[chrisk]

Right, there is money after all in watching west coast teams.  But only when they're playing east coast teams and/or the results affect the conference standings of east coast teams.

Or when the West Coast teams play in a time slot not otherwise occupied by Midwest or East Coast teams. How much will ESPN and/or Fox pay for games in that 7:30 PM Pacific time slot? Whether Stanford goes with a conference or is independent, many of their games will probably be scheduled then, at least until the team is more competitive.

If Stanford streams with Apple, there will be more flexibility in scheduling games.

[chrisk]

Right, there is money after all in watching west coast teams.  But only when they're playing east coast teams and/or the results affect the conference standings of east coast teams.

Or when the West Coast teams play in a time slot not otherwise occupied by Midwest or East Coast teams. How much will ESPN and/or Fox pay for games in that 7:30 PM Pacific time slot? Whether Stanford goes with a conference or is independent, many of their games will probably be scheduled then, at least until the team is more competitive.

If Stanford streams with Apple, there will be more flexibility in scheduling games.

[norcard10]

Acronym would work out if they named it PACC - pacific atlantic coasts conference

[norcard10]

Acronym would work out if they named it PACC - pacific atlantic coasts conference

[Giants]

Acronym would work out if they named it PACC - pacific atlantic coasts conference

PAC - C   That covers the future when they expand to 100 teams.

[Giants]

Acronym would work out if they named it PACC - pacific atlantic coasts conference

PAC - C   That covers the future when they expand to 100 teams.

[CompSci87]

Acronym would work out if they named it PACC - pacific atlantic coasts conference

PAC - C   That covers the future when they expand to 100 teams.

A&P: The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea College Sports Company.

[CompSci87]

Acronym would work out if they named it PACC - pacific atlantic coasts conference

PAC - C   That covers the future when they expand to 100 teams.

A&P: The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea College Sports Company.

[ADPinWDC]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

[ADPinWDC]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

[norcard10]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

Since Bama schedules powerhouses like LA Monroe on their non-conference slate, it's only fair Stanford schedules Dartmouth on their east coast swing.

[norcard10]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

Since Bama schedules powerhouses like LA Monroe on their non-conference slate, it's only fair Stanford schedules Dartmouth on their east coast swing.

[chrisk]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

I have a very hard time seeing the ACC proposal passing the due diligence of the Stanford Trustees.
They will be making the decision anyway, not Muir.

[chrisk]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

I have a very hard time seeing the ACC proposal passing the due diligence of the Stanford Trustees.
They will be making the decision anyway, not Muir.

[old spanish trail]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

[old spanish trail]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

[chrisk]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

the student experience primarily

[chrisk]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

the student experience primarily

[old spanish trail]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

the student experience primarily

I agree that would probably be the main reason for them to vote no. Over the years I've known board members here and there, but I have absolutely no feel for this Board. For all I know, the Board is taking the opportunity to question whether the present state of college athletics and the priority of the $$  present an opportunity to reconsider Stanford's participation. I hope not because my house still loves it all.

[old spanish trail]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

the student experience primarily

I agree that would probably be the main reason for them to vote no. Over the years I've known board members here and there, but I have absolutely no feel for this Board. For all I know, the Board is taking the opportunity to question whether the present state of college athletics and the priority of the $$  present an opportunity to reconsider Stanford's participation. I hope not because my house still loves it all.

[Softball Fan]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

I have a very hard time seeing the ACC proposal passing the due diligence of the Stanford Trustees.
They will be making the decision anyway, not Muir.

So is Stanford wasting its time talking to the ACC?

[Softball Fan]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

I have a very hard time seeing the ACC proposal passing the due diligence of the Stanford Trustees.
They will be making the decision anyway, not Muir.

So is Stanford wasting its time talking to the ACC?

[Green]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

the student experience primarily

There exist a couple of decades of data on the student athlete experience as a result of high travel loads.  The bulk of the SEC/B1G equivalents of college sailing are on the Eastern seaboard.  To maintain the competitive rigor to vie for National Championships, the Stanford Sailing Team is a regular commuter for regattas, primarily in the Northeast, in which all the top sailing programs compete in Saturday/Sunday all day events in the Fall and Spring.

This is an obvious recruiting disadvantage for Stanford, but they continue to recruit sailors that compete for National Championships (in spite of slots going to Varsity Blue kids).  Stanford has probably 200 student athletes that have lived this travel schedule without meaningful home contests.  This would be a great place to do diligence on the student athlete experience.  How many of the 200 would do it again?  If Stanford only competed against West coast programs that do not qualify for Nationals, would they have still attended Stanford?

