Kansas begs Nebraska not to leave the Big 12

[seniorsooner]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little urged her Nebraska counterpart Monday to remain in the Big 12 and help avoid a potential calamity for the Jayhawks.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Gray-Little said she got no indication of what Harvey Perlman might recommend when he meets with Nebraska regents on Friday. She said she also planned to call Missouri chancellor Brady J. Deaton with the same message.

In a rapidly developing story that's strained institutional relationships more than 100 years old, Nebraska and Missouri have both said they are interested in moving to the Big Ten. If they leave, that might prompt six other Big 12 members, including Texas and Oklahoma, to consider a possible linkup with the Pac-10. The death of the Big 12 could put Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State in danger of being left out of any major conference.

Kansas State and Kansas, even with its historically prominent basketball program, would have difficulty maintaining their status as major players in college athletics.

"There are some universities that survive and thrive without a large athletic program," said Gray-Little. "I hope we don't have to test that out."

Not being in a BCS school could hurt Kansas in several ways.

"Obviously, that would be a serious disappointment to our community, whether you're talking about students or alumni or other supporters of athletics," said Gray-Little. "Athletics are important to a university. Athletics helps develop friendships and allegiances to the university."

Gray-Little was in Europe last week when Big 12 officials failed to resolve the difficulties facing the league. She said she has been fully briefed by Kansas officials who represented her at the meetings, and was aware of reports that Missouri and Nebraska have been given until Friday to declare their intentions.

"If those things happen by Friday, we should know next week where we stand with regard to the conference and who's going to be in and who's not," she said. "I'm sure that for [Perlman] and for others, the conversation will involve a great number of issues. I did not get an indication from him on which way things were going to go."

Kansas and Nebraska have been members of the same conference for decades. Kansas and Missouri have a spirited, colorful football rivalry that began in 1891 and is the second-longest in the country. Their game has been played every year since 1919.

Gray-Little said she made sure that Perlman knew where she stood.

"I have not finished my conversations for the day. I intend if not today in the next two days to talk to the presidents and chancellors of other institutions as well," she said.

Led by athletic director Lew Perkins, Kansas is working to put together alternative plans in case the Big 12 does dissolve.

"We want the Big 12 to continue," Gray-Little said. "But because any one or more of these things could happen, part of our discussion also is what would be the next plan for us. I don't have any specifics to give you at this point, but that has to be part of our thinking. If the efforts to keep the Big 12 in fact do not work out, what alternatives will there be for us or K-State and the other universities that might not be part of some new organization?"

Kansas and Kansas State, fierce rivals for decades, have vowed to work together.

"That's been our commitment and our plan, to the extent that it's possible, that we would work together, that we would intend to be in the same conference and have the opportunity to play one another and continue a great tradition of rivalry."

 

[bocabull]

It's starting to make sense for Baylor to join the Pac-10 since Colorado does not have baseball, softball or tennis which is a pretty big deal in the Pac-10.

If Missouri and Nebraska head to the Pac-10 it could work out best for Kansas.

You put Kansas, Kansas State, Colorado and Iowa State in the Mountain West along with Boise State and you have a heck of a conference. The Mountain West is already good enough for a BCS bid and that would make it a 100% guarantee.

 

[seniorsooner]

Can you imagine Kansas basketball in the Mountain West? ROFL

 

[stoops4pres]

Not too thrilled if I'm a KU fan.

 

[stoops4pres]

It's starting to make sense for Baylor to join the Pac-10 since Colorado does not have baseball, softball or tennis which is a pretty big deal in the Pac-10.

You think so? I just don't think little to none-revenue sports that Baylor can bring won't give enough leverage to justify their invite over Colorado's. Especially factoring in Colorado's more prestigious football program and the Denver television market.

 

[bocabull]

Can you imagine Kansas basketball in the Mountain West? ROFL

yeah I could.

You put Kansas and Kansas State in the Mountain West and New Mexico, Utah, UNLV, BYU, San Diego State would benefit and pick it up a notch and it would be as good or better than the Big XII overnight.

Let's not act like the Big XII is some powerhouse in hoops without Kansas.

 

[bocabull]

You think so? I just don't think little to none-revenue sports that Baylor can bring won't give enough leverage to justify their invite over Colorado's. Especially factoring in Colorado's more prestigious football program and the Denver television market.

