http://www.wralsportsfan.com/big-12-passes-on-ecu/15975586/
The Big 12 conference on Wednesday formally notified East Carolina University that the Pirates were no longer on the list of teams the conference is considering for expansion.
"While it is obviously not the decision we were hoping for, I am confident ECU put forth its best effort during this process," said Director of Athletics Jeff Compher in a statement. "Our student-athletes, coaches and staff will continue to proudly compete for championships in the American Athletic Conference and we will represent our alumni and community with great resolve."
Big 12 Conference Commissioner Bob Bowlsby notified Compher and ECU Chancellor Dr. Cecil Staton of the decision
Read more at http://www.wralsportsfan.com/big-12-passes-on-ecu/15975586/#g8P2PODIlTS0...
Looks like are first school publicly rejected, which is odd considering some of the schools that sent in packets to Big 12.
Comments
Number 10 is an idiot
RIP
R.I.P. Mr Wilder a comedic genius
I see quite a few better candidates in the pool, and most of them are closer to the core Big 12 area.
More odd they are 1st rejected, whereas UCONN, Colorado State, Northern Illinois and Arkansas State haven't been publicly rejected that I can find.
Remember, ECU has also been the school most vocal with their desire to be in the B12. They had their Athletic Director and President come out publicly through press conferences and releases, as well as utilizing their social media presence to essentially beg for entry.
So yeah... I don't blame the Big 12 for publicly shaming them in kind.
Their day is coming. Just enjoy that the Pirates were first and have a few days to mire in the wake of being the only one notified for now...
I do agree that there are better candidates in the pool, but these days I don't think conferences care as much about schools being close geographically. I think it can actually be the opposite because conferences want to capitalize on new TV markets. North Carolina is the 9th most populous state, so I thought ECU had a decent chance there. ECU also has the second biggest stadium outside of the Power 5. I was personally rooting for them because that would have given us an annual Big 12 matchup for the rest of eternity.
On the flip side, I think there is a push for football programs to separate and do their own thing. At that point, the geography matters for every other sport. I think in the next decade or more, there will be a push for geographical alignment for the sports other than football (and possibly basketball.) Why should volleyball and soccer fly all over the country because football travels 5-6 Saturdays a fall? Budgets are tight, and money spent being reviewed by administrations. Why not have regional alignments for the non-revenue generating sports, but allow the football team to have whatever connection they want?
Seems to be working for Notre Dame.
See NBC tv deal and NATIONAL fan base. They are the exception to nearly everything in football and college sports. Also a private University that can fund raise to cover travel expenses when the TV money doesn't cover everything.
I meant to use them as farce.
Gotcha. Sorry. My bad. Fail on my part.
No worries, I just figured it was assumed everyone hates Notre Dame and what they get away with as much as I do!
I completely agree with this. Though until that happens, we will continue to see conferences add members that make no sense geographically.
Agree w you I was hoping for them. They've got a good fan base and
seem to love football. Also the program seems poised for growth.
NC may be the 9th most populous state, but that belies the origins of many of those residents. I could be wrong, but having been born and raised there, and with many family still there, I believe much of the population growth over the last decade or more can be attributed to an influx of folks from other states. Hence no real attachment to a school like ECU. Although ECU has a great, loyal fan base, it falls well short of the likes of UNC and NC State. They also suffer from being one of
sixseven (forgot about Charlotte) FBS schools in the state.Also, I haven't really paid much attention over the last 20 years, but when I was in HS ECU didn't have a very good academic reputation. It wasn't referred to as EZU for nothing. And it was often the fall back school for kids who didn't get into their 1st or 2nd choice, which was usually UNC or State. So assuming that their reputation hasn't improved markedly, that may have had an impact on the Big 12's decision.
Of course now that I've said that, they did let the Cousins in...
I think ECU might have
bettermore loyal/enthusiastic fans than UNC and Wake. At least for football.Had to fix that
I genuinely "lol"d...thanks.
I think the hat on the guy in the truck says "Hokie Respect"
sorry steve the pirate....not really
Whenever I see #HokieRespect, my mind aimlessly wanders back to MV7's alter ego and this incident
Obviously, this does NOT fit in with the ideals of #HokieRespect, but oh, the irony.
