Take a look at the PSU alumni map, and it's easy to understand why PSU wanted Rutgers. There are more PSU graduates in NJ than any other state outside of PA. Within 75 miles of New Brunswick, there are about 100,000 alums which is about 3 times as many as live in the area directly around State College. Not just alums... PSU recruits more undergrads from NJ than any state outside PA and the top destination for NJ high school grads that leave the state is Penn State. These aren't really good reasons for adding a sports program to a conference, but they're the type of factors that matter to university leaders.

I know this is a sports board (specifically football) but Rutgers fits the Big Ten academically and institutionally to a T.

When you consider demographics and other expansion trends, the time was perfect for Rutgers to be added. Syracuse, Pitt, and WVU are all better athletic fits for the league...but Rutgers is the best overall fit (since there is more to major college conferences than sports, y'all.)

(09-13-2014 01:22 AM)allthatyoucantleavebehind Wrote:  I know this is a sports board (specifically football) but Rutgers fits the Big Ten academically and institutionally to a T.

When you consider demographics and other expansion trends, the time was perfect for Rutgers to be added. Syracuse, Pitt, and WVU are all better athletic fits for the league...but Rutgers is the best overall fit (since there is more to major college conferences than sports, y'all.)

Yes, they are today. But were they in the 90s? They went through a lot of changes and mergers in the 2000s. I got the impression that they more than doubled in size just through mergers.

Also, I read that with the latest merger (the incorporation of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ), Rutgers passed Michigan for the largest alumni base of any school in the country.

(09-13-2014 12:49 AM)prp Wrote:  Take a look at the PSU alumni map, and it's easy to understand why PSU wanted Rutgers. There are more PSU graduates in NJ than any other state outside of PA. Within 75 miles of New Brunswick, there are about 100,000 alums which is about 3 times as many as live in the area directly around State College. Not just alums... PSU recruits more undergrads from NJ than any state outside PA and the top destination for NJ high school grads that leave the state is Penn State. These aren't really good reasons for adding a sports program to a conference, but they're the type of factors that matter to university leaders.

Nice map. I see there are more Penn State alumni in Virginia than in Maryland. That is another reason for the B1G to look at adding Virginia into the conference. If you split into 3 divisions of 5 that places, Ohio St, Penn St, Rutgers, Maryland and Virginia all in the same division which would be about ideal for all schools involved.

(09-13-2014 12:49 AM)prp Wrote:  Take a look at the PSU alumni map, and it's easy to understand why PSU wanted Rutgers. There are more PSU graduates in NJ than any other state outside of PA. Within 75 miles of New Brunswick, there are about 100,000 alums which is about 3 times as many as live in the area directly around State College. Not just alums... PSU recruits more undergrads from NJ than any state outside PA and the top destination for NJ high school grads that leave the state is Penn State. These aren't really good reasons for adding a sports program to a conference, but they're the type of factors that matter to university leaders.

True, about the alums, but might be slightly misleading. How many are NJ residents but actually work in the NYC or Philly?

I think the recruiting angle is stronger than the alum angle myself.

Cheers,
Neil

(09-12-2014 03:38 PM)CoogNellie Wrote:  By far the luckiest program in all of realignment. 150 years of lousy football rewarded with an invitation to the wealthiest conference.

Tied for oldest football program in the history of college football. Pretty awesome if you ask me.

Big Ten about went to 14 with Mizzou, Kansas, and Rutgers in 1994. So Rutgers has always been on the Big Ten's radar.

(09-13-2014 08:36 PM)DexterDevil Wrote:  

(09-12-2014 03:38 PM)CoogNellie Wrote:  By far the luckiest program in all of realignment. 150 years of lousy football rewarded with an invitation to the wealthiest conference.

Tied for oldest football program in the history of college football. Pretty awesome if you ask me.

Hamline College played in the first ever collegiate basketball game. Does that make them pretty awesome as well?

Cheers,
Neil

(09-13-2014 09:21 PM)MissouriStateBears Wrote:  Big Ten about went to 14 with Mizzou, Kansas, and Rutgers in 1994. So Rutgers has always been on the Big Ten's radar.

The expansion you are referring to is mentioned in this article from the Chicago Tribune in 1993:

Is Kansas, Big 10 A Good Fit?

Rutgers has indeed been on the Big Ten radar for quite some time. But as already pointed out, the Big Ten truly wanted Notre Dame for #12. The Irish were the only ones to actually get close to the invite stage after PSU and prior to Nebraska.

Cheers,
Neil