[Softball Fan]

Latest rumor making the rounds.  ACC also in discussion with SMU:

https://theathletic.com/4759961/2023/08/...scussions/

Thanks to deep-pocketed donors, SMU is building a $100 million end zone facility and is in some cases lapping Group of 5 competitors in the NIL market. The idea that SMU could withstand years as a lesser-share member of a power conference, with boosters filling in the gap, has also come up in realignment discussions.

---

If ACC could find the media revenue to also add SDSU, the travel issue would almost make a little bit of sense.

If the pac-4 adds SDSU, SMU, and a few similar schools the net results (considering travel) woul be about as good as joining the ACC.  Who is excited about a steady diet of Boston College, Wake Forest, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Virginia Tech, and NC State?

Preferable to a steady diet of Cal State Bakersfield and UC Riverside for Olympic sports.

[Softball Fan]

Latest rumor making the rounds.  ACC also in discussion with SMU:

https://theathletic.com/4759961/2023/08/...scussions/

Thanks to deep-pocketed donors, SMU is building a $100 million end zone facility and is in some cases lapping Group of 5 competitors in the NIL market. The idea that SMU could withstand years as a lesser-share member of a power conference, with boosters filling in the gap, has also come up in realignment discussions.

---

If ACC could find the media revenue to also add SDSU, the travel issue would almost make a little bit of sense.

If the pac-4 adds SDSU, SMU, and a few similar schools the net results (considering travel) woul be about as good as joining the ACC.  Who is excited about a steady diet of Boston College, Wake Forest, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Virginia Tech, and NC State?

Preferable to a steady diet of Cal State Bakersfield and UC Riverside for Olympic sports.

[Canalejas]

I'd like to stay in a power league.  But if it's not meant to be, I'd happily watch UC Riverside. Go Highlanders.

[Canalejas]

I'd like to stay in a power league.  But if it's not meant to be, I'd happily watch UC Riverside. Go Highlanders.

[chrisk]

Nothing has been reported out of today's early morning UC Regents meeting on the topic of the Pac-12 Conference.

[chrisk]

Nothing has been reported out of today's early morning UC Regents meeting on the topic of the Pac-12 Conference.

[Giants]

I would view today’s activities as a plus.  Of course, I am trying to be optimistic about this issue and no one has said, “Thanks for your interest but we are going in a different direction”.  

I just don’t see the premier overall athletic program being left out of playing football at the Power Four level.  By the end of this week, I expect to see a resolution (and I am hoping it is a positive outcome).

And…..

https://www.si.com/college/2023/08/06/po...a-olympics

[Giants]

I would view today’s activities as a plus.  Of course, I am trying to be optimistic about this issue and no one has said, “Thanks for your interest but we are going in a different direction”.  

I just don’t see the premier overall athletic program being left out of playing football at the Power Four level.  By the end of this week, I expect to see a resolution (and I am hoping it is a positive outcome).

And…..

https://www.si.com/college/2023/08/06/po...a-olympics

[chrisk]

Taylor comments after practice today per ESPN:

Stanford's Troy Taylor 'can't imagine anything' other than Power 5 football

Stanford expects some kind of resolution by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...thing-else

[chrisk]

Taylor comments after practice today per ESPN:

Stanford's Troy Taylor 'can't imagine anything' other than Power 5 football

Stanford expects some kind of resolution by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...thing-else

[Green]

Taylor comments after practice today per ESPN:

Stanford's Troy Taylor 'can't imagine anything' other than Power 5 football

Stanford expects some kind of resolution by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...thing-else

Per the article, no one in the admin has spoken with Troy.  Who is leading the effort to save Stanford sports?

One name mentioned is Bob Sternfels, Stanford water polo alum and current global manager of McKinsey.  Who else should be on the list?  Who is in charge of contacting these people to learn their interest in helping?

[Green]

Taylor comments after practice today per ESPN:

Stanford's Troy Taylor 'can't imagine anything' other than Power 5 football

Stanford expects some kind of resolution by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...thing-else

Per the article, no one in the admin has spoken with Troy.  Who is leading the effort to save Stanford sports?

