Question For BC Fans
by WVUColumbus on Feb 5, 2012 8:59 AM EST
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PrintAs a WVU alum excited to enter the Big XII conference in 2012, I tried to think of a school that portrayed the "when expansion can be bad for a program" model. To be honest, I couldn't think of any until I realized that Boston College was still around. You guys were always solid in b-ball and football and had quite a history w/ Flutie, Ryan and others. Obviously things haven't worked well for your 2 major athletic programs. Also, you are in relative geographic isolation from the rest of the ACC.
These are a couple of things that COULD face WVU in the coming years. I wanted to get your take on a couple of things. Are you happy you made the switch to the ACC? Is holding a warm spot in both sports in the soft underbelly of the ACC standings better than being a top program in a really, really, really bad conference? (I truly am wanting to know....don't read into my snarkiness)
This is something that WVU could face in the coming years and wanted to get the take of a school where it clearly hasn't worked out from an on-the-field standpoint (but likely has worked out in terms of $$). Any input would be appreciated?
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I think the biggest thing for BC is the conference has now expanded to bridge the geographic gap between Chestnut Hill and College Park. Adding Syracuse and Pitt will help tremendously. BC-Cuse are longstanding rivals and Pitt adds another relatively short trip in the Northeast.
There’s also no going back. If it wasn’t BC back in 2005, it would have been Syracuse, and the Big East would have likely still devolved into the Conference USA 2.0 football conference it is today.
The biggest thing for WVU would be for the Big 12 to bridge the geographic gap between Morgantown and Ames. If the Big 12 picks up Louisville to go to 11, or Louisville and Cincinnati to go to 12, I think WVU will have a happier existence in the Big 12.
Good luck.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Feb 5, 2012 9:48 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Also, these past seasons aside, BC has more than held their own on the field in the ACC. Two title game appearances in football and 3-4 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Basketball is in rebuild mode and football needs a new coach, but on the field BC in the ACC had been far from a disaster.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Feb 5, 2012 9:49 AM EST via mobile reply actions
“Obviously things haven’t worked well for your 2 major athletic programs.”
We finished in first or second place in our division in football every year for our first five years in the conference, and went to the conference title game twice. We played in the ACC championship game in basketball in our first year in the conference. Heading into this year, our all-time ACC basketball record was 49-47. Nothing to write home about, but still a winning record.
Obviously, both our football and basketball teams have losing records this year. (Our basketball team has nine freshmen, by the way). It’s the first time both teams have had a losing record in 13 years. These things happen.
“Also, you are in relative geographic isolation from the rest of the ACC.”
As the only major college football program in the six-state New England region, we will always be somewhat geographically isolated from our football competition. In the Big East, for example, it was a 500 mile trek to Morgantown. These days, we have to travel 700 miles to Blacksburg and 1500 miles to Miami … but wait a minute, we had to make those long trips in the Big East, too. Anyway, the addition of Syracuse to the ACC will put one of our oldest historical rivals within an easy drive. Maryland is also an easy trip. Besides, there’s more to this than just geographic proximity. Clemson, Florida State, and Virginia Tech are some of the best atmospheres in college football. The Carolinas a great place to visit in the fall. Maryland and Georgia Tech are located in or near great cities. In stark contrast, places like Morgantown, Piscataway, East Hartford, etc. are not desirable travel destinations. I’ve been to more BC road games at ACC venues than Big East venues — even though they’ve been long trips — simply because the destinations are better.
In basketball, obviously, it was easier in the Big East, with Providence, UConn, St. John’s, etc. all fairly close. But on the other hand, I think I can speak for most of the BC fanbase when I say I would gladly trade a game against St. John’s for a game against UNC, and a trade a game against Providence for a game against Duke. The ACC offers opponents that our fans can actually get excited about.