You're probably right. And it would only take 1 Pac-10 School to veto Baylor due to the Baptist connection. So Let Baylor go to the Mountain West with TCU or Conference USA with Houston and Rice.

 

[seniorsooner]

yeah I could.

You put Kansas and Kansas State in the Mountain West and New Mexico, Utah, UNLV, BYU, San Diego State would benefit and pick it up a notch and it would be as good or better than the Big XII overnight.

Let's not act like the Big XII is some powerhouse in hoops without Kansas.

:ez-roll:

 

[Mr.B!!!]

A few things:

1. What head of a University leaves town to go to Europe during potentially the most important conference meetings EVER? Bernadette (LOL) is an idiot and should be fired immediately. Reschedule fool.

2. Of any school in the B12, Colorado is the best fit for the Pac-10 and has a nice fat market that neither oSu or Tech have. IF UT and the State of Texas get thier way and make sure that TT and Baylor are included, it is a coin-flip between oSu and Colorado.

3. Before we laugh at KU headed to the Mountain West, you need to remember that OU could be headed to the same place if "in fact" we are somehow tied at the hip to oSu and the Pac-16 determines that they want UT [and other Texas teams that may be forced down their throat] and CU more than oSu.

As an OU fan, I'd be as up in arms as a KU fan if oSu caused us to have to join a crap conference (although with OU, said conference would likely get BCS consideration). Call your state legislator and make sure that OU is permitted to choose its own fate pursuant to seperation of powers...we can play them non-conference every year if we have to.

 

[seniorsooner]

Mr. B, this whole thing is about football, period. That's why Kansas could get screwed, and why OU cannot possibly get screwed.

 

[Sid]

Kansas State and Kansas, even with its historically prominent basketball program, would have difficulty maintaining their status as major players in college athletics.

^

 

[stoops4pres]

Mr. B, this whole thing is about football, period. That's why Kansas could get screwed, and why OU cannot possibly get screwed.

Agreed. OU's stature in football will ensure them a "power conference" bid.

 

[sooner333]

Agreed. OU's stature in football will ensure them a "power conference" bid.

I'm glad this is June 2010 rather than June 2000. We'd be sweating a lot more ten years ago to do the day.

 

[stoops4pres]

I'm glad this is June 2010 rather than June 2000. We'd be sweating a lot more ten years ago to do the day.

I was thinking the same thing.

At the end of the day I still think OU would be fine, but I wouldn't be near as confident then as I am now.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Mr. B, this whole thing is about football, period. That's why Kansas could get screwed, and why OU cannot possibly get screwed.

I'm 90% there with you, but still see a 10% risk for OU in this whole thing. PAC-10 was already interested in CU, UT/PAC-10 thing goes back for years, aTm, UT and probably TT joined at the hip. That leaves two open spots and three teams that would be vying for them. OU, oSu and Baylor.

All logic and common sense tells you that the other two teams should be OU and oSu and that Baylor should be left out, BUT if it takes bringing Baylor along to guarantee UT, aTm and Tech, then I think it is conceivable that the Pac-10 makes the decision to invite Baylor. That leaves OU and oSu vying for one spot, which would obviously be OU's to have if we so elected.

BUT if we are in fact joined at the hip with oSu because of the legislature (something I disagree with), I could see USC, Oregon, Washington, UT, aTm, Baylor and TT making a push to add Utah to the exclusion of OU. I think UT and more likely, aTm and Tech, would be tickled pink to get OU out of their state fighting for recruits. USC, Oregon and Washington would probably just as soon only have to deal with UT or aTm in football as well.

Again, 10% chance it plays out this way, but I'd prefer to have that eliminated to 0%, and the only way that happens if OU [Boren and Castiglione] come out and say that they intend to fight for OU's independence from state politics regarding whatever may come of the re-alignment (if anything). That is the way things are set up anyway, they just need to remind everyone of it.

Just to be clear, this is not an "anti-oSu" rant, it is a "pro-OU" concern that I have had for a while. I'd prefer that oSu be in the B12 or PAC16 with us, but I don't want our options limited because of them either. Much of the stuff that is being thrown out there lately (academics specifically) seems to be aimed at building the case for Baylor to join to the exclusion of someone.

 

[seniorsooner]

Amid speculation about who will be included in the Pac- 10 expansion, and the Big 12 realignment that may follow, Baylor University President Ken Starr called for Texas Big 12 schools to stick together.

