I read this recent article from The Upset Blog about football at Utah Valley University. I learned some things that I did not know before, for example the 1.5 million per year that the University has been putting away for conference affiliation activities. This also explains the reason why UVU never had football to begin with.
The Upset seems to come to the conclusion that football at UVU is possible, but to join at the FBS level right away may not be realistic. This has been done at two other universities, recently, at South Florida and Texas San Antonio. At USF, the results have been mixed and, according to ESPN, USF is using some unorthodox marketing practices to escape the shadow of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who they share a stadium with. At least they are now in a BCS conference. UTSA officially started football in 2010, red-shirted the entire team and will play their first game in 2011. We will see the Roadrunners in Cedar City in September. They will join the WAC in 2012.
UTSA has the perfect situation for starting football directly at the FBS level. There is a large, mostly unused, stadium in the city that never managed to attract a permanent NFL team. The Alamodome has needed a regular tenant since being completed in the early 1990s. The nearest BCS program to San Antonio is Texas in Austin about 80 miles to the north. The Roadrunners will have a market of over 2 million all to themselves. Utah Valley does not have a stadium to play in and the nearest BCS program is only 30 miles away, plus there is another FBS program about 5 miles to the east.
To Valley's advantage, however, only about 15% of BYU's student body is from Utah Valley. As BYU's focus becomes more national, Valley can focus on winning the hearts and minds of the local population by serving the folks in the Provo/Orem area that can not get accepted to BYU.
The problem becomes a stadium. They could begin playing at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, but that is really too far away from campus to expect the student body to attend en-masse. Sharing LaVell Edwards stadium with BYU would force them to work around the Cougars schedule...something that is likely not practical. The stadium would have to be completed before the Wolverines play a down of football, if you expect to go directly to the FBS. Even though you only need to have 15,000 in paid or actual attendance to be FBS eligible, the average WAC stadium is about 30,000. Valley would need a 25,000 to 35,000 seat stadium ready.
The Big Sky Conference is more realistic, and a better fit for Valley sports in the mean time. The stadium could be smaller, and the school could build it to be easily and cheaply expandable. Also, in the Big Sky Conference, Valley could bring temporary bleachers into Brent Brown Ballpark while the stadium is under construction. This would, of course, only be a temporary solution to the problem.
Another sacrifice that the Utah Valley student body would need to make to accommodate football is some parking space. Utah Valley has ample parking compared to their brother campuses in the state. If you complain about the Parking at Utah Valley University, try the parking situation at the University of Utah, or Weber State or Utah Sate. My suggestion is Parking Lot T and the vacant lot to the south and west of that parking lot as the site for the stadium. As for the cost, Aggie Stadium at UC Davis cost 30 million. I expect that UVU could build a similar stadium for 20 million. That stadium seats 10,000, but was planned to be expandable to 30,000.
For football at UVU to happen right now, there would need to be some corporate sponsorship dollars come in. UVU might only have just enough to make this happen assuming a best-case financial scenario. 1.5 million for 10 years plus interest...means that they are a little short of the 20 million needed for a stadium right now. Are there companies in Orem that would help pony up that kind of money? Of course, the University could float a bond for it the stadium, but the regents and the community would need to vote for it. It would be a tough sell in BYU-land.
Realistically, UVU football is at least 5 years away. Five more years of saving funds, plus a improved economy would help attract a corporate sponsor willing to help. By that time, the WAC will either be over their expansion crisis, or they will be a memory. Either way, there will be no push for UVU football from the outside.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Reaction to the Jazz Draft Picks.
Enes Kanter will likely begin 2011/12 on the bench and be worked into the starting lineup as the season progresses, if he progresses as hoped.. He will learn a lot from Mehmet Okur. He will eventually allow Al Jefferson and Okur to play the power forward position. Hopefully, this will also be a breakout year for Kyrylo Fesenko.
Depending on what happens with Raja Bell, you could see Burks assigned to the D-League. However, with Burks arrival, and if he develops as a player, Raja Bell could see significantly fewer minutes. If that is the case, Bell will be playing with another team before the season is over. Perhaps a Bell trade will be consummated before the season begins.
The Jazz could look to trade other players, like Paul Milsap for draft picks. The Jazz will have 14 players on the roster if Kirilenko and CJ Miles do not re-sign with the team. With Burks on the roster, I do not expect the Jazz to try and keep Miles. Kirilenko's leadership is still needed, and the Jazz need another small forward. Jeremy Evans needs some time in the D-League to build his game.
Free Agent the Jazz need to keep
-Andrei Kirilenko
Free Agent the Jazz can let go
-CJ Miles
Who is trade bait
Paul Milsap, Raja Bell, Kyrylo Fesenko, Earl Watson
Jazz Depth Chart...Early Season (Assuming Miles and Kirilenko take free agent offers to other teams)
PG Devin Harris Ronny Price Earl Watson
SG Gordon Hayward Raja Bell Alec Burks
SF Paul Milsap Jeremy Evans
PF Derrick Favors Francisco Elson Kyrylo Fesenko
C Al Jefferson Mehmet Okur Enes Kantor
Jazz Depth Chart...Late Season (Assuming Miles and Kirilenko take free agent offers to other teams)
PG Devin Harris Ronny Price Earl Watson
SG Gordon Hayward Raja Bell Alec Burks
SF Paul Milsap Derrick Favors Jeremy Evans
PF Al Jefferson Mehmet Okur Francisco Elson
C Enes Kanter Kyrylo Fesenko
Depending on what happens with Raja Bell, you could see Burks assigned to the D-League. However, with Burks arrival, and if he develops as a player, Raja Bell could see significantly fewer minutes. If that is the case, Bell will be playing with another team before the season is over. Perhaps a Bell trade will be consummated before the season begins.
The Jazz could look to trade other players, like Paul Milsap for draft picks. The Jazz will have 14 players on the roster if Kirilenko and CJ Miles do not re-sign with the team. With Burks on the roster, I do not expect the Jazz to try and keep Miles. Kirilenko's leadership is still needed, and the Jazz need another small forward. Jeremy Evans needs some time in the D-League to build his game.
Free Agent the Jazz need to keep
-Andrei Kirilenko
Free Agent the Jazz can let go
-CJ Miles
Who is trade bait
Paul Milsap, Raja Bell, Kyrylo Fesenko, Earl Watson
Jazz Depth Chart...Early Season (Assuming Miles and Kirilenko take free agent offers to other teams)
PG Devin Harris Ronny Price Earl Watson
SG Gordon Hayward Raja Bell Alec Burks
SF Paul Milsap Jeremy Evans
PF Derrick Favors Francisco Elson Kyrylo Fesenko
C Al Jefferson Mehmet Okur Enes Kantor
Jazz Depth Chart...Late Season (Assuming Miles and Kirilenko take free agent offers to other teams)
PG Devin Harris Ronny Price Earl Watson
SG Gordon Hayward Raja Bell Alec Burks
SF Paul Milsap Derrick Favors Jeremy Evans
PF Al Jefferson Mehmet Okur Francisco Elson
C Enes Kanter Kyrylo Fesenko
Saturday, June 18, 2011
WAC Expansion, Why Not Weber State?
