Post by elp525 on Oct 29, 2011 12:11:53 GMT -5
Saturday, October 29, 2011
But Big East procedure clouds timeline of move
By Jenn Menendez
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
West Virginia hitched itself to the Big 12 Conference on Friday, ending a wild week at the university and making a long-term investment in the school's future.
Poised to leave the Big East Conference for the Big 12 three days ago, the move was put on hold while last-minute concerns about the number of teams in the league were worked out, said Chuck Neinas, the interim commissioner of the Big 12.
The Mountaineers will become the 10th member of the Big 12 next season with the anticipated departure of Missouri to the Southeastern Conference.
"What happened was, we were moving forward and we came across the fact that if we were to add a new member and the University of Missouri for some reason either remained or delayed their departure we would have to look at an 11-member conference," Mr. Neinas said. "We came to the conclusion that if we had to, we could play an 11-team schedule."
He spoke to reporters on a conference call Friday evening along with West Virginia President James Clements and athletic director Oliver Luck, hours after the announcement was made official.
West Virginia's two Democratic U.S. senators were not under that impression, however.
Sens. Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller reacted strongly to reports that political pressure by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to favor entry for the University of Louisville was what held things up.
Mr. Manchin even threatened a congressional investigation.
Media reports suggested that both teams might be added. And fans waited anxiously hoping to not be left out of the conference realignment game.
In the end, Mr. Luck said, he was patient as the week played out.
He said a more celebratory news conference in Morgantown likely will be early next week.
"I think we felt very confident and comfortable with our position, where we were," he said. "I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't say we had a little bit of nervousness. Ultimately at the end of the day we felt very comfortable working with Chuck, the process. We're just glad it's been finalized."
West Virginia will join Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, TCU and Texas Tech in the Big 12.
The university wired $2.5 million Friday to the Big East -- half of a required $5 million exit fee due at notification of a team's intent to withdraw. The other half is due upon exit, July 1, 2012.
What isn't clear is how West Virginia plans to get out of the 27-month waiting period required by the Big East, terms Pitt and Syracuse are being held to after bolting for the Atlantic Coast Conference. Mr. Clements and Mr. Luck refused to explain how that would work.
"Our intent is July 1 we'll be a member of the Big 12. Our team and their team are in discussions how to make that happen," Mr. Clements said.
The Big East reaction?
"West Virginia is fully aware that the Big East Conference is committed to enforcing the 27-month notification period for members who choose to leave the conference," said Big East commissioner John Marinatto.
Financially, the move is expected to be a windfall for West Virginia. In April, the conference signed a 13-year TV deal with Fox worth $1.17 billion that kicks in next year and was based upon the league having 10 members.
Still, the move is not without concerns.
Geographically, West Virginia's closest competitor will be 870 miles away in Ames, Iowa. While that might be fine for a football team that flies a charter plane six times a year, West Virginia has 17 athletic programs, and the Big 12 sponsors all but rifle and men's soccer.
"The student-athletes' welfare is very important. In today's BCS geography, there's not a BCS league that doesn't have a trip within their conference of over 1,000 miles," Mr. Luck said.
He would not divulge a specific time line of when the Big 12 first became an option but said the wobbling Big East became a concern after the departure of Pitt and Syracuse.
"When Pitt and Syracuse made the decision to leave and join another conference, all the remaining Big East schools really had to take a step back and think about what was best," he said.
"I'm not sure I can give you any time lines. I think certainly [there was] a lot of thought by a lot of schools to look at what's important and what opportunities may exist."
Reaction from coaches on campus was overwhelmingly positive.
Football coach Dana Holgorsen, who coached at Oklahoma State and Texas Tech before arriving in Morgantown, said the move is a step forward.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for WVU athletics, our fans and the state of West Virginia," he said. "Having coached in the Big 12 before, I appreciate the excitement, passion and expectations associated with the conference, and I have no doubt that WVU athletics will be a great addition to the Big 12."
Women's basketball coach Mike Carey echoed those thoughts.
"For West Virginia to continue to be a major player on the national scene, this is a great move for us," he said. "I have researched the Big 12 and what they've done over the years, and they are a very competitive conference on the women's side. They are national contenders year in and year out."
Ultimately, said the university president, it is a good direction for the Mountaineers.
"We have a saying here in Morgantown after a big win. We say it's a great day to be a Mountaineer," Mr. Clements said. "So believe me when I say it's truly a great day to be a Mountaineer and a great day to be a part of the Big 12 Conference."