Also, if you think geography has anything to do with conference affiliation, you should take a geography lesson. University of Kentucky and University of Florida are 700 miles apart, Penn State and Minnesota are 1000 miles apart, and University of Washington and University of Arizona are 1600 miles apart, yet no one thinks twice about these schools being in the same conference.
Finally, as you point out, we’re much better off financially in the ACC. Looking at the big picture, if you actually have some perspective on life and you understand that a bunch of kids crashing into each other on Saturdays isn’t as important as the educational mission of the university, then you can start to appreciate that the $ flowing into the university — which can benefit all kinds of initiatives — is more important than a win-loss record.
The ACC was a great move for BC, and as the Big East falls apart and schools like WVU scramble to find a new home, it’s increasingly clear that BC was way ahead of the pack in making the move. No regrets.
by footb on Feb 5, 2012 10:08 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I actually
subscribe to the notion that winning and academic prowess aren’t mutually exclusive :)
I do agree with you that the ACC was a great move for BC. It “feels” ACC along the likes of UVA, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, PITT, and the tobacco road schools.
I’ve also always thought that Clemson, Virginia Tech and Florida State “feel” SEC along with West Virginia (to a mildly lesser degree).
Conference affiliations aren’t just an athletic decision. There is a big academic component to these decisions. These schools get way more value from the academic association than the athletic ones in the form of research money, boosts to rankings, higher number of applications.
This is why Clemson’s president has repeatedly shot down any rumors of the Tigers heading to the SEC. Clemson has benefited tremendously from the academic association with Duke, North Carolina, Virginia, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and now BC and Miami. Has really transformed a regional, agricultural school into a national university.
Florida State and N.C. State have benefited as well, but are still ranked far behind the rest of the conference academically.
West Virginia does feel more SEC than Big 12 but that’s because the Mountaineers desperately were trying to protect their football investment and had to settle for what, to me, appears to be their third choice in athletics conference after the ACC and SEC (in no particular order).
Editor, BC Interruption
As for Virginia Tech, it took the Hokies 40 years to finally get with their HS sweetheart (ACC and Virginia). They aren’t going anywhere.
Editor, BC Interruption
I'll be Seeing You Tough Mountaineers in Cowtown
The ACC move in which our incompetent AD Gene DeFilippo had to be “badgered” to re-approach the ACC again, was a magnificient financial and conference move.
Sadly, my alma mater is run by lazy, arrogant Jesuit Jerks and limp wristed Admins and even lazier, if that is possible, pathetic trustees twinkies.
THIS CFA FOOTBALL is a BIG tens of millions $$$$$ business and BC is incompetent!
We finally got rid of loser and coward TOBlunders O’Brien and then screwed the pooch by firing Jags in a monumental disaster level blunder anger fit by our smug lying AD!!
BC Football is now stuck in a deep death spira, and the last 3 years in terms of on the field performance and 4 straight years of recruiting failures will only get worse.
BC Head Coaching and TOP 25 failures under Mumbles Spazoo is a continuing embarrassing malaise.
The superb 2012 window to replace our incompetent Spaziani as a Head Coach and Recruiter this year has gone!
A Mike Leach, Urban Meyer or a move on Boise State’s Chris Peterson types, or the others hired, will have a long term domino effect which will keep BC deep in a death spiral.
We were all angry and frustrated and hope some real BC man steps up and forces GDF out this June, and the new AD can help put BC back on the recruiting tracks and the new BC Football Head Coach is a recruiting monster and great Head Coach.
Until then, BC wil be hard pressed to win 5 games next year, and our record versus TOP AP 25 teams at season’s end over the last 3 years will be a NATIONAL HUMILIATION!
1-11
0-10 versus BCS
0-7 During the Season
What 74 is trying to say is Boston College’s recent football and basketball struggles are our of our own doing and have little to nothing to do with conference affiliation.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Feb 5, 2012 10:30 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
Thanks, because I had no idea what the hell he was saying.
