As a veteran of many Big East tournaments, I think people are vastly underrating the size and scope of UConn's following.

Connecticut has a large and passionate following. However, when you are used to playing relatively big-name schools - at least within that region - and suddenly you are thrust into a conference with a bunch of schools from other parts of the country and with whom you have no history or tradition, and who don't have the same cache, of course that's going to negatively impact your attendance.

Every year when I would go to the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden, Connecticut had the largest following - hands down. Syracuse was usually next on that list but they were well behind the Huskies. Also, as someone who has been to a few football games there, their stadium is full and the atmosphere was pretty good. Now, it is not going to make anyone forget Alabama or Clemson. However, it was definitely a rock-solid college football atmosphere.

Now, I will also say that UConn also had the nastiest fans. They were a very surly bunch - oddly so, IMHO. The Connecticut fans definitely had a major chip on their collective shoulder, which I'm sure has only grown with the events of the past few years.

The Big East tournament was an amazing event. There was just so much electricity in that building – especially for the late round games. Those are some of my favorite sports memories ever.

However, one of the things that struck me most about that event - and which made it such a staple of my calendar - was how congenial it was off the court. You would go into one of the many bars that circle Madison Square Garden and it was not at all hostile. It was extremely common for me and my friends to spend the night drinking and carrying on with Syracuse fans or St. John's fans or Providence fans or Villanova fans, etc. you would talk trash to each other and you sure wanted to beat them if you were playing them in the next round but it was mostly friendly and fun. In fact, in my experience, it was always friendly and fun - even in defeat.

...with one consistent exception: UConn fans. They were to men's basketball what West Virginia was to Big East football. Their fans just were so nasty all the time.

Look, I get it. I am far from prudish when it comes to fan behavior. I don't need you to buy me a beer to invite me over to have a hotdog with you and your friends. However, I don't think it's too much to ask to not be berated by you on the way out of the arena after my team has already lost to yours. I don't think it is too much to ask to have people threatening to fight you because my team has beaten your team. It is just sports – have fun but let it go.

The UConn fans were kind of like the guy in the office that is just way too intense about everything and it just rubs everyone the wrong way. Their fans just couldn't seem to separate the game from real life. Time after time after time when we would go to New York City, there would always be some crazy story with our group or one of the groups we were with who had an insanely negative interaction with some group of Connecticut fans.

Now, the Huskies were also an exceptional program at that time (as they are now) and that made it even worse. They acted very differently when they were winning versus the way Syracuse acted when it was winning, Georgetown acted when it was winning, etc. It was just a little bit nasty. I think that is why you won't find too many fans of old Big East teams feel too badly for Connecticut for how things turned out. I think the general sentiment is that it couldn't happen to a nicer fan base.

However, I don't look at it that way. I think they have a large and passionate fan base that deserves to be in a P5 league. I think a lot of things have gone against them that probably shouldn't have. However, I also think their fans can be pretty idiotic towards other fans which is why you see so much acrimony towards them and forums like this one.

(08-11-2015 09:04 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 08:57 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 08:47 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 12:36 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  I see U.Conn not going anywhere. They are stuck. Their fans don't even support their football team. I saw a bunch of empty seats for U. Conn fans in the bowl game against Oklahoma. U. Conn needs to work on getting people to watch the games.

UConn has basketball, sizable market & academics. I could see them & Kansas going to the B1G or if BC or Syracuse leave the ACC then they have a good shot here. Right now the ACC isn't looking north.

They need to increase their fan support for their football team first & foremost to make a move. Kentucky give their football team more support than does UCONN. I remember numerous times when UK would have 2-4 wins a season & their stadium was still full, UCONN needs to do the same.

Kentucky is playing Alabama and LSU not Tulane and Tulsa.

Doesn't matter, they're in. UCONN is the one that needs to make statement. Can't look at it its just Tulane & Tulsa, you have to look at it like it's your shot to play Ohio St or FSU every season. Sell out now for the future.

It's unrealistic to expect a team who just lost every local rival it played since the inception of its FBS football to sell out every game for its worst season in its history.

There isn't a single school in the country who's fanbase could watch their team play that horrible of a season after getting demoted from BCS after being blackballed by every local rival and every power conference.

It's a nice thought, but this isn't narnia.

(08-11-2015 09:04 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 08:57 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 08:47 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 12:36 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  I see U.Conn not going anywhere. They are stuck. Their fans don't even support their football team. I saw a bunch of empty seats for U. Conn fans in the bowl game against Oklahoma. U. Conn needs to work on getting people to watch the games.

