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Post by cpslograd on Jan 28, 2013 21:53:23 GMT -8
Doesn't look like I'll get my wish anytime soon: Cal Poly Pomona @calpolypomona A: Ortiz: UC San Diego recently opted to stay Div. II 24 Jan Cal Poly Pomona @calpolypomona A: Athletic Director Swanson: Grass is not greener on the other side. Tough to make the move successfully. 24 Jan Cal Poly Pomona @calpolypomona A: Ortiz: Lots of money and lots of rules. Div. 1 not all it's cracked up to be. Also, our athletes are students first. 24 Jan Cal Poly Pomona @calpolypomona Q: With great basketball team, what would be required to get to NCAA Div. 1? Doesn't sound promising for the Broncos to D1 buddy.
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Post by cpslograd on Feb 4, 2013 19:52:53 GMT -8
Jeff,
Got a few quick questions, any information you can offer would be appreciated.
1. Is audio of Roadrunner baseball games going to be available this year online?
2. Do we have any more information about media and the WAC?
3. Has there been any progress on an online platform like WACtv used to be?
4. Is there any chance KUVI or anyone else is going to broadcast Roadrunner basketball games next year?
5. Will the WAC basketball tournament be held in Vegas after this year?
6. Any idea where the WAC baseball tournament will be held after this season?
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Post by csubad on Feb 5, 2013 9:47:46 GMT -8
Slograd-
Ok- you went rapid fire with the questions, so in turn, I will do the same!!!
1. Baseball games will have Friday night games on KERN 1180am as well as selected games (Fresno State and UNLV mid-week games) as well. All other home games will be on-line similar to last year. Corey Costelloe will be on the call no matter the location or signal.
2. No hard determinations have been made regarding the media to date due to the 2013-14 membership issues not being finalized yet. That said, there is extensive dialogue occurring which could lead to a quick resolution. Stay tuned.
3. I would imagine that platform will be utilized moving forward. WACtv is a strong brand.
4. Our Conference home games (and selected non-conference) if they are cleared through primary or secondary rights holder (via WAC relationship) will be on local television. Brighthouse has been a great partner of ours over the years, and we would like to maintain that relationship. In fact, tomorrow's Wyoming game is televised on Brighthouse (on a side, I just have a feeling about that game- it represents the second highest RPI team to come through Bakersfield in the last 5 years). Time Warner has also reached out to CSUB for programming opportunities, so we shall see.
5. Ultimately, membership will dictate the answer to that question. I am hoping for Vegas to be the solution in 2013-14 because CSUB will travel well. But, the big factor is arena availability matching the date and time a media partner would want to television the tournament nationally. So, answer #5 reads like answer #2.
6. If the new Blaze stadium can be up and running, I hope Bakersfield puts in a bid because this is a "baseball town!" That said, we will be in TX this year. There is an option to remain in the facility for a second year but due to membership shifts, I don't think that is a wise decision to exercise the option. If we can't pull it off in Bakersfield, then my initial thoughts would be for Phoenix. There are several first class, quality options in that town from the Cactus League facilities and if it can be scheduled correctly, it could easily accommodate a multi-team tourney. Weather is not an issue. Hotel accommodations are not the issue. It would be neutral site. So that would be my personal order of preferences.
Next weekend is baseball CSUB style. Jeff Hurd will be here for a couple of the games. Lots of surprises for the fan experience on deck for Saturday vs. USC.
- Jeff
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Post by redhawkrobert on Feb 6, 2013 16:03:53 GMT -8
2. No hard determinations have been made regarding the media to date due to the 2013-14 membership issues not being finalized yet. That said, there is extensive dialogue occurring which could lead to a quick resolution. Stay tuned. Hi Jeff, I have seen you mention this a few times already. What exactly do you mean by this? Is there a possibility of a team(s) leaving before next season? Aren't we a little late in the game to have membership changes for the 13-14 season? When would you say the date for membership being "finalized" is? Again, thanks for your time.
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Post by csubad on Feb 6, 2013 16:39:41 GMT -8
RR-
This will be quick because I have to let my dog out before heading to Rabobank for the Wyoming game.
I do not anticipate any members leaving in 13-14 from the current roster. I look forward to playing each one of those institutions.