Writer at BC Interruption SBN's Boston College Eagles blog
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by A.J Black on Feb 5, 2012 11:13 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Thoughts
I think one thing that is overlooked is how well our non-revenue sports have come along since moving to the ACC. I think a prime example of this is how well our soccer programs have done since the expansion.
Leaving the Big East was the right call. We’ve established some great rivalries in the ACC with VT and Clemson, and we now get Syracuse back, while the BE implodes. The ACC hasn’t exactly been welcoming us with open arms, but they’re slowly coming around. Winning helps.
Boston College, Class of 2010
by polarbearbrother on Feb 5, 2012 11:23 AM EST reply actions
Nyet
We’ve established some great rivalries in the ACC with VT and Clemson
Neither team considers BC to be a rival at all.
ACC is far, far better than being in BE, but it is not exactly working all that great – so far – for BC. Hopefully, ’Cuse and PItt will improve the atmosphere.
Rick Pitino doesn't want you to forget
You’ve only won one ACC Championship since 2005.
Pitino’s word is law
Cardiac Hill contributor
by oaklandzoo12 on Feb 6, 2012 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
Why conference championships became the sole measuring stick as for why a switch in conference affiliation ultimately pans out or not is asinine. What Pitino doesn’t realize / mention is that the competition is much, much stronger in the ACC for all sports except basketball, the one he coaches.
The competition in the ACC for football, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball, field hockey, tennis, swimming & diving and every other Olympic sport not mentioned here is so much stronger in the ACC than it is in the Big East.
I, for one, prefer the increased competition and heightened academic association of the ACC to winning a bunch of titles in a second-rate athletics conference.
Editor, BC Interruption
All Clemson and VT fans I know always look forward to their games with BC. Granted, we are not a “rival” as UVA and USC are rivals, but given are short history as ACC compatriots, I’d say that these are beneficial relationships. But I forgot. You absolutely despise Clemson.
Boston College, Class of 2010
by polarbearbrother on Feb 5, 2012 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
Despise? No
Highly amused by condescending idiots, yes
But seriously, Clemson Nation as no respect for BC football. You disagree?
Clemson Respects BC
Come-on Ospray with this deal?
After that hit Matty Ice took, the fans were quite respectful.
You want respect?
WIN.
BOSTON COLLEGE YEAR 7 ACC RECORD OF PERFORMANCE
Clemson———- 4-3
Wake Forest—-5-2
Florida State—-3-4
Maryland————5-2
NC State————5-2
ATLANTIC——-22-13 .629
Virginia Tech - 3-4 RIVAL -- 3-6 With ACC Title Games
Miami——————2-1
Virginia—————3-0
Duke——————-2-1
UNC———————0-3
Georgia Tech—-1-1
COASTAL——-11-10 -—.500
11-12 - Regular Season and 2 title Game losses to VT.
Regular Season 33-23 = .589
2 ACC Championship Games
Virginia Tech 0-2
33-25 .569
Title Game Records:
Virginia Tech….3-2
Georgia Tech….1-1 -2
Florida State…..1-1 -2
Clemson…………1-1 -2
Wake Forest……1-0 -2
Boston College..0-2 -3
COASTAL …..4-3
No titles, but you can see the drop-off in wins and talent
2005: 5-3- 9-3 TOB
2006: 5-3 10-3 TOB
2007: 6-2 11-3 0-1 JAGS
2008: 5-3 9-5 0-1 JAGS
2009: 5-3 8-5 SPAZ
2010: 4-4 7-6 SPAZ
2011: 3-5 4-8 SPAZ
33-25
WVU in the UT+ league is going to suck for WVU
Why?
- WVU fans are super low class and will not click with the other UT+ league schools: WVU will be shunned by the Texans and wanna be Texans
- WVU will not be able to go to many away games (too far; travel rule: only can go so far as ice in cooler does not melt); this will add the the “distance” between fans; WVU will be the permanent outsider in a league of insiders
- WVU to UT+ league is a very poor geographic fit
- WVU to UT+ league is a very poor cultural fit for WVU (assuming WVU has a culture)
- OSU and OU are not going to be fun games for WVU either. Ouch.
