Cincy Enquirer: What is UC Hiding about Big 12 Conference?

[WVBlue]

By Jason Williams
Feb 3, 2016
enquirer.com

The University of Cincinnati is refusing to release emails, travel records and other public documents regarding the possibility of it gaining membership in the Big 12 Conference, which may consider expansion later this week.

The Enquirer asked for the documents, including UC President Santa Ono's travel records, in a Nov. 17 public records request. Two UC attorneys recently completed their review of the documents, usually a final step before public records are released.

But in an unusual move, UC's general counsel instead gave the documents to the Board of Trustees last week, said Kenya Faulkner, the university's top attorney.

"They asked to see them, and I had to turn them over," said Faulkner, vice president for legal affairs and general counsel. "They've never asked me to do that before."

It's possible UC officials are trying to be careful not to risk messing up a potential opportunity to move into a major conference, which could generate millions of dollars for the university, raise UC's national profile and move it to the right side of a growing divide between the haves and have-nots in college sports.


LINK to article
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2016/02/03/what-uc-hiding-big-12-conference/79713442/

 

[3xWVUenginEER]

The University of Cincinnati has a president named Santa Ono?
I bet he caught heck growing up with that name.

I hope there is no expansion. I like 10 in the Big XII and like our round robin tough as hell schedule.

 

[VaultHunter]

Whether Cincinnati gets a Big12 invite or not that is still a weird situation. I like the round robin schedule also but unfortunately my likes do not matter stability matters and keeping the schools in the Big12 happy matters and that probably means expansion. WVU fans should want Cincinnati and stop sticking our noses in the air acting like we are better than they are. I'm sure the potential for growth with Big12 revenue would be the reason a school like Cincinnati would be an option plus it gives WVU a rival within driving distance.

 

[LowFatMilk]

Just curious... ...would our basketball/football teams take a bus (5 hours) or fly ?

 

[coalcountry52]

Whether Cincinnati gets a Big12 invite or not that is still a weird situation. I like the round robin schedule also but unfortunately my likes do not matter stability matters and keeping the schools in the Big12 happy matters and that probably means expansion. WVU fans should want Cincinnati and stop sticking our noses in the air acting like we are better than they are. I'm sure the potential for growth with Big12 revenue would be the reason a school like Cincinnati would be an option plus it gives WVU a rival within driving distance.

A) We're a conference of state land-grant institutions and two prominent religious schools, and Cinci is a metro school.
B) We're a football conference first with solid basketball, and Cinci is a basketball school that has decent football at times.
C) We paid our dues getting to the Big XII by constantly competing against big name schools prior to the Big East becoming C-USA 2.0. Cinci thrived on the C-USA 2.0 and 3.0.
D) The moment we start adding metro and directional schools is the moment this conference heads the way of the Big East. Mark it down.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

Good chance it's embarrassing evidence of them begging for membership. Ono was sending Christmas cards to B12 Presidents a couple years back.

 

[hbeacheer]

A) We're a conference of state land-grant institutions and two prominent religious schools, and Cinci is a metro school.
B) We're a football conference first with solid basketball, and Cinci is a basketball school that has decent football at times.
C) We paid our dues getting to the Big XII by constantly competing against big name schools prior to the Big East becoming C-USA 2.0. Cinci thrived on the C-USA 2.0 and 3.0.
D) The moment we start adding metro and directional schools is the moment this conference heads the way of the Big East. Mark it down.

I agree and can see tx and/or ok heading for the hills if the big 12 adds a cinci or Memphis type. I know ok wants expansion but it has to make sense.

 

[Buckaineer]

The University of Cincinnati is a very strong academic institution, ranking only behind Texas in the BIG 12 and ahead of all other candidates in the Center for World University rankings. It has excellent research as well-ranking at the very high research designation with Carnegie.