If anything happens, it will work the other way. And in these "odd" realignment times, I do not believe there is a hard date as to when things need to be set in stone by. I think everything is fluid, and you move and make adjustments on the fly. This is the new reality. The more flexibility you have, the more likely you will to be successful as an institution and as a conference.
For my purposes, it is more important to know what weekend conference games are starting and firm that up rather than the exact number of contests per se in conference.
- Jeff
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Post by perry c on Feb 9, 2013 9:48:34 GMT -8
Mr. Konya, At some point, might CSUB look into the feasibility of joining the University of San Diego in the Pioneer Football League? Aside from the Ivy League, it is the only D-I football league that does not allow athletic scholarships. I believe annual operating costs for each team are under $1M. I'm guessing facilities and Title IX would be the big challenges. I am interested in your thoughts. Thanks. p.s.--Voy has a board for the PFL. Link
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Post by csubad on Feb 9, 2013 15:00:39 GMT -8
Perry-
Nice to see your handle and ID from Kansas City. Very happy UMKC is with us in the WAC moving forward. Lots of upside for the Conference moving forward.
I actually played football at Princeton for a bit of time during the college years so I understand that non-scholarship model. I thought the Patriot League was under a similar model as well like the Pioneer.
If football were ever to come on-line at CSUB, I think your approach of a Pioneer USD model would be the manner to accomplish it. But there are current factors against that would need to be overcome. Gender equity is one as you suggest but our ratio on campus is about 61/39 female to male. And even though the scholarship costs would technically be accounted for, the operating cost/participation numbers would have to account for roughly 90 more male athletes. Hence, even though the operations may be about $1,000,000 just for football when you factor in another 130 female participants, you are probably looking at about a needed influx of about $2.5 million in the annual budget. The politics in California is not ripe for any state support to that amount of money.
So it will come down to the private sector giving us about $100,000,000 to endow those participant opportunities or we have to wait for our enrollment to increase to a point where the notion of football would make more logistical sense. We are at 8,200 FTE right now so I imagine we would need to double in student enrollment (which is in the strategic plan within the next several years) before this issue would be more appropriate.
Hope that helps. Look forward to competitions with the 'Roos.
- Jeff
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Post by perry c on Feb 11, 2013 10:21:01 GMT -8
Looks like non-scholarship football in the Patriot League is a thing of the past. LinkI'm waiting for the Ivies to dump their Patriot League scheduling arrangement and play USD. Well...they already play USD, 'cause they want to recruit California. Thank you for your detailed reply.
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Post by cpslograd on Feb 11, 2013 12:53:12 GMT -8
Jeff,
Hope you are well Mr. Konya. Please let Mr. Hurd know that everyone is impressed that he was able to recruit UMKC and very happy they are joining the league. Time to take away the interim tag in my opinion. He has done a great job. I'm very excited about CSUB participating in this league Hurd has managed to put together.
But........ Luuuuuuucccccceeeee, you got a lot of explaining to do!
Why in the world was North Dakota invited for baseball? Last time I asked you about why UNC was added you told me for scheduling. So why UND? Nothing against these schools but they are not strong baseball programs, and they are a long way from Bakersfield.
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Post by spartypants on Feb 11, 2013 13:17:35 GMT -8
Good question SLOGRAD.
As a follow up: if we had UMKC, UTPA, and UVU on the hook for men's soccer programs, why add AFA, UNLV, and SJSU? Why help refugees from the league that killed the WAC? With CSUB, GCU, UVU, UTPA, UMKC, and HBU why add more? I assume you need one to play until 2017 when GCU becomes a div-1 member, but why the other two?
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Post by csubad on Feb 11, 2013 15:17:42 GMT -8
SLO and Sparty,
Responding from New Orleans where CSUB women's basketball just defeated UNO for their eight straight win.
You guys are savvy posters. These questions drill down to the core issues and cut though a lot of other semantics and fluff. This is a compliment to you both.
