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Re: Texas A&M leaving Big 12
I really, really don't want them to join the SEC.
TI, IUIs, IVF = c/ps and BFNs
For personal, or other reasons? (I know you've mentioned your husband's travel schedule before.)
Personal reasons for sure but I also just think there are other schools that "fit" better if we really are looking to expand. It just seems really random to me. I'd prefer to add schools that create other in-state SEC rivalries.
TI, IUIs, IVF = c/ps and BFNs
Eh, they seem like a good group. I think they'll fit in fine.
And to any Aggie friends out there, a good friend of mine 'runs' a college sports blog, and wrote a post about what you need to know about the SEC.
Enjoy!
I'm sure they are good people, that's not the point.
In regards to that blog post, I know many, many SEC fans that didn't cheer for Auburn in the NCG this year. And lots of Duck shirts popped up in Alabama...
And I know that I'd never, ever, under any circumstances, ever cheer for Bama. Of course I donated to the relief efforts with the tornadoes and all, that isn't about sports and rivalries, that's doing the right thing..but when they played in the NCG the year before? Well, I was just cheering for a different shade of orange that day..
TI, IUIs, IVF = c/ps and BFNs
I get that not everyone will always cheer for SEC rivals. It takes a LOT to get me to cheer for UGA (like, they have to be playing in a BCS bowl for me to do it; otherwise, no). But overall, I think of teams within the SEC having a 'friendlier' rivalry than most. For ex., I *hate* FSU. I *hate* Miami. I will NEVER cheer for one of those teams, lol.
golf clap! well said (from a Texas fan m/)
My opinion of the whole thing is this:
Don't let the door hit you on the asss on the way out.
I am so glad this is finally official. So ready to get off of the sinking ship that is the Big12. And I looking forward to joining the SEC.
I think we are an excellent fit for the SEC for many reasons and will bring in a lot more money to the SEC than any instate rival will. We bring 2 of the biggest tv markets into the SEC. An in state rival is not going to draw that much more of a market. That and Florida and Georgia don't want their instate rival in the SEC. They will fight against it at all costs, so I think they all know those teams are pretty much not an option period.
And A&M was ready to get this over a month ago, it was the legal teams at Texas and Baylor that slowed this down and caused a long drag out process.
That's the thing about the SEC though, even though it is [all] about the money, it really isn't--if that makes sense.
A lot of it, as was mentioned in that blog post, is about the community, the rivalries, the history type thing..no amount of money or TV market can buy that/bring that.
Of course it is a business and the more money made the better and all that, but it isn't like we are exactly hurting for money and need Texas A&M is going to save us or something.
TI, IUIs, IVF = c/ps and BFNs
and yes I actually know that. I think the money we will bring in is honestly just a bonus. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the college atmosphere in College Station. Aggies are loyal, avid and friendly fans.
I've in no way insinuated that they aren't. In fact, a cousin of mine attended Texas A&M and I attended her wedding in College Station. Great place. This isn't a personal attack on Aggie fans by any means so I see nowhere that I can "be pleasantly surprised".
I just *personally* feel that there are better fits out there, especially with the number schools that are closer geographically.
There's no doubt in mind that when y'all really do join the SEC and start playing within the conference, you'll be received with a warm welcome.
TI, IUIs, IVF = c/ps and BFNs
I just wanted to say I know my perspective is very slanted being an Aggie. I don't mean to or want to come off as A&M is the only way or all that is right. I think this is the best decision for our school is all so I am excited about it.
)
I, personally, would love to go out to College Station for a game! Maybe someday. (My friend with the blog is heading out this weekend; I'm super jealous.)