UConn has basketball, sizable market & academics. I could see them & Kansas going to the B1G or if BC or Syracuse leave the ACC then they have a good shot here. Right now the ACC isn't looking north.

They need to increase their fan support for their football team first & foremost to make a move. Kentucky give their football team more support than does UCONN. I remember numerous times when UK would have 2-4 wins a season & their stadium was still full, UCONN needs to do the same.

Kentucky is playing Alabama and LSU not Tulane and Tulsa.

Doesn't matter, they're in. UCONN is the one that needs to make statement. Can't look at it its just Tulane & Tulsa, you have to look at it like it's your shot to play Ohio St or FSU every season. Sell out now for the future.

Winning cures everything. Louisville was awful under Kragthorpe and attendance was way, way down. The cure? Charlie Strong and winning. UConn needs to win football games. Winning will solve their conference problems. Win. Win. Win.

(08-11-2015 09:13 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:04 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 08:57 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 08:47 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 12:36 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  I see U.Conn not going anywhere. They are stuck. Their fans don't even support their football team. I saw a bunch of empty seats for U. Conn fans in the bowl game against Oklahoma. U. Conn needs to work on getting people to watch the games.

UConn has basketball, sizable market & academics. I could see them & Kansas going to the B1G or if BC or Syracuse leave the ACC then they have a good shot here. Right now the ACC isn't looking north.

They need to increase their fan support for their football team first & foremost to make a move. Kentucky give their football team more support than does UCONN. I remember numerous times when UK would have 2-4 wins a season & their stadium was still full, UCONN needs to do the same.

Kentucky is playing Alabama and LSU not Tulane and Tulsa.

Doesn't matter, they're in. UCONN is the one that needs to make statement. Can't look at it its just Tulane & Tulsa, you have to look at it like it's your shot to play Ohio St or FSU every season. Sell out now for the future.

It's unrealistic to expect a team who just lost every local rival it played since the inception of its FBS football to sell out every game for its worst season in its history.

There isn't a single school in the country who's fanbase could watch their team play that horrible of a season after getting demoted from BCS after being blackballed by every local rival and every power conference.

It's a nice thought, but this isn't narnia.

How bad do you want in? Vandy, UK, Ole Miss & others have passionate fan bases who show up for their team no matter the record or opponent. UCONN needs to show the same to be taken seriously as a football program. Show the same passion for football as you do for basketball. If that is unrealistic then UCONN doesn't have a realistic shot at the P5.

(08-11-2015 09:13 AM)jskwrite Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:04 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 08:57 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 08:47 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 12:36 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  I see U.Conn not going anywhere. They are stuck. Their fans don't even support their football team. I saw a bunch of empty seats for U. Conn fans in the bowl game against Oklahoma. U. Conn needs to work on getting people to watch the games.

UConn has basketball, sizable market & academics. I could see them & Kansas going to the B1G or if BC or Syracuse leave the ACC then they have a good shot here. Right now the ACC isn't looking north.

They need to increase their fan support for their football team first & foremost to make a move. Kentucky give their football team more support than does UCONN. I remember numerous times when UK would have 2-4 wins a season & their stadium was still full, UCONN needs to do the same.

Kentucky is playing Alabama and LSU not Tulane and Tulsa.

Doesn't matter, they're in. UCONN is the one that needs to make statement. Can't look at it its just Tulane & Tulsa, you have to look at it like it's your shot to play Ohio St or FSU every season. Sell out now for the future.

Winning cures everything. Louisville was awful under Kragthorpe and attendance was way, way down. The cure? Charlie Strong and winning. UConn needs to win football games. Winning will solve their conference problems. Win. Win. Win.

Yes winning helps & speeds up the process.

What years did you go to the BE Tourney? I know some years Cuse has the largest following (especially when we don't flame out in the quarters). But your points are valid...that is why I support UConn to the ACC. On fan behavior...(I never went to WVU) but UConn is the only FB stadium I felt open vitriol...and of course it is always fun to have drinks thrown at you. Of course the 20 something punk ran off after I got up.

(08-11-2015 09:28 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:13 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:04 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 08:57 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 08:47 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  UConn has basketball, sizable market & academics. I could see them & Kansas going to the B1G or if BC or Syracuse leave the ACC then they have a good shot here. Right now the ACC isn't looking north.