The soccer one is easier. Just because the WAC is starting the sport does not necessarily mean it gets an AQ from the NCAA like candy being handed out. For CSUB to be comfortable with joining the WAC (which makes sense) we needed to preserve the AQ for our strong program. Hence, when the majority of the core membership of the previous MPSF came under the WAC banner, it helped solidify the WAC soccer for 2013 fall (because UVU, CSU and UTPA are starting the sport either in 2014 or 2015) but also helped satisfy conditions with the NCAA such that the AQ would be preserved under the WAC banner because enough "core MPSF" was transplanted. That said, AF, SJSU, UNLV and HBU are sensible regional opponents with good RPI indicators or potential in the sport, so I like what they bring competetively as well. So to me it was two fold, satisfy 2013 sport requirements (no need for a conference exemption) for sport sponsorship and preserve the AQ under the WAC banner.
Slo, if you are at the baseball games this weekend, Jeff Hurd will be at the park for Nebraska and USC. Catch him and tell him what you shared here firsthand. As far as UND, there are a lot of issues surrounding this addition, some baseball related and some other considerations. Suffice it to say, it is strategic. I understand the geography argument, but we (CSUB) will make the trip to Grand Forks once every two years. It does create a scheduling imbalance which you know I am not a fan of at all BUT both Coach and I voted "Yes" anyway.
Hope that helps.
- Jeff
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Post by spartypants on Feb 11, 2013 15:47:08 GMT -8
As always, Jeff, thank you for your honesty.
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Post by cpslograd on Feb 11, 2013 20:07:49 GMT -8
Jeff,
Thanks your taking the time to reply. I don't get UND for baseball, but I think both you and Mr. Hurd are very good at your jobs, and have a lot more information than me, so you deserve the benefit of the doubt. Have a safe trip home.
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Post by RunnerBall on Feb 11, 2013 21:00:46 GMT -8
Yes, Jeff. I and I think we ALL appreciate your time to respond to us on these boards. Many of us find the workings of college conference alignment, realignment and the running of athletic programs fascinating and addictive.
Looking forward to the baseball opening mini-tourney and some wonderful 70' weekend temps!
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Post by cpslograd on Feb 21, 2013 13:43:14 GMT -8
Jeff,
Hell of a win by Coach Barnes and company wednesday night.
Quick question for you, what are the chances of #44 being retired, and has it been discussed? My thoughts are this.......
1. All time leading scorer 2. First legitimate D1 recruit 3. Stayed with the program through the coaching change 4. Led the program to its first postseason appearance
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Post by csubad on Feb 21, 2013 17:24:26 GMT -8
Slograd-
Boy, that Wolters is a heck of a player in person. It was a great, gritty game and both teams played hard and well. So it was fun to watch but it is a bit unfortunate that there were so many activities in Bakersfield that diverted our normally reliable fanbase. Our ticket drop was a little over a 1,000 which is substantially less than our average, and quite frankly should not happen when a team as highly regarded as SDSU comes into town.
You pose an interesting question, and one that is on our summer retreat agenda for my senior staff. Basically, we have spent this year trying to build our infrastructure including the traditions on campus. Within a year, we have a new mascot, an improving pep band, a new dance team and dedicated cheerleaders. You question centers on the traditions within athletics.
Retiring a jersey is a very specific item for a school that does not yet have a Hall of Fame. And because there is so much, and such rich, history here with 30 plus national championships, hundreds of All-Americans in two levels of NCAA play, etc, it will take a brainstorming session where we (the staff) can look at all of the issues in a 360 degrees way. Hall of Fames, retiring jerseys, Hall of Fame dinners, etc
Carter is remarkable for the items you list but he is just a great guy and teammate too. He will likely be honored in some way at the Rowdy's (June 3, 2013) which is our version of the ESPY's CSUB style. Details on that new tradition (this is the second annual) will be coming soon. But, it is a really fun and impressive night complete with walking the "gold" carpet and 15 categories of awards with several guest presenters.