Weber State Athletic Profile
-Market: Ogden/Clearfield/Layton population 550,000
-Student Body: 25,000 Undergraduates
-Academic Ranking: #56 Regional, West Region, US News and World Report
-Mascot: Wildcats
-Colors: Purple, White and Black
-Sports Sponsored:
Men's: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Tennis, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
Women's: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Tennis, Soccer, Softball, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, Volleyball
-Facilities:
Football Stadium: Stewart Stadium Capacity 17,300
Basketball Court: Dee Events Center Capacity 12,000
-Financial: Sports programs are profitable.
Concerns:
1. Utah already has 3 FBS programs (Brigham Young, Utah, Utah State) and a population just under 3,000,000. Is there room for another FBS program? Utah's population growth have been over 20% for the past two decades and likely to continue to be one of the fastest growing in the union. The three counties in the Ogden metro (Weber, Davis and Morgan) are receiving a big portion of that growth.
2. Too close to Utah State. It is said that Utah State would block the admission of Weber State to the WAC. This topic will be addressed further in a future blog, but the proximity between Weber State and Utah State may be more of an advantage to both schools than a disadvantage. Plus, it would generate a new rivalry. The WAC already has a foothold in this market and has since the conference was organized back in the 60s.
3. Facilities. The football stadium would need a facelift and an expansion if WSU were to move up. Some of this has already started. Field turf is being installed and there will be restroom and concession upgrades included.
4. Attendance at football games has been weak.
Bonuses
1. Street and Smith ranks WSU as the #51 all time basketball program. This puts them ahead of everyone left in the WAC. (Sorry Utah State fans. You are at #82. Likely NCAA tournament success is the difference. But head to head, Utah State has an advantage.)
2. BYU would definitely schedule WSU in football including games in Ogden if Weber moves up. Utah likely would do so as well. This would bring large crowds to the game.
3. Weber State receives generous support from the Ogden Business Community.
Conclusion
Attendance would likely not be an issue should Weber State move to the FBS, with some smart scheduling. The only real question is whether or not Utah State can live with themselves having Weber State in the same conference. Weber can add Swimming for women and be FBS and Title IX compliant. If WAC survival were not at stake, it would be easy to pass on Weber State. But these are not ordinary times. This can work if WSU and it's boosters are willing to invest to expand Stewart Stadium to 30,000+ and modernize it. And if WSU can schedule regular games against BYU and Utah. BYU, being independent, will need teams to play in November and WSU and the WAC should be willing to accommodate.
-Market: Ogden/Clearfield/Layton population 550,000
-Student Body: 25,000 Undergraduates
-Academic Ranking: #56 Regional, West Region, US News and World Report
-Mascot: Wildcats
-Colors: Purple, White and Black
-Sports Sponsored:
Men's: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Tennis, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
Women's: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Tennis, Soccer, Softball, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, Volleyball
-Facilities:
Football Stadium: Stewart Stadium Capacity 17,300
Basketball Court: Dee Events Center Capacity 12,000
-Financial: Sports programs are profitable.
Concerns:
1. Utah already has 3 FBS programs (Brigham Young, Utah, Utah State) and a population just under 3,000,000. Is there room for another FBS program? Utah's population growth have been over 20% for the past two decades and likely to continue to be one of the fastest growing in the union. The three counties in the Ogden metro (Weber, Davis and Morgan) are receiving a big portion of that growth.
2. Too close to Utah State. It is said that Utah State would block the admission of Weber State to the WAC. This topic will be addressed further in a future blog, but the proximity between Weber State and Utah State may be more of an advantage to both schools than a disadvantage. Plus, it would generate a new rivalry. The WAC already has a foothold in this market and has since the conference was organized back in the 60s.
3. Facilities. The football stadium would need a facelift and an expansion if WSU were to move up. Some of this has already started. Field turf is being installed and there will be restroom and concession upgrades included.
4. Attendance at football games has been weak.
Bonuses
1. Street and Smith ranks WSU as the #51 all time basketball program. This puts them ahead of everyone left in the WAC. (Sorry Utah State fans. You are at #82. Likely NCAA tournament success is the difference. But head to head, Utah State has an advantage.)
2. BYU would definitely schedule WSU in football including games in Ogden if Weber moves up. Utah likely would do so as well. This would bring large crowds to the game.
3. Weber State receives generous support from the Ogden Business Community.
Conclusion
Attendance would likely not be an issue should Weber State move to the FBS, with some smart scheduling. The only real question is whether or not Utah State can live with themselves having Weber State in the same conference. Weber can add Swimming for women and be FBS and Title IX compliant. If WAC survival were not at stake, it would be easy to pass on Weber State. But these are not ordinary times. This can work if WSU and it's boosters are willing to invest to expand Stewart Stadium to 30,000+ and modernize it. And if WSU can schedule regular games against BYU and Utah. BYU, being independent, will need teams to play in November and WSU and the WAC should be willing to accommodate.
WAC Expansion, Why Not Northern Arizona?
Northern Arizona University Athletic Profile:
-Market: Flagstaff metro: 75,000
-Student Body: 17,500 Undergraduates
-Academic Ranking: #78 Forbes Best America's Best Public Colleges and Universities, #96 Washington Monthly
-Mascot: Lumberjacks
-Colors: Blue, Gold and White
-Sports Sponsored:
Men's: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
Women's: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Soccer, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, Volleyball
-Facilities:
Football Stadium: Walkup Skydome, Capacity 16,200
Basketball Court: Walkup Skydome, Capacity 16,200
-Financial: Sports programs are profitable.
Concerns:
1. Market Size. Even in the WAC, 75,000 is a small market city. This would likely be the third smallest market in the WAC were they to join (Ahead of Idaho and Louisiana Tech. Pullman/Moscow is about 55,000. Lincoln Parish/Jackson Parrish has about 50,000). Smaller markets mean a lack of corporate sponsorships and a smaller recruiting base. NAU is two hours north of Phoenix.
2. Travel. How do you get to Flagstaff? Usually teams that do not take the bus directly to Flagstaff fly to Phoenix or Las Vegas and bus to Flagstaff. NAU does not need more sports programs, they need a larger airport.
3. In the shadow of two PAC-12 programs in the state. But Arizona has 6,400,000 citizens and plenty of room to support another FBS sports program.
4. Facilities. The Skydome is large enough for the FBS, but it is not easily expandable.
Bonuses:
Destination City. The Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and Lake Powell are nearby.
Conclusion:
It will be hard for WAC presidents to overlook the small market and the difficulty in getting to Flagstaff in considering Northern Arizona. But if comes to Northern Arizona or breakup the conference, they may still vote to add the Lumberjacks than to break up. After all, the conference already has two other micro cities. Idaho and Louisiana Tech are in small towns that are hard to get to as well. This is probably not what the WAC needs unless it comes to survival and there is no one else to add. My guess is that Northern Arizona will remain an FCS program for the foreseeable future unless Flagstaff experiences a major boom. They present the same problems that Idaho has, just in a slightly larger market.
