Big 12 tells BYU to go pound sand

Submitted by Cold War on

Cougars head football coach Bronco Mendenhall, whose team plays as an independent, reportedly said he wants BYU to join the Big 12. But according to an ESPN report, with record revenue and a conference schedule which is "absolutely great," the conference has no intentions of adding BYU — or any other school for that matter.

Speaking from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) convention in Orlando, Fla., Kansas State's athletic director John Currie and West Virginia AD Oliver Luck both told ESPN the Big 12 has not had any discussions about expansion, and it does not plan to do so.

"Expansion is one thing we're not talking about," Luck told ESPN...

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/college-football/story/byu-wants-join-big-12-conference-but-happy-10-teams-221-million-dollars-revenue-061114

 

MGoGrendel

June 16th, 2014 at 5:00 PM ^

Is BYU strong in other sports? I don't recall hearing their name mentioned in the basketball, softball, baseball, wrestling, etc tourneys at year end. Big 12 may want a more well rounded school. Just speculating...

Tater

June 16th, 2014 at 6:17 PM ^

While every big school seems to be sending "hostesses" to recruits on their official and unofficial visits, BYU makes them sign an agreement to adhere to an honor code that doesn't allow premarital sex.  

It makes for a difficult recruiting job.

When the "big boys" form their own division or organization, BYU should stay behind with the rest of the "little guys."

Yeoman

June 17th, 2014 at 11:28 PM ^

They've been to 28 NCAA basketball tournaments and ten of the last 14. They haven't done much once there (they made a regional final with Danny Ainge) but the program isn't a disaster.

They've won some NCAA championships in volleyball (men's) and cross country (women's). Track's also been pretty good.

Interesting point I found when I was looking this up: their soccer team plays in the PDL instead of playing intercollegiately. It's basically the model Brian's proposed for B1G baseball; I didn't realize it had already been tried.

LBSS

June 16th, 2014 at 5:14 PM ^

They're consistently in the top 30-40 or so of the Directors' Cup. Peaks in the top 20. Well above average for a D1 program overall.

UMgradMSUdad

June 16th, 2014 at 5:25 PM ^

It may be true that the Big 12 has no interest in expanding, then again, somehow I don't think the ADs at Kansas State and West Virginia are driving the agenda in conference decisions.

Mr. Yost

June 16th, 2014 at 5:25 PM ^

BYU said no, and now they're giving the Cougs the shaft right back.

This is just nut flexing.

BYU would be a great fit, but oh well.

LSAClassOf2000

June 16th, 2014 at 5:29 PM ^

In May, the Big 12 announced a record $221 million in revenue last season, $23 million more than the previous season. And with there being only 10 teams in the conference now, that meant more money for each school.

From most of the articles I have seen that have numbers, BYU's athletic department makes a modest profit of $5 to $6 million or thereabouts lately, so I am sure they would not have scoffed at the money either.

markusr2007

June 16th, 2014 at 5:29 PM ^

Much more descriptive and explicative. An elegant saying for a more civilized age. "Pounding sand" makes no sense whatsoever, unless of course you do indeed travel the Jundland wastes lightly.

NittanyFan

June 16th, 2014 at 7:58 PM ^

shutting out a Big XII team while explaining "their strength of schedule wasn't as high as teams from other conferences because of the lack of a conference Title game."

 

If that EVER happens, the Big XII will add two teams in about 10 minutes.  And BYU would probably be high on the list to get a call.

Avon Barksdale

June 16th, 2014 at 8:45 PM ^

BYU is an independent, Notre Dame is practically an ACC school, Missouri (SEC East Champion) lost to a Western Division Champ from Alabama, Colorado plays in the PACIFIC 12, and Rutgers will be the B1G Representative in the Music City Bowl vs Syracuse of the Atlantic COAST Conference. Nothing makes sense anymore.

XM - Mt 1822

June 17th, 2014 at 10:59 PM ^

if salvation is important to you, i suggest you not pin yours to a guy (joseph smith) who served time in prison for two separate criminal fraud convictions as a common grifter - he'd put a glass under his hat and get people to pay him money to tell them where treasure was.  then he became a religious con.   not making fun, truly hoping you look deeper. 

 

and yes, i know about mormonism.   have studied many religions, have a few friends who are mormons, so i say these things not to be confrontational. 

Blue in Yarmouth

June 18th, 2014 at 7:58 AM ^

about anyone's religious beliefs as I simply don't think this is the place, but for me it's plain inconsiderate and ignorant. If you know Mormons than why can't you simply judge them by how they live and the type of people they are rather than making fun and ridiculing their beliefs.

Now I'm not saying any of us are perfect, but the vast majority who are members of our church and try to abide by it's teachings are some of the best people you'll meet. This isn't just me saying that either. It's feedback from most everyone who really knows mormons and judges them by their works, not by preconceived notions about their beliefs. 

I mean seriously, no other religion is made fun of or ridiculed as much as mine on this blog and what has the mormon religion or any of it's followers done to anyone here? Did we declare jihad on the U.S.A and bomb the world trade centre? Are myriad of our priests child abusers that had our religion cover that fact up for years while they continued to do so?

My point is you can make fun of any religion if you look into it deep enough, but why the heck would you want to? These are peoples values and beliefs that many people believe so strongly about that it becomes part of the very fibre of their being. Please, just grant them the same consideration this foolish blog gives things like politics and have that sort of topic out of bounds becuase it has been proven time and again that people here just can't discuss anything to do with it without it leading to ridicule. 

Honestly, we can't discuss what B.O. does to the U.S.A but if you want to make fun of any and everyone who believes in god....have at it. What a farce. 

XM - Mt 1822

June 18th, 2014 at 10:18 AM ^

and invite this discussion in a gentlemanly fashion, off-forum.

i do know mormons and one of my best friends out west was and is a stake president.  i totally appreciate how he is leading his family.   but to quote him, though i am not nor have i ever been a mormon, '[i] know more about mormon history than any mormon [he's] ever talked to'.

regardless, i wish you well.  

Blue in Yarmouth

June 18th, 2014 at 1:02 PM ^

It isn't often that I've found posters on here who are willing to just let me worship as I please without ridicule. I am a huge UM fan and 99.9% of the time I love this blog but when ever anything gets brought up about BYU or mormons I cringe because I know my religion of choice is about to be the butt of numerous distasteful jokes. When a site has a policy that people even approach any public policy but are fine with people spewing their hatred of certain religions I just have to wonder how much thought goes into drawing these lines. 

Again, I appreciate your willingness to let my religious beliefs be my business and not slinging insults. Thanks again.