Oh, and you'll be warmly welcomed if you come over to Gville for a game...so long as you stay away from frat row. LOL.
actually, the SEC as a whole is closer geographically than Big 12. I'll have to search for it and it will take some time, but someone actually laid out the distances of each city in the SEC from College Station, and each city in the Big 12 from CS, and the SEC is closer on the whole. farther for folks from, say, South Carolina or Florida? yea, a bit. but not much and there are plenty of fans of all the SEC schools WITHIN Houston and DFW.
personally, I think that A&M is a great fit for the SEC and not just because I'm an Aggie. we are a traditional school with traditional Southern values. we are (generally) polite and welcoming. we love a good party, good food and good alcohol. we DO have traditional rivalries within the SEC--see Arkansas and LSU. both of those are ooooooolllllllldddddd rivalries. the Arky one was recently reinstated and LSU and A&M traditionally hate each other (not as much as tu and A&M though).
it's not all about the business. yes, it makes good business sense for both sides. it also makes good academic sense for the SEC. A&M, as an AAU with land, sea and space grants, will increase the academic prestige of the SEC. only 2 schools currently within the SEC are AAU status--Vanderbilt and UGA.
Glenna Harding Photography
Yeah, the welcome will be warm; however, if Coach Fran was still there, a new rivalry would have been born.
f*ck Coach Fran.
btw, Bama is my second favorite school. I would have gone there if I didn't go to A&M. I have a Bama hat.
Glenna Harding Photography
pooh said it much better than I did. About A&M and about Fran.
I guess you didn't understand what I was saying, I was referencing the distance for the current SEC schools to travel to Texas A&M, not how far away Texas A&M is from its current conference schools. Other schools within a closer range to most SEC schools would be Georgia Tech and FSU.
Bama to Tech-203 miles
Bama to CS-630 miles
Auburn to Tech-108
Auburn to CS-780 miles
UT to Tech-214 miles
UT to CS-940
UK to Tech-380 miles
UK to CS-968 miles
..and so on.
Auburn to FSU-205 miles
Auburn to CS-780 miles
UK to FSU-364 miles
UK to CS-968
..and so on.
LSU is closer to Texas A&M than it is to FSU but that's it. And Arky is, of course, closer to Texas A&M than most schools but that's kind of the point..Arky is already a pain to travel to for everyone involved.
TI, IUIs, IVF = c/ps and BFNs
I get what you are saying, but I think the only 2 that really matter that you mentioned are bama and Auburn. The rest are in the east so they will only have to travel for football every 4 years (or less). A lot of teams travel further for preseason games than that. But I do get your point.
There is no perfect situation, super conferences are coming, and I would guess sooner rather than later. I think Slive sees that and is taking steps to make sure he gets what he wants and keeps the SEC strong instead of trying to keep the status quo until its too late.
The cost of travel is going to hurt the smaller sports a LOT more than football or even men's basketball. And it will obviously be much more expensive for us than any team currently in the SEC. I think cost wise, we will bring in a lot more TV money to off set those issues. But only time will really tell.
understand though, Slive knows what he is doing. he didn't get to be the commissioner of the best athletic conference in the nation by making bad decisions. if the SEC and its presidents didn't want A&M in the conference and didn't think it was a good decision for the conference as a whole, then it would not be happening, period. bug made an excellent point that the extra money brought in by the TX tv markets and the renegotiated tv contracts (not to mention the extra money that traveling Ags will bring to the local economies because Ags travel well, plus we're scattered throughout the South) should offset the costs of teams traveling.
Glenna Harding Photography
I do understand.
Doesn't mean I don't have my own opinion, though.
I completely understand why y'all would want to join the best conference in the country. Doesn't mean that I think Texas A&M is the best choice.
I understand things that a lot of people do, that doesn't mean I have to agree with it.
TI, IUIs, IVF = c/ps and BFNs
There are a LOT of other sports than football...
Football travel is actually the easiest, since they have the most money. They always take private planes, from closer regional airports. It is the other teams, the teams that have to fly commerical out of major airports, that this will affect the most.
TI, IUIs, IVF = c/ps and BFNs
Glenna Harding Photography