University of North Texas Athletics
Green Gang: Re-Alignment Talk Anyone
6/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Return to Play
By Steven Bartolotta, June 10, 2010, 10:38 a.m.
So what's new out there in college athletics these days? Hmmm, I see USC is getting a smackdown from the NCAA, the College World Series is about to start, let's see, didn't Texas add another level to their football stadium for the 91st time, and what, what else.....oh yeah, everyone's favorite boiler plate material, conference expansion.
Gotta be honest, the last seven days or so have been as wild a week in college athletics as I've ever seen. I still believe in Santa but I'm starting to wonder if he wears a burnt orange jump suit the other 364 days outta the year.
Being in the business for a while, you make a lot of friends in a lot of places. The Big 12 is one of them. Some friends that I've talked to say there's nothing going to happen. Others say the sky is falling. It's a crazy business.
Make no mistake, the smoke signals being sent out indicate not just a small brush fire, but a 16-alarm fire. The world of college athletics is in for an epic shakeup.
So the million dollar, make that billion dollar question for North Texas is what happens and where does the Mean Green sit in the draft order of conference re-alignment.
This is going to hard to hear everyone, but the only thing North Texas can do is sit and wait right now.
Yes I hear you screaming right now at the computer, "What are you talking about you idiot, get out there and start marketing North Texas, talking up North Texas, promoting North Texas now!!!!!"
It doesn't work like that folks. I'm not saying that Rick Villarreal and other administrators shouldn't be getting our Mean Green ducks in a row (and believe me, they have been) but the reality is, the heavy timber must fall first and then the picture becomes a little less foggy for the rest.
There isn't anyone in this athletic department that wouldn't want to be aligned with SMU, Tulsa, Rice, Houston, and others. Regional alignments make for better rivalries, better crowds, save on budgets, etc, etc, etc.
But right now the Mean Green has a home. A good one. On November 11, 1999 the Sun Belt Conference rescued North Texas from the sinking ship known as the Big West.
Since then North Texas has grown, the league has grown. Schools have come and gone, but it has been a relatively stable league that has made a lot of improvements across the board.
Did anyone ever think a Sun Belt football team would go into Alabama and win? That happened.
Did you think the league could ever have more than just one bowl game? How about three? A Sun Belt Television Network? Up and running.
There is a little something to be said for being part of a league as it matures, grows, and thrives (see the Mountain West).
Don't pretend that people inside this building though aren't seeing the big picture and the potential impact. And don't think for one second, that the powers that be at North Texas aren't keeping a keen eye on what is transpiring around them and preparing for potential fallout.
Six years ago when the first re-alignment happened, North Texas wasn't in a position, if you ask me, to be attractive to you know who. Six years later it is. The total program across the board is better. In the last 10 years, name a facility that hasn't been upgraded? There aren't any. The commitment has been there, the fan support needs to continue to grow, and, if and when realignment comes, North Texas will be ready.
Patience is the word of day though everyone.