One name mentioned is Bob Sternfels, Stanford water polo alum and current global manager of McKinsey.  Who else should be on the list?  Who is in charge of contacting these people to learn their interest in helping?

[chrisk]

Taylor comments after practice today per ESPN:

Stanford's Troy Taylor 'can't imagine anything' other than Power 5 football

Stanford expects some kind of resolution by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...thing-else

Per the article, no one in the admin has spoken with Troy.  Who is leading the effort to save Stanford sports?

One name mentioned is Bob Sternfels, Stanford water polo alum and current global manager of McKinsey.  Who else should be on the list?  Who is in charge of contacting these people to learn their interest in helping?

I wouldn’t be surprised if Stanford has hired McKinsey. Resolving this in a week seems optimistic.

[chrisk]

Taylor comments after practice today per ESPN:

Stanford's Troy Taylor 'can't imagine anything' other than Power 5 football

Stanford expects some kind of resolution by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...thing-else

Per the article, no one in the admin has spoken with Troy.  Who is leading the effort to save Stanford sports?

One name mentioned is Bob Sternfels, Stanford water polo alum and current global manager of McKinsey.  Who else should be on the list?  Who is in charge of contacting these people to learn their interest in helping?

I wouldn’t be surprised if Stanford has hired McKinsey. Resolving this in a week seems optimistic.

[2006alum]

Taylor comments after practice today per ESPN:

Stanford's Troy Taylor 'can't imagine anything' other than Power 5 football

Stanford expects some kind of resolution by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...thing-else

Per the article, no one in the admin has spoken with Troy.  Who is leading the effort to save Stanford sports?

One name mentioned is Bob Sternfels, Stanford water polo alum and current global manager of McKinsey.  Who else should be on the list?  Who is in charge of contacting these people to learn their interest in helping?

That no one in administration has spoken with the head football coach on this matter is just more evidence of Stanford's ineptitude and carelessness. He has an invaluable perspective on travel feasibility and consequences, recruiting effects, and the team's competitiveness, and he is not consulted or even briefed? It is almost as if the university is trying to create an excuse to get out of major college football. Something smells.

Or the more parsimonious explanation: the same reason Taylor knows nothing is the same reason we haven't heard a single peep on the Stanford side about Stanford's activities. I think they're doing this in a need to know basis. Taylor hasn't coached a single game at Stanford. He has no other ties to the school. Not sure how much insight he'll provide that they couldn't get from, say, Shaw. 

And by the way, "what's best for football" is easy here - any P5 conference does the trick, just as Taylor said. It's all the other sports where things get complicated.

[2006alum]

Taylor comments after practice today per ESPN:

Stanford's Troy Taylor 'can't imagine anything' other than Power 5 football

Stanford expects some kind of resolution by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...thing-else

Per the article, no one in the admin has spoken with Troy.  Who is leading the effort to save Stanford sports?

One name mentioned is Bob Sternfels, Stanford water polo alum and current global manager of McKinsey.  Who else should be on the list?  Who is in charge of contacting these people to learn their interest in helping?

That no one in administration has spoken with the head football coach on this matter is just more evidence of Stanford's ineptitude and carelessness. He has an invaluable perspective on travel feasibility and consequences, recruiting effects, and the team's competitiveness, and he is not consulted or even briefed? It is almost as if the university is trying to create an excuse to get out of major college football. Something smells.

Or the more parsimonious explanation: the same reason Taylor knows nothing is the same reason we haven't heard a single peep on the Stanford side about Stanford's activities. I think they're doing this in a need to know basis. Taylor hasn't coached a single game at Stanford. He has no other ties to the school. Not sure how much insight he'll provide that they couldn't get from, say, Shaw. 

And by the way, "what's best for football" is easy here - any P5 conference does the trick, just as Taylor said. It's all the other sports where things get complicated.

