I can take a lot from the Trib, and I like their high school coverage, but this is just ridiculous. What a rag.

http://www.wacotrib.com/sports/baylor/John-Werner-Aggies-make-rash-move-they-may-regret.html

quote:

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John Werner: Aggies make rash move they may regret

JOHN WERNER
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Thursday September 1, 2011


Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin called the school’s decision to leave the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference “a 100-year decision.”

Sounds more like a 100-minute decision.

While the Aggies can talk all they want about expanding their visibility in a more stable SEC, their move still comes across to everybody else as a knee-jerk reaction to the Texas Longhorns getting their own lucrative network deal with ESPN.

Though the Aggies flirted with the SEC last summer, everything seemed pretty calm until details of the Longhorn Network came to light earlier this year. The Longhorns will get $15 million annually for the next 20 years from the ESPN deal, creating more of a financial imbalance with the rest of the Big 12.

Suddenly, Aggies everywhere panicked. Instead of fighting the Longhorns, they’re fleeing.

Fleeing right to the toughest conference in the country.

If the Aggies thought they were going to have a competitive imbalance against the Longhorns, they’re really going to face an uphill battle against SEC teams. They might share equally in television revenue distribution, but on the football field it’s going to be a much different story.

SEC schools like Alabama, Florida, LSU and Auburn are established powers with recent national championships on their resumes. The Aggies have barely kept their heads above water in the Big 12 during the last decade, and haven’t won a national title since 1939.

While the SEC might boost Texas A&M’s recruiting, it’s also going to open the door for other SEC schools to come into Texas and pick off high school recruits. So now, the Aggies aren’t just going to have to recruit against the Longhorns and other Big 12 schools like Baylor and Texas Tech, they’re going to have to fight off established SEC powers who are licking their chops to get more Texas schoolboy access.

But what bothers me most about the Aggies jumping ship is that they didn’t honor their commitment they made to the Big 12 last summer.

After Nebraska bolted to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-10 last summer, the remaining 10 Big 12 members decided to stick together with assurances of lucrative future television contracts. Part of the deal was that the Longhorns could form their own network in addition to the Big 12 TV contracts.

Honor the deal

It came to fruition this spring when the Big 12 agreed to a 13-year television contract with Fox Sports reportedly worth $1 billion. The future of the Big 12 finally appeared to be on solid ground.

But when the Aggies started seeing a deluge of advertisements for the Longhorn Network on ESPN this summer, they suddenly started talking about breaking their commitment to the Big 12 and jumping to the SEC.

A school that prides itself on honor and tradition began acting like none of those things mattered anymore.

While the other Big 12 schools had concerns about the Longhorn Network, nobody but the Aggies panicked. When the NCAA ruled that the Longhorn Network couldn’t televise high school football games, it calmed the fears of most Big 12 schools.

Oklahoma is looking into starting its own network. Why couldn’t the Aggies do the same? Bolting to the SEC says tons about the Aggies’ insecurity when it comes to the Longhorns.

For a “100-year decision,” the Aggies’ movers and shakers didn’t think of all the ramifications of this move. It’s disingenuous for Loftin to suggest that the Aggies could still play the Longhorns in a Thanksgiving football game.

Alone on Thanksgiving

Why would the Longhorns still want to play the Aggies after they broke their word and left the conference? Why would the Aggies want to add another powerhouse on their schedule after diving into the SEC shark tank?

I wouldn’t be surprised if Texas, Baylor and Texas Tech boycotted the Aggies in sports across the board.

Maybe some Aggies are cheering, but I suspect there’s another faction of Aggies who believe it’s a sad day like a lot of fans across the state. Some great rivalries against the Big 12 Texas and Oklahoma schools will bite the dust.

When you’re not playing the other Big 12 Texas schools, you’re taking the risk of marginalizing yourself in this state. It seems to me any Aggie would take pride in beating the Longhorns than any SEC school.

Like any hasty idea, the Aggies’ 100-minute decision might come back to haunt them.

jwerner@wacotrib.com

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Well, he's right! It's about money and hoping to screw Texas in the process.

Aggies are all about traditions and spouting it off is a tradition too...we don't let visitors walk on the grass around the MSC or wear their hats/caps inside. This will be a new tradition, how to not think things through.

