UConn has Dave Gavitt to thank

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OBRAM
Art Stephenson
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UConn has Dave Gavitt to thank

Unread post by OBRAM »

Where would UConn be if the Big East and Dave Gavitt did not include them in the original Big East? I think UConn would be a version of a UMass. You have to give them credit, they we included in the Big East and they ran with it, and the state with casino money invested a lot into UConn and both academic and athletic facilities. Even with being included in the Big East, UConn did not make much basketball news until that guy hit that big shot to put them into the Sweet Sixteen, I think that was 1988 or 1989. Just think, it was not to long ago that URI was playing football with UConn in the old Yankee conference, and I think we played UConn in football at Storrs for at least 3 years in a row, 1998,99, and in 2000 we beat them with Tim Stowers.
So, what has to happen for UConn to get into either the ACC or Big 10?
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RhowdyRam02
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Re: UConn has Dave Gavitt to thank

Unread post by RhowdyRam02 »

UConn's in a tough spot due to their geography and not being in the AAU. Their only real option is the ACC. The ACC took Louisville this last round because they knew UConn had limited options but Louisville could look like a nice prize if the Big 12 wanted to expand. For the ACC, UConn is the girl they know wants to go to the dance with them and doesn't have a ton of suitors, so the ACC can afford to wait and invite other girls first.
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OBRAM
Art Stephenson
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Re: UConn has Dave Gavitt to thank

Unread post by OBRAM »

Looks like Stony Brook and TexasA&M joined in 2001
https://www.aau.edu/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=1108

And Boston U. in 2012 http://www.bu.edu/today/2012/bu-joins-a ... versities/
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RF1
Ernie Calverley
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Re: UConn has Dave Gavitt to thank

Unread post by RF1 »

I guess PC fans (based on the logic of the media) should be happy there is a UConn in the northeast. If not, there might not be another regional team that can compete on a national level. The best local players might choose to go play for schools in other parts of the country if UConn wasn't as it is. It is good that the Huskies are on such a high level so that this area is represented. Friar fans should be estatic that UConn can succeed at such a high level and just accept their lower level fate.

(tongue in cheek sarcasm intended-this is the same so called logic that was spewed by the local media defending the creation of original Big East and relegating all other teams not invited to a lower caste level).
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RF1
Ernie Calverley
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Re: UConn has Dave Gavitt to thank

Unread post by RF1 »

OBRAM wrote:So, what has to happen for UConn to get into either the ACC or Big 10?
Big Ten: no chance
ACC: only if BC is no longer a member


Most leagues are expanding for football reasons. UConn football program value is not viewed favorably enough for adding.
Last edited by RF1 10 years ago, edited 1 time in total.
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ramster
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Re: UConn has Dave Gavitt to thank

Unread post by ramster »

You tell the Administration that if their Football Program can compete in the ACC then UCONN will do it - and I believe they already are.
I think UCONN and BC becomes a nice natural rivalry for football in the Northeast.
UCONN eventually gets in the ACC in my opinion - only a matter of time.
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RhowdyRam02
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Re: UConn has Dave Gavitt to thank

Unread post by RhowdyRam02 »

People keep thinking UConn is a lock for the ACC, and I'm not sure that's true. If you're the ACC, you can grab UConn who has no other options and doesn't really bring a whole lot TV market wise. If you're overly optimistic you might say New York, but Syracuse makes that pretty redundant even if UConn can give you NYC. You can grab Cincinnati who could be a Big 12 target and gives you a bigger TV market and a nice midwest recruiting base or you can go with Houston or SMU and get mega TV markets and access to Texas for recruiting. And if you go with any of those three schools, UConn will still be on the board for possible expansion later. And that doesn't even get into the TV rights contract the ACC member schools signed that makes a team leaving the conference a longshot, so there might not be another opening. And if you think I'm exaggerating, why do you think the ACC took Louisville over UConn last time around?
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Re: UConn has Dave Gavitt to thank

Unread post by OBRAM »

When you come down to it, the best college markets are in areas that don't have much Pro Sports team competition. That's why everyone in Nebraska or Alabama can get on board their college team. CT in a way fits the bill, RI maybe on a small scale, but in MA college sports is a hard sell when you have RedSox, Patriots, Celts and Bruins and in Michigan, it has been a long wait if you want to see a winning Detroit Lions, or in Ohio a Brown of Bengals team.
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Ramblinrose
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Re: UConn has Dave Gavitt to thank

Unread post by Ramblinrose »

Gavitt chose Uconn because of his friend Dee Rowe. Plus it had a big fan base and grea hs talent.
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