USF sponsored motion to consider UCF for Big East expansion

[RG]

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osknightsIliana Limón by TBO_USFBulls

USF sponsored motion to consider UCF for Big East expansion, Knights don't have formal invitation yet

USF sponsored motion to consider UCF for Big East expansion

orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/knights/os-big-east-expansion-ucf-20111015,0,5572877.story

OrlandoSentinel.com

USF sponsored motion to consider UCF for Big East expansion

UCF president says Knights have not received formal Big East invitation yet

2:58 PM EDT, October 15, 2011

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DALLAS – USF President Judy Genshaft helped UCF take the first step toward potentially joining the Big East.

UCF President John Hitt told the Orlando Sentinel Genshaft called him last week to inform him she sponsored a motion asking the Big East to consider the Knights as a potential all-sports candidate. The motion was approved unanimously, setting up the first meeting between Big East administrators and UCF leaders Friday in Cincinnati.

Hitt said the meeting was positive, but he added UCF does not currently have an offer to join the league.

Hitt and UCF Athletic Director Keith Tribble called reports by ESPN and other media outlets that the Knights had already received an invitation to the Big East premature.

Hitt confirmed Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky's statement Friday that he voted in favor of the Mountain West, C-USA football-only alliance that has been in the works for at least a year. Hitt credited Banowsky with hatching the plan that has the potential to increase the conferences' television revenue and potentially put the group in lobby for an automatic qualifying Bowl Championship Series bid.

UCF officials reiterated they are proud members of Conference USA and will always do their best to help the conference.

"We can confirm we had a conversation, we talked with Big East officials and we have no invitation to join the conference right now," Tribble said. "The Mountain West, Conference USA merger is intriguing. We'll continue collect all information. If everything works out, it's potentially a good position to be in and have options to do what's best for UCF."

Hitt and Tribble were among UCF leaders who met with Big East Commissioner John Marinatto, some Big East presidents and other league administrators Friday. Genshaft was not at the meeting.

Sources told the Orlando Sentinel a formal invitation could be extended the Knights as early as next week.

Conference USA's bylaws prevent the Knights from joining the Big East until 2013. UCF also would have to pay a about $7 million in exit fees over a period of time still to be negotiated. Conference USA officials told the Sentinel the league would not trade games with remaining C-USA members for a reduction of the exit fee.

Sources told the Orlando Sentinel the exit fees would not be a problem for the Knights if they received an official Big East offer.

Check back for live updates throughout the day. ilimon@tribune.com or 407-650-6353. Read Iliana Limón's blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/knightsnotepad.

Copyright © 2011, Orlando Sentinel

[Atlanta Bull]

Will be a great rivalry game for USF/BE. Should be played on Thanksgiving weekend.

[TrujilloBull2013]

a lot of people owe Pres. Genshaft an apology, starting with Bianchi and going down the list with the state reps that took his bait and the reporters that asked her about it at a completely unrelated event.

[Skingraft]

a lot of people owe Pres. Genshaft an apology, starting with Bianchi and going down the list with the state reps that took his bait and the reporters that asked her about it at a completely unrelated event.

that would be nice....i hope they don't spin it like they put pressure on her to do it....

[TrujilloBull2013]

a lot of people owe Pres. Genshaft an apology, starting with Bianchi and going down the list with the state reps that took his bait and the reporters that asked her about it at a completely unrelated event.

that would be nice....i hope they don't spin it like they put pressure on her to do it....

they will, because that's what they do.

[Apis Bull]

a lot of people owe Pres. Genshaft an apology, starting with Bianchi and going down the list with the state reps that took his bait and the reporters that asked her about it at a completely unrelated event.

that would be nice....i hope they don't spin it like they put pressure on her to do it....

They already have.  Did you see the comments?

[dh5158]

a lot of people owe Pres. Genshaft an apology, starting with Bianchi and going down the list with the state reps that took his bait and the reporters that asked her about it at a completely unrelated event.

that would be nice....i hope they don't spin it like they put pressure on her to do it....

Let's see how long it takes for this to show up on their board.  But what they will say is that she had political pressure....Count on it.

[callmesuperman]

I am going to keep this comment brief since I just want to enjoy the game; but she is lukewarm towards Boise State, but sponsors a motion for UCF? Is that what she meant when she said we will be better then we went in? And then she calls the Orlando Sentinel ...?

ugh

[RG]

I am going to keep this comment brief since I just want to enjoy the game; but she is lukewarm towards Boise State, but sponsors a motion for UCF? Is that what she meant when she said we will be better then we went in? And then she calls the Orlando Sentinel ...?

ugh

She called UCF's president not the Orlando Sentinel.

[callmesuperman]

I am going to keep this comment brief since I just want to enjoy the game; but she is lukewarm towards Boise State, but sponsors a motion for UCF? Is that what she meant when she said we will be better then we went in? And then she calls the Orlando Sentinel ...?

ugh

She called UCF's president not the Orlando Sentinel.

sorry; misread it; watching game and reading article at same time. Go Bulls!