Athletically Cincinnati has had multiple 9 win seasons over the past decade, has more P5 wins than any other candidate over the past 6 years, has 13 football conference championships, including winning the BCS level Big East numerous times and participating in BCS bowls. Basketball has also been very good with numerous NCAA trips and at least one national championship in that sport. Their facilities are all very good--the football stadium just renovated and the basketball arena in process, plus they have pro facilities if needed. They have over 35,000 students and are located in one of the top recruiting areas of the country. They are based in a major media market and are adjacent to others, as well as being in a huge population state.

They would be an excellent addition.

If the BIG 12 doesn't change, that will lead to its demise, not adding institutions like Cincinnati. Without the adoption of a comprehensive plan Oklahoma is gone as soon as they are able to financially and others will quickly follow.

 

[coalcountry52]

The University of Cincinnati is a very strong academic institution, ranking only behind Texas in the BIG 12 and ahead of all other candidates in the Center for World University rankings. It has excellent research as well-ranking at the very high research designation with Carnegie.

Athletically Cincinnati has had multiple 9 win seasons over the past decade, has more P5 wins than any other candidate over the past 6 years, has 13 football conference championships, including winning the BCS level Big East numerous times and participating in BCS bowls. Basketball has also been very good with numerous NCAA trips and at least one national championship in that sport. Their facilities are all very good--the football stadium just renovated and the basketball arena in process, plus they have pro facilities if needed. They have over 35,000 students and are located in one of the top recruiting areas of the country. They are based in a major media market and are adjacent to others, as well as being in a huge population state.

They would be an excellent addition.

If the BIG 12 doesn't change, that will lead to its demise, not adding institutions like Cincinnati. Without the adoption of a comprehensive plan Oklahoma is gone as soon as they are able to financially and others will quickly follow.

In chimes Mr. Expansion.

 

[Charleston Mountie]

In chimes Mr. Expansion.

Well, of course he does, it is his bread and butter and unlike you, he stated why he holds his opinion. While all opinions here are equally valid, he at least provided a reason for his.

 

[va87eer]

They probably have a non-disclosure agreement with the conference that prevents them from revealing details of the discussions.

 

[LowFatMilk]

They probably have a non-disclosure agreement with the conference that prevents them from revealing details of the discussions.

Laws (FOR...freedom of information act) trump contracts/agreements by private companies (conferences and schools).

 

[torontoeers]

The University of Cincinnati has a president named Santa Ono?
I bet he caught heck growing up with that name.

I hope there is no expansion. I like 10 in the Big XII and like our round robin tough as hell schedule.

Agree with you here... while it would be great to have at least one more eastern program in the conference for the sake of driving to a road game every so often without crossing half the continent ,the Bearcats aren't #1 on my list, and like you I love the round robin format vs some (majority) damned good competition...

 

[hancockeer]

Oklahoma can't go without Oklahoma state

 

[ColoradoMountaineer]

I think there must be a fascination with words beginning in E if were not talking about Expansion were talking about an Extension

 

[MikeRafone]

Low Fat gives me an extension when she talks all legal.

 

[va87eer]

Laws (FOR...freedom of information act) trump contracts/agreements by private companies (conferences and schools).

For sure laws take precedence. But that doesn't mean that an organization must instantly release all information available on a subject. There is a process that has to be followed and that's why UC is having their attorneys review the info before it's released.

 

[Rootmaster]

Buck...stop confusing the "we are elite and you are not" crowd with facts. Too hard to process. LOL

 

[coalcountry52]

Well, of course he does, it is his bread and butter and unlike you, he stated why he holds his opinion. While all opinions here are equally valid, he at least provided a reason for his.

If he explained himself and I didn't, then you didn't read the thread and only wanted to lob an insult at someone.

This is why this board is unreadable.

 

[coalcountry52]

Buck...stop confusing the "we are elite and you are not" crowd with facts. Too hard to process. LOL

No fact will trump the fact Cincinnati is a metro school just like Memphis and just like Houston. The Big East was never proactive at getting solid schools and was always reactive by snagging up whatever metro/directional school they could, lowering competition and prestige for only the sake of survival. The moment the Big XII does the same, lowering its brand by expanding with metro and directional schools, is the moment the schools that anchor this conference will soon be out of it. If OU wants to leave because we are at ten teams, you'd have to be naive to think they wouldn't want out of sharing the same conference as former C-USA teams.

