Its Offical Rutgers accepts Big 10 bid.

[Dhambuc]

BE as we know it or were hoping for is collapsing around us. We need to be out begging the Power 5 conferences for a spot, If not look forward to playing the likes of UCF, Memphis, (Conf USA or Sunbelt) schools.

This will be the death of the USF Athletics as we know it, We can not afford the programs with the money that the new BE will bring in. TV money will dry up, the losses will mount and sports will be cut.

Doug and Judy your legacy is based on what you do now. Fail and You will be known as the President and AD who took millions from the school only to see it drop off the athletic world.

[Cow Pie]

BE as we know it or were hoping for is collapsing around us. We need to be out begging the Power 5 conferences for a spot, If not look forward to playing the likes of UCF, Memphis, (Conf USA or Sunbelt) schools.

This will be the death of the USF Athletics as we know it, We can not afford the programs with the money that the new BE will bring in. TV money will dry up, the losses will mount and sports will be cut.

Doug and Judy your legacy is based on what you do now. Fail and You will be known as the President and AD who took millions from the school only to see it drop off the athletic world.

[inTransit]

As of today, the conference has only officially lost Rutgers. While surprising, it doesnt hurt. Its the next move thats going to matter most as the Louisville/UCONN 'winner' to the ACC will better define our opportunities going forward. We need to hope its UCONN (as the ACC is the only place they are going to get offered) and we can somehow tie ourselves to Louisville who will be aggressive as ever to move next. I dont think Cincy and Louisville is a great a package on the TV and demographic front where it appears decisions are being made.

[Cow Pie]

As of today, the conference has only officially lost Rutgers. While surprising, it doesnt hurt. Its the next move thats going to matter most as the Louisville/UCONN 'winner' to the ACC will better define our opportunities going forward. We need to hope its UCONN (as the ACC is the only place they are going to get offered) and we can somehow tie ourselves to Louisville who will be aggressive as ever to move next. I dont think Cincy and Louisville is a great a package on the TV and demographic front where it appears decisions are being made.

If it was all about TV then USF would have gotten snatched up a long time ago.

Tampa is a major media market, a major tourist destination, and hosts the Super Bowl every 5 years or so.

[Joe]

With FSU, the ACC has a bigger stranglehold on the Tampa market than the Big East USF does. And more than they would by adding USF. I think that was established back in September.

It's not just presence in a TV market. You need some sort of established wide following...

[Cow Pie]

With FSU, the ACC has a bigger stranglehold on the Tampa market than the Big East USF does. And more than they would by adding USF. I think that was established back in September.

It's not just presence in a TV market. You need some sort of established wide following...

I was talking about the Big12 more so then the ACC... but you are correct sir.

As long as FSU is in the ACC we will NEVER get an invite. Our only hope is that the Big12 will take us in because they want to get into the Tampa market. Outside of the Big12 taking us in, or FSU leaving the ACC and taking us in, we will be screwed.

[BullFan98]

Statement from Mike Aresco:

"Although we are disappointed that Rutgers has decided to leave the Big East Conference, we wish them well. They have been a valued member of the Conference for many years.

We realize that conference realignment is currently a fact of life in college sports. In the context of this realignment, changes in our membership have been taking place, including important additions. In fact, the Big East has expanded its scope with new members in California, Texas, Florida, Idaho, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. As a result, the Big East has created a unique national football conference that is a factor in the BCS championship, remains the nation’s strongest basketball conference top to bottom, and is a major force across the full spectrum of men’s and women’s college sports. We remain committed to, and confident in, the continued growth and vitality of the Big East conference."

[Hem]

Statement from Mike Aresco:

"Although we are disappointed that Rutgers has decided to leave the Big East Conference, we wish them well. They have been a valued member of the Conference for many years.

We realize that conference realignment is currently a fact of life in college sports. In the context of this realignment, changes in our membership have been taking place, including important additions. In fact, the Big East has expanded its scope with new members in California, Texas, Florida, Idaho, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. As a result, the Big East has created a unique national football conference that is a factor in the BCS championship, remains the nation’s strongest basketball conference top to bottom, and is a major force across the full spectrum of men’s and women’s college sports. We remain committed to, and confident in, the continued growth and vitality of the Big East conference."

Aresco's advisors: "Quick Joe, get in there and say how good we are in what we have left before those schools leave this week and we can't make those claims anymore!"

Edited November 20, 2012 by Hem

[BaltoBull]

With FSU, the ACC has a bigger stranglehold on the Tampa market than the Big East USF does. And more than they would by adding USF. I think that was established back in September.

It's not just presence in a TV market. You need some sort of established wide following...

I was talking about the Big12 more so then the ACC... but you are correct sir.

As long as FSU is in the ACC we will NEVER get an invite. Our only hope is that the Big12 will take us in because they want to get into the Tampa market. Outside of the Big12 taking us in, or FSU leaving the ACC and taking us in, we will be screwed.

Yep.

[TherapyBull]

From the News Article

"Whenever Rutgers enters the Big Ten, it will be the culmination of one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college sports.

In 2002, the Scarlet Knights football team went 1-11 under second-year coach Greg Schiano, who then seemed like the latest coach incapable of reviving a program that had been a college football laughingstock for more than a decade.

The team, however, made steady improvement as the university made the huge financial commitment necessary to support major college football. Facilities were upgraded, the on-campus stadium was expanded and as Schiano started to win, his salary began to rise into the millions. Not everyone on campus embraced the idea of turning Rutgers into a big-time football school, and it did come with a big price tag.

The expanded and renovated stadium cost of $102 million. The school had hoped to raise the money through private donors, but fell short. Rutgers scaled back plans for the expansion and issued bonds and borrowed money to complete the project.

In 2006, the school had to cut six varsity sports, including men's tennis and crew. As the football team has become a consistent winner - Rutgers has gone to a bowl six of the last seven years - the athletic department has received tens of millions in subsidies from the university."

If USF wants to play football we may have to mortgage the farm..................