[Green]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

the student experience primarily

There exist a couple of decades of data on the student athlete experience as a result of high travel loads.  The bulk of the SEC/B1G equivalents of college sailing are on the Eastern seaboard.  To maintain the competitive rigor to vie for National Championships, the Stanford Sailing Team is a regular commuter for regattas, primarily in the Northeast, in which all the top sailing programs compete in Saturday/Sunday all day events in the Fall and Spring.

This is an obvious recruiting disadvantage for Stanford, but they continue to recruit sailors that compete for National Championships (in spite of slots going to Varsity Blue kids).  Stanford has probably 200 student athletes that have lived this travel schedule without meaningful home contests.  This would be a great place to do diligence on the student athlete experience.  How many of the 200 would do it again?  If Stanford only competed against West coast programs that do not qualify for Nationals, would they have still attended Stanford?

[chrisk]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

I have a very hard time seeing the ACC proposal passing the due diligence of the Stanford Trustees.
They will be making the decision anyway, not Muir.

So is Stanford wasting its time talking to the ACC?

I hope they have engaged a good consulting firm who is doing preliminary due diligence on all conceivable alternatives. But I would expect they would prepare an analysis of those results for the Board. Based on that, the Board would authorize further exploration of a limited set of alternatives.

[chrisk]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

I have a very hard time seeing the ACC proposal passing the due diligence of the Stanford Trustees.
They will be making the decision anyway, not Muir.

So is Stanford wasting its time talking to the ACC?

I hope they have engaged a good consulting firm who is doing preliminary due diligence on all conceivable alternatives. But I would expect they would prepare an analysis of those results for the Board. Based on that, the Board would authorize further exploration of a limited set of alternatives.

[Branner77]

Looks like Greg Penner's spouse is on the BOT? Greg Penner as in, Denver Broncos owner and host of the giant tailgater in CTG? So there's maybe at least one trustee who knows about LSJU sports. For over a decade, my undergrad class had at least one sports-minded trustee but the two most recent members termed out in the past year or two.

https://boardoftrustees.stanford.edu/board-members/

[Branner77]

Looks like Greg Penner's spouse is on the BOT? Greg Penner as in, Denver Broncos owner and host of the giant tailgater in CTG? So there's maybe at least one trustee who knows about LSJU sports. For over a decade, my undergrad class had at least one sports-minded trustee but the two most recent members termed out in the past year or two.

https://boardoftrustees.stanford.edu/board-members/

[Softball Fan]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

I have a very hard time seeing the ACC proposal passing the due diligence of the Stanford Trustees.
They will be making the decision anyway, not Muir.

So is Stanford wasting its time talking to the ACC?

I hope they have engaged a good consulting firm who is doing preliminary due diligence on all conceivable alternatives.  But I would expect they would prepare an analysis of those results for the Board.  Based on that, the Board would authorize further exploration of a limited set of alternatives.

I believe there are over 30 members on the Board of Trustees.  How would you know how they are going to vote?

[Softball Fan]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

I have a very hard time seeing the ACC proposal passing the due diligence of the Stanford Trustees.
They will be making the decision anyway, not Muir.

So is Stanford wasting its time talking to the ACC?

I hope they have engaged a good consulting firm who is doing preliminary due diligence on all conceivable alternatives.  But I would expect they would prepare an analysis of those results for the Board.  Based on that, the Board would authorize further exploration of a limited set of alternatives.

I believe there are over 30 members on the Board of Trustees.  How would you know how they are going to vote?

[chrisk]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

I have a very hard time seeing the ACC proposal passing the due diligence of the Stanford Trustees.
They will be making the decision anyway, not Muir.

So is Stanford wasting its time talking to the ACC?

I hope they have engaged a good consulting firm who is doing preliminary due diligence on all conceivable alternatives.  But I would expect they would prepare an analysis of those results for the Board.  Based on that, the Board would authorize further exploration of a limited set of alternatives.

I believe there are over 30 members on the Board of Trustees.  How would you know how they are going to vote?

They will likely have a subcommittee do most of the work, but I have to think the conditions they insist on would make negotiations with the ACC difficult to succeed.

[chrisk]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

I have a very hard time seeing the ACC proposal passing the due diligence of the Stanford Trustees.
They will be making the decision anyway, not Muir.

So is Stanford wasting its time talking to the ACC?

I hope they have engaged a good consulting firm who is doing preliminary due diligence on all conceivable alternatives.  But I would expect they would prepare an analysis of those results for the Board.  Based on that, the Board would authorize further exploration of a limited set of alternatives.