 

[coalcountry52]

No fact will trump the fact Cincinnati is a metro school just like Memphis and just like Houston. The Big East was never proactive at getting solid schools and was always reactive by snagging up whatever metro/directional school they could, lowering competition and prestige for only the sake of survival. The moment the Big XII does the same, lowering its brand by expanding with metro and directional schools, is the moment the schools that anchor this conference will soon be out of it. If OU wants to leave because we are at ten teams, you'd have to be naive to think they wouldn't want out of sharing the same conference as former C-USA teams.

While everyone throws out BYU as an option, they would refuse to join without special treatment, which is exactly what Notre Dame asked of the Big East and asks of the ACC. If they cannot be fully invested and participating in conference matters, which means Sunday travel/games, then there's no sense in adding them for the sake of expansion. Also adding a school that's another geographic outlier in the other direction will really chafe most fans' backsides not to mention coaches and players.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

Laws (FOR...freedom of information act) trump contracts/agreements by private companies (conferences and schools).

Doesn't matter.

There are plenty of things an entity can do to combat requests.

 

[Rootmaster]

"The Big East was never proactive at getting solid schools and was always reactive..." which is exactly why the Big 12-2=10 could become the Big Least...unless they add markets and schools and get with the program. Sitting still is like waiting for the bad guys to overrun your foxhole.The old BS about directional schools and metro schools is the same crap that folks posted as the Big East fell apart because of inability to grasp change. Directional and metro school lightweights by the definition of some WVU fans I guess would include...Southern California, UCLA (University of California Los Angeles), Miami, Florida, Pitt, Boston College, Syracuse, Northwestern, Stanford and a whole host of others. How did the some Mountaineer fans become so big feeling? Most be our vast number of national championships... LOL. Add Cincy and Connecticut (which by the way isn't a metro or directional school LOL) and move on. BTW in some parts of the country (unfortunately) some folks see West Virginia and think "directional" school or translate into western virginia.

 

[Buckaineer]

Many people have been brainwashed back in the last realignment to believe that the ACC is doomed and that their schools are coming to the BIG 12. There may now be BIG 12 leaders who believe this. Problem is they didn't act when they could and should have, and now its too late.

There are different groups posting though.

Some clearly have an agenda to keep the BIG 12 from doing anything-hoping it will fall apart. They tell everyone the conference can't do anything. It's doomed. Of course their agenda is that certain teams will go elsewhere. They hope to create a grass roots movement all the way up to presidents and chancellors to keep the conference from doing anything until the agenda is accomplished.

Then you have those -some even fall partly in the first group--they think if the BIG 12 waits long enough, those ACC teams are coming. Problem is they ignore that the ACC isn't anywhere near a state of collapse and worse, if the BIG 12 isn't proactive then it won't matter down the road if any of them ever do become available. The BIG 12 won't be in place to attract them.

and then you have those that think they are too good for others.

All of these groups refuse to look at the facts.

Boren and Gee are trying to get this across to the membership as well. Its time to move past the stories and fables and get on with dealing with the situation from a point of fact, not what some want to be.

 

[pic369]

The University of Cincinnati is a very strong academic institution, ranking only behind Texas in the BIG 12 and ahead of all other candidates in the Center for World University rankings. It has excellent research as well-ranking at the very high research designation with Carnegie.

Athletically Cincinnati has had multiple 9 win seasons over the past decade, has more P5 wins than any other candidate over the past 6 years, has 13 football conference championships, including winning the BCS level Big East numerous times and participating in BCS bowls. Basketball has also been very good with numerous NCAA trips and at least one national championship in that sport. Their facilities are all very good--the football stadium just renovated and the basketball arena in process, plus they have pro facilities if needed. They have over 35,000 students and are located in one of the top recruiting areas of the country. They are based in a major media market and are adjacent to others, as well as being in a huge population state.