- Jeff
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Post by cpslograd on Feb 22, 2013 8:25:36 GMT -8
Slograd- Boy, that Wolters is a heck of a player in person. It was a great, gritty game and both teams played hard and well. So it was fun to watch but it is a bit unfortunate that there were so many activities in Bakersfield that diverted our normally reliable fanbase. Our ticket drop was a little over a 1,000 which is substantially less than our average, and quite frankly should not happen when a team as highly regarded as SDSU comes into town. You pose an interesting question, and one that is on our summer retreat agenda for my senior staff. Basically, we have spent this year trying to build our infrastructure including the traditions on campus. Within a year, we have a new mascot, an improving pep band, a new dance team and dedicated cheerleaders. You question centers on the traditions within athletics. Retiring a jersey is a very specific item for a school that does not yet have a Hall of Fame. And because there is so much, and such rich, history here with 30 plus national championships, hundreds of All-Americans in two levels of NCAA play, etc, it will take a brainstorming session where we (the staff) can look at all of the issues in a 360 degrees way. Hall of Fames, retiring jerseys, Hall of Fame dinners, etc Carter is remarkable for the items you list but he is just a great guy and teammate too. He will likely be honored in some way at the Rowdy's (June 3, 2013) which is our version of the ESPY's CSUB style. Details on that new tradition (this is the second annual) will be coming soon. But, it is a really fun and impressive night complete with walking the "gold" carpet and 15 categories of awards with several guest presenters. - Jeff Jeff, Thanks for your response. I think a HOF would be a great idea and am interested to hear what you guys decide to do. Long Beach St has a low key, but in my opinion, very well done, HOF at the Pyramid. They have pictures, memorabilia, and newspaper clippings of players and coaches from all sports on display. I like that they put it up at the basketball arena instead of somewhere in the athletic office because the fans can see it while at the game.
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Post by redhawkrobert on Mar 21, 2013 16:06:51 GMT -8
Jeff,
Any updates on the media rights for next year or going forward for the WAC?
Was the attendance at the WAC tourney as bad as it seemed on TV?
In your opinion, do you think the Big East's recent moves will have an effect on the WAC?
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Post by csubad on Mar 22, 2013 15:09:48 GMT -8
RR-
Thanks for the questions. I was at the WAC tourney at the Orleans because I wanted to evaluate it as a potential site/option moving forward. It is a great venue, especially for the athletes, the staff, the fans, etc. Logistically, it makes a lot of sense to have a pre-determined site with pre-determined dates. The crowd for the final was impacted by 3 of 4 schools making it to the semi's that did not travel with much fanfare. Had one of Idaho or Utah State been in the finals against NMSU, then I think your perception from TV would have been different.
Should Vegas be an option for next year, I have faith that several institutions will travel well including Seattle, CSUB and Utah Valley to name a few and to join the passionate fans of NMSU for a good atmosphere. By the way, congrats to the Aggies for their win for the men and to Idaho for their women's tourney win.
I like predetermined sites personally, whether it is Seattle, LA, KC, Vegas or Cancun because it takes a concern out of the equation for planning purposes. If it was a higher seed tournament (higher seed hosts each round) then, relying on air travel as a staple, it puts risk directly into the equation. Travel delays, high cost of immediate travel, not conducive for fans to plan or prepare serve as a few examples of what I don't like. And if it is a quick turnaround, what about band/cheer/dance and their participation at this event? Those groups give their time and energy through the regular season, and that institution should have the ability to plan the tourney participation for those groups if it is something that they desire.
So I like destinations for tourney sites. We are re-branding the WAC. When the original Big East was branding itself, would it have developed as it did if the tourney did not settle on MSG early on?
Ok, as far as the media deal. Nothing has been decided because there is no urgency until the current deal gets closer to expire. But trust me, there are conversations going on.
The Big East (new) may impact conference realignment decisions, as well the un-named conference. It is not them per se but what other conferences do as it relates to expansion decisions for those conferences in response. To me, there are two conferences that hold the key (you could guess them) as to how much further realignment occurs in the nation because those conferences could easily add more than one institution if they choose to. The WAC is in a very, very good spot right now. I feel like the Oracle in the Matrix.
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Post by spartypants on Apr 15, 2013 8:56:23 GMT -8
Hey Jeff,
I know it's a long shot, but is there anything you can share with us about the precarious situation that the Summit League is in - especially with regard to baseball? Have their been any talks/negotiations/backroom deals made between the Summit and the WAC? NJIT seems to be the only warm body available for the Summit to add, assuming Oakland is heading for the Horizon League.
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