Photo: Getty Images North America
Everyone loves renderings. They are pretty. The sun is always shining. It's like a timeshare pitch that makes you feel like you want to be there and those who are are cool people. When UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir pitched the latest plans to expand facilities to the school's board it came with those pretty pics and a vision of what the future may look like. Plans include expanding the student section, adding a new club level, new offices for coaches, an updated performance center and the lazy river- which has been on the planning board for a couple of years. McNamara Cove, the official name for the lazy river, will finally happen and it is positioned to be one of the centerpieces of all of these upgrades and new projects. While the pool will serve as an area for athletes to relax and recover, it will also be a party place for on game days and part of what UCF pitches that makes them different. UCF does not have 100 years of football to sell as its history. What it has is the ability of being different. Like them or not, UCF finds ways to get under the skin of their critics but it also breaks the norms of what has been the traditional ways of running a program. When completed, picture the sunny Florida Saturday with a 3:30p kickoff and McNamara Cove filled with fans paying a premium price for access to enjoy the pool, food, music and envy of those not inside. Shortly after UCF announced its plans for a lazy river a couple years back, Florida looked closely and decided to build a new pool for athletes to enjoy- only athletes. Florida does things differently than UCF and they should because their history and donors are different. Some will chuckle at UCF's fun pool but it will get exposure every home game and become something others will duplicate. So grab the floatie and jump in. Who doesn't like a lazy river?...
As the ACC, the Pac-12 and Big Ten talk about how they can work together and not let the SEC and ESPN take over college football, the Big XII still finds itself wondering what it's future is whenever Texas and Oklahoma leave for the SEC. Whether that departure is in one year or three, they are leaving and the remaining eight schools still find little to no interest from other leagues about joining them. Which brings us to Sacramento State rowing. What? Yes, Sacramento State rowing, proud members of the AAC in rowing. The Hornets are members of the Big Sky Conference for their other sports but the Big Sky does not sponsor rowing. There are a number of schools that have teams who play in multiple conferences when their main affiliation does not sponsor certain sports. The point here is, what if Kansas and Baylor basketball were free agents? What if they said, hey, anyone interested in us for basketball only? Sound crazy? Crazy is college athletics every day. The future of college athletics may be where schools have teams spread out in multiple leagues. It has never made sense for programs to send teams in non-revenue sports across the country for a conference game. Every time Florida flies one of its non-revenue teams to College Station it's a money loss. Every time UCF sends its softball team to play at Tulsa, it's a money loss. Regionalizing these sports is long overdue. There is nothing wrong with a soccer conference in Florida made up of teams from Florida. A tennis conference made up of teams from the state and maybe neighboring states. But for Kansas and Baylor basketball, why not sell your value to the Big Ten or ACC? What about football? What about it? Find the best place for your football team and start dealing with the real world. Your value is what someone is willing to pay you. Would the ACC take Kansas for basketball only? Sure, if they bring in new money. Does anyone want Kansas football? No, because they bring in no new money. Does all of this sound crazy? Yes it does, but don't be surprised if the future of conference affiliation is being part of multiple conferences...
As you prepare for your fantasy draft here are some long snappers to keep an eye on: Arizona's Aaron Brewer (contract year, he's motivated), Morgan Cox (Titans), Tyler Ott (Seahawks) and Cole Mazza (Chargers)....good luck...
We end this week with an appreciation for Fred Flintstone. In a world where technology takes cartoon characters to new levels and powers, we salute an old tradition- Fred Flintstone. The guy was dedicated. He wore the same outfit everyday and wore a tie. He was blue collar all the way. Worked the crane at Slate Rock and Gravel Company and never complained. He had a great laugh and was lovable to all. So tough, the guy didn't even wear shoes and yet a soft heart that made dinosaurs love him. He enjoyed golf, bowling and football and was a proud member of the Local Order of Water Buffaloes. Sure, he may have had a slight gambling problem, but who doesn't. He was a loving husband to Wima and a great dad to Pebbles. Short tempered at times with his buddy Barney, but he would do anything for him. Let's salute the great Fred Flintstone, a true American treasure...
Final thought: There were six seasons of the Flintstones and 166 total episodes that ran from 1960-66.