They would be an excellent addition.

If the BIG 12 doesn't change, that will lead to its demise, not adding institutions like Cincinnati. Without the adoption of a comprehensive plan Oklahoma is gone as soon as they are able to financially and others will quickly follow.

From a purely selfish perspective, I don't want Cincy because looking at our commit list, we dominated OH like never before. Cincy gets in the conference, it won't be long until they're getting those recruits. I say no to any border school or Florida school. Open to others.

 

[xgunnx]

Well, of course he does, it is his bread and butter and unlike you, he stated why he holds his opinion. While all opinions here are equally valid, he at least provided a reason for his.

Also known as "beating a dead horse." Its not that he/she/herd fan has a valid opinion. Its that its the same regugitated spew of posts the alleged Mountaineer fan continues to go on about.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

Many people have been brainwashed back in the last realignment to believe that the ACC is doomed and that their schools are coming to the BIG 12. There may now be BIG 12 leaders who believe this. Problem is they didn't act when they could and should have, and now its too late.

There are different groups posting though.

Some clearly have an agenda to keep the BIG 12 from doing anything-hoping it will fall apart. They tell everyone the conference can't do anything. It's doomed. Of course their agenda is that certain teams will go elsewhere. They hope to create a grass roots movement all the way up to presidents and chancellors to keep the conference from doing anything until the agenda is accomplished.

Then you have those -some even fall partly in the first group--they think if the BIG 12 waits long enough, those ACC teams are coming. Problem is they ignore that the ACC isn't anywhere near a state of collapse and worse, if the BIG 12 isn't proactive then it won't matter down the road if any of them ever do become available. The BIG 12 won't be in place to attract them.

and then you have those that think they are too good for others.

All of these groups refuse to look at the facts.

Boren and Gee are trying to get this across to the membership as well. Its time to move past the stories and fables and get on with dealing with the situation from a point of fact, not what some want to be.

LOL - Yeah, mainly you.

 

[Buckaineer]

LOL - Yeah, mainly you.

That's 100% false. I'm one of the few people that stated none of that was happening other than what was reported by national sports media, only to have clowns like yourself attack me for stating that.

 

[Buckaineer]

Also known as "beating a dead horse." Its not that he/she/herd fan has a valid opinion. Its that its the same regugitated spew of posts the alleged Mountaineer fan continues to go on about.

But the regurgitated spew of posts by alleged Mountaineer fans AGAINST the conference doing anything are all ok, as are multiple threads spewing this, or attacking coaches and teams at WVU. Yeah....got it.

 

[43rd Parallel]

From what I've read lately, President Gee is a leading voice within the conference for expansion -- if expansion includes an Eastern partner for West Virginia.

My hunch is that Cincinnati will be in West Virginia's debt before too much longer.

By the way, USF and UCF are looking to crash the party, too.

 

[xgunnx]

But the regurgitated spew of posts by alleged Mountaineer fans AGAINST the conference doing anything are all ok, as are multiple threads spewing this, or attacking coaches and teams at WVU. Yeah....got it.

I agree with you about those other multiple threads especially the ones attacking coaches and players constantly. I also agree UC is about the only viable option right now besides Memphis. Ive stated that once before.

 

[mounty99]

If the league votes to add UC (or anyone else) it's because they will serve the purpose and if it happens you can bet OU and Texas will be happy with it. (conf members know how important they are and won't vote against them) It's not about adding some big name that will make the league more prestigious or more difficult. Those boxes have been checked. It's about adding inventory and market which will drive money which = stability. Every conference has teams that do not represent a "marque" or "brand" name and who have limited success on the field. It makes the schedule less difficult which in turn protects the top tier teams. The Big East couldn't do this because they didn't have any true marquee or brand name schools. We were the class of the conference....just adding inventory did nothing to help.

I'm sure none of our fans (myself included) will complain in those seasons we don't play Texas or OU if we win 10 reg season games and make the Big 12 championship.....which would likely be against a top tier team.

