February 12, 2008
UConn signing five "home" road games with Notre Dame?
Jeff Jacobs, writing in The Hartford Courant, says that internal Notre Dame memos allude to the pending announcement of a 10-year football agreement between the Irish and UConn, with exactly zero games to be played in the great state of Connecticut.
According to the Courant, five games would be played in South Bend as Irish home games and five neutral-sites - such as Gillette Stadium or the new Giants Stadium - for the Huskie home games.
Needless to say, the UConn fans are less than pleased.
My first reaction is, this has to be a joke.
Did the folks at Notre Dame figure out UConn is in the same state as ESPN and decide to play a big prank on everyone within a 150-mile radius of Dana Jacobson?
Double-digit games between Notre Dame and the state university of Connecticut between 2009 and 2020, and not one game on state soil? Not one game in a stadium paid for by state taxpayers with the intent of building a major college football program? Wow.
From UND's perspective, the prospect of playing in 40,000-seat Rentschler Field is untenable. The numbers don't even compare to the potential revenue at Gillette or elsewhere. From the Huskies perspective, they seem content to stick it to the home crowd in exchange for the exposure (and a decent share of the revenues).
I understand the displeasure on the part of UConn fans. The deal is one-sided, but it's Notre Dame... and (even in this era) you play it there way or you pass - plain and simple.
That said, the Huskies brass needs to stand up make a substantial effort to play one of the five "home" games... at home.
Comments:
Zac said:
posted on February 12, 2008 2:04 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
I'm glad UConn will be playing ND, but they and their boosters are to blame for ND not playing in the "...great state of Connecticut." (The same can almost be said for basketball.)
When they built Rentschler Field they only built it for 48,000. Yes, there are plans for expansion, but that's happening none too soon. (Gampel Pavilion holds less than 8,500.) If UConn wants big-time home games, they’re going to have to get on the stick. Otherwise, it’s off to the Meadowlands.
Maurice said:
posted on February 12, 2008 4:22 PM — 170.202.22.1 — link — abuse?
Well, It is all about the money and exposer. By playing ND and having exposer on NBC, ABC and ESPN. It will help Uconn recruiting. UConn has one of the best or the best football facilities in America. Remember Uconn men and womens basketball were the door mat of the league but now UCONN is a power house in Basketball. Football is on its way. The deal sucks but it is all about money and exposer.
Maurice said:
posted on February 12, 2008 4:30 PM — 170.202.22.1 — link — abuse?
#2 Zac first Gampel Pavilion holds 10167 second Rentschler Field holds 48,000 max but the stadium can expand to 68000 if they decide to expand. Uconn needs to bring in someone who can recruit. That is UConn biggest problem they do not have the coaches or personal in recruiting
shiguy said:
posted on February 12, 2008 4:37 PM — 71.61.239.60 — link — abuse?
this is discraceful. as much as i hate to admit it Uconn was the BE co-champion last year. they also were in the top 25 for a large portion of the year and have been making significant progress for their football team. this is a major step backwards. ok i can understand this as a deal that you sign when you are still bottom feeders but they are beyond this now. they are doing for the exposure but i personally feel it could backfire. i mean how are people going to take your team serious when you just roll over and say yes master to a team that does not have a whole lot of respect at the current moment. how that's not to say they won't come back but common UCONN could have at least bargain for 2-3 of those home games.
Zac said:
posted on February 12, 2008 7:56 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Maurice, I knew UConn had plans to expand Rentschler from 48,000, but I neither knew by how much nor when. When Gampel was 1st built, they were talking less than 8,500. Was it originally built to 10,200 capacity, did they change the design in mid-stream, or did they expand it later. While I live in CT for 15 years, it's been 7 1/2 years since I moved to NE. A lot could have happened in that time.
Shiguy, I can understand, even condone, why they did it. Consider this; they've got 10 seasons to improve their situation further, then renegotiate.
Maurice said:
posted on February 12, 2008 8:34 PM — 67.186.140.113 — link — abuse?
Say what you want to say UConn will get national exposer playing ND. This will benefit UCONN football. It is all about Benjamin's. UCONN is hungry right now. If UCONN becomes a powerhouse like Basketball, maybe things will change.
c-dogg said:
posted on February 12, 2008 1:57 PM — 65.91.10.107 — link — abuse?Waiting for Irish JT's comments....waiting...waiting..waiting...waiting......haven't heard from him in a while. I'm sure he will be back when those blue-chip recruits turn into wins on the football field...;o)