SPEAK OUT: Is Maryland’s Move to the Big Ten a Good Thing?

Mike H November 20, 2012 at 01:30 pm

5 seconds ago
Everyone who is against this is not really thinking it through. 1. Money- the Big Ten TV contract will generate 80 million extra dollars over the next 10 years for MD, that is after the 50 milion payout to the ACC, which by the way will end up being less than 50 million. 2. Our basketball program will probably be a top 4 program every year in the Big 10, the only real competition will be O state, M state, and Indiana. 3. Football- it will get better because people will want to play in a serious conference like the big 10 but don't want to live in the midwest. Big 10 football is very good, it really opens us up to getting better recruits, very few high end player choose an ACC school. 4. There is a CIC research grant that the Big10 schools have, this grant hands out over a billion dollars for research each year, that means more money for MD. 5. I am a huge terps fan, but we need to stop thinking we are a real ACC rival, when Duke and UNC start their season do you think they consider MD a threat to the crown? Not a chance in hell. Let it go. We can become an east coast travel nightmare for these midwest kids who don't know about how we play ball!

Morris Zwick November 20, 2012 at 01:31 pm

The state doesn't pay for any of this. The athletic department is self-sustaining. The closest the state comes to footing the bill is providing loans to the department, and as a taxpayer I like this deal so that the department will be able to pay it back!

Morris Zwick November 20, 2012 at 01:34 pm

So would the basketball fans have warmed up to playing Pitt twice a year in basketball? Cause that's who the new ACC declared our "rival". dook and UNC were not coming to Maryland every year. The conference has CHANGED. Yes this is about money and exposure. And you contradict yourself by naming Iowa amongst the football also rans while also saying they have great football fans. Look up a little history and you will see that Iowa has had some excellent teams and Rose Bowl appearances. Don't use the last two years to judge Maryland's potential against the Big Ten.
It's a great move, especially when you see what is going to happen to the ACC.

Jenni Pompi (Editor) November 20, 2012 at 01:57 pm

From a fan/alumni perspective, it stinks to see your team loose and I just don't see UMD's football team being competitive in the Big 10. I don't think men's basketball will be very competitive either, though the women's basketball team will probably still do pretty well. I do realize this was a financial move and I hope that the athletic program benefits in the long run.

John November 20, 2012 at 02:21 pm

I agree that this is a good move for MD. Although a yearly MD/Duke game could be lost which would end a fantastic rivalry (and i am fortunate enough to be going this year on Feb 16th) there is still the ACC/Big 10 challenge which could bring a rotating game with Duke and the possibility of adding them as a non-conference game. Additionally, anyone paying attention can see that Big 10 basketball is better than the ACC this year (Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin) so moving to a better conference will only help Terps basketball nationally. If the BTN can pick up steam in DC/MD/VA this can help football recruiting and possibly make the Terps more competitive. I applaud the move if the revenue keeps other sports teams from being cut and increases the Terps national footprint.

John November 20, 2012 at 02:32 pm

totally agree. great move for the Terps. and with Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State traveling to College Park every now and then we may see a more full Byrd Stadium. Even more revenue for the athletic dept. For those who say this is terrible and just about the money then clearly you dont follow sports. Of course it is about the money but do realize the football and basketball teams essentially pay for all the other sports to exist. Im excited for what this can bring to the University.

Ed Ogin November 20, 2012 at 02:47 pm

Sadness

Marty Chase November 20, 2012 at 02:58 pm

Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State won't be playing at Byrd Stadium. Thoise games are likely to be at FedEx with sky-high ticket prices.

Tim November 20, 2012 at 03:25 pm

Stuff like this is why I stopped following college sports on anational level. It's a joke.
Do I understand why they are doing it? Sure. It's still yet another black eye for the NCAA, who has created a competitive environment that has ruined the conferences and rivalries for tens of millions of fans. All in the name of money. Greed destroys, again

Tom Sharp November 20, 2012 at 03:53 pm

The Big 10 was obviously desperate to "even out" to 14 teams with Rutgers. The Big 10 is obviously smoking crack if they think this will cause the New Jersey and New York markets to suddenly begin watching college football. Maryland was right at home in the ACC, and its history with those ACC teams pre-dates the ACC when they, and most of the SEC, were the Southern Conference. For a flagship state school like Maryland to have to rely upon basketball as its pinnacle sport is simply pitiful. That's great if you're Georgetown or Ganzaga, but for Maryland? For football it's always going to be difficult to convince high school kids to play on a field where the stands are half empty. But there's definitely more of a fall-off for NFL caliber talent in the Big 10 (going from best teams to middle-of-the-road), so don't be shocked if Maryland's football records actually improve. As far as the traveling Big Ten fans, Maryland better plan to expand its stadium unless the impact they are looking for is to fill the 20,000 seats that are regularly empty, and, just like with the Baltimore Grand Prix, the DC hotels will appreciate our Maryland tax dollars having paid to fill their rooms. The Turkey Bowl may have a larger economic impact. On the bright-side, the lacrosse teams will be racking up conference championships left and right. But if TV money is all they're looking for then...