They need to increase their fan support for their football team first & foremost to make a move. Kentucky give their football team more support than does UCONN. I remember numerous times when UK would have 2-4 wins a season & their stadium was still full, UCONN needs to do the same.

Kentucky is playing Alabama and LSU not Tulane and Tulsa.

Doesn't matter, they're in. UCONN is the one that needs to make statement. Can't look at it its just Tulane & Tulsa, you have to look at it like it's your shot to play Ohio St or FSU every season. Sell out now for the future.

It's unrealistic to expect a team who just lost every local rival it played since the inception of its FBS football to sell out every game for its worst season in its history.

There isn't a single school in the country who's fanbase could watch their team play that horrible of a season after getting demoted from BCS after being blackballed by every local rival and every power conference.

It's a nice thought, but this isn't narnia.

How bad do you want in? Vandy, UK, Ole Miss & others have passionate fan bases who show up for their team no matter the record or opponent. UCONN needs to show the same to be taken seriously as a football program. Show the same passion for football as you do for basketball. If that is unrealistic then UCONN doesn't have a realistic shot at the P5.

Again, all have a schedule full of the best teams in the nation.

Oh, and it also has absolutely nothing to do with having a shot at the p5. UConn was averaging capacity when Pitt and Syracuse were plucked from the Big East. It certainly didn't matter then.

No team in the nation is going to sell out every game during its worst season in its history playing the likes of the American conference 1 year removed from being demoted from a BCS conference.

Period.

If UConn can win half or more of its games in football this year, the fans will return. They play home games in a decent stadium close to where many alumni live.

(08-11-2015 09:37 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:28 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:13 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:04 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 08:57 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  Kentucky is playing Alabama and LSU not Tulane and Tulsa.

Doesn't matter, they're in. UCONN is the one that needs to make statement. Can't look at it its just Tulane & Tulsa, you have to look at it like it's your shot to play Ohio St or FSU every season. Sell out now for the future.

It's unrealistic to expect a team who just lost every local rival it played since the inception of its FBS football to sell out every game for its worst season in its history.

There isn't a single school in the country who's fanbase could watch their team play that horrible of a season after getting demoted from BCS after being blackballed by every local rival and every power conference.

It's a nice thought, but this isn't narnia.

How bad do you want in? Vandy, UK, Ole Miss & others have passionate fan bases who show up for their team no matter the record or opponent. UCONN needs to show the same to be taken seriously as a football program. Show the same passion for football as you do for basketball. If that is unrealistic then UCONN doesn't have a realistic shot at the P5.

Again, all have a schedule full of the best teams in the nation.

Oh, and it also has absolutely nothing to do with having a shot at the p5. UConn was averaging capacity when Pitt and Syracuse were plucked from the Big East. It certainly didn't matter then.

No team in the nation is going to sell out every game during its worst season in its history playing the likes of the American conference 1 year removed from being demoted from a BCS conference.

Period.

My point is to show the passion as other P5. You say it's hard for anyone to show up for games during a losing season which is true but UCONN is the one trying to get into the P5, that alone should be enough motivation. UCONN hasn't been at the FBS level for to long so it does take time to build that culture & mentality.

(08-11-2015 09:38 AM)connecticutguy Wrote:  If UConn can win half or more of its games in football this year, the fans will return. They play home games in a decent stadium close to where many alumni live.

UCONN has all of the ingredients needed, just need time to put it all together & let it grow. Louisville has its "collision course" that drove it from deaths door step to now, the P5 can be UCONN's.

(08-11-2015 09:47 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:37 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:28 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:13 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:04 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  Doesn't matter, they're in. UCONN is the one that needs to make statement. Can't look at it its just Tulane & Tulsa, you have to look at it like it's your shot to play Ohio St or FSU every season. Sell out now for the future.

It's unrealistic to expect a team who just lost every local rival it played since the inception of its FBS football to sell out every game for its worst season in its history.

There isn't a single school in the country who's fanbase could watch their team play that horrible of a season after getting demoted from BCS after being blackballed by every local rival and every power conference.

It's a nice thought, but this isn't narnia.

How bad do you want in? Vandy, UK, Ole Miss & others have passionate fan bases who show up for their team no matter the record or opponent. UCONN needs to show the same to be taken seriously as a football program. Show the same passion for football as you do for basketball. If that is unrealistic then UCONN doesn't have a realistic shot at the P5.

Again, all have a schedule full of the best teams in the nation.

