Joel's nonchalance still amazes me

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http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5294165

"I honestly think it will be amenable," Minnesota AD Joel Maturi said. "We have a great group of AD's who see the big picture and get along. It may not be easy, but that is only because it is difficult and challenging. I really have no strong preference except the hope to continue some of our strong relationships/rivalries."
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I'm shocked that Joel has no strong preference on Big Ten alignment. I know this is old news but this statement still amazes me.
 

Will Yow's departure open the door to the Big Ten?
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Maybe. Maryland would be way more fun than Rutgers.
 


If Maturi won't fight for the best interests of the U, rest assured that the other ADs will be fighting for the best interests of their schools. That's like saying you'll just hand over your lunch money without a fight.
 

That's because Joel is not a big football guy and this really only affects football. Rowing, Cross Country, and the Swim Team compete the same way they always have.
 


It might be that Joel is going to have to put the best face on whatever outcome there is and he knows that. Declaring winning and losing scenarios in alignment doesn't allow for him to sell this to the Gopher fan base should we have an outcome that is in opposition to his stated wishes. He's simply being shrewd, careful, and professional, knowing there is a public relations component to this as well.
 

Schnoodler said:
It might be that Joel is going to have to put the best face on whatever outcome there is and he knows that. Declaring winning and losing scenarios in alignment doesn't allow for him to sell this to the Gopher fan base should we have an outcome that is in opposition to his stated wishes. He's simply being shrewd, careful, and professional, knowing there is a public relations component to this as well.
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I dunno. I think he's just talking without filtering his words again. This isn't a man who I would call "shrewd" when it comes to public interviews. Just remember all the dumb stuff he was saying about Brew's extension.
 

Just ticks me off a little bit even mentioning Paterno and Osborne for potential division names. I know it won't be that, but I wouldn't doubt some people out there believing that they should be the names.
First rule should be that you must have been a member of the Big Ten for at least 25 years.
Bronko Nagurski Division
Red Grange Division
 

Williams and Yost divisions. If we were to name them after legendary coaches, lets name it after really legendary coaches.

I think it is absurd to name them after people, but it had better be named after someone with Minnesota connections to get my support.
 




Well there's almost no chance that we won't have at least one of Wisconsin/Iowa in our division so he'll no doubt claim some sort of victory. The reality is that if they're not both in the 'West' with us, he has failed. But I seriously doubt he's going to be in there 'pounding on desks' fighting for it. If Bucky has to go East for the 'good of the conference' I expect nary a peep out of Joel. Sad but true. I don't expect him to keep the Michigan game permanent, and since we've won it exactly twice in my lifetime, I can live with that, but allowing MN/Iowa/Wisconsin to be split up is not acceptable.
 

Schnoodler said:
He's simply being shrewd, careful, and professional, knowing there is a public relations component to this as well.
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I agree that there is a public relations component to all of this, but I'd only use one of those three words to describe Maturi and I don't think we need a "careful" advocate in these discussions. He should be working to build a consensus with our core rivals (to me that's Iowa and Wisconsin) as well as the other "have nots" in the conference (which I'd say includes Indiana, Purdue, Illinois and Northwestern) to establish a block of votes for our mutual benefit. Individually, none of those schools has the clout of OSU, PSU or Michigan, but collectively we are the essence of the Big Ten. I hope he's just trying to put a diplomatic public face on all of this, but I don't see many of his peers taking the same public stance. My fear is that he gets walked over in the discussions and the U gets the shaft because while everyone else was expressing preferences and pushing for their institutions, Maturi was being "agreeable."
 

Who in the world thinks it is good PR to go into negotiations sending out a message that you won't fight for the best interests of your institution? It sends a message that he's willing to sell us out. Terrible PR.
 



This is the same man who I assume is jockeying the Gophers basketball team for match-ups in the Big 10-ACC Challenge and if you've noticed who we've played in recent years. . .I wouldn't be holding my breath for great results.
 