-Market: Flagstaff metro: 75,000
-Student Body: 17,500 Undergraduates
-Academic Ranking: #78 Forbes Best America's Best Public Colleges and Universities, #96 Washington Monthly
-Mascot: Lumberjacks
-Colors: Blue, Gold and White
-Sports Sponsored:
Men's: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
Women's: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Soccer, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, Volleyball
-Facilities:
Football Stadium: Walkup Skydome, Capacity 16,200
Basketball Court: Walkup Skydome, Capacity 16,200
-Financial: Sports programs are profitable.
Concerns:
1. Market Size. Even in the WAC, 75,000 is a small market city. This would likely be the third smallest market in the WAC were they to join (Ahead of Idaho and Louisiana Tech. Pullman/Moscow is about 55,000. Lincoln Parish/Jackson Parrish has about 50,000). Smaller markets mean a lack of corporate sponsorships and a smaller recruiting base. NAU is two hours north of Phoenix.
2. Travel. How do you get to Flagstaff? Usually teams that do not take the bus directly to Flagstaff fly to Phoenix or Las Vegas and bus to Flagstaff. NAU does not need more sports programs, they need a larger airport.
3. In the shadow of two PAC-12 programs in the state. But Arizona has 6,400,000 citizens and plenty of room to support another FBS sports program.
4. Facilities. The Skydome is large enough for the FBS, but it is not easily expandable.
Bonuses:
Destination City. The Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and Lake Powell are nearby.
Conclusion:
It will be hard for WAC presidents to overlook the small market and the difficulty in getting to Flagstaff in considering Northern Arizona. But if comes to Northern Arizona or breakup the conference, they may still vote to add the Lumberjacks than to break up. After all, the conference already has two other micro cities. Idaho and Louisiana Tech are in small towns that are hard to get to as well. This is probably not what the WAC needs unless it comes to survival and there is no one else to add. My guess is that Northern Arizona will remain an FCS program for the foreseeable future unless Flagstaff experiences a major boom. They present the same problems that Idaho has, just in a slightly larger market.
WAC Expansion, why not Eastern Washington?
Eastern Washington University Athletic Profile:
-Market: Spokane/Coeur d'Alene combined metro; 610,000
-Student Body: 8,500 Undergraduates
-Academic Ranking: #56 West Region, US News and World Report. Consumer Digest top 50 best value.
-Mascot: Eagles
-Colors: Red, Black and White
-Sports Sponsored:
Men's: Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Tennis, Track and Field
Women's: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Cross Country
-Facilities:
Football Stadium: Roos Field, Capacity 11,700: Current expansion underway: to 20,000
Basketball Court: Reese Court: 6,000
-Financial: Sports programs are breaking even, likely would be profitable if not paying for facility upgrades.
Concerns About Upgrading:
1. Number of Sponsored Sports. Eastern will need to add at least one Men's team and 3 Women's teams to be FBS and Title IX compliant. Baseball, Golf or Indoor Track could be easily added for the men. The Women could add Swimming and Diving, Softball, Indoor Track or Gymnastics.
2. Facilities. The football stadium is being upgraded to seat at least 20,000, but the WAC average (after current realignment) is about 30,500. The University will likely need another expansion soon afterwords. The basketball arena seems a little on the small side, but about average for the WAC.
3. In the shadow of two PAC-12 programs. This is true, but the population of Washington is 6.7 million and could easily support another FBS team.
4. Small student body. A small student body translates to a small alumni base, and fewer alumni donations. The university has been able to successfully find the funding to upgrade the football stadium. This is no easy task with the economy in recession. The student body would be the smallest in the WAC.
5. Market size. Yes, it is small, but it is also larger than Las Cruces, Logan, Moscow or Rushton. In the WAC (with no other expansion), it would be the median market. A larger market usually means more opportunity for corporate sponsorship and a stronger recruiting base.
Bonuses:
Would be a good travel partner for Seattle University.
Conclusion:
The main concern about Eastern Washington is the number of sponsored sports and their small student body. Their athletic programs were breaking even in 2009 but it will be interesting to see what happens once the stadium renovations are complete. It is not unrealistic for them to add Golf for men; with Gymnastics, Swimming and Softball for the women; the facilities are in place. They will simply need to find the scholarship money to cover these new sports. They will need the football program to step up and generate revenues for the rest of the athletic programs in order to survive in the FBS. They will have to be successful at the higher level almost right away. A small student body means that they will not be able to generate a lot of additional revenue with student fees to cover any short falls the way that other schools do. They may have to push a little harder for corporate sponsorships. If I was the president of another WAC institution, I would be concerned about adding Eastern Washington, although the prospect does have potential. They may be a strong WAC member in the 2020's.
-Market: Spokane/Coeur d'Alene combined metro; 610,000
-Student Body: 8,500 Undergraduates
-Academic Ranking: #56 West Region, US News and World Report. Consumer Digest top 50 best value.
-Mascot: Eagles
-Colors: Red, Black and White
-Sports Sponsored:
Men's: Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Tennis, Track and Field
Women's: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Cross Country
-Facilities:
Football Stadium: Roos Field, Capacity 11,700: Current expansion underway: to 20,000
Basketball Court: Reese Court: 6,000
-Financial: Sports programs are breaking even, likely would be profitable if not paying for facility upgrades.
Concerns About Upgrading:
1. Number of Sponsored Sports. Eastern will need to add at least one Men's team and 3 Women's teams to be FBS and Title IX compliant. Baseball, Golf or Indoor Track could be easily added for the men. The Women could add Swimming and Diving, Softball, Indoor Track or Gymnastics.
2. Facilities. The football stadium is being upgraded to seat at least 20,000, but the WAC average (after current realignment) is about 30,500. The University will likely need another expansion soon afterwords. The basketball arena seems a little on the small side, but about average for the WAC.
3. In the shadow of two PAC-12 programs. This is true, but the population of Washington is 6.7 million and could easily support another FBS team.
4. Small student body. A small student body translates to a small alumni base, and fewer alumni donations. The university has been able to successfully find the funding to upgrade the football stadium. This is no easy task with the economy in recession. The student body would be the smallest in the WAC.
5. Market size. Yes, it is small, but it is also larger than Las Cruces, Logan, Moscow or Rushton. In the WAC (with no other expansion), it would be the median market. A larger market usually means more opportunity for corporate sponsorship and a stronger recruiting base.
Bonuses:
Would be a good travel partner for Seattle University.