[Mick]

Interesting that Taylor says Power 5 or nothing, given his lack of experience in the Power 5 world as a head coach. His opinion, nevertheless, is valuable, but limited. I doubt Sacto State did much traveling to the east coast or midwest.

[Mick]

Interesting that Taylor says Power 5 or nothing, given his lack of experience in the Power 5 world as a head coach. His opinion, nevertheless, is valuable, but limited. I doubt Sacto State did much traveling to the east coast or midwest.

[TriangleTree]

I appreciated TT’s statement.
It’s the best we’ve heard so far from Stanford,  showing disappointment but also confidence, not the desperate and angry tone we heard from Wilcox. 
Does anyone have a link to the actual recording?

[TriangleTree]

I appreciated TT’s statement.
It’s the best we’ve heard so far from Stanford,  showing disappointment but also confidence, not the desperate and angry tone we heard from Wilcox. 
Does anyone have a link to the actual recording?

[oldalum]

Perhaps the expanded ACC could be referred to as the PACC (Pacific-ACC) so we could still back the PACC?

[oldalum]

Perhaps the expanded ACC could be referred to as the PACC (Pacific-ACC) so we could still back the PACC?

[norcard10]

Taylor comments after practice today per ESPN:

Stanford's Troy Taylor 'can't imagine anything' other than Power 5 football

Stanford expects some kind of resolution by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...thing-else

Per the article, no one in the admin has spoken with Troy.  Who is leading the effort to save Stanford sports?

One name mentioned is Bob Sternfels, Stanford water polo alum and current global manager of McKinsey.  Who else should be on the list?  Who is in charge of contacting these people to learn their interest in helping?

That no one in administration has spoken with the head football coach on this matter is just more evidence of Stanford's ineptitude and carelessness. He has an invaluable perspective on travel feasibility and consequences, recruiting effects, and the team's competitiveness, and he is not consulted or even briefed? It is almost as if the university is trying to create an excuse to get out of major college football. Something smells.

Shayne Skov also at the firm

[norcard10]

Taylor comments after practice today per ESPN:

Stanford's Troy Taylor 'can't imagine anything' other than Power 5 football

Stanford expects some kind of resolution by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...thing-else

Per the article, no one in the admin has spoken with Troy.  Who is leading the effort to save Stanford sports?

One name mentioned is Bob Sternfels, Stanford water polo alum and current global manager of McKinsey.  Who else should be on the list?  Who is in charge of contacting these people to learn their interest in helping?

That no one in administration has spoken with the head football coach on this matter is just more evidence of Stanford's ineptitude and carelessness. He has an invaluable perspective on travel feasibility and consequences, recruiting effects, and the team's competitiveness, and he is not consulted or even briefed? It is almost as if the university is trying to create an excuse to get out of major college football. Something smells.

Shayne Skov also at the firm

[Bruce Wang]

While I would love to see Stanford play my other alma mater (Ohio State) and the other B1G teams I love to hate, the ACC might be better for us.  We need to recruit nationally and this would raise our profile on the eastern seaboard.  It's probably easier to pry recruits out of those states than the B1G State U's.  Also the ACC has a stronger academic profile so there's a better cultural fit for us and Kal with programs like BC, Duke, UNC, UVa, GT and even Miami.  From a purely selfish standpoint, as a resident of the northeast, this could mean I could see Stanford play in person.

[Bruce Wang]

While I would love to see Stanford play my other alma mater (Ohio State) and the other B1G teams I love to hate, the ACC might be better for us.  We need to recruit nationally and this would raise our profile on the eastern seaboard.  It's probably easier to pry recruits out of those states than the B1G State U's.  Also the ACC has a stronger academic profile so there's a better cultural fit for us and Kal with programs like BC, Duke, UNC, UVa, GT and even Miami.  From a purely selfish standpoint, as a resident of the northeast, this could mean I could see Stanford play in person.

[gocard14]

Taylor comments after practice today per ESPN:

Stanford's Troy Taylor 'can't imagine anything' other than Power 5 football

Stanford expects some kind of resolution by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...thing-else

I tend to agree with him. An extra two hours of travel for 4-5 games for the football team just isn't that big a deal. 