The student bodies of recent past are less and less involved on campus. I could say it started with the collapse of Bonfire and that is partly true. A&M has historically been a "good ol boy" school and for some ungodly reason the idiots of the state don't like that any longer. We have to insure our place in research and become a foundation for diversity at the same time...why? Did the world not already know about Texas A&M? Why do we have to follow the herd and be like all other schools? From one side of our mouths we are saying the Aggie education is second to none and the other side is saying find a way to spend more time away from Aggieland...to be farther removed from what has made A&M well known.

I was sad when the SWC dissolved...that was home, those games were played in our backyard, that's what this is supposed to be about. How in the world are students who want to go to an away game going to be able to do that? Yes, I know you load a car and take turns driving, go to the game and drive back. What about the Corps and the FTAB? They can't be flying constantly. Think of the expense of back to back weekends with east coast games.

To me this is like unadopting part of your family...hey, I found someone new I want to hang out with so, see ya round! Petty jealousy and cow envy...look at what the cows are doing and we have to one up them. Texas is going to end up losing money because BigXXII is done.

Baylor would be pretty foolish to boycot A&M. Tech would also, but to a much lesser extent.

Both of those schools will lose their biggest home game every other year (or 2nd biggest). Baylor should love having an easy (logistics wise) sellout game in non conference.

Mom-

I doubt we'd be travelling back to back weeks to the East coast. If we do, it would likely only be once every 4 years. UF is closer to College Station than Boulder, CO is. Its the lack of 90 mile games that will increase travel costs.

I will also miss the traditional games, just as I miss the games from the SWC. I grew up in Lubbock as a tech fan and I have great memories of watching the games from the grassy section of the north end zone. The tickets were $5. My parents had season tickets and they would do their best to keep an eye on us through their binoculars. Unfortunately, its just not the same any more. There is way too much money involved in amateur athletics.

I think the move can be a good thing overall, but there is plently that I dislike (mostly sentimental).

We will have OOC games like SMU game this week. There are other schools in the state to play.

I don't see a problem.

Mom..really? Do you not grasp the big picture..There will be no Big12 in 5 years or less. We are getting out while we can assure ourselves a home to go to instead of traveling to west coast or midwest..We have more in common with these schools because of out tradition..What traditions do we have here?? tu and thats it. The same students who travel to Kansas or Missouri will make the new trips...The ones who stayed home at the Chicken will still stay home..This is coming from a Bonfire Crew Chief class of 95

That is an ignorant post, Mom. Really? Cow envy?

This is about what it means to be in a "conference". Just because you call it a "conference" doesn't mean it is one. In a conference, you compete against one another, but you also share a common mission, and even if you don't, you don't go behind everybody else's back, twist the knife, and act in a way that is detrimental to the other members. Traditional games are great, but nobody is entitled to games within an hour and a half away in perpetuity. Fond memories of the old SWC do not mean we should go back to the past, nor should we be scared of the future. The SWC dissolved because there was no reason for it to keep operating. College sports grew up, and all the SWC could offer was regional appeal and half empty stadiums. Again, sometimes things aren't working out, and it's time to move on.

I don't like losing these games, but I also KNOW it's not A&M's fault. We were the only one's willing to stand up and fight the cancer that has SINGLE HANDEDLY RUN OFF ONE FOURTH OF THE BIG 12 CONFERENCE IN A SINGLE YEAR. It is about greed and power, and it comes from Austin, not College Station. Perhaps if some of the other institutions would have had the same resolve, we wouldn't be seeing this happen today. But they didn't, and worse, they were complicit enablers. And now here we are.

Or, maybe the whole idea of the Big 12 was doomed from the beginning. Hell I'm beginning to wonder why all this took so long.

And BTW, put down the Perryman report. Or, use it for toilet paper, which is about what it's worth. Texas will be fine.

I doubt that we play tceh or Baylor in football for many years. There won't be room on the schedule.

I do think we'll continue to play the sips. The game is too big for both schools to walk away from.

I respect the hell out of you, Mom, but I couldn't disagree with you more. You ever see the movie Parenthood, where Jason Robards keeps funding his miscreant son, who keeps screwing him over and leaving him holding the bag? That's sort of what we are doing with Texas (and Baylor for that matter). At some point we have to determine whether it's worth getting CONSTANTLY screwed over.