Conclusion:
The main concern about Eastern Washington is the number of sponsored sports and their small student body. Their athletic programs were breaking even in 2009 but it will be interesting to see what happens once the stadium renovations are complete. It is not unrealistic for them to add Golf for men; with Gymnastics, Swimming and Softball for the women; the facilities are in place. They will simply need to find the scholarship money to cover these new sports. They will need the football program to step up and generate revenues for the rest of the athletic programs in order to survive in the FBS. They will have to be successful at the higher level almost right away. A small student body means that they will not be able to generate a lot of additional revenue with student fees to cover any short falls the way that other schools do. They may have to push a little harder for corporate sponsorships. If I was the president of another WAC institution, I would be concerned about adding Eastern Washington, although the prospect does have potential. They may be a strong WAC member in the 2020's.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Utah's 2011/12 Men's Basketball Schedule...
Fri. Nov. 4 Adams State Salt Lake City (exhibition)
Mon. Nov. 14 San Diego Christian College Salt Lake City
Wed. Nov. 16 at Boise State Boise, Idaho
Sat. Nov. 19 Montana State Salt Lake City
Thurs.-Sat. Nov. 24-26 Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament Paradise Island, Bahamas
Sat. Dec. 3 at Fresno State Fresno, Calif.
Wed. Dec. 7 Cal State Fullerton Salt Lake City
Sat. Dec. 10 BYU Salt Lake City
Sat. Dec. 17 Idaho State Salt Lake City
Mon. Dec. 19 Portland Salt Lake City
Thurs. Dec. 22 at Weber State Ogden, Utah
Sat. Dec. 31 at Colorado* Boulder, Colo.
Thurs. Jan. 5 Washington State* Salt Lake City
Sat. Jan. 7 Washington* Salt lake City
Thurs. Jan. 12 at Stanford* Palo Alto, Calif.
Sat. Jan. 14 at California* Berkeley, Calif.
Thurs. Jan. 19 Arizona* Salt Lake City
Sat. Jan. 21 Arizona State* Salt Lake City
Thurs. Jan. 26 at UCLA* Los Angeles, Calif.
Sat. Jan. 28 at USC* Los Angeles, Calif.
Thurs. Feb. 2 Oregon* Salt Lake City
Sat. Feb. 4 Oregon State* Salt Lake City
Thurs. Feb. 9 at Arizona State* Tempe, Ariz.
Sat. Feb. 11 at Arizona* Tuscon, Ariz.
Sat. Feb. 18 Colorado* Salt Lake City
Thurs. Feb. 23 California* Salt Lake City
Sat. Feb. 25 Stanford* Salt Lake City
Thurs. Mar. 1 at Oregon State* Corvallis, Ore.
Sat. Mar. 3 at Oregon* Eugene, Ore.
Wed.-Sat. Mar. 7-10 Pac -12 Tournament (Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The WAC Expansion Announcement...Reading Between The Lines
It wasn't what Karl Benson announced today that was telling, it was what Big Sky Conference commissioner Doug Fullterton said that told the story. There were two things in his comments that were interesting.
1. Six Big Sky Conference teams have been contacted by the WAC, and all six gave the WAC the middle finger.
2. That the Big Sky Conference stands ready to "accept" Utah State and Idaho.
Now, here is what intrigues me about this. I know Utah State fans, and they hate me. They also hate being told that they will be one day relegated to the Big Sky Conference because their current conference commissioner does not have the guts to be proactive and make the right calls. Let's say you are in a chess game with a master. Benson is the guy watching all of his pawns getting picked off one-by-one. Just for teasing.
I do not have inside information about who the magic six were. My hunch is that they did not include Weber State, Northern Arizona nor Eastern Washington. Three schools who, judging by what is being said on the message boards, would accept an invitation from the WAC. The magic six are, and again, this is my guess; Montana, Montana State, Portland State, Cal Poly, UC Davis and Sacramento State.
I also do not accept the notion that Utah State, it's fans and the board of regents would accept the relegation of Utah State to the FCS. If there is one thing that Gary Anderson has accomplished in his brief tenure in Logan is improved attendance. They have emerged from attendance probation. This would all be for naught. I suspect that at this point, the third most hated person in Logan at this time is Fullerton, right behind Benson and BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe. Benson, is first because he seems to be who is getting the blame for the mess that the Aggies find themselves in at this time. Holmoe is second because he did not stand with the WAC when Nevada and Fresno State dumped the August conference and their "project" for the MWC the minute they came to call; Holmoe took his independence show to WCC instead. Fullerton is hated in Logan for even suggesting the idea that Utah State could be in the Big Sky Conference, even though sports writers have been saying this since the early 90s when most of the Big West Conference schools (Long Beach State, Pacific, Cal Sate Fullerton, etc.) were dropping football.
But, Fullerton seems to have an ace up his sleeve. The Big Sky Conference is already too big at 13, and 15 would be worse. Utah State would never agree to play Weber State and Idaho State every season and everyone else on a rotating basis. The 13 team Big Sky Conference will implode like the 16-team WAC did. Why? You have extensive travel in a conference that stretches from Central California to Eastern North Dakota (The old WAC stretched from Honolulu to Houston); they took advantage of the failure of another football conference (the Great West/old Southwest Conference) to add new members too quickly, and they killed traditional rivalries to get a schedule together. Yes, this should sound familiar to those who know WAC history. The only salvation for the 13-member Big Sky Conference is that all of the schools are public, where the old WAC was a mixture between Private and Public.
Fullerton knows this, but agreed to it anyway. So did enough Presidents of Big Sky Schools. Fullerton also knows that the NCAA wants the WAC to succeed, even if others out west want it to die. There are reasons why there needs to be a third FBS conference in the West. There needs to be enough FBS members to fill all of the bowl commitments. A loss of a conference is not what the NCAA needs right now on top of all of the problems with the Fiesta Bowl, the push for a playoff and the scandals rocking top-tier programs like USC and Ohio State.
But if the WAC can not be saved, how about a new conference? Moving part of the Big Sky Conference to the FBS, and inviting some of the WAC remnants to join. That's a plan that will make Fullerton look like a genius. Letting the WAC become a basketball league, and letting this new conference arise from the ashes. The Big Sky Conference could split, leaving seven of it's 13 members at the FCS level, and bringing the other six, with Utah State, Idaho and San Jose State to the new FBS level Big Sky Conference. This is what I read behind the WAC expansion headlines today. What do you think?
New Big Sky Conference:
Idaho
Utah State
San Jose State
Cal Poly
UC Davis
Montana
Montana State
Portland State
Sacramento State
Left to form a new FCS Conference (The left-behind conference):
Eastern Washington
Idaho State
Weber State
North Dakota
Northern Arizona
Northern Colorado
Southern Utah
1. Six Big Sky Conference teams have been contacted by the WAC, and all six gave the WAC the middle finger.
2. That the Big Sky Conference stands ready to "accept" Utah State and Idaho.
Now, here is what intrigues me about this. I know Utah State fans, and they hate me. They also hate being told that they will be one day relegated to the Big Sky Conference because their current conference commissioner does not have the guts to be proactive and make the right calls. Let's say you are in a chess game with a master. Benson is the guy watching all of his pawns getting picked off one-by-one. Just for teasing.