Morris Zwick November 20, 2012 at 04:00 pm

The annual dook/Maryland game was already lost. I am sure such treatment of a "founding member" also played into the decision...

Morris Zwick November 20, 2012 at 04:02 pm

Northwestern is already the power in women's Lax, having beaten Maryland in the championship last year, and I think they had a six game championship streak before that. The coach is a Terp so it figures! :-)

Corbin Dallas Multipass November 20, 2012 at 04:02 pm

Are you sad about Maryland or sad about Rutgers?

FH John November 20, 2012 at 04:25 pm

I didnt contradict myself. MD went to the Orange Bowl in the early 2000's and has won a National Championship in football but I dont consider them a football powerhouse. Iowa isnt a football powerhouse either even though they have a big fan base in Iowa City and went to a few Rose Bowls. I agree the ACC is changing but at least Pitt is geographically close and we hate all things associated with Pittsburgh. I just dont believe all of this new revenue will materialize as being stated and as an MD alum will miss the traditional rivals even if its once a year against some of them.

TG November 20, 2012 at 04:26 pm

It had to be about the almighty dollar or Maryland wouldn't HAVE an athletic dept. in 10 years. People need to realize that UMD was the stepchild of the ACC forever. Whether we were the second or even third choice of the B1G doesn't matter, we should feel flattered that we now have the chance to be part of such a prestigious conference. ACC fans are obnoxious and uneducated, full of chest pounding inbreds. Maryland BBall will now be part of arguably the best if not the best NCAAB conference, and the football program while having a lot of work to do, will be upgraded over the next 10 years. Better facilities, more coverage, better recruits. All of this "UMD cant hang with the B1G is total BS, even as of right now we would be in the mix in the bottom half of the conference in football; the talent level is the same. Its not the damn SEC, but it DOES give the opportunity (!) to play the Michigans/Ohio States and become a big time football program. I'm just so tired of all this crying and whining.

BWig November 20, 2012 at 04:40 pm

Totally agree - it's a new day and we need to take this opportunity for the school as a whole. As a self-sustaining enterprise (no MD tax dollars) this was a great move by the athletic department and University to benefit all the students and the student- athletes. As an alum, parent of a current student and football season ticket holder, the new ACC was changing and getting rid of our supposed basketball rival Duke by adding Pitt and Syracuse anyway, and this provided the opportunity for the University to expand its resources and bring a sustainable source of new funds. All in here! GO TERPS!!

Bill Redmond November 20, 2012 at 05:37 pm

The move from being an eastern independent to being in the B1G was difficult for Penn Staters. We hated Pitt, guarded the Lion from Syracuse (turned out that Sue Paterno invented the threat, without telling Joe), fought over a trophy with WVU and enjoyed beating Maryland (a one-sided rivalry). We miss them but have adjusted to new rivalries (even though OSU fans tell us that it is strictly one-way). We were told that the B1G was about more than just sports, great academic and research opportunities, etc. Welcome to the B1G, Terps, the more eastern schools, the merrier.
My brother went to Duke and I can tell you that their big rivals were the other schools in the Research Triangle, not Maryland.

Bruce Redcay November 20, 2012 at 08:26 pm

Perhaps if UMD alumni/fans truely supported the teams (those whining about tradition and rivals) we could fill up Byrd with MD fans for a change. I'm not an alumni, but have supported UMD teams over the years MUCH MORE than many of my alumni friends. UMD students are too Duke/UNC focused and don't support the team for other games. Who gives a rats arse about the ACC; UMD was always an afterthought - remember the Military Bowl assignment after our 2010 season?

Bill Redmond November 20, 2012 at 08:35 pm

I probably forgot to follow the previous story. Here's the other end of it from the Penn State Daily Newswire. The B1G accepted UMd as a member beginning in 2014-2015.
1. University of Maryland to join the Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors (COP/C) announced unanimous approval Monday (Nov. 19) for the University of Maryland to join the Big Ten Conference effective July 1, 2014, with competition to begin in all sports for the 2014-15 academic year. The University of Maryland also looks forward to joining the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), a consortium of world-class research institutions dedicated to advancing their academic missions. "Today is a watershed moment for the University of Maryland," said University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh. "Membership in the Big Ten Conference is in the strategic interest of the University of Maryland." Read the full story on Live: http://live.psu.edu/story/62827#nw1

Merette J. Bassler November 20, 2012 at 10:28 pm

Maryland will have a better connection to the Big Ten area to recruit. Not like it is here w/ Duke and North Carolina recruiters. No recruiting + the McDonald's All Americans just say there from Duke =Coach K or North Carolina = Williams.. That's where the young students want to go name recognition in the Basketball programs. .