But Big East procedure clouds timeline of move
By Jenn Menendez
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
West Virginia hitched itself to the Big 12 Conference on Friday, ending a wild week at the university and making a long-term investment in the school's future.
Poised to leave the Big East Conference for the Big 12 three days ago, the move was put on hold while last-minute concerns about the number of teams in the league were worked out, said Chuck Neinas, the interim commissioner of the Big 12.
The Mountaineers will become the 10th member of the Big 12 next season with the anticipated departure of Missouri to the Southeastern Conference.
"What happened was, we were moving forward and we came across the fact that if we were to add a new member and the University of Missouri for some reason either remained or delayed their departure we would have to look at an 11-member conference," Mr. Neinas said. "We came to the conclusion that if we had to, we could play an 11-team schedule."
He spoke to reporters on a conference call Friday evening along with West Virginia President James Clements and athletic director Oliver Luck, hours after the announcement was made official.
West Virginia's two Democratic U.S. senators were not under that impression, however.
Sens. Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller reacted strongly to reports that political pressure by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to favor entry for the University of Louisville was what held things up.
Mr. Manchin even threatened a congressional investigation.
Media reports suggested that both teams might be added. And fans waited anxiously hoping to not be left out of the conference realignment game.
In the end, Mr. Luck said, he was patient as the week played out.
He said a more celebratory news conference in Morgantown likely will be early next week.
"I think we felt very confident and comfortable with our position, where we were," he said. "I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't say we had a little bit of nervousness. Ultimately at the end of the day we felt very comfortable working with Chuck, the process. We're just glad it's been finalized."
West Virginia will join Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, TCU and Texas Tech in the Big 12.
The university wired $2.5 million Friday to the Big East -- half of a required $5 million exit fee due at notification of a team's intent to withdraw. The other half is due upon exit, July 1, 2012.
What isn't clear is how West Virginia plans to get out of the 27-month waiting period required by the Big East, terms Pitt and Syracuse are being held to after bolting for the Atlantic Coast Conference. Mr. Clements and Mr. Luck refused to explain how that would work.
"Our intent is July 1 we'll be a member of the Big 12. Our team and their team are in discussions how to make that happen," Mr. Clements said.
The Big East reaction?
"West Virginia is fully aware that the Big East Conference is committed to enforcing the 27-month notification period for members who choose to leave the conference," said Big East commissioner John Marinatto.
Financially, the move is expected to be a windfall for West Virginia. In April, the conference signed a 13-year TV deal with Fox worth $1.17 billion that kicks in next year and was based upon the league having 10 members.
Still, the move is not without concerns.
Geographically, West Virginia's closest competitor will be 870 miles away in Ames, Iowa. While that might be fine for a football team that flies a charter plane six times a year, West Virginia has 17 athletic programs, and the Big 12 sponsors all but rifle and men's soccer.
"The student-athletes' welfare is very important. In today's BCS geography, there's not a BCS league that doesn't have a trip within their conference of over 1,000 miles," Mr. Luck said.
He would not divulge a specific time line of when the Big 12 first became an option but said the wobbling Big East became a concern after the departure of Pitt and Syracuse.
"When Pitt and Syracuse made the decision to leave and join another conference, all the remaining Big East schools really had to take a step back and think about what was best," he said.
"I'm not sure I can give you any time lines. I think certainly [there was] a lot of thought by a lot of schools to look at what's important and what opportunities may exist."
Reaction from coaches on campus was overwhelmingly positive.
Football coach Dana Holgorsen, who coached at Oklahoma State and Texas Tech before arriving in Morgantown, said the move is a step forward.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for WVU athletics, our fans and the state of West Virginia," he said. "Having coached in the Big 12 before, I appreciate the excitement, passion and expectations associated with the conference, and I have no doubt that WVU athletics will be a great addition to the Big 12."
Women's basketball coach Mike Carey echoed those thoughts.
"For West Virginia to continue to be a major player on the national scene, this is a great move for us," he said. "I have researched the Big 12 and what they've done over the years, and they are a very competitive conference on the women's side. They are national contenders year in and year out."
Ultimately, said the university president, it is a good direction for the Mountaineers.
"We have a saying here in Morgantown after a big win. We say it's a great day to be a Mountaineer," Mr. Clements said. "So believe me when I say it's truly a great day to be a Mountaineer and a great day to be a part of the Big 12 Conference."