I do not have inside information about who the magic six were. My hunch is that they did not include Weber State, Northern Arizona nor Eastern Washington. Three schools who, judging by what is being said on the message boards, would accept an invitation from the WAC. The magic six are, and again, this is my guess; Montana, Montana State, Portland State, Cal Poly, UC Davis and Sacramento State.
I also do not accept the notion that Utah State, it's fans and the board of regents would accept the relegation of Utah State to the FCS. If there is one thing that Gary Anderson has accomplished in his brief tenure in Logan is improved attendance. They have emerged from attendance probation. This would all be for naught. I suspect that at this point, the third most hated person in Logan at this time is Fullerton, right behind Benson and BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe. Benson, is first because he seems to be who is getting the blame for the mess that the Aggies find themselves in at this time. Holmoe is second because he did not stand with the WAC when Nevada and Fresno State dumped the August conference and their "project" for the MWC the minute they came to call; Holmoe took his independence show to WCC instead. Fullerton is hated in Logan for even suggesting the idea that Utah State could be in the Big Sky Conference, even though sports writers have been saying this since the early 90s when most of the Big West Conference schools (Long Beach State, Pacific, Cal Sate Fullerton, etc.) were dropping football.
But, Fullerton seems to have an ace up his sleeve. The Big Sky Conference is already too big at 13, and 15 would be worse. Utah State would never agree to play Weber State and Idaho State every season and everyone else on a rotating basis. The 13 team Big Sky Conference will implode like the 16-team WAC did. Why? You have extensive travel in a conference that stretches from Central California to Eastern North Dakota (The old WAC stretched from Honolulu to Houston); they took advantage of the failure of another football conference (the Great West/old Southwest Conference) to add new members too quickly, and they killed traditional rivalries to get a schedule together. Yes, this should sound familiar to those who know WAC history. The only salvation for the 13-member Big Sky Conference is that all of the schools are public, where the old WAC was a mixture between Private and Public.
Fullerton knows this, but agreed to it anyway. So did enough Presidents of Big Sky Schools. Fullerton also knows that the NCAA wants the WAC to succeed, even if others out west want it to die. There are reasons why there needs to be a third FBS conference in the West. There needs to be enough FBS members to fill all of the bowl commitments. A loss of a conference is not what the NCAA needs right now on top of all of the problems with the Fiesta Bowl, the push for a playoff and the scandals rocking top-tier programs like USC and Ohio State.
But if the WAC can not be saved, how about a new conference? Moving part of the Big Sky Conference to the FBS, and inviting some of the WAC remnants to join. That's a plan that will make Fullerton look like a genius. Letting the WAC become a basketball league, and letting this new conference arise from the ashes. The Big Sky Conference could split, leaving seven of it's 13 members at the FCS level, and bringing the other six, with Utah State, Idaho and San Jose State to the new FBS level Big Sky Conference. This is what I read behind the WAC expansion headlines today. What do you think?
New Big Sky Conference:
Idaho
Utah State
San Jose State
Cal Poly
UC Davis
Montana
Montana State
Portland State
Sacramento State
Left to form a new FCS Conference (The left-behind conference):
Eastern Washington
Idaho State
Weber State
North Dakota
Northern Arizona
Northern Colorado
Southern Utah
Weber State releases men's basketball schedule 2011-12
Here is Weber State's Men's Basketball Schedule for 2011-12
| Mon, Nov 07 | Colorado-Colorado Springs (exh.) | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Fri, Nov 11 | Northern New Mexico | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Tue, Nov 15 | Utah State | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Sat, Nov 19 | at UC Irvine | at Irvine, CA | TBA | ||||
| |||||||
| Sun, Nov 27 | TBA | at Moraga, CA | TBA | ||||
| Mon, Nov 28 | TBA | at Moraga, CA | TBA | ||||
| |||||||
| Sat, Dec 03 | San Jose State | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Wed, Dec 07 | at BYU | at Provo, UT | TBA | ||||
| Sat, Dec 10 | Southern Utah | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Fri, Dec 16 | at California | at Berkeley, CA | TBA | ||||
| Mon, Dec 19 | Mayville State | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Thu, Dec 22 | Utah | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Thu, Dec 29 | Idaho State * | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Sat, Dec 31 | Sacramento State * | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Thu, Jan 05 | at Eastern Washington * | at Cheney, WA | TBA | ||||
| Sat, Jan 07 | at Portland State * | at Portland, OR | TBA | ||||
| Thu, Jan 12 | Montana State * | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Sat, Jan 14 | Montana * | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Thu, Jan 19 | Northern Arizona * | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Thu, Jan 26 | at Sacramento State * | at Sacramento, CA | TBA | ||||
| Sat, Jan 28 | at Idaho State * | at Pocatello, ID | TBA | ||||
| Thu, Feb 02 | Portland State * | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Sat, Feb 04 | Northern Colorado * | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Thu, Feb 09 | at Northern Arizona * | at Flagstaff, AZ | TBA | ||||
| Sat, Feb 11 | Eastern Washington * | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Wed, Feb 15 | at Montana State * | at Bozeman, MT | TBA | ||||
| Sat, Feb 18 | Bracketbusters - TBA | Ogden, UT | TBA | ||||
| Sat, Feb 25 | at Northern Colorado * | at Greeley, CO | TBA | ||||
| Tue, Feb 28 | at Montana * | at Missoula, MT | TBA | ||||
Monday, June 13, 2011
WAC Expansion Extra...Why the WAC should add...
Reasons for the WAC to add any of the following school.
Why the WAC should add...
Cal Poly has a superb academic reputation. They have the only football program on the Central Coast of California which has a population of around 3 million. It would be a great bowl city. They have a strong sports reputation and have produced hall of fame players and coaches like former TV analyst John Madden.
UC Davis has as good of an academic reputation that you can find in a public university. They would keep the WAC anchored in the Central Valley of California after Fresno State leaves for the MWC.
Eastern Washington is the defending FCS national champion and have been successful in other sports. Yes, there are other Universities in Northeastern Washington, but this is the only one that plays football. The WAC would have the Spokane/Couer d'Alaine market all to themselves.
Sacramento State can make the move with the fewest growing pains.
Northern Arizona would bring a good population/sports program balance to the WAC. The state has a lot of people and only two other FBS programs to share them with. Flagstaff is a good destination city with winter sports and the Grand Canyon nearby. Other university's fans would travel there.
Weber State is only an hour drive from Utah State and Logan. It would be the ideal travel partner for Utah State, visitors can play on back-to-back nights and stay in the same hotel. Weber State is strongly supported by the Ogden business community.
Portland State is a strong sports market and is near the corporate headquarter of Nike. They are an hour and a half drive away from the nearest existing FBS school. There are some under-utilized sports venues in the Portland area.
Montana is only of the most successful FBS programs of the past ten years, and not just in football.
Montana State is in one of the fastest growing small cities in America and the nearest FBS program outside of the state is a long way away.