The issue is for all other sports which can't charter flights.  With the craziness of conference realignment, football, and maybe basketball, need to be decoupled from other sports with regards to conferences.

---

Interestingly, we do have some juice nationally.  The interview with coach is front page of ESPN.com.  

Sure, being in the sports doldrums of summer helps with that, but our coach saying an obvious item like " we cant to play power 5 football" being front page news means our name must attract some attention.

[gocard14]

Taylor comments after practice today per ESPN:

Stanford's Troy Taylor 'can't imagine anything' other than Power 5 football

Stanford expects some kind of resolution by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...thing-else

I tend to agree with him. An extra two hours of travel for 4-5 games for the football team just isn't that big a deal. 

The issue is for all other sports which can't charter flights.  With the craziness of conference realignment, football, and maybe basketball, need to be decoupled from other sports with regards to conferences.

---

Interestingly, we do have some juice nationally.  The interview with coach is front page of ESPN.com.  

Sure, being in the sports doldrums of summer helps with that, but our coach saying an obvious item like " we cant to play power 5 football" being front page news means our name must attract some attention.

[fullmetal]

I'm sure the AD/BoT has talked to Shaw and Taylor in private, probably more so Shaw.  They need to get Oliver Luck's perspective as well.  Maybe even Bowlsby.

I don't see a super league forming.  Rankings mean everything for the playoffs, and a super league means no bottomdwellers to pad the stats.  If a super league does form, it will be due to market forces (e.g. network contract revenue pressure), not due to the wishes of top programs/coaches.

[fullmetal]

I'm sure the AD/BoT has talked to Shaw and Taylor in private, probably more so Shaw.  They need to get Oliver Luck's perspective as well.  Maybe even Bowlsby.

I don't see a super league forming.  Rankings mean everything for the playoffs, and a super league means no bottomdwellers to pad the stats.  If a super league does form, it will be due to market forces (e.g. network contract revenue pressure), not due to the wishes of top programs/coaches.

[2006alum]

I'm sure the AD/BoT has talked to Shaw and Taylor in private, probably more so Shaw.  They need to get Oliver Luck's perspective as well.  Maybe even Bowlsby.

I don't see a super league forming.  Rankings mean everything for the playoffs, and a super league means no bottomdwellers to pad the stats.  If a super league does form, it will be due to market forces (e.g. network contract revenue pressure), not due to the wishes of top programs/coaches.

Almost nothing about the past two years of realignment has been about the wishes of top programs and coaches. Why would that change going forward?

[2006alum]

I'm sure the AD/BoT has talked to Shaw and Taylor in private, probably more so Shaw.  They need to get Oliver Luck's perspective as well.  Maybe even Bowlsby.

I don't see a super league forming.  Rankings mean everything for the playoffs, and a super league means no bottomdwellers to pad the stats.  If a super league does form, it will be due to market forces (e.g. network contract revenue pressure), not due to the wishes of top programs/coaches.

Almost nothing about the past two years of realignment has been about the wishes of top programs and coaches. Why would that change going forward?

[SkiBum80]

It’s wishful thinking that the Pac-12 refugees could lift the Mountain West. In the last FOUR YEARS, the only top 25 Sagarin team from this hypothetical merger is 2022 Oregon State. This conference would be as minor as it gets.

Yep.  Tulane and Oregon State are the only teams in the preseason Coaches Poll that didn’t make the 2024 Power Four cut.  

It is either one of those conferences or irrelevancy for the Cardinal.

