Email from O'Day about the WAC, BSC & More.

[Grizbeer]

Everyone brings up the local economy would be hurt with fewer home games, but whether the Griz are FCS or FBS, the only guarantee is probably 6 home games per season. Everyone is trying to make it sound automatic that the Griz would get more due to playoffs at the FCS level, but it is not.

For what it is worth Gordie Fix (owner of the Press Box) said 2 years ago that his preference is that the Griz move up. I would think Gordie and the Press Box benefit as much as anyone financially from having the extra playoff games, so maybe it isn't as big a concern as we think?

 

[Grizmayor]

The last time I looked, UM had averaged 8.5 home games for the past 10 years. I think it may be slightly higher than that. UM has a long and good track record of home games. If you think UM can't get to the playoffs and host games in I-AA, how can you think they will be successful in I-A? It is easier for UM to very successful in I-AA than it would be in I-A. That's just a fact.

WOW, what a revelation. Thank you for pointing out the obvious. I bet we could be even more successful in D2 or 3, maybe NAIA. Your arguement about ALL the home games factors in the playoffs. You are the one in the past that has stated that there are no guarantees about Griz wins, therefore you shouldn't assume we will always be in the playoffs.

How can you type this well with your laptop sitting on the back of a sheep? Trade places with the sheep, the IQ and logic would definitely improve.

 

[GtFllsFan]

Very informative message. I have posted many times that change was coming and if you had been listening to O'Day talk you would have agreed. He has said some of these things many times on the road and on the radio. However this was the first time that everything was disclosed in so much detail.

I think he was being totally honest and straight forward with what he said. Some of you don't want to hear it so you want to kill the messenger or believe he is "spinning" it. It seems to me that he is pointing out very concisely what the issues are and clearly says that it is a a complex and difficult situation and that it will be a very hard decision. It also looks to me that he is letting the facts lead him rather then emotion and personal feelings regarding FBS vs FCS. Everyone has an opinion on this matter based on their personal bias and their "wants."

I was in the middle and looking at points on both sides based on the information available. O'Day's comments put it into better perspective for me and I will support whatever decision UM makes. FCS is going to change...and not for the better in terms of what we have loved for so long. Change is difficult but denying that it is comming will only make it more painful for some.

PlayerRep I don't agree with some of what you said. O'Day is insinuating that I-AA is in bad shape, that the conference is in bad shape, and that the playoffs may go away--as he had done for sometime--but that's not consisent with the evidence that I've seen or read. It's also not what some athletic directors (or former ones) and Fullerton have said. He's also overstating the budget issues, in my view. In my view, he should be putting more effort in increasing revenues, as well as cutting costs. He also has not provided any information on how UM would or could pay for a move up. In my view, he is on a path that could jeopardize UM football, and could ultimately result in a significant reduction in revenues for UM athletics and have a negative impact on the university, academic programs, and athletics. He is also on a path to significantly impact the economy of the Missoula area (due to fewer home games).

I concede that there may be evidence that indicates the conference is fine and the playoffs will be around for awhile. There is also evidence to the contrary. I have limited knowledge of the budget issues so I am taking at face value that all the budget issues will be considered before anything is done. I did not sense that O'Day had made up his mind on this issue. Your concerns are valid but in my view O'Day is doing a great job of putting it all into perspective so that a well thoughtout decision can be made. There will be frustration with whoever is on the wrong side of the decision. At this point it is all speculation but I sure appreciated the way that he laid it out.

 

[Grizzoola]

So, now, Grizmayor, all you're reduced to is Alphy type arguments. Sit down & shut up! :roll:

 

[AZGrizFan]

In my view, I will take what O'Day says over you. In my view, I will take what O'Day says over a desperate commisioner. In my view I don't want to pay more for less. In my view, he is on a path that could better UM football and could ulitmately result in significant increases for UM athletics and academics. In my view ALL those home games aren't guaranteed unless, we (in my view) make the playoffs and host.

The last time I looked, UM had averaged 8.5 home games for the past 10 years. I think it may be slightly higher than that. UM has a long and good track record of home games. If you think UM can't get to the playoffs and host games in I-AA, how can you think they will be successful in I-A? It is easier for UM to very successful in I-AA than it would be in I-A. That's just a fact.

[/quote]

Are you one of those guys who never tries for a promotion because it's "easier to be successful" where you're at? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Godforfuckingbid the Griz challenge themselves. :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[Griz Growler]

It just goes to show that UM has been carrying the BSC for a while now.

I think of Doug Fullerton as Kevin Bacon in Animal House..... "ALL IS WELL!! ALL IS WELL!!"