 

[writeon]

The University of Cincinnati has a president named Santa Ono?
I bet he caught heck growing up with that name.

I hope there is no expansion. I like 10 in the Big XII and like our round robin tough as hell schedule.

I like the schedule, too, but what if someday Texas and maybe Oklahoma are in the BigG or Pac 12, unhappy because the B12 refuses expansion, conference TV network and a playoff game?

 

[3xWVUenginEER]

Writeon

Texas doesn't want expansion. They have the LHN giving them $15 million annually in tier 3 money guaranteed for another decade plus. You really think they're going to the PAC or B1G where they have conference networks and there are other BIG DAWGS.

As for Oklahoma, they can't leave without OK State and they don't want to anyways. Boren is just posturing for a CCG. What like Oklahoma is leaving the Big XII where Texas is their only pain to take a backseat to 4 or 5 pains in the B1G schools or 4 or 5 SEC schools? I think not.

NO urban commuter school can improve this conference anyways.

Imo the best attribute for a conference is culture.. This is a beer and bbq conference where the universities are the top draw (in say out of 10). 80% of this conference is comprised of land grant state schools where that's the case.. The private schools are Baylor and TCU. This is as close to uniformity as you can get.

 

[Buckaineer]

OU is one of the top brands in college football. One of the winningest programs in history of college football. They have told the conference that if changes are not made, they aren't content to sit back in this conference like the others.

It would be foolish to assume that if nothing is done, they aren't going to make moves when it becomes financially feasible. 2024-2025 isn't that far away. Between now and then things are going to get bleak if comprehensive changes aren't adopted.

Boren is doing what he's doing because he wants OU to remain in a BIG 12 that is stable and at the top financially and competitively long term, not in its present state of disadvantage to the other P5 conferences or considered the weakest of the five. The conference needs to get itself out of reactive mode and be proactive to be successful. If not, those that can are going to move on when they can.

There are several schools that can improve the conference financially and competitively whether someone labels them as "urban commuter schools" or not. None of the candidates are that..

 

[TIREPUNK]

Gee laughed at Cincy while he was the OSU President and he laughs now.....not gonna happen.

 

[Buster68]

How about UConn and Colorado State - both state schools and not directional or metro. If those don't make the cut, Western KY and So Miss might fill the bill and/or bring the B12 to the B14. The pickings are slim. BYU and UC are about as good as it gets outside of another Texas school.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

How about UConn and Colorado State - both state schools and not directional or metro. If those don't make the cut, Western KY and So Miss might fill the bill and/or bring the B12 to the B14. The pickings are slim. BYU and UC are about as good as it gets outside of another Texas school.

If pushed, I'd take Cincinnati and Temple.

 

[ColoradoMountaineer]

OU is one of the top brands in college football. One of the winningest programs in history of college football. They have told the conference that if changes are not made, they aren't content to sit back in this conference like the others.

It would be foolish to assume that if nothing is done, they aren't going to make moves when it becomes financially feasible. 2024-2025 isn't that far away. Between now and then things are going to get bleak if comprehensive changes aren't adopted.

Boren is doing what he's doing because he wants OU to remain in a BIG 12 that is stable and at the top financially and competitively long term, not in its present state of disadvantage to the other P5 conferences or considered the weakest of the five. The conference needs to get itself out of reactive mode and be proactive to be successful. If not, those that can are going to move on when they can.

There are several schools that can improve the conference financially and competitively whether someone labels them as "urban commuter schools" or not. None of the candidates are that..

You could give Oklahoma everything they want and they can still make the move. You don't know what things will be like 9-10 years from now.

 

[xgunnx]

If pushed, I'd take Cincinnati and Temple.

Interesting suggestion in regards to Temple as a possible 12th member after UC. Also both USF, UCF have been mentioned by a few talking heads.

Have you seen the following article from couple days ago. It mentions a little bit about USF. Whats interesting to me is a possibility of both USF and UCF coming to the BiG XII.

http://home.tampabay.com/sports/col...rd-in-big-12-expansion-plans/2263741#comments