Ignore the fact that the Big 12 doesn't want them, if you listen to their extremely vocal and in your face fans, they're an absolute shoe-in for the SEC and really, its better that the Big 12 passed anyway, because this just makes that an absolute certainty. Or, and this one is arguably even more laughable, they're going to be in the ACC. Period, they're going to be in there. They'll be able to get UNC, NCSU, Wake, and Duke to cave to their will like the Commonwealth got UVa to cave for VT. Ignore the fact that there is unanimous opinion within the conference that the ACC was already too NC-centric, and any proposal to add another NC school (and UNC-system school) would be met with unanimous opposition, but there's not even any desire from any of the current NC schools to have ECU in here.
They're boned. They're on the permanent outside looking in. The Big 12 was their only shot and they lost out. Sucks for them, but there were always going to be winners and losers in the Conference expansion and consolidation of Power schools. VT is coming out a winner. ECU, a loser. Sucks, but what are ya gonna do.
Not to mention their academics are too poor to make the ACC and they aren't nearly valuable enough to earn an exemption to get in.
Like Louisville, huh?
Exactly. Their athletics, program money, TV draw, etc made them valuable enough.
And the ACC powers that be extending an invitation to Louisville was when I not only began to question but flatly deny their consistency. Especially considering the fight it took to get us in when the conference panned our academics (even though we were and are more than a match for other schools in the conference). I mean, sure, we improved a lot when we entered, but we weren't slouches to begin with.
Louisville, though? They've got a ways to go to join the pack, but they got a red carpet in.
They aren't really comparable situations though. Louisville lucked out with the timing. They needed to jump ship and the ACC was desperate to fill the hole left by Maryland. Hopefully being in the ACC will help them advance their academics to the level of the rest of the universities.
My impression of L'ville's "cred" was that it was more in hoops vs gridiron (btw, I'm SO glad we own the overall record/series against them). Plus, they are located in a moderately big (I use this term somewhat loosely) met area (thinking comparable to: Richmond, Raleigh (Research Tri), Charleston (SC), Rochester, etc).
I always thought Louisville was included because their athletic department raked in significant dollars.
Swofford just wanted free pizza.
That is what I said
Imagine Louisville without facilities, fans, actual rivals, a megabucks donor and in a less appealing location. That's ECU.
Oh its worse than that.... We brought in UofL because they have an elite level basketball program.
ECU's current program rivals what ours fell to in its worst state.... they're absolutely horrid
Apparently play them more often than our ACC foes.
Yes, playing ECU is annoying. Yes, it sucks that it's ECU's Super Bowl. However:
a) VT has to play someone and would likely replace ECU with another unappealing mid-major;
b) Thanks to the ACC schedule change VT plays Duke and UNC home/away in the same years. Playing @ECU allows them to tell recruits in NC they'll be playing in NC every year.
They should have been immediately disqualified for firing Ruffin McNeill.
What a bonehead move.
True, but Scottie Montgomery was money at Duke. It would not surprise me to see them exceed Ruff's best.
I'm sure he'll be a good coach, but it doesn't get better than beating VT, and I'm thinking those days are over.
Scottie Montgomery beat VT a time or two at Duke.
Nah, that was David Cutcliffe.
Scottie Montgomery's record against VT, and as a head coach, is 0-0.
I was just about to say...wouldn't it have been real convenient if they had a head coach with previous B12 experience.
While I thoroughly enjoy the schadenfreude, does this not hurt us in the long run since we'll be playing them until I'm old and grey? Them going to the Big 12 would've helped our strength of schedule or better yet put league requirements on them that would get us out of having to play them altogether.
Actually my first thought was the opposite. If they had gotten in, and the ACC adopts 8+2, we would not have had an excuse for Whit to drop from the schedule.
Didn't think of it that way.
Bingo
ESPN is pushing for their ACC partners to eliminate as many non-Power 5 games as they possibly can to have a better slate of broadcasting opportunities throughout the year. And really, this is just Step 1 in the larger overall scheme to eventually see the Power 5 conferences split away from the rest of Division 1. There will be a day when the game of musical chairs ends, and those not in a seat get left behind, and that day is very rapidly approaching. And, ECU just got told they've been eliminated from the game.
This move today probably just set in motion the momentum that needs to happen for us to cancel that series long-term. Look for ODU to be next.