I agree. For football team the relevancy is crucial. 
UW President hit this on the head in interview discussing why bolting to B1G.
Said her football players deserved "visibility".
I believe trying to go Independent or teaming up with MWC teams would be a hard sell to current and future recruits on the visibility of the Stanford football program.
Given all options and their pluses and minuses, much as it might seem illogical at first, I think joining ACC (if possible) is best move from here.
I also think the posts rationalizing the reduction in priority or even elimination of Stanford football are misguided.
It has long been in Stanford's DNA to compete as strongly as possible in football.
Not always impressively effectively so, but sometimes miraculously well so, and never giving up so.
The seemingly well reasoned persuasions that minimize the importance of Stanford football still seem to overlook it's support contribution towards non revenue sports.
And those arguments, while at first sounding sensible, have a bitter aftertaste remindful of a petulant child not doing well in the game and so saying I"m taking my football and going home (to sulk).
I am hoping the true Stanford tradition is more of the Man in the Arena mentality.

[SkiBum80]

It’s wishful thinking that the Pac-12 refugees could lift the Mountain West. In the last FOUR YEARS, the only top 25 Sagarin team from this hypothetical merger is 2022 Oregon State. This conference would be as minor as it gets.

Yep.  Tulane and Oregon State are the only teams in the preseason Coaches Poll that didn’t make the 2024 Power Four cut.  

It is either one of those conferences or irrelevancy for the Cardinal.

I agree. For football team the relevancy is crucial. 
UW President hit this on the head in interview discussing why bolting to B1G.
Said her football players deserved "visibility".
I believe trying to go Independent or teaming up with MWC teams would be a hard sell to current and future recruits on the visibility of the Stanford football program.
Given all options and their pluses and minuses, much as it might seem illogical at first, I think joining ACC (if possible) is best move from here.
I also think the posts rationalizing the reduction in priority or even elimination of Stanford football are misguided.
It has long been in Stanford's DNA to compete as strongly as possible in football.
Not always impressively effectively so, but sometimes miraculously well so, and never giving up so.
The seemingly well reasoned persuasions that minimize the importance of Stanford football still seem to overlook it's support contribution towards non revenue sports.
And those arguments, while at first sounding sensible, have a bitter aftertaste remindful of a petulant child not doing well in the game and so saying I"m taking my football and going home (to sulk).
I am hoping the true Stanford tradition is more of the Man in the Arena mentality.

[jacket3ree]

Per the article, no one in the admin has spoken with Troy.  Who is leading the effort to save Stanford sports?

One name mentioned is Bob Sternfels, Stanford water polo alum and current global manager of McKinsey.  Who else should be on the list?  Who is in charge of contacting these people to learn their interest in helping?

Shayne Skov.  Then Stanford winds up in the Skov Conference with whomever he deems worthy.

[jacket3ree]

Per the article, no one in the admin has spoken with Troy.  Who is leading the effort to save Stanford sports?

One name mentioned is Bob Sternfels, Stanford water polo alum and current global manager of McKinsey.  Who else should be on the list?  Who is in charge of contacting these people to learn their interest in helping?

Shayne Skov.  Then Stanford winds up in the Skov Conference with whomever he deems worthy.

[fullmetal]

I'm sure the AD/BoT has talked to Shaw and Taylor in private, probably more so Shaw.  They need to get Oliver Luck's perspective as well.  Maybe even Bowlsby.

I don't see a super league forming.  Rankings mean everything for the playoffs, and a super league means no bottomdwellers to pad the stats.  If a super league does form, it will be due to market forces (e.g. network contract revenue pressure), not due to the wishes of top programs/coaches.

Almost nothing about the past two years of realignment has been about the wishes of top programs and coaches. Why would that change going forward?

Perspective on bargaining power, alignment with conference commissioner (who is a lame duck now), perspectives from other conferences, feasibility of travel burdens for different options, etc.  Hopefully Stanford is actually trying to gather data rather than just watching the house of cards collapse around them.

[fullmetal]

I'm sure the AD/BoT has talked to Shaw and Taylor in private, probably more so Shaw.  They need to get Oliver Luck's perspective as well.  Maybe even Bowlsby.

I don't see a super league forming.  Rankings mean everything for the playoffs, and a super league means no bottomdwellers to pad the stats.  If a super league does form, it will be due to market forces (e.g. network contract revenue pressure), not due to the wishes of top programs/coaches.

Almost nothing about the past two years of realignment has been about the wishes of top programs and coaches. Why would that change going forward?