The other Big Ten Athletic Directors view Joel as the guy to send out for a food run when the actual business is being tended to. He is not a power player by any definition. He is a weakling in a group with some really strong leaders. Have mercy.
 

howeda7 said:
Well there's almost no chance that we won't have at least one of Wisconsin/Iowa in our division so he'll no doubt claim some sort of victory. The reality is that if they're not both in the 'West' with us, he has failed. But I seriously doubt he's going to be in there 'pounding on desks' fighting for it. If Bucky has to go East for the 'good of the conference' I expect nary a peep out of Joel. Sad but true. I don't expect him to keep the Michigan game permanent, and since we've won it exactly twice in my lifetime, I can live with that, but allowing MN/Iowa/Wisconsin to be split up is not acceptable.
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Totally disagree.

It's more important for Minnesota to have a chance to be competitive. There's every indication PSU, OSU, MI & NE will be split 2/2. If that's the case WI & IA must be split up too. If not, and we get 2 + WI/IA we are at a big disadvantage. We can keep a permanant crossover game with whoever (WI) moves East.
 

There are those who act weakly because they lack strength. This can be forgiven. Then there are those who act weakly because they have no will. This cannot. Maturi seems to be the latter. He's stated his willingness to sell us out. He said that he doesn't love the job any more, he should step aside for someone who does.
 

coolhandgopher said:
This is the same man who I assume is jockeying the Gophers basketball team for match-ups in the Big 10-ACC Challenge and if you've noticed who we've played in recent years. . .I wouldn't be holding my breath for great results.
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Perhaps he saves his bullets for when it matters, like when they're deciding who will host the swimming and diving finals or put forth to host a volleyball regional?
 

Maturi was on Sid's sports huddle this morning. Below are highlights regarding comments on alignment:
- Joel doesn't think that the east will contain all of PSU, OSU, and Michigan - they are going to split them up
- This only matters for football (won't apply to olympic sports) and nobody is worried about the travel because they all charter flights for the teams. He said they are not too hung up on geography.
- His highest priority is preserving Minnesota-Wisconsin, Minnesota-Iowa, and ... Minnesota-Nebraska as annual games. With respect to the latter he cited the fact that the U has played Nebraska most among big ten teams and the proximity of Lincoln to Minneapolis.
- Joel said that the divisions might not be permanent - we might re-look at it every ten years or so

Regarding the championship game he said it is likely to be played indoors and he could see it being played at Lucas, MOM or new Vikes stadium, and Ford.
 

badgergopher said:
Maturi was on Sid's sports huddle this morning. Below are highlights regarding comments on alignment:
- Joel doesn't think that the east will contain all of PSU, OSU, and Michigan - they are going to split them up
- This only matters for football (won't apply to olympic sports) and nobody is worried about the travel because they all charter flights for the teams. He said they are not too hung up on geography.
- His highest priority is preserving Minnesota-Wisconsin, Minnesota-Iowa, and ... Minnesota-Nebraska as annual games. With respect to the latter he cited the fact that the U has played Nebraska most among big ten teams and the proximity of Lincoln to Minneapolis.
- Joel said that the divisions might not be permanent - we might re-look at it every ten years or so

Regarding the championship game he said it is likely to be played indoors and he could see it being played at Lucas, MOM or new Vikes stadium, and Ford.
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Sounds like they plan to f it up completely. College Gameday will still be a permanent fixture in Atlanta on the first weekend of December.
 


Goldmember said:
Sounds like they plan to f it up completely. College Gameday will still be a permanent fixture in Atlanta on the first weekend of December.
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That's a great point. I can understand not wanting to play outside but if they played it at Soldier Field, and played it at night, where the college all stars used to play the NFL champion. I don't think there is any question where Gameday would be!
 

badgergopher said:
That's a great point. I can understand not wanting to play outside but if they played it at Soldier Field, and played it at night, where the college all stars used to play the NFL champion. I don't think there is any question where Gameday would be!
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I agree. The weather makes for great TV. Think of having it at Lambeau Field. Even as a Vikings fan I admit that would be cool.
 

Is there any other real option? Hold the game at the Metrodome.

:D

I'm kidding, of course. But I have to imagine that every school out there is thinking about what will pull $$$ into their local economy - even if it isn't of direct benefit, the goodwill can translate into tangible benefits.

Ok, the dome has all the charm of... something that has as little charm as the dome has, it's hard to find any comparisons. It's like a package of very stale crackers. You can eat it, but you won't enjoy it.
 

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