We are still playing 12 games so doesn't that just make ECU and ODU the 2 teams not included in the 9+1 or 8+2 discussion?
As much as I dislike playing ECU every year, it is still a step up over playing Liberty or BC.
The problem is that eventually, the fans and alumni are going to grow tired of seeing the same 2 OOC opponents on our schedule every year, and are going to start to demand things to be shaken up a bit. Right now, we can swing it because we still get 3 or 4 other games we can have flexibility on scheduling, but if that flexibility goes away, suddenly the novelty of those 2 series wears away fast.
As much as I hate ECU, I have to agree with this. Their program is definitely on the rise, as evident by the hiring of their new head coach and stadium renovations set to kickoff. Plus, one of my most memorable college tailgating experiences involved leaving super early, driving 5 hours to ECU while drinking in the backseat, making friends with many attractive co-eds in a parking lot not interested in the game, not remembering how I got to the stadium and somehow walking out with a win. The problem has been that its always a lose-lose situation for us. But they have seen several ranked seasons lately and I predict if they are not off the schedule soon, we will be happy to have them as a quality opponent, just wish it wasn't every year.
They were on the rise, but this move eliminating their chances of joining a big boy conference absolutely guts them and cuts off that momentum at the knees. They may still be good for a couple years or so, but long-term, they just took a massive hit that will have impact.
Make no mistake, there was a reason ECU came off as overly desperate to get into the Big12. They knew this was likely their last chance to capitalize on the momentum. Now, they're going to have to get used to life as a permanent mid-major rather than a possible power conference addition.
I don't believe many P5 teams, including us, will give up the FCS game, or agree to allow it being dis-allowed, because it allows you to have more home games every year, as they do not require a home and away. Home games produce more revenue. I would guess we would want to continue with the W&M, Liberty, JMU etc always at home, and alternate the other game between nearby non-P5 schools like ECU, ODU, App state, UNC Charlotte in home away 2 game blocks. The scheduling change requirement would give Whit the opportunity to adjust the schedule to something more like this.
In the past maybe, but most revenue now days is from TV deals, not stadium attendance. There is a reason the B1G eliminated FCS games. As TV deals grow, the single sided home only series with FCS will just be replaced by the same with non-P5 FBS teams
It is not in the ESPN contract, likely for a reason. The ACC teams with an SEC Rival (except maybe LVLLE) are on record not wanting to give them up. The basketball schools will want to schedule them as long they count for bowl eligibility, and would vote to keep them eligible as well. Will money eventually change that? Probably, but not during this contract.
If the ACC moves to a 9 game conference schedule we'll drop ECU in a hurry.
#sauces
Their record is their record, which is what affects our SOS. If they go to the Big12 and go 3-9, that does not help us. True, if they go in and go 9-3 it doesn't hurt, but...
Look at WVU's record since joining. 7-6, 4-8, 7-6, 8-5. The previous 10 seasons, prior to the Big 12, they won at least 8 games EVERY year, with 4 of them with 10 or more. I see the same thing happening in Pirateland if they were to be accepted.
Playing ECU is a lose-lose even if they had gotten into the big12. Nobody outside of the area of southern Virginia and North Carolina cares about ECU. And even then, hardly anyone cares about them. I bet they have less national name recognition than Appalachian State and Georgia Southern. It would take them several years of being at the top of the big12 to be relevant to the point where beating ECU isn't immediate written off as just beating a bad team. I'm not saying that they aren't a bad team right now, but regardless, playing them is a lose-lose for us as long as it's not close to a free win.
Someone say Ga. Southern?
If I were to bet on who got in, Id put money on Houston, and maybe a low wager on UCF, I dont think theyll get in, but I could see it. If they really want to move into Florida, I think theyd be the ones over USF.
I really dont see UCLA, Florida State, I cant remember the other big name Power 5 team, but I dont see them being remotely legitimate claims as showing interest.
Here's the real list
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/8/12/12451440/big-12-expansion-candidates-realignment
And here's the list of teams that have expressed an interest over the course of time.
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/7/22/12250142/big-12-expansion-conference-realignment-teams-candidates-list
As I assumed, itll be crazy to watch it play out. Tom Herman walked into a pretty good setup if Houston gets in.
Scott Frost walked into an absolute goldmine if UCF gets in.