Lamar is close to Houston and relatively close the the programs that Could leave the WAC next...Louisiana Tech and UTSA
Sam Houston State is also close to Houston and can get fan support when the game is big.
Why the WAC should add...
Cal Poly has a superb academic reputation. They have the only football program on the Central Coast of California which has a population of around 3 million. It would be a great bowl city. They have a strong sports reputation and have produced hall of fame players and coaches like former TV analyst John Madden.
UC Davis has as good of an academic reputation that you can find in a public university. They would keep the WAC anchored in the Central Valley of California after Fresno State leaves for the MWC.
Eastern Washington is the defending FCS national champion and have been successful in other sports. Yes, there are other Universities in Northeastern Washington, but this is the only one that plays football. The WAC would have the Spokane/Couer d'Alaine market all to themselves.
Sacramento State can make the move with the fewest growing pains.
Northern Arizona would bring a good population/sports program balance to the WAC. The state has a lot of people and only two other FBS programs to share them with. Flagstaff is a good destination city with winter sports and the Grand Canyon nearby. Other university's fans would travel there.
Weber State is only an hour drive from Utah State and Logan. It would be the ideal travel partner for Utah State, visitors can play on back-to-back nights and stay in the same hotel. Weber State is strongly supported by the Ogden business community.
Portland State is a strong sports market and is near the corporate headquarter of Nike. They are an hour and a half drive away from the nearest existing FBS school. There are some under-utilized sports venues in the Portland area.
Montana is only of the most successful FBS programs of the past ten years, and not just in football.
Montana State is in one of the fastest growing small cities in America and the nearest FBS program outside of the state is a long way away.
Lamar is close to Houston and relatively close the the programs that Could leave the WAC next...Louisiana Tech and UTSA
Sam Houston State is also close to Houston and can get fan support when the game is big.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
WAC Expansion Update...June 11, 2011
It has been reported by a San Jose Mercury News Blogger that the WAC will announce expansion plans next Tuesday. Here is what is reported.
The WAC will expand in at least 2 phases.
For the 2012-13 school year, Seattle will be invited as a non-football school. This will bring the membership to 7 football members and 9 non-football members.
For the 2013-14 at least 2 and no more than 5 FCS programs will be added. At a minimum, the WAC will be at 9 football members and 11 non-football members. The goal may be to get to a membership of 12 for football and 14 for non-football and break into divisions. The purpose for breaking into divisions will be to save travel expenses. No specific school were named, and they may not be named on Tuesday as the new members might have political hurdles to overcome.
All perspective new WAC football members will have some upgrade pains. Let me explain:
Need a stadium expansion
Cal Poly: Needs a stadium expansion and may have to drop one men's sports program or add more women's scholarships to comply with Title IX.
UC Davis: Needs a stadium expansion and may have to drop one men's sports program or add more women's scholarships to comply with Title IX.
Eastern Washington: Needs to fund a stadium expansion and fund enough sports programs to comply with FBS standards and Title IX.
Do not need a stadium expansion:
Sacramento State: May have to drop one men's sports program to comply with Title IX. Currently SAC has the easiest path to the WAC and FBS.
Northern Arizona: Will have to add more women's scholarships to comply with Title IX. Currently offer's 16 sports programs, the minimum for FBS inclusion.
Weber State: Will have to add at least two more sports programs and ensure compliance with Title IX. Currently offers 14 sports programs.
Portland State: Will need to add enough sports programs to meet FBS requirements and do so in a manner that is compliant with Title IX.
Montana: Needs to fund two additional women's sports programs to comply with Title IX.
Montana State: Needs to fund one additional women's sports program to comply with Title IX.
Lamar: Needs to fund at least 2 additional sports programs and comply with Title IX.
Sam Houston State: Needs to fund at least one more women's sports team. Stadium capacity is listed at 14,000, but can hold up to 17,000. Also, SHSU biggest rivals are Texas State and Stephen F. Austin.
It is still being reported on this website that invitations have been sent to Cal Poly, Montana, Montana State and Portland State, but I have found nothing from an old-school media site confirming this information.
The WAC will expand in at least 2 phases.
For the 2012-13 school year, Seattle will be invited as a non-football school. This will bring the membership to 7 football members and 9 non-football members.
For the 2013-14 at least 2 and no more than 5 FCS programs will be added. At a minimum, the WAC will be at 9 football members and 11 non-football members. The goal may be to get to a membership of 12 for football and 14 for non-football and break into divisions. The purpose for breaking into divisions will be to save travel expenses. No specific school were named, and they may not be named on Tuesday as the new members might have political hurdles to overcome.
All perspective new WAC football members will have some upgrade pains. Let me explain:
Need a stadium expansion
Cal Poly: Needs a stadium expansion and may have to drop one men's sports program or add more women's scholarships to comply with Title IX.
UC Davis: Needs a stadium expansion and may have to drop one men's sports program or add more women's scholarships to comply with Title IX.
Eastern Washington: Needs to fund a stadium expansion and fund enough sports programs to comply with FBS standards and Title IX.
Do not need a stadium expansion:
Sacramento State: May have to drop one men's sports program to comply with Title IX. Currently SAC has the easiest path to the WAC and FBS.
Northern Arizona: Will have to add more women's scholarships to comply with Title IX. Currently offer's 16 sports programs, the minimum for FBS inclusion.
Weber State: Will have to add at least two more sports programs and ensure compliance with Title IX. Currently offers 14 sports programs.
Portland State: Will need to add enough sports programs to meet FBS requirements and do so in a manner that is compliant with Title IX.
Montana: Needs to fund two additional women's sports programs to comply with Title IX.
Montana State: Needs to fund one additional women's sports program to comply with Title IX.
Lamar: Needs to fund at least 2 additional sports programs and comply with Title IX.
Sam Houston State: Needs to fund at least one more women's sports team. Stadium capacity is listed at 14,000, but can hold up to 17,000. Also, SHSU biggest rivals are Texas State and Stephen F. Austin.
It is still being reported on this website that invitations have been sent to Cal Poly, Montana, Montana State and Portland State, but I have found nothing from an old-school media site confirming this information.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The History of WACy Misteps
5 Mistakes that put the WAC where they are today.
#5 August 2010..."The Project." After Boise State left the WAC for the MWC, the WAC instituted a plan to bring them back. It was to invite BYU, after they went independent to re-join the conference with their other sports. They also wanted to invite back UNLV and San Diego State. The project failed when the MWC countered by adding Fresno State and Nevada.
20/20...Hindsight...Instead of pursuing "the Project," the WAC could have still added Cal Poly, UC Davis, Montana, Texas State and UTSA when the conference was still considered a strong conference. At this point, it could have been foreseen that Fresno and Nevada were going to join Boise. It could have also been foreseen at this time that Hawaii was also considering other options. One consequence of the failed projected is that BYU will not travel to Moscow to play in the Kibbie Dome. They could have agreed to the BYU schedule plan provided that the Cougars focus on scheduling schools that are struggling at the gate, including Idaho.