Oh, and it also has absolutely nothing to do with having a shot at the p5. UConn was averaging capacity when Pitt and Syracuse were plucked from the Big East. It certainly didn't matter then.

No team in the nation is going to sell out every game during its worst season in its history playing the likes of the American conference 1 year removed from being demoted from a BCS conference.

Period.

My point is to show the passion as other P5. You say it's hard for anyone to show up for games during a losing season which is true but UCONN is the one trying to get into the P5, that alone should be enough motivation. UCONN hasn't been at the FBS level for to long so it does take time to build that culture & mentality.

I'm at every game (except the garbage SMU game to end year. No way I was going to subject myself to that torture). I'm sure almost every internet message board poster is at every game. These aren't average fans.

Average fans are not going to attend games in which they know their team is terrible and know absolutely nothing about the opponent.

It's no kidding UConn needs to get fans in the stands to get back to its normal rate. But the expectation that the rate should have never dropped is insane.

23,422 attended the Louisville - Rutgers game in 2009, well below Louisville's standard as well. Guess what - they started winning again and the fans came back.

Some things do not change despite of the conference you are affiliated in. It is just reality.

EDIT: I hope I'm not coming off confrontational. Just trying to have a discussion. I appreciate that you aren't one of the Lville fans that just completely trash our program.

(08-11-2015 09:37 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  What years did you go to the BE Tourney? I know some years Cuse has the largest following (especially when we don't flame out in the quarters). But your points are valid...that is why I support UConn to the ACC. On fan behavior...(I never went to WVU) but UConn is the only FB stadium I felt open vitriol...and of course it is always fun to have drinks thrown at you. Of course the 20 something punk ran off after I got up.

Cuse Uconn goes both ways Mark. There's no red carpet at the carrier dome.

(08-11-2015 09:59 AM)OkaForPrez Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:37 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  What years did you go to the BE Tourney? I know some years Cuse has the largest following (especially when we don't flame out in the quarters). But your points are valid...that is why I support UConn to the ACC. On fan behavior...(I never went to WVU) but UConn is the only FB stadium I felt open vitriol...and of course it is always fun to have drinks thrown at you. Of course the 20 something punk ran off after I got up.

Cuse Uconn goes both ways Mark. There's no red carpet at the carrier dome.

I can't say for Hoops...as I never made a game...for Football I heard stories of a few scuffles...mostly beer driven. But as the Pitt fan pointed out UConn fans had a rep. Not all...but mostly the local townie crowd treating it like it was an NFL game.

No fan base is perfect case in point...the school screwed up and seated overflow SU students and visiting Georgetown fans/students next to each other and this happens.

(08-11-2015 09:55 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:47 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:37 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:28 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:13 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  It's unrealistic to expect a team who just lost every local rival it played since the inception of its FBS football to sell out every game for its worst season in its history.

There isn't a single school in the country who's fanbase could watch their team play that horrible of a season after getting demoted from BCS after being blackballed by every local rival and every power conference.

It's a nice thought, but this isn't narnia.

How bad do you want in? Vandy, UK, Ole Miss & others have passionate fan bases who show up for their team no matter the record or opponent. UCONN needs to show the same to be taken seriously as a football program. Show the same passion for football as you do for basketball. If that is unrealistic then UCONN doesn't have a realistic shot at the P5.

Again, all have a schedule full of the best teams in the nation.

Oh, and it also has absolutely nothing to do with having a shot at the p5. UConn was averaging capacity when Pitt and Syracuse were plucked from the Big East. It certainly didn't matter then.

No team in the nation is going to sell out every game during its worst season in its history playing the likes of the American conference 1 year removed from being demoted from a BCS conference.

Period.

My point is to show the passion as other P5. You say it's hard for anyone to show up for games during a losing season which is true but UCONN is the one trying to get into the P5, that alone should be enough motivation. UCONN hasn't been at the FBS level for to long so it does take time to build that culture & mentality.

I'm at every game (except the garbage SMU game to end year. No way I was going to subject myself to that torture). I'm sure almost every internet message board poster is at every game. These aren't average fans.

Average fans are not going to attend games in which they know their team is terrible and know absolutely nothing about the opponent.

It's no kidding UConn needs to get fans in the stands to get back to its normal rate. But the expectation that the rate should have never dropped is insane.

23,422 attended the Louisville - Rutgers game in 2009, well below Louisville's standard as well. Guess what - they started winning again and the fans came back.

Some things do not change despite of the conference you are affiliated in. It is just reality.