- being under heavy thumb of UT will not be enjoyable
But let me end of a high note: thank you for crushing Clemson in the OB. I luv’d every moment of that game
West Virginia is actually a decent cultural fit in the Big 12 as the conference doesn’t pretend to be an academic powerhouse one. Big 12 schools know where they stand academically.
Worst ranked academics of the BCS AQ.
Notable exception = Texas.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Feb 5, 2012 12:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Only WVU fans throw batteries and feces at opposing fans. U can’t get lower than a Mountaineer!
by eagleosprey on Feb 5, 2012 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Fencing and Yachting and Graduation Rate?
Yeah, can’t wait to wear those 2 T-Shirts here in Cowtown amongst the UT, Baylor, TCU, LSU, and OU fans with their National Championship Football, Baseball and Rose Bowl T-Shirts…and pray they all beat me to death!
College Football is the glamour premier cash cow sport.
College Hoops is far second but the Tournament is a superb sports fans dream.
How are we doing?
Never a Final Four.
Never a BCS Bowl.
No big boy bowls since 1985.
Someone please translate for AJ and anyone under 55!!
Good shot AJ. I have your Sitemeter coordinates and am honing in.
“Honey do you hear that……..
LMAO!
I may actually get on your twitter sites!!
I have not seen anyone predict Patriots Scoring 40+ Points but me?
ESPN site and newspapers?
I remember the Giants when they were in New Orleans and maybe not the same defensive line but they were destroyed in a dome.
I think Vince Wilfork will also blow by the Giants line. This is not some out of shape load like BJ Raji who looked like he was 380-390 waddling cripple chasing Eli last game and his belly was shaking like a tub of goo.
BJ had 5 games where he had zero sacks and tackles and made the Pro Bowl? What a joke! BJ was mostly a non-factor this year. We had this battle on the other site, and BJ’s stats and performance even drew the ire of a few other players and writers!
Vince is the real deal this year.
Stories about Kiwi and Herzy need to maximized for recruiting until BC can flush the Yawkey Yokels into the back bay get a Head Coach and staff.
Thanks
for those of you who responded. Yeah, I probably crossed the line a bit in terms of trying to not look down on the athletic programs of Boston College. I truly was wondering and completely agree w/ some of you that we could be in some trouble heading into this conference. I also think that the Big XII is miles better than being stuck in a league full of metro/city schools like Cincinnati, Louisville, etc….or for that matter, Boston College. Just playin’ :)
Also, we don’t throw batteries or feces at opponents to my knowledge. Somehow the reputation of WVU has gotten out of control over the years.
Thanks again and best of luck!
Thanks for stopping by. Best of luck in the B12
Writer at BC Interruption SBN's Boston College Eagles blog
Follow me on Twitter
Correction: not batteries and feces; quarters!, urine bags bombs and beating pregnant opposing fans - really
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201109262726
Again: nothing lower than a mountaineer
Oh
you’re referring to an incident. My bad, I thought you were generalizing the entire fanbase. Now I understand.
Everyone loves to point to BC in the ACC being a mistake due to this past year’s results. But BC’s on-field contribution has been better than Miami and several existing ACC members (N.C. State, Maryland, Virginia). Have to look at the entire body of work, which has been better than over half the conference in football and half the conference in hoops.
Non-revenues including both soccer programs and women’s lax have excelled in the ACC.
Nothing but a positive move for BC to the ACC.
I think West Virginia will struggle to fit into the Big 12 without some new additions like Louisville and Cincinnati. BC struggled to be accepted as the only Northeast program, but now with Syracuse and Pitt, the move looks very prescient. WVU to Big 12 will not be successful without L’ville and Cincy. But try convincing Texas and friends that the conference should expand beyond 10. May be a tough sell.
Editor, BC Interruption
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