realignment

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9000502/catholic-7-schools-keep-big-east-name-new-league-next-season-according-sources

Headline says it all.  Or most.  Creighton is also "expected" to join, and Dayton and St. Louis in the future.  That would make them the Catholic 11 Plus Butler, so it's probably for the best they get to keep the traditional Big East name.  Getting to start the league this fall might also move Notre Dame to the ACC this fall as well.

I guess that just leaves the question of what to call the southern-oriented conference that was once the Big East.  Big South is already taken.  If it were up to me, the Phoenix Conference would be pretty cool.

 

In an article in the Chicago Tribune, a proposed NHL realignment of conferences would put the Red Wings in the Eastern Conference and the Blackhawks in the Western Conference.

(LINK:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/chi-blackhawks-red-wings-realignment-20130226,0,4934764.story)

There is more commentary on this at the WWL. 

Somehow, it just seems wrong to pull apart these traditional Central Division rivals who were part of the league's original six teams. I know I'm a grumpy old man, but why can't they leave things like this alone? I hate it at Michigan, in the Big 10, and now in the NHL. Even though I'm a Blackhawk's fan, I don't like this a bit.

EDIT:  I am very thankful to the Red Wings for declining to resign Marian Hossa. He has been a critical part of the Blackhawks.

Per Doug Karsch... EAST Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers, Indiana. WEST Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Northwestern, Illinois, Minnesota. Up in the air is where Michigan State and Purdue end up. EDIT: Sorry about the formatting. I started the thread on my phone. Per Doug Karsch, this comes from a source of his.

The ACC isn't going quietly.  Looks as though they decided to be proactive and collect their $52 million.  Here is the lawsuit document:

http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/documents/sports/acc-vs-university-of-maryland-college-park/154/

The document establishes the buyout at a little over $52.2 million, actually.  Likely filed first so as to be able to file in North Carolina instead of Maryland, maybe bring some of that Dukie refereeing to the table.  Strong case in that regard as the lawsuit points out the ACC operates under North Carolina law.

As someone who prefers the ACC stay together, I'm happy to see the conference being proactive here, and IME, the uglier this gets, the better.

With the Winnepeg Jets already shifting conference alignments, the NHL has decided to  overhaul conferences, or so it sounds.  Hopefully Detroit will be moved to an Eastern Conference team (or I hope, at least).

This thread is an attempt to consolidate information that will help save The Game. Below are some ways to speak up and help out. Please add information that will help with these options or add new ones. Please avoid discussing “pros and cons” of Big 10 alignment because that horse is currently a puddle of blood and horseshoes.

The message is simple: Michigan and Ohio State should play The Game during the final week of the Big 10 regular season, period.

Details beyond that are irrelevant until this is guaranteed.

 

Email the Michigan Athletic Department and the Ohio State Athletic Department

            Bruce Madej
            University of Michigan
            Associate Athletic Director
            bmad@umich.edu
            734-647-1756

            Gene Smith
            Ohio State University
            Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics
            athletic_director@osu.edu
            614- 292-2477

 

Write a letter (yes the paper kind) to Big 10 Commissioner Jim Delany

            James E. Delany
            Commissioner
            Big Ten Conference
            1500 West Higgins Road
            Park Ridge, IL 60068-6300

 

Join a Facebook group

Don’t Mess with the Ohio State/Michigan Game!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102831596442796#!/group.php?gid=112688455453262

Keep Michigan v. Ohio State the Last Game of the Season.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102831596442796#!/group.php?gid=137963456245872

 

Sign an online petition

http://www.protecttherivalry.com/
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/keepthegameattheendoftheseason/
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/OsuUMGame/
 

Bring signs to Michigan football games

Some ideas to start things off:

            “Keep The Game the Same”
            “Save the Date, Michigan Ohio State”

 

Start chants at Michigan football games

 A Facebook Group is organizing a cheer at Ohio State's first home game on Thursday.  With 10 minutes left in the 1st quarter, fans will rise and chant "Save The Game".

I asked the Michigan Facebook Group to email out an event for a similar chant at the Michigan-UCONN game and he promised that he would.

 

Finally, notify all of your friends, family, alumni, and Ohio State acquaintances of these options.

Thanks,

MTS