Michael Shapiro November 21, 2012 at 12:02 am

A number of comments, with a disclaimer. I am not a UMD alum nor did I attend a B1G, school, although I am a MD resident and taxpayer. My school (GWU) gave up D1 football in the mid-'60s. I grew up hating the schools down on tobacco road. I really understand the rivalries and the passion that goes with them. My kids were born and raised in NC and the older one refused to apply to Duke, so there is a passion (further disclaimer, she graduated from UMD law). I am really concerned about this move.
1. It shows that college athletics are driven by football, no matter what the historic tradition of the school is. I'd really love to see an independent audit of the football program (extra insurance, 90+ scholarships, training table, etc.) 2. I'm dubious about the statement by the UMD President that the discontinued sports would be restored and that this was being done for academic purposes. Puhleez! 3. Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium (and this isn't done for $?) will attract alumni of the various schools, just as Rockies' fans show up at Nats' games (let's exclude Philthies Phans). It's DC. People move here from all sorts of places and bring loyalties with them. 4. The good news for UMD athletics comes in the spring. No GA Tech, UVA, Fla. State, Miami, UNC, Clemson baseball in the B1G. Who knows, the Terps may now get to Omaha in June.

Mike H November 21, 2012 at 12:20 am

you don't think MD basketball will be competitive either? What? We are competitive in the ACC almost every year, we will be one of the top 5 programs in the Big 10, no question. In football we are a bad team in a bad conference, might as well be a bad team in a good conference and get of money for it.

Steve Davies November 21, 2012 at 02:55 am

A sad day indeed.
Greatest feat by the Terps basketball team: Not winning the NCAA's, but taking the ACC tournament in 2004 after finishing 7-9 in the conference, beating Wake Forest (seeded 3), NC State (2), and Duke (1), for their first ACC Tournament title in 20 years. I got chills in my spine watching John Gilchrist hold off Duke. Of course, some of the Md-Duke games were among the best I've ever seen. Blake stealing the ball from Williams at midcourt... Life goes on, I guess.

Concerned Citizen of Laurel November 21, 2012 at 09:12 am

PROOF
Anderson arrived at Maryland from Army in October 2010. His tenure has been eventful. He oversaw the buyout of the final season of football coach Ralph Friedgen’s contract and replaced him with Randy Edsall. He hired Texas A&M men's basketball coach Mark Turgeon to replace the retired Gary Williams. Anderson faced the grim task this year of eliminating seven athletics teams due to budget issues that were years in the making. The teams were targeted by a university commission that studied possible remedies to the financial issues and made a series of recommendations. In his written statement on Monday, Anderson suggested that his work at Maryland remains unfinished. This statement could only mean one thing! More of the same, "FAILURES". The U of MD can't compete now in the ACC due to the moves made by this fool and now they expect us to come to Byrd Stadium & Comcast Center to watch the Terps get there a%@ kicked by the Big 10 EVERY on a weekly basis!My donation STOPS today! RIP - Curly Byrd

Ron Hanson November 21, 2012 at 04:30 pm

Perhaps with more money they can now reinstate all of the sports teams they did away with.

Theresa Defino November 21, 2012 at 04:34 pm

This is turning out to be a big mess. UMd did it in secret...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/legality-of-u-md-regents-big-ten-vote-questioned/2012/11/20/73f6fe8a-3345-11e2-bb9b-288a310849ee_story.html?hpid=z3 ACC is damn pissed. http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/maryland-move-to-big-ten-took-acc-officials-by-surprise/2012/11/20/247735ac-3357-11e2-9cfa-e41bac906cc9_story.html?hpid=z3

David Daughters November 23, 2012 at 04:09 am

Agree that the move is about the money, not athletics. As a Chicago native and University of Illinois graduate, I think it is a dream that hordes of midwestern Big 10 fans will come here to see the games. It's a 14-hour drive from Chicago (i.e. Northwestern) and here. Even further for those in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. The games will draw Big 10 alumni who now live in this area, but I have doubts that they will match the ACC fans who have traditionally made the trip here. And I just can't believe that Maryland fans/alumni will drive 14-16 each way to watch Maryland play in the Midwest. This is one of those decisions - made in secret and pushed through - sorta like the gambling referendum - that people in this area will come to regret and start raising hell.

Buck Harmon November 24, 2012 at 12:57 pm

The repeated Coach ads significantly cheapen the product and turn people off...can't be good for sales...

Majur modo December 5, 2012 at 08:11 pm

Lesson 1. Abandon old, established relationships for money
Lesson 2. Begrudge your rules.... If you don't like the penalty fee...just don't pay it. Lesson 3. Favor the rich....expect alumni of modest means to not be able to travel to Big ten locales Lesson 4. Pursue money for money's sake. Lesson 5. Leave when it pleases you, rather than persevere to make things better for all. Lesson 6. Quit when you wan't, then blame others

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