Little doubt WVU likes Army-Navy proposal

[TyBull]

July 04, 2007 

Little doubt WVU likes Army-Navy proposal

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Sports/Mitch+Vingle/2007070330?pt=0

I used this space last Sunday to outline the one proposal that seems to have legs in regard to Big East football expansion.

The idea is a joint football-only membership (or “association’’ if you will) for Army and Navy. The two service academies would play four games apiece each season against Big East schools. The setup would help all involved in the area of scheduling. The association could even extend to bowl games.

Multiple Big East officials confirmed the idea is alive, although one said it is “not full-blown yet.’’ When reached on Tuesday, however, West Virginia University athletic director Ed Pastilong hinted he’d like to see the idea mushroom.

“This is an option that deserves serious consideration,’’ he said.

Pastilong has heard many of the wild expansion rumors. From East Carolina to Penn State and, pretty much, every school in between. He’s heard the fans’ proposals of expanding to 12 football schools in order to stage a championship.

But right now?

“Realistically, this is a more plausible approach,’’ he said. “Our future is 16 in basketball and eight or, possibly, nine in football. That’s our future.’’

Forget, he said, any rumors of a split between the football and basketball schools.

“No,’’ Pastilong said. “We’re planning on staying together.’’

And since Notre Dame, Maryland or Kentucky will not be joining in football anytime soon, he’d understandably like the Army-Navy idea to flourish.

The reason is that home WVU football schedule.

With, essentially, nine football members, the Mountaineers would be assured of four home  i.e., money  games via the Big East.

That would be a huge step toward the annual goal.

“We try to make sure we have seven home games,’’ Pastilong said.

This coming season, WVU has but a six-six split. Because of the odd  seven  number of Big East opponents, league members get but three home games every other year. That’s a kick in the groin this season to West Virginia considering the high expectations and ticket demand. It doesn’t help Pastilong’s department that it’s the Mountaineers’ turn to visit Marshall and Maryland in non-conference play.

In 2008, WVU does have four Big East teams at home in addition to Villanova, Marshall and Auburn. Thus, the lucky seven.

Where Pastilong and WVU could use the Army-Navy deal is 2009 and beyond. The Mountaineers will have three ’09 league games in Morgantown as well as home dates with Colorado and, if they beat Marshall in one of the next two seasons, MU.

One opening remains and that will have to be at Mountaineer Field for the school to simply reach six home games. As it stands, the WVU administration is hoping Buffalo or Mid-American Conference commissioner Rick Chryst will make arrangements to fill that slot. The belief in Morgantown is Buffalo owes that game after pulling out of a prior agreement.

Anyway, here’s a snapshot of how WVU stands in regard to other foreseeable schedules:

In 2010, the Mountaineers have four Big East games at home as well as Maryland and Michigan State. They are on the road to Marshall. Two openings exist.

In 2011, it’s back to three home Big East games. Marshall and Michigan State visit Morgantown, bringing the number of home games to five. Two openings remain.

In 2012, three openings exist. Four Big East home games, though, and visits from Marshall and Florida State still put WVU officials close to their goal.

And in 2013, there are four openings. Even the agreement with Marshall doesn’t reach this far into the future. WVU, though, will visit Florida State and has but three Big East games at home.

The Big East officials contacted say they’re unsure if the Army-Navy plan will fly. The proposal still needs to be clearly defined. And one day all in the circle are for it. The next day, not so much.

Odds are, however, a Mr. Edward M. Pastilong can be counted in the affirmative.

To contact sports editor Mitch Vingle, send e-mail to mitchvingle@wvgazette.com or call 348-4827.

[deathrow95]

  Actually they would play 5 games a year since Army Navy always play each other and both would be part of the conference.

[TyBull]

  Actually they would play 5 games a year since Army Navy always play each other and both would be part of the conference.

NO! they would not be "part-of-the-conference".

They would be part of a "scheduling arrangement".

They need for "Top Flight" exposure games and some extra cash.

We (the B.E.) needs a 9th game for conference balance.

JMHO....

[TyBull]

  Actually they would play 5 games a year since Army Navy always play each other and both would be part of the conference.

NO! they would not be "part-of-the-conference".

They would be part of a "scheduling arrangement".

They need for "Top Flight" exposure games and some extra cash.

We (the B.E.) needs a 9th game for conference balance.

JMHO....

therefore Army v Navy would not be a "Conference Game"......

[Knight_Light]

Looks like the Army-Navy idea is now dead.

That didn't take long.

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Sports/Mitch+Vingle/2007071039?pt=10

While on the subject of dismissals, you can forget the proposal to forge an Army/Navy football membership with the Big East. (Many WVU fans, I understand, will be happy to read the news.)

A source with intimate knowledge, one that asked for anonymity, said Big East officials had extensive conversations with the two service academies concerning the possibility. The idea was to have both play four Big East games a year. WVU officials, among others, thought it a grand idea. The setup would help league schools toward their annual goal of seven home games. It would likewise help the service academies in regard to scheduling Eastern schools and allow them to globetrot the other eight openings.

Navy nibbled at the idea, but Army did not. The source said he expects Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese to fill in league athletic directors in the upcoming week.

Oh yes, and Navy alone will not be the ninth football member.

So Big East fans, get used to an eight-football, 16-basketball setup. At least for the foreseeable future, that’s what you’re looking at

[smazza]

i hope not

two crummy programs

big east teams need toplay top 15 programs  and wi n on the road instead of playing patsies at home