Idaho to join Big Sky in all sports but football

[marceagfan5]

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/08/16/bmurphy/idaho_go_independent_football_join_big_sky_other_sports" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't think anyone is surprised by this...I think its only a matter of time before Football comes back to the big sky as well, possibly 2 years. They are a perfect fit and even out the conference with 14 teams (7 in each division).

Not a chance they will convince 4-5 FBS schools to come to Moscow every year.

 

[LDopaPDX]

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/08/16/bmurphy/idaho_go_independent_football_join_big_sky_other_sports

I don't think anyone is surprised by this...I think its only a matter of time before Football comes back to the big sky as well, possibly 2 years. They are a perfect fit and even out the conference with 14 teams (7 in each division).

Not a chance they will convince 4-5 FBS schools to come to Moscow every year.

Wow. I am surprised, VERY surprised. I see NO reason to add a non-football playing school to the conference. And I have no idea how they suspect to keep football alive in the FBS without bleeding money to get teams to play them at home... plus no bowl tie-in.

The only thing I can think of is that Idaho is willing to subsidize football at a huge loss hoping to see a paradigm shift in conference identity in the next couple of years (certainly possible).

 

[EWURanger]

I posted this on another site, but I am not a big fan of this arrangement. And I am not sure why Fullerton would agree to something that has absolutely no benefit to the Big Sky, other than perhaps creating some sort of divisional format for the Olympic sports to cut down on travel costs. I personally don't understand how Idaho would have the presumed leverage to dictate to the Big Sky under what conditions they would accept an invitation. Additionally, if by some miracle they find a home for their football program they will be gone in an instant if that invitation included a home for their olympic sports.

If this arrangement included football, my views would be entirely different. Maybe Fullerton is hoping this will grease the skids a little if at some point Idaho decides FCS is their best option, but I don't agree with Idaho dictating their own terms. It's basically akin to Idaho saying "Well, we have no other options, so do you mind us parking our Olympic Sports in your Conference while we get our sh*t together with our football program and figure something else out"? So their football program is too good for the Big Sky, but the rest of their programs aren't?

The Big Sky is a great regional Division I Conference with a proud tradition. Why are we pandering to these clowns who made an ill-decision 16 years ago? The reality is that Idaho needs the Big Sky FAR more than the Big Sky needs the University of Idaho.

Remember, any additions to the conference have to be agreed upon by ALL members. There may be some University Presidents that are not too keen on accepting a football-less Idaho back into the fold.

Also, I am wondering if anyone here realizes tha Idaho tried to block EWU's inclusion into the Big Sky back in the early 80's when we were a transitional Division II school....hmmmm.

All of this just seems like bad Karma for IDAHO.

:thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

:twocents:

 

[EWURanger]

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/08/16/bmurphy/idaho_go_independent_football_join_big_sky_other_sports

I don't think anyone is surprised by this...I think its only a matter of time before Football comes back to the big sky as well, possibly 2 years. They are a perfect fit and even out the conference with 14 teams (7 in each division).

Not a chance they will convince 4-5 FBS schools to come to Moscow every year.

Wow. I am surprised, VERY surprised. I see NO reason to add a non-football playing school to the conference. And I have no idea how they suspect to keep football alive in the FBS without bleeding money to get teams to play them at home... plus no bowl tie-in.

The only thing I can think of is that Idaho is willing to subsidize football at a huge loss hoping to see a paradigm shift in conference identity in the next couple of years (certainly possible).

Nailed it.

 

[marceagfan5]

IMO - Idaho thinks they can find a conference in the next two years, the big sky doesn't think they will so the big sky is agreeing to take on all the other sports and football in 2 years.

Idaho is going to have a financial disaster going independent. They are lucky South Dakota decided not to join or I doubt we would have even made it an option for them to come back.

 

[eaglesfootball]

agreed Ranger, Im not sold on this. What exactly are the member institutions in the big sky gaining by adding Idaho for non football sports? I can see them hanging around and all the while seeking admission to the mwc or somewhere else to fulfill their pipedream of running a successful fbs program. idaho is not the long term solution for a 12 member conference, they would leave at the drop of a dime. no thanks!!!

 

[EWURanger]

IMO - Idaho thinks they can find a conference in the next two years, the big sky doesn't think they will so the big sky is agreeing to take on all the other sports and football in 2 years.

So what's wrong with telling them to come back (or not) in a couple of years when they've figured out the path for their football program. Absolutely nothing. We don't need them at this point in time.

 

[marceagfan5]

IMO - Idaho thinks they can find a conference in the next two years, the big sky doesn't think they will so the big sky is agreeing to take on all the other sports and football in 2 years.

So what's wrong with telling them to come back (or not) in a couple of years when they've figured out the path for their football program. Absolutely nothing. We don't need them at this point in time.

I am not saying I'm for this move, if football was included I would be all for it, but I can see some reasoning. First, Idaho was a charter school and I'm sure that had some pull. I think it will also make the travel partners for other sports (most specifically basketball) a little easier with an even number of teams (we wouldn't play a team like ISU 3 times in 10 days like we did this year). I also think it pretty much assures the Big Sky of adding Idaho for football if/when they fail as an independent over the next 2 years.