EDIT: I hope I'm not coming off confrontational. Just trying to have a discussion. I appreciate that you aren't one of the Lville fans that just completely trash our program.

You haven't been confrontational at all, I have enjoyed this discussion. A lot of what you say is true but this is just my opinion of what I think UCONN needs to do. FSU wants large fan bases that travel, not that ours is huge but has shown consistent growth. UCONN just isn't there right now but has the potential to be. UCONN needs more fans like you.

bowel movement?

(08-11-2015 10:21 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:55 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:47 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:37 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:28 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  How bad do you want in? Vandy, UK, Ole Miss & others have passionate fan bases who show up for their team no matter the record or opponent. UCONN needs to show the same to be taken seriously as a football program. Show the same passion for football as you do for basketball. If that is unrealistic then UCONN doesn't have a realistic shot at the P5.

Again, all have a schedule full of the best teams in the nation.

Oh, and it also has absolutely nothing to do with having a shot at the p5. UConn was averaging capacity when Pitt and Syracuse were plucked from the Big East. It certainly didn't matter then.

No team in the nation is going to sell out every game during its worst season in its history playing the likes of the American conference 1 year removed from being demoted from a BCS conference.

Period.

My point is to show the passion as other P5. You say it's hard for anyone to show up for games during a losing season which is true but UCONN is the one trying to get into the P5, that alone should be enough motivation. UCONN hasn't been at the FBS level for to long so it does take time to build that culture & mentality.

I'm at every game (except the garbage SMU game to end year. No way I was going to subject myself to that torture). I'm sure almost every internet message board poster is at every game. These aren't average fans.

Average fans are not going to attend games in which they know their team is terrible and know absolutely nothing about the opponent.

It's no kidding UConn needs to get fans in the stands to get back to its normal rate. But the expectation that the rate should have never dropped is insane.

23,422 attended the Louisville - Rutgers game in 2009, well below Louisville's standard as well. Guess what - they started winning again and the fans came back.

Some things do not change despite of the conference you are affiliated in. It is just reality.

EDIT: I hope I'm not coming off confrontational. Just trying to have a discussion. I appreciate that you aren't one of the Lville fans that just completely trash our program.

You haven't been confrontational at all, I have enjoyed this discussion. A lot of what you say is true but this is just my opinion of what I think UCONN needs to do. FSU wants large fan bases that travel, not that ours is huge but has shown consistent growth. UCONN just isn't there right now but has the potential to be. UCONN needs more fans like you.

I'm not an FSU fan, but I'm not sure that's really true. I suspect they would prefer to have conference opponents who are strong enough that they can fill the stadium with more of their own fans rather than rely on visitors to travel to Tallahassee. Many of their fans stay home when division opponents like BC, Syracuse and Wake Forest come to town, and I think that would be at least equally true of UConn.

(08-11-2015 10:21 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:55 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:47 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:37 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:28 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  How bad do you want in? Vandy, UK, Ole Miss & others have passionate fan bases who show up for their team no matter the record or opponent. UCONN needs to show the same to be taken seriously as a football program. Show the same passion for football as you do for basketball. If that is unrealistic then UCONN doesn't have a realistic shot at the P5.

Again, all have a schedule full of the best teams in the nation.

Oh, and it also has absolutely nothing to do with having a shot at the p5. UConn was averaging capacity when Pitt and Syracuse were plucked from the Big East. It certainly didn't matter then.

No team in the nation is going to sell out every game during its worst season in its history playing the likes of the American conference 1 year removed from being demoted from a BCS conference.

Period.

My point is to show the passion as other P5. You say it's hard for anyone to show up for games during a losing season which is true but UCONN is the one trying to get into the P5, that alone should be enough motivation. UCONN hasn't been at the FBS level for to long so it does take time to build that culture & mentality.

I'm at every game (except the garbage SMU game to end year. No way I was going to subject myself to that torture). I'm sure almost every internet message board poster is at every game. These aren't average fans.

Average fans are not going to attend games in which they know their team is terrible and know absolutely nothing about the opponent.

It's no kidding UConn needs to get fans in the stands to get back to its normal rate. But the expectation that the rate should have never dropped is insane.

23,422 attended the Louisville - Rutgers game in 2009, well below Louisville's standard as well. Guess what - they started winning again and the fans came back.

Some things do not change despite of the conference you are affiliated in. It is just reality.