#4 June 2010...No Proactive Expansion. Instead of giving expected invites to Cal Poly, UC Davis and Montana the WAC decided to table their expansion until the conference expansion dust settled...Not expanding proactively before Boise left was perhaps the biggest mistake in the history of the conference. Cal Poly and UC Davis eventually chose to remain FCS schools and join their football programs to the Big Sky Conference.
20/20 Hindsight...Cal Poly, Montana and UC Davis would have joined the WAC then when it was perceived to be a strong conference. Now that the WAC appears to be on life support, these schools are hesitant to make the jump.
#3...2005...Louisiana Tech. Adding the other Bulldogs added to the already bad travel problem in the WAC. The conference would now stretch from Hawaii to Louisiana. That adds to a lot of fuel dollars. Many programs hemorrhage money to pay for the travel, especially Hawaii and Louisiana Tech.
20/20 Hindsight...It is likely that UTEP and Hawaii would have remained in the WAC today had Louisiana Tech had been left to join the Sun Belt Conference.
#2...1994...The WAC 16. With UNLV likely to become the 11th school in the WAC, the conference took advantage of the disbanding Southwest conference by adding SMU, Rice and TCU. They also added Tulsa and San Jose State. The result was the first 16-school super conference. But the Conference would then stretch from Honolulu to Houston. Revenue dropped because of the travel costs. Old rivalries were lost. 8 WAC members eventually bolted and formed the Mountain West Conference.
20/20 Hindsight...Tulsa, TCU, SMU and Rice ended up in Conference USA anyway. It would have been best to leave them there for C-USA and not become too greedy. At the time, the Big 10 was at 11. The WAC could have worked with 11 as well. Here was another opportunity to add Utah State and go to 12. Utah State was not the football program they were in the 1970s, but in the 1990s, they were arguably as good as UNLV.
#1...1962...No Utah State, no New Mexico State. When the WAC formed with six original members, Utah State and New Mexico State were left on the sidelines. They would both join 43 years later.
20/20 Hindsight...Imagine how the WAC would have been different in the 1970s if the WAC had Utah State when their football program was still strong. The 1960s and 1970s were the golden age of Aggie football.
#5 August 2010..."The Project." After Boise State left the WAC for the MWC, the WAC instituted a plan to bring them back. It was to invite BYU, after they went independent to re-join the conference with their other sports. They also wanted to invite back UNLV and San Diego State. The project failed when the MWC countered by adding Fresno State and Nevada.
20/20...Hindsight...Instead of pursuing "the Project," the WAC could have still added Cal Poly, UC Davis, Montana, Texas State and UTSA when the conference was still considered a strong conference. At this point, it could have been foreseen that Fresno and Nevada were going to join Boise. It could have also been foreseen at this time that Hawaii was also considering other options. One consequence of the failed projected is that BYU will not travel to Moscow to play in the Kibbie Dome. They could have agreed to the BYU schedule plan provided that the Cougars focus on scheduling schools that are struggling at the gate, including Idaho.
#4 June 2010...No Proactive Expansion. Instead of giving expected invites to Cal Poly, UC Davis and Montana the WAC decided to table their expansion until the conference expansion dust settled...Not expanding proactively before Boise left was perhaps the biggest mistake in the history of the conference. Cal Poly and UC Davis eventually chose to remain FCS schools and join their football programs to the Big Sky Conference.
20/20 Hindsight...Cal Poly, Montana and UC Davis would have joined the WAC then when it was perceived to be a strong conference. Now that the WAC appears to be on life support, these schools are hesitant to make the jump.
#3...2005...Louisiana Tech. Adding the other Bulldogs added to the already bad travel problem in the WAC. The conference would now stretch from Hawaii to Louisiana. That adds to a lot of fuel dollars. Many programs hemorrhage money to pay for the travel, especially Hawaii and Louisiana Tech.
20/20 Hindsight...It is likely that UTEP and Hawaii would have remained in the WAC today had Louisiana Tech had been left to join the Sun Belt Conference.
#2...1994...The WAC 16. With UNLV likely to become the 11th school in the WAC, the conference took advantage of the disbanding Southwest conference by adding SMU, Rice and TCU. They also added Tulsa and San Jose State. The result was the first 16-school super conference. But the Conference would then stretch from Honolulu to Houston. Revenue dropped because of the travel costs. Old rivalries were lost. 8 WAC members eventually bolted and formed the Mountain West Conference.
20/20 Hindsight...Tulsa, TCU, SMU and Rice ended up in Conference USA anyway. It would have been best to leave them there for C-USA and not become too greedy. At the time, the Big 10 was at 11. The WAC could have worked with 11 as well. Here was another opportunity to add Utah State and go to 12. Utah State was not the football program they were in the 1970s, but in the 1990s, they were arguably as good as UNLV.
#1...1962...No Utah State, no New Mexico State. When the WAC formed with six original members, Utah State and New Mexico State were left on the sidelines. They would both join 43 years later.
20/20 Hindsight...Imagine how the WAC would have been different in the 1970s if the WAC had Utah State when their football program was still strong. The 1960s and 1970s were the golden age of Aggie football.
5 Bowls That Need to be History
There are too many bowls. Period. It means nothing when a 6-6 team or worse can qualify for a bowl. It also means little when you have enough bowl slots for the entire conference. Let's not reward mediocrity any longer and get rid of a few bowls. Here are the five I would like to see go...
1. New Mexico Bowl...yes it was nice to see BYU turn things around and make a bowl game and win it. But the other team was not ready for the post season and did not belong. Occasionally, this has been a good game, but usually not worth watching.
2 and 3. New Orleans Bowl and Ticket City Bowl...These "Baby Brother" bowls should go the way of their predecessors, like the Pasadena Bowl. With the exception of the Poinsettia Bowl and the Insight.com Bowl, most bowls held in the same stadium of more famous bowls rarely work.
4. Pinstripe Bowl...The Bronx in December. What a nice holiday destination.
5. Humanitarian Bowl...Boise State is no longer in the WAC, do we really need to continue this bowl game? It's on blue turf, it's December, it's Idaho. Enough said.
1. New Mexico Bowl...yes it was nice to see BYU turn things around and make a bowl game and win it. But the other team was not ready for the post season and did not belong. Occasionally, this has been a good game, but usually not worth watching.
2 and 3. New Orleans Bowl and Ticket City Bowl...These "Baby Brother" bowls should go the way of their predecessors, like the Pasadena Bowl. With the exception of the Poinsettia Bowl and the Insight.com Bowl, most bowls held in the same stadium of more famous bowls rarely work.
