that.

My idea was to go around the legislature by getting "enough signatures" on a referendum.

We wouldn't need the approval of the legislature to do that.

If it got on the ballot, like medical marijuana did, it just might pass.

 

It wouldn't hurt to try

[bullsbucsfan426]

Yes, let's just write it into the state constitution: "Assuming all four schools have football teams, the University of Florida and Florida State University are required to play a football game against either the University of South Florida and University of Central Florida on an annual basis, rotating home and away." 

I recognize the benefit it would bring to both USF and UCF, especially because we know how awful UF has been the past 5 years. Had USF gotten to play them from 2015-2017 I suspect they would have gotten smacked every single time-and this year, they would easily have placed fourth in the state. 

[Triple B]

22 minutes ago, Mama_Bull said:

I cannot imagine any of our current newspaper "columnists" writing such an article. That's too bad.

The column was written by a Raleigh paper writer, which would be akin to someone from the Tallahassee Democrat writing one like it..... which even makes it more far fetched.

[Mama_Bull]

1 minute ago, Triple B said:

The column was written by a Raleigh paper writer, which would be akin to someone from the Tallahassee Democrat writing one like it..... which even makes it more far fetched.

Well, maybe Bianchi will hear about the idea and, if so, I expect HE will run with it. LOL

 

[GaUSFBull]

I wouldn't say it's tilting at windmills ... I'd say it's chasing waterfalls, and we need to stick to the rivers and lakes that we're used to.

[NewEnglandBull]

Keep in mind it could work in reverse. How would you all feel if FAU and FIU did the same thing to us? I suspect that is how the UF and FSU folks feel about being forced to  play us. 

[Mama_Bull]

A couple of months ago I needed to go to the DMV to renew my driver's license.

Near the entrance to the building was a guy who was collecting signatures for a ballot initiative, which I agreed with.

I didn't realize until just now, when I looked it up, just how many signatures were required:

"As of May 9, 2017, a total of 15 initiatives had been filed for potential spots on the 2018 ballot in Florida. The deadline to file petition signatures for the 2018 ballot is February 1, 2018. Supporters of an initiative need to submit at least 753,603 valid signatures to put their measure on the ballot."

THAT is a outrageous number of valid signatures to obtain!!!

I thought that just between UCF and USF and their large number of students, family, alumni and friends, we would collect enough signatures.

Now, it looks much more difficult to meet the actual threshold required.