For Memphis, C-USA is out of its league

Weaker league hasn't hurt Tigers yet, but school officials, boosters admit concern

By Dan Wolken

Contact

March 8, 2007

From its budget to its national image, there is nothing more important to the University of Memphis' athletic department than the success of its men's basketball program.
And as the Tigers begin the Conference USA Tournament today at FedExForum, there is little doubt these are among the greatest times in program history. For the second straight year, Memphis is ranked in the top five nationally. The Tigers have gone 31-1 in C-USA since the league reorganized two years ago and stands on the verge of another top-three seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Yet even as Memphis has, in some ways, benefited greatly by dominating an inferior conference, there is long-term concern about the school's conference affiliation among fans, the community of Memphis boosters and even inside the athletic department.
Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson readily admits he would have preferred to be invited into the Big East along with Cincinnati, Louisville, Marquette, DePaul and South Florida, the schools that left C-USA in the biggest conference shakeup this decade.

But with that opportunity now gone, Memphis now must wait for the next shifting of the sands while at the same time publicly promoting the virtues of C-USA membership.

"Our objective is, No. 1, make Conference USA the best we possibly can," Johnson said. "And No. 2, make our program so good and so strong that if something does happen, and it looks like it's something to the benefit of the Tigers, we're in a good position."

In addition to being the league's most prominent coach, John Calipari also must serve as C-USA's loudest spokesman. At every opportunity, he's either talking about its improved RPI this season (from 13th to 11th among all leagues) or the investment schools like Rice (arena renovations), SMU (practice facility), Southern Miss (practice facility) and Central Florida (new arena) are making to improve their programs.

Though the lack of NCAA Tournament-level rivals in C-USA hasn't hurt the Tigers' postseason prospects or their recruiting, Calipari must rely on his powers of persuasion until the league shows tangible improvement.

"I did this in that other league I was in (the Atlantic 10), and it was kind of the same results," Calipari said. "This is going to be a three-bid league, possibly next year, and two or three teams will go to the NIT. That's where it was three years prior to when it broke up.

"So in a short period of time, we've made commitments to saying, this thing is going to be done right. It hasn't hurt our recruiting, our ticket sales, anything. But it has helped us with a No. 1 seed, and what it will do this year, let's see; we'll have to play out."

C-USA commissioner Britton Banowsky termed the league's transition in basketball "a project," but said there is a mandate to improve the product significantly. He pointed to schools hiring nationally recognized coaches like UAB's Mike Davis and SMU's Matt Doherty and the capital commitments that are beginning to come to fruition.

"I think Cal can attest to the fact that the league is not going to prevent Memphis from achieving whatever goals its men's basketball program has," Banowsky said. "The league is not at the level of competition that we need them to be to be able to give Memphis a test night in and night out.

"But I'm really bullish on this league in the future. We feel like the ingredients are there. It's just a matter of time, if we stay focused, that we'll be able to see the results."

While the Tigers have indeed blossomed into a national power the past two years, the biggest concern among those close to the program is whether that could continue in C-USA should Calipari leave. Calipari nearly took the North Carolina State job last spring and will likely continue to be hotly pursued by major programs that have openings in the future.

For that reason, several prominent boosters advocate Memphis not just position itself for the next conference realignment but to actively pursue membership in another league.

"We are a thoroughbred racehorse right now, and we need to be playing basketball with other thoroughbreds," said Rick Spell, who sits on the six-member executive committee of the Tiger Athletic Advisory Board.

"Due to John's magnificent marketing and coaching capabilities, the conference is not a concern. And we like our conference members. These are great universities, but I am concerned if John were to not be our coach, would we be able to maintain the high level that Memphis (fans) would want and feel they deserve?

"For the long-term viability of our basketball program, there needs to be massive Conference USA improvement, which may not be possible. Therefore, we need a conference that can give us a conference of peers."

But which conference would that be? And how would Memphis get there?

The Big East already passed on Memphis once, and by signing a new TV deal worth more than $200 million with ESPN, its membership appears stable for the foreseeable future. Though it's easy to envision the league's eight private, non-football schools -- most of whom are currently struggling to compete -- eventually splitting off into their own league and opening slots in the Big East, it's probably a distant scenario.

Though there is no current groundswell of conference movement that could have an impact on Memphis, the dominoes could start falling at any time.

"I believe the landscape will change again, and there will be another opportunity for the University of Memphis to take a shot at a BCS league," said Alan Graf, executive vice president/CFO at FedEx and a significant Tigers supporter.

"You've got Tennessee and Ole Miss, so you wouldn't think they'd want Memphis in the Southeastern Conference. You hear some about whether Arkansas is leaving or not. You hear a lot of rumors from time to time. Obviously, we'd never be in the Big Ten, but they only have 11 teams and would probably like a 12th, so there are things you could see out there starting a sort of chain reaction."

In the meantime, what does Memphis do to improve its sales pitch so that it does not get passed over this time?

Johnson claims location was the biggest reason Memphis was passed over by the Big East, and that clearly can't be changed. Asked if there were any specific issues that needed to be addressed to make Memphis more attractive, Johnson said, "I really don't think so."