Perspective on bargaining power, alignment with conference commissioner (who is a lame duck now), perspectives from other conferences, feasibility of travel burdens for different options, etc.  Hopefully Stanford is actually trying to gather data rather than just watching the house of cards collapse around them.

[SkiBum80]

I tend to believe the travel issue is a bit overblown, at least in comparing the ACC relative to other options like the Big 12

If flying direct just not that big a difference to fly to Raleigh-Durham then Chicago or Texas. 

Travel to airport + time before flight + flight to Chicago or Texas is 5.5-6 hours
The same when flying to Raleigh or Boston or Florida is 7.5-8 hours. 

Hardly a of immense proportions difference for a trip taken maybe 5x/year.  What can make a bigger difference is actually the proximitiy of said schools to major airports, which is a bigger issue in the Big10 then the ACC. Getting to state college PA or Champaign, Illinois. takes a lot longer then flying to Boston. 

Obviously we'd all prefer a real Pac12 with minimal travel or a real invite to a new Big10 with a real western division. But if that isn't in the cards, then being in the ACC isn't that of immense proportions a change from the Big12 or any other power5 conference.

Very perceptive and worth emphasizing.
As one who travels often for work, it is not really the distance that matters as much as the connections.
A 2500 mile coast to coast non stop can be less travel burden that a 1000 mile with connection(s).
And the distance from airport to final destination can also be brobdingnagian difference maker. Bigger than the flight itself.
Regarding the complaints on time zones and jet lag, I think it is more of "it depends".
I'm no spring chicken and yet USA time zone changes are usually not that big a problem.
Though of course I'm not a semi-pro to pro-level athlete like our SA's, trying to compete at 100% (vs 90%) energy.
Though they are in their late teens to 20's, in their favor, vs. this grey haired guy.
The key for flying from west to east coast, do a morning departure, not to arrive too late.
Avoid redeye flights if possible (they're sleep pattern killers).
And try not to have anything intense scheduled too early the first morning after arrival.
Mid morning or afternoon gives better time to prepare.
Flying back east to west usually no jet lag or sleep pattern disruption (assuming flights go as planned).

[SkiBum80]

I tend to believe the travel issue is a bit overblown, at least in comparing the ACC relative to other options like the Big 12

If flying direct just not that big a difference to fly to Raleigh-Durham then Chicago or Texas. 

Travel to airport + time before flight + flight to Chicago or Texas is 5.5-6 hours
The same when flying to Raleigh or Boston or Florida is 7.5-8 hours. 

Hardly a of immense proportions difference for a trip taken maybe 5x/year.  What can make a bigger difference is actually the proximitiy of said schools to major airports, which is a bigger issue in the Big10 then the ACC. Getting to state college PA or Champaign, Illinois. takes a lot longer then flying to Boston. 

Obviously we'd all prefer a real Pac12 with minimal travel or a real invite to a new Big10 with a real western division. But if that isn't in the cards, then being in the ACC isn't that of immense proportions a change from the Big12 or any other power5 conference.

Very perceptive and worth emphasizing.
As one who travels often for work, it is not really the distance that matters as much as the connections.
A 2500 mile coast to coast non stop can be less travel burden that a 1000 mile with connection(s).
And the distance from airport to final destination can also be brobdingnagian difference maker. Bigger than the flight itself.
Regarding the complaints on time zones and jet lag, I think it is more of "it depends".
I'm no spring chicken and yet USA time zone changes are usually not that big a problem.
Though of course I'm not a semi-pro to pro-level athlete like our SA's, trying to compete at 100% (vs 90%) energy.
Though they are in their late teens to 20's, in their favor, vs. this grey haired guy.
The key for flying from west to east coast, do a morning departure, not to arrive too late.
Avoid redeye flights if possible (they're sleep pattern killers).
And try not to have anything intense scheduled too early the first morning after arrival.
Mid morning or afternoon gives better time to prepare.
Flying back east to west usually no jet lag or sleep pattern disruption (assuming flights go as planned).