Adding Idaho, doesn't really boost our conference, but I definitely don't think it hurts it. I think its worth the risk if we are able to add their football program in the next couple years.

 

[FormerEag]

I'm probably not the best to speak to the politics involved here. However, if I was busting my ass of in camp right now, I would take this a serious f you from Idaho. I guess you can't blame them for the death grip to FBS, but I would (and do) take it as a personal insult. They think they don't belong with the lowly BSC.

I hope we humiliate them at home in a couple weeks. I hope our guys feel the same way.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I'm probably not the best to speak to the politics involved here. However, if I was busting my ass of in camp right now, I would take this a serious f you from Idaho. I guess you can't blame them for the death grip to FBS, but I would (and do) take it as a personal insult. They think they don't belong with the lowly BSC.

I hope we humiliate them at home in a couple weeks. I hope our guys feel the same way.

Agreed. John Blanchette ripped the tits off it:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/aug/16/blanchette-vandals-forced-watch-sky/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Wood0920]

blanchette is one of your guys so i expect him to talk shit. Idaho will be able to get bodies to come to the kibbie dome its will just cost us a monetary fee (that we pick up from the big boys body bag games).

Most importantly we have been given the option to explore your confernce we havent signed on the dotted line. we just lifted our skirt up a little bit for yah. Now foolerton is frothing at the mouth hope fully if we join you send SUU, NCU, NAU, Idaho St, and SAc to the wac. So we don't have to play teams i think our in a lower group.

Don't get me wrong idaho is on par with the EW, UM, MSU, UND crowd but we have to try and play FBS to save face.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

blanchette is one of your guys so i expect him to talk shit. Idaho will be able to get bodies to come to the kibbie dome its will just cost us a monetary fee (that we pick up from the big boys body bag games).

Most importantly we have been given the option to explore your confernce we havent signed on the dotted line. we just lifted our skirt up a little bit for yah. Now foolerton is frothing at the mouth hope fully if we join you send SUU, NCU, NAU, Idaho St, and SAc to the wac. So we don't have to play teams i think our in a lower group.

Don't get me wrong idaho is on par with the EW, UM, MSU, UND crowd but we have to try and play FBS to save face.

Right idea, wrong party. Idaho wants a place to store their Olympic sports while they continue to doggy paddle in the middle of the ocean with no rescue boat on the way. Thing is, all the presidents of the Big Sky have to accept. I suspect some are going to say NO, at least until UI has no other choice other than to drop football completely (not gonna happen), or rejoin the BSC in all sports.

 

[BLACKFALKIN1]

Whats Idaho's best bet for filling their schedule thats still compliant with the ncaa indy rules?

 

[marceagfan5]

Whats Idaho's best bet for filling their schedule thats still compliant with the ncaa indy rules?

Ferris, Mead, Greenacres Middle School....

They are a sinking FBS ship...I think their only options are NMSU and BYU and no way BYU agrees to a home and home, maybe 2 for 1. Maybe Boise St will be forced to. Army or Navy? Their options are really limited and after September (when conf. season starts), they are screwed with scheduling....

I would make Idaho pay a fee to add football in 2 years if that is the plan.

 

[EWURanger]

blanchette is one of your guys so i expect him to talk shit.

To be fair, I am fairly certain he's a Montana grad. But I suppose your point still stands.

 

[EWURanger]

Whats Idaho's best bet for filling their schedule thats still compliant with the ncaa indy rules?

I think they have to play FBS home games a season. I'm not sure who's going to be willing to go there outside of home and home arrangements. Bad deal for them all around.

 

[clawman1]

Whats Idaho's best bet for filling their schedule thats still compliant with the ncaa indy rules?

I would make Idaho pay a fee to add football in 2 years if that is the plan.

great idea, and I would increase the fee the longer they try to play The Big Sky looking for another dance partner.

 

[Ewuticketoffice]

Idaho rejoining the Big Sky in Olympic sports is actually more important to the Sky than even their football... It eliminates the lone wolf schedule in basketball, volleyball which means no more Tuesday/Wednesday league games in February that always confuse people as to what the schedule makers were thinking. I don't think it helps our RPI a ton, but in terms of travel partners, this is a good move for the conference. We likely wouldn't have done the same had South Dakota joined us as they had initially agreed to have.

 

[Dozy]

All fine posts, really. But there is a bigger question that needs to be answered here...

Does the Vandal emblem get added to the bottom of the forum page or not?

 

[eaglesfootball]

Idaho rejoining the Big Sky in Olympic sports is actually more important to the Sky than even their football... It eliminates the lone wolf schedule in basketball, volleyball which means no more Tuesday/Wednesday league games in February that always confuse people as to what the schedule makers were thinking.

its my understanding that this was the broader issue, olympics sports scheduling. if the Vandals eventually decided to join in all sports then that would just be a bonus.