Tranghese Speaks
May 19, 2003 07:02 PM | General
May 19, 2003
Link via WVmetronews.com
PONTE VEDRA, Fla. – Big East commissioner Michael Tranghese says a move by Miami, Syracuse and Boston College to the Atlantic Coast Conference would be “the most disastrous blow to intercollegiate athletics in my lifetime.”
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| Big East commissioner Michael Tranghese said preserving the Big East was his main priorty. (Big East photo) |
The commissioner pointed out during a Monday afternoon press conference that in other instances of expansion, individual schools were not damaged.
“Go back through the history: Penn State was an independent; Miami was an independent; Florida State was an independent; Arkansas was in a conference that was already going through the process of breaking up. South Carolina had been a member of the Metro,” he said.
“We’ve been through expansion and in each and every case we went to those respective leagues and talked about it. They had members who wanted to leave but they had answers. This situation should not be compared to it because there is no other situation in the history of intercollegiate athletics (that is similar).”
Tranghese made his remarks to reporters during the third day of the Big East Conference meetings in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
“Our institutions are in the process of evaluating any and all options – all conceivable things – in an effort to keep this conference together,” said the commissioner. “The job of the athletic directors is to explore every possible piece of detail that is necessary and then they’re going to have to bring that information back to their respective CEOs (school presidents).”
Tranghese indicated that he doesn’t expect a final decision on the status of the Big East will be made at the league meetings, which conclude Wednesday.
“This is a crisis … make no mistake about it," Tranghese said. "I don't hide from that. My people are fighting for their lives.”
Tranghese said the heart of this week’s Big East discussions have revolved around money, integrity and the “irreparable harm that will be caused schools in my league if this act occurs.”
“Our conversations couldn’t be any more candid, any more direct and to a man our directors have said what’s on their minds,” said Tranghese.
This situation has come about because of the ACC’s desire to have a 12-team football conference to play a football championship game. The ACC believes revenues from a football championship game will be enough to warrant the addition of three more schools in its revenue sharing plan.
Tranghese said Miami is the key to the whole process: “If Miami doesn’t go there isn’t going to be any expansion.”
The Hurricanes have expressed an interest in finding a way to generate more revenue for its cash-strapped athletic department. Despite playing for the national football championship the past two seasons and playing in three straight BCS bowl games, Miami said its athletic department lost $1.5 million two years ago.
Tranghese noted that Miami athletic director Paul Dee has come to the conference meetings with an open mind.
“Paul has done nothing this week that would give us cause to disagree with that,” said Tranghese. “Paul has been very open and forthright as we would expect of him. Paul is obviously under obligation to go back to President (Donna) Shalala and they will ultimately be responsible for what their university decision is.”
Based on published reports, Miami has expressed a desire to have Boston College and Syracuse included in any ACC expansion discussions. The Hurricanes have chosen those two schools because of their location and Miami’s strong alumni ties in the Northeast.
Tranghese called the ACC’s proposed domination of the eastern seaboard with a 12-school super conference “a marketing concoction that has no validity.”
“If you think people in New York City are going to come see Clemson play Boston College in Madison Square Garden you’re mistaken,” Tranghese said.
During the 25-minute question-and-answer session, the commissioner said that it is ironic that he has had to address the issue of his league breaking up after the Big East had one of the best seasons in its 24-year history.
“We will have a dinner tonight and the purpose of that dinner is to honor what Miami did this year,” he said. “They’ve had an incredible two-year run in football. Syracuse won the national championship in basketball with its best player being a freshman and we’ve now won four consecutive championships in women’s basketball. And I’ve got to come here today and talk about this?”
The commissioner doesn’t see this matter dragging out into the summer.
“I think we’d all like to get this matter resolved but I think the timetable is going to be determined by the University of Miami, Syracuse, BC and the Atlantic Coast Conference,” said Tranghese. “I don’t sense that people want this thing to go on and on and on.”
Tranghese declined to speculate about his league’s options should Miami, Syracuse and Boston College choose to leave.
“They (school presidents and athletic directors) are going to do whatever they think they have to do to keep this conference together. We just think it’s worth saving,” he said.
West Virginia University AD Ed Pastilong has gone on record as being in favor of doing everything possible to preserve the Big East Conference.