Not to mention the fact that Texas's whole setup now screams that they will try to go independent in the next few years.

It is NOT a crime that A&M is looking out for ourselves. No one is used to it. I think it's a nice change.

quote:

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Texas is going to end up losing money because BigXXII is done.

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In no way is this true. There will be the same number of home football games in the state of Texas as there always were. Have you seen Kristi Dosh's wonderful article?

http://businessofcollegesports.com/2011/08/19/economic-impact-of-texas-am-moving-to-sec/

With all due respect, stop listening to the propaganda spewing out of Austin and Waco, and think.

my response that I sent to john W.


Quick question about “honoring a commitment” to a conference…

When Baylor rode Ann Richards’ coattails into the Big 12, did Baylor honor their commitment to Rice, TCU, or SMU? They were lucky they weren’t in that group. Please educate yourself a little more to the business world before making such ridiculous statements. Texas did what they did for money, more power to them. A&M did what they did for money. It’s a business. Texas and Beebe are running the Big 12 and Texas has repeatedly tried to control the conference, more power to them. Aggies lead, they don’t follow. I know football is the money maker for college sports, but A&M has a “pretty” good athletic program. Multiple National championships last year, and I believe came in 2nd (behind Stanford) in the Capital One Cup. Not too bad. I’ve lived in Waco my entire life and graduated from A&M in 95, and your piece is the reason why I hate Baylor and their fans. Baylor is completely blinded by their jealousy of a superior school, both on the playing field and in the business world.

bwaaaaaaaaaa! did I just hear a gaylor commercial on kwtx advertise rgIII as a heisman contender??? too funny.

oh and +1 for piag, bohunk, and pablos post.

First of all Werner's article is ridiculous. I wouldn't call our response a knee jerk reaction, change has been in the works for years now. Like Pabs said, ultimately this conference is doomed, we're just getting out while we can. There is no doubt that we are looking out for ourselves, but that's where college sports resides right now. I wish I could post a rebuttal to his article, but I'm not willing to pay $8/month for access to content on the Trib.

Mom, I enjoy reading most of your posts, but really think you missed the mark on this one. I graduated in '06, never lived on campus, yet was extremely involved in all areas of campus life. I never attended the original Bonfire as a child nor the off-campus bonfire while I was at A&M. Does this mean I was doomed in regards to involvement and pride in my school from the get go? The answer to that question is no. I'm proud that we are moving away from the 'good-ol boy' network. Those days are hopefully long gone not only at A&M, but in the world too. What I observed while I studied at Aggieland was a group of people who collectively love the university and respected each other. All of my friends loved A&M, attended sports events regularly and participated in traditions such as Muster and Silvertaps. You claim the level of involvement has gone downhill, where's the proof. In a 2007 conducted by Student Life at A&M results showed that 70-80% of students were involved in an on-campus organization at some point and of those 50% held a leadership position http://studentlifestudies.tamu.edu/sites/studentlifestudies.tamu.edu/files/results/highlights/37-highlight.pdf. The stats amaze me. I think it would be difficult to find a school with student involvement at that level across the board. My friends and I can't wait to collectively gather back in CS for football games and other events when the opportunity affords itself. The large network of people I know from my time in AL all feel the same way. I'm a die-hard Aggie who has just as much pride in my university as a class of '72er or any 'good-ol boy'. Don't tell me the university has gone down hill and the students don't care.

Off my soapbox.



[This message has been edited by washburn321 (edited 9/1/2011 11:16p).]

[This message has been edited by washburn321 (edited 9/1/2011 11:17p).]

Mom Class of '03,'05 and '09 - I liked your post.

quote:

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piag94 - Baylor is completely blinded by their jealousy of a superior school, both on the playing field and in the business world.

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Solid post.

quote:

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I'm proud that we are moving away from the 'good-ol boy' network. Those days are hopefully long gone not only at A&M, but in the world too. What I observed while I studied at Aggieland was a group of people who collectively love the university and respected each other. All of my friends loved A&M, attended sports events regularly and participated in traditions such as Muster and Silvertaps. You claim the level of involvement has gone downhill, where's the proof. In a 2007 conducted by Student Life at A&M results showed that 70-80% of students were involved in an on-campus organization at some point and of those 50% held a leadership position

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Does this include the Quidditch Team?