I believe there are over 30 members on the Board of Trustees.  How would you know how they are going to vote?

They will likely have a subcommittee do most of the work, but I have to think the conditions they insist on would make negotiations with the ACC difficult to succeed.

[BillBradley]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

I have a very hard time seeing the ACC proposal passing the due diligence of the Stanford Trustees.
They will be making the decision anyway, not Muir.

So is Stanford wasting its time talking to the ACC?

Not if it's putting pressure on the B10.

[BillBradley]

Unfortunately, too much of the talk here is focused on TRAVEL and regional rivalries.  I GET THAT. 
The problem:  $MONEY is driving realignment, and the digitized landscape.  The 20th Century is yesterday. 

A)  If schlepping to the B1G means taking a HALF-share and snow games, why is that worth it?  Screw that.
Do not expect ANY deal to include a full share in the B1G.  That's not on the table. 

B)  I think the Big12 is SET.  They got the 4 Corner schools they wanted.  Happy Family there.  We don't fit.   DONE.

C)  Apple streaming as an INDY means how much a year?  $10M tops. ??  Down from $25M-$30M with former Pac12.  
So, how much of Stanford Athletics is GUTTED with that deal? 
Heh, INDIE equals more "control" of schedule (that's a fantasy; it's a negotiation, not control) -- put the bottle down.

Yes, the ACC is a "travel nightmare"... but, those are the best School matchups REMAINING.  First tier Academics matters. 
1)  We still get to pick our Non-Conf games 
2)  Negotiate a "no snow game" clause -- which is not a big burden for ACC; they would want to come West.  SYRC = Dome. 
3)  Very good "New Rivalries":  Duke, UVA, VATech (Orange Bowl; great game!), Wake.  GATech, yes!  UNC = Bowl game.
      UNC or Duke would be Boffo in Basketball (Men's & Women's), SOCCER -- that's a National TV tiff.  C'mon, Man.  
4)  Maybe, maybe... the Convicts at Miami and FreeShoesUniv. take plea deals with the SEC.  See Ya.  Let that play out.  
5)  Hey -- NDAM becomes a CONF game.  Every year, Our Lady.  "Have some."  

D)  Big bonus:  I think, despite the physical burden on Student-Athletes, Stanford gets EAST COAST visibility!  
NOTE:  Stanford is a NATIONAL school.  So, play NATIONALLY !!   
Some of our marquee Student-Athletes are from the East Coast: 
RB Bryce Love (NC), QB Davis Mills (GA), QB Ashton Daniels (GA), LB Chase Thomas -- dozens more. 
That's just Football -- now go to Basketball and the Olympic sports. 

So, suck it up and head East, young man.  The ideal options are GONE.

I have a very hard time seeing the ACC proposal passing the due diligence of the Stanford Trustees.
They will be making the decision anyway, not Muir.

So is Stanford wasting its time talking to the ACC?

Not if it's putting pressure on the B10.

[akiddoc]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

the student experience primarily

At this point, the student experience is likely no sports at all for about 20 teams at Stanford or join the ACC. I think the board will be leery of cutting out most of the sports programs. It's either ACC, cutting 25 million dollars a year from the budget, or the ability to come up with 25 million dollars from somewhere. Are our rich BOT members going to cough up a million a year each personally to fund the athletic department?

[akiddoc]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

the student experience primarily

At this point, the student experience is likely no sports at all for about 20 teams at Stanford or join the ACC. I think the board will be leery of cutting out most of the sports programs. It's either ACC, cutting 25 million dollars a year from the budget, or the ability to come up with 25 million dollars from somewhere. Are our rich BOT members going to cough up a million a year each personally to fund the athletic department?

[TriangleTree]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

the student experience primarily

At this point, the student experience is likely no sports at all for about 20 teams at Stanford or join the ACC. I think the board will be leery of cutting out most of the sports programs. It's either ACC, cutting 25 million dollars a year from the budget, or the ability to come up with 25 million dollars from somewhere. Are our rich BOT members going to cough up a million a year each personally to fund the athletic department?

This is it.
Far from ideal and not sustainable in the long run, but considering the situation Stanford has been forced into (or has put itself in, not really the point), I believe this to be the best choice if sports excellence is to carry on.
Dreadful from a travel perspective but the best fit based on schools and athletic programs (even if, maybe more so if Clemson and FSU exit). It provides sustainability until the next realignment/dissolution wave which can’t be far off given the mess we’re in.  
A lot to be said also for saving face and not implicitly endorsing the sewer rats that started all of this, but that’s just me. Keeps Cal rivalry and throws them a lifeline too, just like ND may be doing for us.