Pac-10 Commissioner Larry Scott said he’s already spoken with several universities, but the list of schools that could be invited does not include Baylor University.

Pac-10 may expand offers to six Big 12 schools. Those schools include the University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Oklahoma University, Oklahoma State University and the University of Colorado.

"Baylor emphatically supports the Big 12," Starr said. "And we're hopeful the Big 12 will remain intact."

Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said last week he's "comfortable" the league will remain intact.

The issue has also brought calls from state legislators, who are concerned about the implications that go beyond just the athletic program.

"A strong athletic presence is not just good for Baylor; it's good for this community right here in Waco, and it's also good for the great state of Texas," Starr said.

He went on to say television exposure through the conference strengthens the school's national reputation, while also helping to add revenue, jobs and student recruitment.

Rep. Charles 'Doc' Anderson, who represents the Waco area, said he has put in calls to the governor and lieutenant governor, among others, to get the legislature "up to speed."

"This has kind of been a wakeup call for all the universities that we have something here, and we need to preserve that and perhaps we can improve on it as opposed to letting it disintegrate," Anderson said.

Starr said they have received a lot of support over the last couple of days as the word has spread.

"The Baylor nation is really standing up of one cheerful accord and saying Baylor must remain in the Big 12 and let's keep the Big 12 together," he said.

However, Starr said that support has also come from other schools in the Big 12 conference as well.

Baylor University "The Pac-10 has expressed interest in expanding," Starr said. "But I think we also know there has been a very clear set of statements coming out of the University of Texas that the University of Texas intends to stay with the Big 12."

That’s a statement Sen. Kirk Watson said goes a long way.

"The role that the University of Texas and others are taking, but primarily the University of Texas, in playing a leadership role to hold the Big 12 together is very important," Watson said.

While questions loom about the Pac-10 expansion, Watson said the goal for now is clear.

"We'll speculate about if it doesn't work at a later point in time," Watson said. "Right now the focus, I think appropriately, [is] on holding the Big 12 together."

According to Starr, everything hinges on whether the University of Nebraska will stay with the Big 12. That decision is expected later this week or early next week.

Pac- 10 Commissioner Scott said there are still many discussions that will come before any decisions are finalized.

http://news8austin.com/content/sports/271636/baylor-president-responds-to-pac-10-expansion-effort

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Yet...lol!

 

[seniorsooner]

The good ol' boy network is cranking into high gear...

Exclusive: E-mails show Baylor regent pushing for Bears in package deal with Texas schools

Dallas Morning News
03:26 PM CDT on Monday, June 7, 2010

The Dallas Morning News has obtained e-mails sent by Baylor regent and prominent lobbyist Buddy Jones to Baylor alumni and supporters within the Texas legislature. E-mails and phone numbers of the members have been redacted.

Jones urges his supporters to push for Baylor to be included in any deal that moves Texas colleges to the Pac-10.

Wrote Jones: "We cannot let the other schools in Texas (A&M, U.T., Tech) leave the Big XII WITHOUT BAYLOR BEING INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE. Long and short – if U.T., A&M and Tech demand that any move to any other conference include ALL TEXAS BASED TEAMS from the Big XII, we are golden. We need to be in a PACKAGE DEAL!"

Baylor continues to make a major push to be part of any Pac-10 expansion plan with its fellow Big 12 South members (Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State). In a Twitter post, Pete Thamel of the New York Times reported that Baylor "appears to have bumped" Colorado in the expansion sweepstakes.

Jones argues that Baylor is better than Colorado as a potential Pac-10 team because, "Baylor is superior to Colorado academically. Baylor has athletic facilities superior to Colorado. Colorado doesn’t participate in the number of sports that Baylor does. Baylor’s overall record in all collegiate sports dwarfs that of Colorado."

Jones also points to Nebraska as being a key to the conference realignment. He opines that: "It's hard enough get the home teams to stick tight. But harder still to influence a bunch of corn shuckers."


BUDDY JONES E-MAILS
From: Buddy Jones

Date: June 4, 2010 10:49:12 AM CDT

To: ADDRESSES REDACTED

Subject: Baylor Alert

To: Baylor grads in the 81st Legislature:


I have a critical issue that directly affects Baylor and it is very time sensitive. The Big XII and PAC 10 are both meeting separately today. According to a recent newspaper report, the PAC 10 may well issue an invite to all the Big XII South schools to join the PAC 10 – WITH THE EXCEPTION OF BAYLOR. In our stead, the PAC 10 is rumored to substitute Colorado. In this scenario, Baylor gets left out and this would be a major, major setback for our University. Perhaps a setback of immense proportion. The mere rumor of Baylor being left behind is harmful.

