It was just last weekend that reports surfaced indicating that WVU was at the top of the Big XII's list to replace Missouri. It was speculated that an offer could come within a week or two--just as soon as Mizzou made it's jump to the SEC official. Then, just three short days later there was jubilation in the Mountain State. Every media outlet from the Charleston Gazette to the New York Times was reporting a "done deal": West Virginia had applied and been accepted to the Big XII. Mountaineer fans, more than anything else, expressed relief that the anxious waiting and worrying in regards to getting "left behind" was finally over. Sure, the Big XII wasn't the first choice of many--for one, the ACC and SEC were better geographic fits and provided more natural rivalries. But Mountaineer nation wasn't about to complain. Not when the alternative, staying in the decaying Big East, was the equivalent of football suicide.
But Wednesday morning fans awoke to strange news reports that the deal with the Big XII was "on hold." For the most part though, it seemed that nothing had changed. There would simply be a delay, presumably to make necessary arrangements and prepare statements. Formalities, nothing more.
Most fans missed it in their jubilation the previous night, but an eerily downcast message was released by WVU, almost warning the media to back off. The short message read: "Contrary to media reports, there is no press conference scheduled for Wednesday concerning WVU's athletic conference affiliation."
Something wasn't right. Many felt it, but few said it. Realistically, how could a major athletic conference renege on its word, specifically after media outlets had confirmed the agreement and after being so close to making an announcement? After finally getting respite from the madness of football realignment, was it possible that it was about to get much worse?
Those questions were unfortunately answered by a New York Times report suggesting that there had been political intervention at the eleventh hour by Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell to push for Louisville instead of West Virginia. Such is the life of a Mountaineer fan: nothing, it seems, ever comes easily. West Virginians don't expect handouts, and they don't shy away from hard work. They understand that earning something makes that thing more valuable than if it had been freely given. But more than that, West Virginians understand loyalty and respect. The statements released by WV Senators Manchin and Rockefeller later that evening embody those sentiments. WVU had earned a spot in the Big XII through the hard work and merits of its athletic programs, only to have it reportedly stolen away though under-handed actions and backdoor dealings.
It's a shame that West Virginia is limited in its conference affiliation options, because the complete lack of respect with which the Big XII conference treated WVU is not acceptable, and is certainly not up to the moral standards held by the people of West Virginia for whom respect and loyalty are of utmost importance. It's one of the major reasons for the backlash against Rich Rodriguez when he bolted, without addressing the media or fans, for Michigan. A simple "I'm thankful for the opportunity WVU gave me" would have sufficed. In this case, the Big XII should have never taken the actions it did in regards to accepting West Virginia (including sending a draft press release and giving a verbal confirmation) if the conference was not fully committed to the decision, regardless of any developments that may have occurred last minute. The right thing to do is to own up to the decision that has been made, and move forward. Reneging on a decision at this level, when it has progressed to this degree of certainty, is the equivalent of transitioning from a handshake to an uppercut. It's the kind of bonehead mismanagement that has earned the Big XII conference its reputation of instability and left teams looking for the exit. It's also a major blow to the respect that West Virginians had for the Big XII conference just one day earlier. And respect is something that once broken is rarely ever the same.
It's possible that more news on the subject could surface as early as this weekend, as the Big XII has reportedly been in extended phone conversations with the West Virginia administration. If the issue is quickly resolved, and a sufficient explanation for the guffaw is provided, then respect can be restored. After all, everyone is entitled to mistakes as long as they are recognized and corrected. West Virginians deserve an explanation, and they shall receive one in short order. Otherwise, Manchin has stated that he will push for a Senate investigation. Let's hope that things can be resolved civilly--that the Big XII realizes its mistake. Then again, maybe it's naive to expect integrity when every facet of college football is oozing with corruption and greed.
Update: The Big 12 has addressed the delay in the announcement that WVU will be a member of the Big 12 conference.
No comments:
Post a Comment