4. Pinstripe Bowl...The Bronx in December. What a nice holiday destination.
5. Humanitarian Bowl...Boise State is no longer in the WAC, do we really need to continue this bowl game? It's on blue turf, it's December, it's Idaho. Enough said.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Southern Utah Football...Ranked in the Pre Season
The Sporting News has SUU ranked at #16 for in their pre-season poll. Congratulations to the final defending Great West Conference Football Champions! I may be wrong, but I think this is a first for Thunderbird football.
http://www.championshipsubdivisionnews.com/log/index.php/2011/06/01/the-sporting-news-names-2011?blog=2
Other ranked teams from the current and future Big Sky Conference members
1. Eastern Washington
5. Montana State
8. Montana
25. UC Davis
http://www.championshipsubdivisionnews.com/log/index.php/2011/06/01/the-sporting-news-names-2011?blog=2
Other ranked teams from the current and future Big Sky Conference members
1. Eastern Washington
5. Montana State
8. Montana
25. UC Davis
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Taking a Break from Football.
Tonight it is time to take a break for the world of college sports in football and talk about another American pastime, Rock and Roll. Here is my selection for the members of the best band of all time. I am interested in knowing who our readers think I left off the list and who belongs in their place. I included a You Tube sample from all of my selections.
Drums--John Bonham* of Led Zeppelin
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlNhD0oS5pk
Led Zeppelin had some pretty intense stuff, and needed a rock-solid rhythm section to pull it off. Without Bonham, it never would have worked so well.
Bass--John Entwistle of The Who
Sample:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp6-wG5LLqE
The Who is another band that would not have worked so well without s rock-solid bass player and drummer. Listen to this song with a good bass setting on your stereo and enjoy the bass in the background.
Piano/Keyboards--Ray Manzarek of The Doors
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_yWyBjDEaU
Mazarek just does not get his proper due because his career never found footing after Jim Morrison's death and the end of The Doors. He did what other keyboardists did before the synthesizer came out, just without the tape loops.
Lead Guitar--Jimmy Hendrix*
Sample:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6Z7LR8Z9_o&feature=related
I bet you will find very few who would not want Hendrix as the lead guitarist in their fantasy band. Although there are quite a few other guitarists who could make the cut. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Chuck Berry, Duane Allman, David Gilmoure, Carlos Santan to name a few. Perhaps a good rock band could use them all.
Rhythm Guitar--Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-NshzYK9y0
OK, time for someone a little more modern as a second guitarist.
Saxophone--Clarence Clemmons*** of the E Street Band
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wgnTU31z7s
Most bands do not have winds, and so you do not find a lot of wind players in the Rock and Roll hall of fame. At least Clarance Clemmons belongs to a band that is enshrined. This man can do things with a saxophone that most sax players can't even dream of. I am sorry that I was unable to find a live version of Born to Run, but Clemmons' sax solo is wicked. Clemmons deserves the Hall of Fame in his own right. He has been a session player for a lot of talent from Aretha Franklin to Lady Gaga. He also lent his voice to the Simpsons as the narrator of a Christmas episode that also had Gary Coleman as a guest.
Trumpet--Lew Soloff** of Blood Sweat and Tears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi9sLkyhhlE
The trumpet in BS&T is one of the best in Rock, in the short-lived fusion era. Soloff has moved on to the Manhattan Jazz Quintet, but has also worked with Frank Sinatra and Barbara Streisand. There are only two trumpeters in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Lewis Armstrong and Herb Alpert, where there are at least a half-dozen others who deserve the honor. This was a tough choice, however.
Trombone--James Pankow** of Chicago
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLVKd1lhgOQ
(Skip ahead to 3:45)
The unique horn arrangements that have made the band Chicago famous were dreamed up by Pankow. Not only can you hear his work with Chicago, but he has also shown up working for Toto, the Bee Gees and the Beach Boys. If you saw St. Elmo's Fire, you've heard his work there, too.
Vocals--Steve Perry
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0RFpXrPv2g
There are so many good choices, but I love vocal harmonies. Some solo artists like Ray Charles and Elvis belong as their own acts. My choice for lead vocal Steve Perry who fronted Journey for many years. I included the video for those who think that Journey was all about Perry, it wasn't, but Perry made the band better.
*Indicates a pothumous selection
**Not in the Rock and Roll hall of fame.
***Clemons was still living when I wrote this article.
Drums--John Bonham* of Led Zeppelin
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlNhD0oS5pk
Led Zeppelin had some pretty intense stuff, and needed a rock-solid rhythm section to pull it off. Without Bonham, it never would have worked so well.
Bass--John Entwistle of The Who
Sample:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp6-wG5LLqE
The Who is another band that would not have worked so well without s rock-solid bass player and drummer. Listen to this song with a good bass setting on your stereo and enjoy the bass in the background.
Piano/Keyboards--Ray Manzarek of The Doors
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_yWyBjDEaU
Mazarek just does not get his proper due because his career never found footing after Jim Morrison's death and the end of The Doors. He did what other keyboardists did before the synthesizer came out, just without the tape loops.
Lead Guitar--Jimmy Hendrix*
Sample:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6Z7LR8Z9_o&feature=related
I bet you will find very few who would not want Hendrix as the lead guitarist in their fantasy band. Although there are quite a few other guitarists who could make the cut. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Chuck Berry, Duane Allman, David Gilmoure, Carlos Santan to name a few. Perhaps a good rock band could use them all.
Rhythm Guitar--Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-NshzYK9y0
OK, time for someone a little more modern as a second guitarist.
Saxophone--Clarence Clemmons*** of the E Street Band
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wgnTU31z7s
Most bands do not have winds, and so you do not find a lot of wind players in the Rock and Roll hall of fame. At least Clarance Clemmons belongs to a band that is enshrined. This man can do things with a saxophone that most sax players can't even dream of. I am sorry that I was unable to find a live version of Born to Run, but Clemmons' sax solo is wicked. Clemmons deserves the Hall of Fame in his own right. He has been a session player for a lot of talent from Aretha Franklin to Lady Gaga. He also lent his voice to the Simpsons as the narrator of a Christmas episode that also had Gary Coleman as a guest.
Trumpet--Lew Soloff** of Blood Sweat and Tears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi9sLkyhhlE
The trumpet in BS&T is one of the best in Rock, in the short-lived fusion era. Soloff has moved on to the Manhattan Jazz Quintet, but has also worked with Frank Sinatra and Barbara Streisand. There are only two trumpeters in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Lewis Armstrong and Herb Alpert, where there are at least a half-dozen others who deserve the honor. This was a tough choice, however.
Trombone--James Pankow** of Chicago
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLVKd1lhgOQ
(Skip ahead to 3:45)
The unique horn arrangements that have made the band Chicago famous were dreamed up by Pankow. Not only can you hear his work with Chicago, but he has also shown up working for Toto, the Bee Gees and the Beach Boys. If you saw St. Elmo's Fire, you've heard his work there, too.
Vocals--Steve Perry
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0RFpXrPv2g
There are so many good choices, but I love vocal harmonies. Some solo artists like Ray Charles and Elvis belong as their own acts. My choice for lead vocal Steve Perry who fronted Journey for many years. I included the video for those who think that Journey was all about Perry, it wasn't, but Perry made the band better.
*Indicates a pothumous selection
**Not in the Rock and Roll hall of fame.
***Clemons was still living when I wrote this article.
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