We cannot let the other schools in Texas (A&M, U.T., Tech) leave the Big XII WITHOUT BAYLOR BEING INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE. Long and short – if U.T., A&M and Tech demand that any move to any other conference include ALL TEXAS BASED TEAMS from the Big XII, we are golden. We need to be in a PACKAGE DEAL!

Here’s what I am asking you to do today.

Please call the following:

1. Bill Jones – Former Chairman, A&M Board of Regents

2. Bill Powers – President, University of Texas at Austin (If unavailable ask for Nancy Brazzil, his E.A.);

3. Morris E. Foster – Chairman A&M Board of Regents of Salado, TX

4. Larry Anders – Chairman, Texas Tech Board of Regents

5. Kent Hance – Chancellor, Texas Tech

6. Dr. Mike McKinney, Chancellor, Texas A&M and

7. Colleen McHugh – Chairman, U.T. Board of Regents.


Here is the message to deliver:

• The four Texas schools in the Big XII conference have decades (if not a century) of history as being a family. The continuation of this almost sacred relationship is important to our State and to higher education in Texas.

• As the Big 10, PAC 10 and Big XII discuss re-alignment, the best possible scenario for these four schools (U.T., A&M, Tech and Baylor) is to stay in the Big XII Conference as it currently exists. That is the absolute BEST THING FOR ALL OF US – KEEP THE BIG XII INTACT.

• However, if some schools in the Big XII North feel compelled to go elsewhere (we hear rumors of Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska looking toward the Big 10), the next best scenario is to KEEP ALL SIX SCHOOLS FROM THE BIG XII SOUTH AS A PACKAGE DEAL. Do not leave Baylor out.

• There was a report today that the PAC 10 might extend an offer to invite five of the South schools to join the PAC 10 (Texas, A&M, Tech, Oklahoma and OSU). The report said Baylor would be replaced with Colorado. This is Armageddon for our University.

This would be devastating to Baylor and to the state of Texas. WE MUST STICK TOGETHER.

• Baylor is superior to Colorado academically. Baylor has athletic facilities superior to Colorado. Colorado doesn’t participate in the number of sports that Baylor does. Baylor’s overall record in all collegiate sports dwarfs that of Colorado. Our football, basketball (women’s and men’s), baseball, softball, track, tennis, golf programs are vastly superior to Colorado’s. The Baptist church base extends across the country and certainly trumps the University of Colorado’s local base limited to a small town in Colorado.

• I am asking you to commit to me to keeping all six schools from the Big XII South together if we can’t keep the whole Big XII intact. BAYLOR MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE. Make it clear that when it comes to our four Texas schools, IT IS ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL!!


Please DO NOT BREAK UP the history and working relationship we have nurtured over the decades.


Will you commit to including all Texas schools in any scenario that arises? Will you commit to include Baylor in any package you consider?


Please put these calls in today if at all possible. We need to stop any bleeding that this PAC 10 offer might have caused for Baylor quickly.


Many, many thanks for your assistance. This could be a pivotal moment in Baylor’s history.

Warmest regards,

Neal T. “ Buddy” Jones

more emails at this link...
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont... 7e10ca51.html

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Pac-10 is not going to drop CU for Baylor....of all the teams that are being invited, CU is the "best fit" in the Pac-10 AND can lay cliam to playing at least 2-3 B12 Title Games in the last ten years. That said, if it means not getting UT and aTm, someone is going to get dropped and that leaves IMHO oSu or TT.

I wonder if there is a way to make the new Pac-16 work without the Texas schools?

Arizona
Arizona State
Colorado
Colorado State
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Utah
BYU

Probably not sexy enough for television sets.

 

[campbest]

Laughing at the notion that Baylor is a better school academically than Colorado. Baylor wants solidarity, but when push came to shove in the 90's, they were more than happy to leave SMU, TCU and Houston behind...now it's happening to them.

They had their "get out of class free" card when Richards bumped them into the Big XII. Trust me, the State of Texas will survive without Baylor in the Big XII, what a sensationalist e-mail.