I really hope that the BSC doesn't make some sort term offer to UM that keeps the new President holding on to a dream that the BSC will get better, such as short term increase in TV, etc. For those that haven't followed it, this isn't a situation that has just come up this year. The current administration has been aware of this problem for AT LEAST 10 years. They were aware of it the last time UM had the budget crisis in the athletic department that Hogan took the fall for.

It sounds to me like the Griz have been carrying the FCS for a while now.

 

[Grizfan-24]

Look, we debate this because this decision changes everything. This seems to be a competition about who got what information and who knew it first.

I for one won't change my allegiances because the UofM changes conferences. I strongly believe that the time and effort in to developing our football program over the past 25 years into a program that we all can be proud of won't change overnight if we end up in the WAC, MWC or the Frontier. Believe me the same conversation exists here in Southern Idaho with Boise State. A lot of fans love the relative comfort of the WAC because they know they can expect 10 win seasons.

The model the Griz have for their football program puts them in a far better position to weather changes like a move up. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't expect 10-2 seasons every year either. Nor do I expect the Idaho problems. We have a better school, better town and better program than what Idaho had when they made the move up in 1996. Boise was prepared, Idaho wasn't. There is always a chance that UofM could hit hard times if they move up, but that is a possibility everywhere.

I would be happy if the Griz stayed in the BSC because it is a safe albeit less lucrative position to be in, and would be happy if they wanted to move the football program to a higher level and enter the WAC or other conference. I just like quality football regardless of what level it is.

We have a good hand, a face card or two, and we can be confident that when we have to play it, regardless of what other cards are laid on the table we have a good chance at winning the hand. I'll take those odds.

 

[number1debater]

I really hope you guys don't believe this email is real. Talk about taking a hook line and sinker. bobcat nation served whoever "found" this email thread.

 

[stubbins]

The last time I looked, UM had averaged 8.5 home games for the past 10 years. I think it may be slightly higher than that. UM has a long and good track record of home games. If you think UM can't get to the playoffs and host games in I-AA, how can you think they will be successful in I-A? It is easier for UM to very successful in I-AA than it would be in I-A. That's just a fact.

Not if we have to drop out of state schollies.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

Look, we debate this because this decision changes everything. This seems to be a competition about who got what information and who knew it first.

I for one won't change my allegiances because the UofM changes conferences. I strongly believe that the time and effort in to developing our football program over the past 25 years into a program that we all can be proud of won't change overnight if we end up in the WAC, MWC or the Frontier. Believe me the same conversation exists here in Southern Idaho with Boise State. A lot of fans love the relative comfort of the WAC because they know they can expect 10 win seasons.

The model the Griz have for their football program puts them in a far better position to weather changes like a move up. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't expect 10-2 seasons every year either. Nor do I expect the Idaho problems. We have a better school, better town and better program than what Idaho had when they made the move up in 1996. Boise was prepared, Idaho wasn't. There is always a chance that UofM could hit hard times if they move up, but that is a possibility everywhere.

I would be happy if the Griz stayed in the BSC because it is a safe albeit less lucrative position to be in, and would be happy if they wanted to move the football program to a higher level and enter the WAC or other conference. I just like quality football regardless of what level it is.

We have a good hand, a face card or two, and we can be confident that when we have to play it, regardless of what other cards are laid on the table we have a good chance at winning the hand. I'll take those odds.

Good post. No matter if you’re pro-move up or anti-move up, there is no dispute that moving up would require at least some leap of faith in terms of whether or not the money will pan out. But as it’s been astutely pointed out, there are no guarantees in the FCS, either.

As for me, I’m ambivalent. It’s the best position to be in, ‘cause however it turns out, I won’t be real disappointed.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

I really hope you guys don't believe this email is real. Talk about taking a hook line and sinker. bobcat nation served whoever "found" this email thread.

Dude. Of course it's real. We read it ON THE INTERNET!!!

 

[Tokyogriz]

Uh I would also say its been out long enough and spread way way far enough for the UM athletics department to know about it. If it was untrue or a fake etc they would publicly say so at to distance themselves from any inaccuracies etc that would cause them issues. So far they arent and I would take that as a sign this is the real deal.

Was it intentional leak? Send it out, pretend to not want it circulated to the public? Maybe. Could be a strategy to get the info out, since we all know information never stays private in this digital age, especially juicy emails like this.

 

[MrTitleist]

I really hope you guys don't believe this email is real. Talk about taking a hook line and sinker. bobcat nation served whoever "found" this email thread.

The email is real. It was posted on eGriz first, then removed by a mod because Jimbo asked that it not be made public, then someone else posted it again, and by that time, it was all over the place. Nice try though.