For whatever it's worth, I just traveled through Asia about 4 weeks ago. I assure you, regardless of what you see on TV/read in the paper. The rest of the world ain't changing the way things have been done for hundreds of years (longer in some places). I saw some very interesting practices. Let's just say that I'm never going to look at Sales figures from certain areas the same way again.

quote:

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I'm a die-hard Aggie who has just as much pride in my university as a class of '72er or any 'good-ol boy'.

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That probably is a true statement. In fact, the longer I'm away from Texas A&M, the more appalled I am by the changes, thus, the less proud I am of it. I'm still proud of enough things about it though. And compared to the alternatives, TAMU is the best thing going.

EDIT: Removed my rant.

BohunkAg - thanks for the topic and the link to the article. I hadn't seen that elsewhere.

I'll be interested to see what becomes of the whole conference shake-up.

[This message has been edited by HollywoodBQ (edited 9/2/2011 7:54a).]

My letter to Werner (and Jim Barnes and Donnis Baggett) was a little more strongly worded

quote:

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John,

I grew up in West, graduated from West High in 1992, and went off to Texas A&M. After graduation (got my Masters degree in five years), I moved to Houston, and 3 years ago, I came back with my wife and three kids.

I have always respected the Trib, and the job they did covering especially high school sports, and have kind of accepted that there would be some Baylor bias in the college section of the paper.

However, your column (coupled with Brice's column a week or so ago) is over the line. If I wanted to read Baylor-slanted propaganda with tons of untruths, I'd subscribe to a message board like Baylorfans.

This hasn't come across to "everyone else" as a knee jerk move by A&M. I can send you some links of many national columnists and reporters that agree with this move. I can assure you this move wasn't made lightly either. There has been much talk internally at Texas A&M and much worry about the future of our rivalries with Texas, Texas Tech, and of course, Baylor.

The commitment to the Big 12 last summer was based on trust. There was no Longhorn Network last summer. The schools agreed that each team could have one game for their own networks. Texas immediately went about trying to get more games, and broke that trust. If you want a copy of their contract with ESPN where they explicitly broke that trust, it's here: http://themidnightyell.blogspot.com/2011/08/documents-reveal-intention-behind.html .

And then there's this:

"A school that prides itself on honor and tradition began acting like none of those things mattered anymore."

The Aggie Code of Honor states that an Aggie "will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those that do." We were not the ones that broke the trust in the Big 12....Texas was. And for all the backroom politicking that Baylor (and regent Buddy Jones) has helped Texas with over the last few weeks (including threats of lawsuits and lobbying against A&M using Jones's lobbying firm, Hilco Partners), Texas is STILL going to stab Baylor in the back by prancing off to the Pac-12 with OU, OSU, and Tech. How's that for honor, John?

I am a subscriber to the Trib and am BOILING mad right now. This was an out and out hit piece on A&M full of inaccuracy. I realize it's an uncertain time for Baylor and Waco, but there are plenty of Aggies here who are part of this community too. To publish something like this blaming the Aggies for everything that is wrong is irresponsible and abhorrent. I will be soon calling your Circulation Department to cancel my subscription. I cannot tolerate such yellow journalism. Maybe I will subscribe to the Baylor Lariat...at least they are more unbiased.

Thanks,
XXXXXX
Texas A&M Class of 1996
West

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Good job, Bohunk!

Hey, you kids are looking at this from a football mind frame and I am not.

Washburn, my son never lived on campus either but he has attended many Bonfires and campus associated events, camps at a child etc. Being good ol boy is a positive, not everyone is YOUR age and not everyone wants manners and politeness to die out. My Daddy was a PE back when you could grandfather in through experience and documentation and he saw first hand just saying his daughter was engaged to an Aggie opened doors, opened discussions....not in our backyard but world wide. There is a mystique associated with "being an Aggie" and the good ol boys created that.

XXXXXX, I liked you a whole lot better and Bohunk...you will remain that in my heart. I agree that the article is yellow and your letter is spot on. I still don't support a move. I guess it is like my love life! I met a great guy who said he loved me and I married him for life. Do I think he was the ONLY man God created that could have made me happy, no. Have I gone hunting for the alternatives or newer options, no. I am satisfied with my family and supporting close relationships not pursuing distant acquaintances.