At least that list had a number of schools that are actually somewhere near the Big 12 geographically.
Turns out no one wants a school that brings absolutely nothing to the table.
Rocco wins the internet for the 2016 football season as far as I am concerned.
that moment you find your gif has gone green
only to be trumped by a well put together MJ meme.
Oh, I didn't realize how much I needed this...
That fucking gif.
In this case, though, it was used correctly: to mock ECU.
So much for promising the entire state of North Carolina, ECU...
The Big 12 is based out of Texas, and though I thoroughly disagree on their barbecue stance, they just did not want the Carolina bbq taking over their brisket.
Hah!
If anyone is curious why it seems like I'm taking a little bit of joy in this... you try living in an area inundated with their fans (Raleigh basically attracts ECU alumni like no other) who have a habit of speaking with no filter, and you'd understand as well. I just hope we thoroughly kick the shit out of them in the years to come.
Yes, couldn't agree more. They're downright obnoxious. They're kind of like the Radford step child school of the state of North Carolina.
Based on my time living in NC, this is how I see them as well.
Could one might conclude that your distaste for them is comparable to that of Worst Va?
Close, possibly. They are pretty bad in this area and their only fueled by a delusion that they deserve to be on equal footing as an Alabama or Ohio State because they were able to beat a few ACC teams over the years. This is the same delusion that got Ruffin fired last year despite everything that man did for that program.
They really did think they could just say "we want in" and the Big 12 would welcome them with open arms thinking how fortunate they were to be allowed the opportunity to bring ECU on. Reality just gave them a very large slap across the face and its going to take some time for it to sink in.
They could deliver the entire state of NC... fuckin please...
I was thinking more along the lines of this
I share your joy. I'm in Lumberton, NC with (apparently) more ECU people than the other NC schools combined. It's really hard having to put up with another loss to them. I'll be glad when they're no longer on the schedule and/or we're annually beating them by 30 and they give up trying to play us.
Hey I'll be driving through there on my way to Greensboro to stay for the games, how is construction coming on 74?
74 is wide open. If you're coming up 410 there was construction earlier. Some small construction on 74 at edge of columbus County to build overpasses but traffic moves well. My wife and I went to Charlotte recently and 74 was wide open at least to 1/220.
I'm coming from South End of Myrtle Beach. The number of back roads I have to take is crazy.
I go through there on my way to MB and back every year. I consider it the halfway point of the journey.
I was wondering what that sigh of relief I heard from Raleigh this morning was all about...
The obvious choice is Houston but the Texas schools are blocking them. Heck they could have a Texas division
Less ECU can't be a bad thing for VT
Not being in a P5 conference might mean less ECU for VT (w/ ACC schedule rules changing...they might be dropped)
BigXX Publicly announcing ECU not in contention means ECU not joining a P5 anytime soon
ECU being dropped can't be a bad thing for VT
VPIhokieME likes this
My best guess is that they end up offering Houston and either Cincinnati or Memphis. Houston might be a hard sell for Texas schools, but I think they overcome the objections, and both Cincinatti and Memphis have some backing in the conference.
BYU might get a spot if they can get over the logistics of their teams not playing on Sundays.
BYU might have issues due to the church's stance on gay rights.
I am more doubtful about that. The language of their bylaws is much more lax than many people would have you believe and on top of that it isn't very different than the language in the bylaws at Baylor or TCU.
lolz.
Big 12:
"But I don't wanna be a pirate!"
UNLV just got same notice.
Big XII be like
Big XII be like
Big XII be like
A long and largely ornamental process, culminating in an outcome with a terrible track record of success?
Sounds about right.
I mean, I've grown to hate ECU recently as much as anyone else but I feel like getting them into the Big 12 would have given this "rivalry" we're locked into a lot more national credibility, win or lose, so I can't say this makes me happy.
but them not joining a P5 might just be the excuse we need to shred the contract we have with them and halt the series. The TV deal is going to require the ACC to restructure their schedule and scheduling rules and we might be able to boot ECU to the curb if they're not a P5 team. I would rather not play ECU at all than play them as a member of the BigXX
Guess they didn't meet the high academic standards of the BIG 12. I mean, they are no WVU, amirite
I feel like this is an appropriate thread to resurrect during ECU Hate Week
I mean seriously, they got passed over in lieu of Colorado State....