Tulane Reeling from Big East defections

[Harry]

With the ink barely dry on Tulane president Scott Cowens signature on Big East acceptance papers, that league has changed dramatically -- and not for the better.

After threatening to leave the Big East for the past few days, the seven signature Big East basketball schools have decided to leave the conference and pursue a new basketball framework. The seven schools are: Georgetown, St. John's, Villanova, DePaul, Marquette, Seton Hall and Providence.

The news was met with profound frustration by some of the Green Wave fan base, including local booster club president, Mike Johnston of the Greenbackers.

In my opinion the Tulane administration parachuted onto the Titantic five minutes before it hit the iceberg and now we are being accused of being the iceberg, Johnston said. These basketball schools have been threatening to pull out for over a year. Theyve been talking about this. They are using Tulane for scapegoat reasons to pull the trigger and do this. I think Tulane should have been more astute to realize they are jumping into a dying conference. I just dont think sometimes we know how to play the big-time athletics game very well.

Tulane reiterated its commitment to join the league in a statement earlier this week and followed up with another statement Saturday.

"Tulane University is fully committed to the BIG EAST Conference and looks forward to participating as an all-sports member in 2014. Tulane's membership in the BIG EAST is a very positive move for the Green Wave as it continues to invest in its athletics facilities, improves its competitive stature across all sports, and proudly represents New Orleans among a group of national universities.

"The landscape of big-time college sports is currently in a tumultuous state were this type of conference disruption and behavior is becoming all too commonplace," says Tulane President Scott Cowen. "Fortunately, the presidents and athletic directors of the BIG EAST'S current and future 13 football-playing universities are in regular communication and are dedicated to working together to plan for the conference's future, which we all believe is promising and offers exciting opportunities for its members now and well into the future."

Read more: http://www.nola.com/tulane/index.ssf/2012/12/tulane_reels_a_bit_with_news_o.html

[PlummMeanGreen]

Have you ever heard as much unadulaterated bullshit coming from so many higher-ups presently in CUSA (all soon to leave) that when it rains are most always in danger of drowning?

GMG!

Edited December 16, 2012 by PlummMeanGreen

[Harry]

Have you ever heard as much unadulaterated bullshit coming from so many higher-ups presently in CUSA (all soon to leave) that when it rains are most always in danger of drowning?

GMG!

Well the fact of the matter is there are exit fees and a $20 million dollar BCS bid at stake. They will put up a good face for the NCAA so the don't lose that bid in 2013. After that all bets are off.

[foutsrouts]

Hope they enjoy The Belt after Boise and Diego go home and create the next domino effect.

[NT91]

The belt is a good place for the green wave.

[UNTLifer]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="PlummMeanGreen" data-cid="695833" data-time="1355640215"><p>

Have you ever heard as much unadulaterated bullshit coming from so many higher-ups presently in CUSA (all soon to leave) that when it rains are most always in danger of drowning?<br />

<br />

<br />

GMG!</p></blockquote>

Have you ever read such a short post from PMG? Well done sir.

[SilverEagle]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="PlummMeanGreen" data-cid="695833" data-time="1355640215"><p>

Have you ever heard as much unadulaterated bullshit coming from so many higher-ups presently in CUSA (all soon to leave) that when it rains are most always in danger of drowning?<br />

<br />

<br />

GMG!</p></blockquote>

Have you ever read such a short post from PMG? Well done sir.

I was thinking exactly the same thing.

Now, as to Tulane's (or any other soon-to-be-new-BE member). Wouldn't it be possible to back out of their commitment with the BE without penalty in light of the announced departure of the BB schools? Because it's not the same league that was originally presented to Tulane (or others) and therefore they could claim misrepresentation and/or fraud on the part of the BE. After all, the BE "powers that be" had to know that this BB school defection was in the wind and probably eminent when Tulane signed up.

Edited December 16, 2012 by SilverEagle

[PlummMeanGreen]

I was thinking exactly the same thing.

Now, as to Tulane's (or any other soon-to-be-new-BE member). Wouldn't it be possible to back out of their commitment with the BE without penalty in light of the announced departure of the BB schools? Because it's not the same league that was originally presented to Tulane (or others) and therefore they could claim misrepresentation and/or fraud on the part of the BE. After all, the BE "powers that be" had to know that this BB school defection was in the wind and probably eminent when Tulane signed up.

SilverE, I think the nBE was bordering on fraud when they invited the first wave of B.E. schools (SMU, UH, Boise, etc,) because I question if those doing the inviting back then knew that there was no way that they would be able to put together a large enough TV package to make coast to coast travel for both men and womens' varsity teams cost effective. And during that time the B.E. included all the basketball schools who will soon leave that league.

GMG!

Edited December 16, 2012 by PlummMeanGreen

[Hunter Green]

Since the remaining FB playing members are still the "Big East," whats to keep them from recruiting their "preferred" partners from C-USA and keep the conference alive under the banner of "Big East?"

GMG