EDIT: I hope I'm not coming off confrontational. Just trying to have a discussion. I appreciate that you aren't one of the Lville fans that just completely trash our program.

You haven't been confrontational at all, I have enjoyed this discussion. A lot of what you say is true but this is just my opinion of what I think UCONN needs to do. FSU wants large fan bases that travel, not that ours is huge but has shown consistent growth. UCONN just isn't there right now but has the potential to be. UCONN needs more fans like you.

FSU wants large fanbases that travel? Can they move the school to Tampa or Orlando? Tally isn't exactly a 3 day weekend road trip for many.

I think we all get that FSU fans prefer the SEC...but for now it is what it is. I do agree with them they need to see GTech every year. Ridiculous the ACC doesn't have them play every year.

(08-11-2015 10:48 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 10:21 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:55 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:47 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(08-11-2015 09:37 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  Again, all have a schedule full of the best teams in the nation.

Oh, and it also has absolutely nothing to do with having a shot at the p5. UConn was averaging capacity when Pitt and Syracuse were plucked from the Big East. It certainly didn't matter then.

No team in the nation is going to sell out every game during its worst season in its history playing the likes of the American conference 1 year removed from being demoted from a BCS conference.

Period.

My point is to show the passion as other P5. You say it's hard for anyone to show up for games during a losing season which is true but UCONN is the one trying to get into the P5, that alone should be enough motivation. UCONN hasn't been at the FBS level for to long so it does take time to build that culture & mentality.

I'm at every game (except the garbage SMU game to end year. No way I was going to subject myself to that torture). I'm sure almost every internet message board poster is at every game. These aren't average fans.

Average fans are not going to attend games in which they know their team is terrible and know absolutely nothing about the opponent.

It's no kidding UConn needs to get fans in the stands to get back to its normal rate. But the expectation that the rate should have never dropped is insane.

23,422 attended the Louisville - Rutgers game in 2009, well below Louisville's standard as well. Guess what - they started winning again and the fans came back.

Some things do not change despite of the conference you are affiliated in. It is just reality.

EDIT: I hope I'm not coming off confrontational. Just trying to have a discussion. I appreciate that you aren't one of the Lville fans that just completely trash our program.

You haven't been confrontational at all, I have enjoyed this discussion. A lot of what you say is true but this is just my opinion of what I think UCONN needs to do. FSU wants large fan bases that travel, not that ours is huge but has shown consistent growth. UCONN just isn't there right now but has the potential to be. UCONN needs more fans like you.

FSU wants large fanbases that travel? Can they move the school to Tampa or Orlando? Tally isn't exactly a 3 day weekend road trip for many.

I think we all get that FSU fans prefer the SEC...but for now it is what it is. I do agree with them they need to see GTech every year. Ridiculous the ACC doesn't have them play every year.

It's not ridiculous IF Georgia Tech does not want to play Florida State every year.

When the B10 goes to 16, UConn should be high on their list of candidates especially if successful athletic history means anything. With all UConn has done in Basketball I am sure there is a sizeable contingent of fans in metro NYC plus you have Ice Hockey which is a sport the conference wants to grow in participation.

There's been talk of OK & KU to the Big 10, KU's football hasn't been any better than UConn's and UConn's baskeball accomplishments in the last 20 years are far more noteworthy than Kansas. Would also balance out the divisions.

I think UConn's best and probably only real hope to be in a P5 conference is the ACC. Unfortunately for the Huskies, the ACC does not appear to be in any hurry to expand. I think the Big Ten is a pipe dream - I really do.

Now, if an NC State were to go to the SEC, or if a North Carolina or a Virginia were to defect to the Big Ten, I think Connecticut would be perfectly poised to take the place of those schools and in some cases they would be more valuable than the school they replaced.

However, if a team like Florida State or Clemson were to leave the ACC, I think the league would most likely then backfill with a Florida-based school, most likely Central Florida.

One thing has been made very clear, conference expansion is a very unpredictable process that is far from linear. There is no queue or pecking order, per se. It often depends on the host of variables and political alliances. To date, Connecticut has been on the wrong side of those alliances. However, as we progress, who knows what will happen?

Personally, I think they are a P5 school waiting to happen. They are no less legitimate a choice than Cincinnati, BYU, or any of the other schools often listed in these types of discussions. Their fan base is very large and very passionate. Now, based on my personal experiences I can tell you that they are not always the most pleasant group of people with whom to deal but I also do not believe that fan interest is a problem for the University of Connecticut. They just need another seat at the table to open up.