 

[Grizmayor]

So, now, Grizmayor, all you're reduced to is Alphy type arguments. Sit down & shut up! :roll:

And D2 steps away from the Craps table to offer another seering and insightful opinion... did Bobby okay this first?

 

[GrizLA]

If I was the MWC and lost TCU, I think Montana would be a better fit for another team than any other WAC school. Screw the WAC, get into the MWC if FBS is the what you are going to do. The WAC is a dead end.

That might be a possibility with this move. Cleary the MWC is out of reach for UM now, but if UM begins this process with more conference movement the MWC could be the ultimate destination.

I find it very intersting that in reading this email that O'Day brought up many of the points that Kem, Silvertip, myself, and others have been saying for a long time. I thought that UM should have came into the WAC in 2005 with Utah State, New Mexico State, and Idaho. And with O'Day saying this move should have been made a few years ago it sounds as if he is now in agreement.

So now, we are aguing to move up after we move up?

 

[Evizzerate]

The email went out because it is time to have the conversation. There is some sense of urgency and if there is a move coming the negotiations need to get serious.
Jim is an old newspaperman and understands what is written is forever. You can trust him to speak the truth as he best sees it.

 

[Grizmayor]

That might be a possibility with this move. Cleary the MWC is out of reach for UM now, but if UM begins this process with more conference movement the MWC could be the ultimate destination.

I find it very intersting that in reading this email that O'Day brought up many of the points that Kem, Silvertip, myself, and others have been saying for a long time. I thought that UM should have came into the WAC in 2005 with Utah State, New Mexico State, and Idaho. And with O'Day saying this move should have been made a few years ago it sounds as if he is now in agreement.

So now, we are aguing to move up after we move up?

Oh Goody... Egriz goes cannibalistic.

 

[number1debater]

I really hope you guys don't believe this email is real. Talk about taking a hook line and sinker. bobcat nation served whoever "found" this email thread.

The email is real. It was posted on eGriz first, then removed by a mod because Jimbo asked that it not be made public, then someone else posted it again, and by that time, it was all over the place. Nice try though.

Ah, good point! Because there is no way someone would try to sell the validity of this by saying "please don't make this public." You sold me!

 

[Potomac Griz]

Ah, good point! Because there is no way someone would try to sell the validity of this by saying "please don't make this public." You sold me!

So... Jim O'Day asked the mods on here to delete it the first time it was posted, and not make it public, all as a ploy to make us all think it was valid? ....

 

[mtgrizfankb]

your all high on life...IF IF this is an actual email from Oday...then so be it. but if the ncaa has lost money and is so disperate...they would have changed a ton of things by now. there is no way they are standing by and losing money. nothing has changed. whoever wrote this email oday or not...does not like the FCS and are pointing out every thing "wrong with the griz and the FCS" while pointed out nothing that poor about the fbs system?? we are all acting like the ncaa is making moves and they are not. Only schools are making moves. schools are losing money...but the griz however...how would we gain money by moving up?? we wouldnt. Period. we would get the same fans at most. the prices cant really go up much more. we would need MORE scholarship money....a bigger stadium...more travel costs. Plus instead of playing up to 3 games on espn we would not get any. we already have maxed out our funds for advertising...thats what half the game is anyway...our announcer blabling on and on. if we were really struggling that bad....would the griz be doing half the stuff they are? new jerseys...special jerseys....gettting bids for fixing locker rooms... getting more stupid mascots....bought a new sound system. FBS schools need alot more funding than what we have. This town is pretty much tapped out. of talent...of money...of sponsors..of fans. its not like we will get more in state fans for being fbs and we gain most our out state fans for traveling in the playoffs. we were struggling that bad we would have bought out div 2 schools and played more FBS games... we are not losing our shirts that bad. i just think that missoula montana has 0% of the things needed to be a decent FBS team..sure we could go up and be the next tulsa...or marshall or idaho or flordai atl or ohio or akron or new mexico or sjsu or new mexico state or west michigan or la tech. but thats not the goal. so whats the point?

they say we are hurting our academics....but ours are on par with colorado ahead of most wac teams.
they say our kids hate it...really a national championship team is a national championship and players seem to love it
they say we are dominating...dominating the big sky as in beign 1-1??
they say we can compete at a higher level? like vs oregon...or iowa...??
they say we can get the players? the 2 and 3 star talent is what we get...the top 25 and historical programs get the 4 and 5s
they say bowls reward kids....here kids you got you ace beat 45% of the time this year and beat 5 wac/c.usa teams...congrats play in the mid atlanic southern holiday spread butter bowl in ohio. YAY
and to top it off the ncaa has said a few times if makes the most money of the year on the NCAA tourney in basketball. so if the ncaa was struggling so so so so so bad like claimed....dont you think that they would try and replicate the most profitable event they have??