I hope they make it work. Who knows, maybe some kind of deal that allows for more off conference games in some/all sports but with enough for schedule stability and access to conference championships. 
Stop waiting for the ideal, we’re in a storm and it’s all about enabling options until the storm recedes. This may be the best.

[TriangleTree]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

the student experience primarily

At this point, the student experience is likely no sports at all for about 20 teams at Stanford or join the ACC. I think the board will be leery of cutting out most of the sports programs. It's either ACC, cutting 25 million dollars a year from the budget, or the ability to come up with 25 million dollars from somewhere. Are our rich BOT members going to cough up a million a year each personally to fund the athletic department?

This is it.
Far from ideal and not sustainable in the long run, but considering the situation Stanford has been forced into (or has put itself in, not really the point), I believe this to be the best choice if sports excellence is to carry on.
Dreadful from a travel perspective but the best fit based on schools and athletic programs (even if, maybe more so if Clemson and FSU exit). It provides sustainability until the next realignment/dissolution wave which can’t be far off given the mess we’re in.  
A lot to be said also for saving face and not implicitly endorsing the sewer rats that started all of this, but that’s just me. Keeps Cal rivalry and throws them a lifeline too, just like ND may be doing for us.

I hope they make it work. Who knows, maybe some kind of deal that allows for more off conference games in some/all sports but with enough for schedule stability and access to conference championships. 
Stop waiting for the ideal, we’re in a storm and it’s all about enabling options until the storm recedes. This may be the best.

[Mudhead]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

the student experience primarily

I agree that would probably be the main reason for them to vote no. Over the years I've known board members here and there, but I have absolutely no feel for this Board. For all I know, the Board is taking the opportunity to question whether the present state of college athletics and the priority of the $$  present an opportunity to reconsider Stanford's participation. I hope not because my house still loves it all.

This board is way to big to actually make a decision in real time . And the “Athletic Committee ”:doesn’t seem to have much heft. There has to be a very small group of power players to pull off the saving of our athletic program and I am not sure it exists.  If it does, its first priority, rightly or wrongly, will be to find a New President.  With the political bases (faculty, stafff, donors ) that need to be touched, that’s not going to be a quick process).  Plus the Trustees have been asleep at the switch on this issue for the last two years.. you sense from the non statement statement issued recently that we were caught completely unaware and had no back up plan.

In short, ACC or B1G membership would require agile, able leadership and we don’t have it.  Regretfully, I look for inaction to default to a half assed Independent stance while we start to look at the problem. While we dither, I fear our good recruits and players not near graduation will hit the portal.  Not talking about just Football and basketball but women’s volleyball and basketball, softball and baseball as well. Absent a bug infusion of endowment funding, the so called Olympic sports go away as well.

Is there a group of deep pockets who would step in and take over the program?  Would the Trustees get out of the way while they do?  I don’t  know and I doubt it.

I think we are well on the way to mediocrity. Fortunately, I have been wrong before.

[Mudhead]

Why do you see the Board not on board, Chris?

the student experience primarily

I agree that would probably be the main reason for them to vote no. Over the years I've known board members here and there, but I have absolutely no feel for this Board. For all I know, the Board is taking the opportunity to question whether the present state of college athletics and the priority of the $$  present an opportunity to reconsider Stanford's participation. I hope not because my house still loves it all.

This board is way to big to actually make a decision in real time . And the “Athletic Committee ”:doesn’t seem to have much heft. There has to be a very small group of power players to pull off the saving of our athletic program and I am not sure it exists.  If it does, its first priority, rightly or wrongly, will be to find a New President.  With the political bases (faculty, stafff, donors ) that need to be touched, that’s not going to be a quick process).  Plus the Trustees have been asleep at the switch on this issue for the last two years.. you sense from the non statement statement issued recently that we were caught completely unaware and had no back up plan.

In short, ACC or B1G membership would require agile, able leadership and we don’t have it.  Regretfully, I look for inaction to default to a half assed Independent stance while we start to look at the problem. While we dither, I fear our good recruits and players not near graduation will hit the portal.  Not talking about just Football and basketball but women’s volleyball and basketball, softball and baseball as well. Absent a bug infusion of endowment funding, the so called Olympic sports go away as well.

Is there a group of deep pockets who would step in and take over the program?  Would the Trustees get out of the way while they do?  I don’t  know and I doubt it.

I think we are well on the way to mediocrity. Fortunately, I have been wrong before.