To expand upon your analogy....the Big XII has not treated us like your husband treats you. Not even close....that is the problem. We've been the battered wife for a long time, and now we are finally getting out from under this broken marriage.

The big 12 was our rebound relationship. I have never felt any emotion about iowa state or kansas for instance.

I loved the SWC and in my college days it was wonderful.

With the SMU death penalty, it was never the same again.


I would LOVE to see us play ooc games with our old swc friends, maybe one a year rotating through the schools.

But I look forward to great new things in a conference that will be there for the rest of my lifetime I think.

Think of it as being widowed by your first love, having a rebound relationship, then finding that final forever after love to last till eternity.

3rd, I agree totally about SMU...the downfall of SWC started right there!

If my wife didn't love the Brazos Living and the real estate part of the sunday paper, I would have cancelled that sorry rag after Werner's piece.

we haven't gotten the Tribulation in years...maybe 12-15. They had some huge half page spread about Baylor WHO LOST and a 3" blurb about A&M, who WON and my husband blew a gasket. As tight as he is, we gave up coupons to take a stand!

Bohunk, great response to Werner and the Trib. You should also send it to Clifton Robinson, the owner. Of course, I'm not sure he would get past the first line since he is buddies with Ken Starr who recently called us "stupid Aggies" at a leadership dinner.

Mom, like I said, I respect you and have enjoyed many of the posts you've made here on the Cen-Tex board. I was mainly taken back by your statement that the A&M student body has become less and less involved over the years. Regardless of what Hollywood says (we can always count on you Hollywood for great insight into various matters), the student body is thriving and has a great pride for the university. Is the makeup of the SB different than 20, 40, or 60 years ago?... yes it is, but that doesn't mean there isn't still a strong network to lean on. If anything I think the Aggie Network has become stronger with a more diverse and populous group of people. Was the mystique created by the good ol boy?... yeah, probably so, but I think there is still a mystique associated with being an Aggie. The traits of politeness and manners are still important as ever. I don't believe these traits have ever left campus. I always heard a friendly howdy, saw a door being held open for a fellow Aggie, and heard yes ma'am and no sir more often than not. Are these traits only found in the good ol boy? I think they're found in most Aggies. It makes me sad to hear that people in your generation think that A&M has gone downhill for some reason and hopefully I've given you some good reasons from a fairly recent grad to think it hasn't.

I agree with many of the thoughts already posted. I disagree with the article, and understand that as the Big XII breaks apart things will change.

I am a proud Aggie married to a proud Baylor Bear. I have been to almost every Aggie vs. Baylor football game since 1991 - and I will miss the rivalries if they fall apart. Some hardships will follow - but I will NOT miss the long drives to Lubbock, Manhattan, Lincoln, or Lawrence.

How about this morning, Mom? Still feel the same way about Baylor? They've gone back on their word and are now threatening to sue everyone involved. What a bunch of dimwits.

Bo, I still hate the thought of the split. I want football at home and with old rivalries.

I posted an incident that happened yesterday on 3rd's thread. Baylor fans are pretty pathetic until they lose and then they are such titty-babies. This split will hurt Waco a little, no doubt but I can't say that bothers me.

I cancelled my Waco Trib today and told them exactly why. I'm also going to make a concerted effort not to do any business with Baylor-owned businesses in Waco (Genie Car Wash comes to mind). I'm livid with Baylor right now.

I hate Baylor with every inch of my body. It's not Kyle Nelson's fault (Genie) that Ken Starr is an idiot. This is all Ken Starr. It has nothing to do with any businesses around town. Now if said business outwardly supports Starr's actions, then f*** em, don't go to that place of business.

so much hate, I DPed..

[This message has been edited by piag94 (edited 9/7/2011 3:15p).]

just gives me another reason to hate em

I am ashamed, I am ashamed that I was raised a baler fan by my folks.

But, I will say one thing, my folks were honest, hard working people. They were thrilled when I announced I was going to A&M.

Both are probably rolling over in their graves with this idiotic action by baler.

baler can go rot in hell

Any lick of sympathy I had for bailer prior to today, and any sentimental value I placed on traditional match-ups, flew out the window this morning. I couldn't care less if that place went tits up and they had to take a wrecking ball to it.









[This message has been edited by Captain Pablo (edited 9/7/2011 5:46p).]

There is now a Facebook page, Boycott Waco. Look in to it.