"We went through that in talking to the Big East people, and I think the only thing that hurt us was geography. We draw really well. We really do. And our (non-revenue sports) are getting better. We've got some great things going. Media, population, corporate sponsors, stability."

But with so much at stake financially, how vigilant does Memphis need to be? With its football program losing $2 million in the last fiscal year -- a figure unlikely to reverse itself without BCS dollars -- Memphis relies greatly on the profits generated by its men's basketball program.

Even with profits generated by Tiger Scholarship Fund donations required to purchase season tickets at FedExForum, the athletic department needed a $1.3 million stipend from the university to break even last year. Though basketball attendance hasn't necessarily been hurt by Conference USA, many of the empty seats at FedExForum would likely be filled if Memphis' home schedule included Syracuse, Connecticut and Georgetown.

Because of those revenue opportunities provided by a BCS conference, Graf said it's important for Memphis to keep improving its brand, and part of that could include its association with FedEx.

"What we've learned from all this is, we've got to continue to keep raising money and improve the facilities on a continual basis," Graf said. "I think R.C. has done the right thing. We've got to continue to raise money. Money is the key. I think we're doing all those things, and there's a terrific amount of corporate support. I think we'll be much better prepared to attack. ... If we get another opportunity, we're going to sell hard."

Ty-Bull Wrote:For Memphis, C-USA is out of its league

Weaker league hasn't hurt Tigers yet, but school officials, boosters admit concern

By Dan Wolken

Contact

March 8, 2007

From its budget to its national image, there is nothing more important to the University of Memphis' athletic department than the success of its men's basketball program.
And as the Tigers begin the Conference USA Tournament today at FedExForum, there is little doubt these are among the greatest times in program history. For the second straight year, Memphis is ranked in the top five nationally. The Tigers have gone 31-1 in C-USA since the league reorganized two years ago and stands on the verge of another top-three seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Yet even as Memphis has, in some ways, benefited greatly by dominating an inferior conference, there is long-term concern about the school's conference affiliation among fans, the community of Memphis boosters and even inside the athletic department.
Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson readily admits he would have preferred to be invited into the Big East along with Cincinnati, Louisville, Marquette, DePaul and South Florida, the schools that left C-USA in the biggest conference shakeup this decade.

But with that opportunity now gone, Memphis now must wait for the next shifting of the sands while at the same time publicly promoting the virtues of C-USA membership.

"Our objective is, No. 1, make Conference USA the best we possibly can," Johnson said. "And No. 2, make our program so good and so strong that if something does happen, and it looks like it's something to the benefit of the Tigers, we're in a good position."

In addition to being the league's most prominent coach, John Calipari also must serve as C-USA's loudest spokesman. At every opportunity, he's either talking about its improved RPI this season (from 13th to 11th among all leagues) or the investment schools like Rice (arena renovations), SMU (practice facility), Southern Miss (practice facility) and Central Florida (new arena) are making to improve their programs.

Though the lack of NCAA Tournament-level rivals in C-USA hasn't hurt the Tigers' postseason prospects or their recruiting, Calipari must rely on his powers of persuasion until the league shows tangible improvement.

"I did this in that other league I was in (the Atlantic 10), and it was kind of the same results," Calipari said. "This is going to be a three-bid league, possibly next year, and two or three teams will go to the NIT. That's where it was three years prior to when it broke up.

"So in a short period of time, we've made commitments to saying, this thing is going to be done right. It hasn't hurt our recruiting, our ticket sales, anything. But it has helped us with a No. 1 seed, and what it will do this year, let's see; we'll have to play out."

C-USA commissioner Britton Banowsky termed the league's transition in basketball "a project," but said there is a mandate to improve the product significantly. He pointed to schools hiring nationally recognized coaches like UAB's Mike Davis and SMU's Matt Doherty and the capital commitments that are beginning to come to fruition.

"I think Cal can attest to the fact that the league is not going to prevent Memphis from achieving whatever goals its men's basketball program has," Banowsky said. "The league is not at the level of competition that we need them to be to be able to give Memphis a test night in and night out.

"But I'm really bullish on this league in the future. We feel like the ingredients are there. It's just a matter of time, if we stay focused, that we'll be able to see the results."

While the Tigers have indeed blossomed into a national power the past two years, the biggest concern among those close to the program is whether that could continue in C-USA should Calipari leave. Calipari nearly took the North Carolina State job last spring and will likely continue to be hotly pursued by major programs that have openings in the future.

For that reason, several prominent boosters advocate Memphis not just position itself for the next conference realignment but to actively pursue membership in another league.

"We are a thoroughbred racehorse right now, and we need to be playing basketball with other thoroughbreds," said Rick Spell, who sits on the six-member executive committee of the Tiger Athletic Advisory Board.

"Due to John's magnificent marketing and coaching capabilities, the conference is not a concern. And we like our conference members. These are great universities, but I am concerned if John were to not be our coach, would we be able to maintain the high level that Memphis (fans) would want and feel they deserve?

"For the long-term viability of our basketball program, there needs to be massive Conference USA improvement, which may not be possible. Therefore, we need a conference that can give us a conference of peers."

But which conference would that be? And how would Memphis get there?

The Big East already passed on Memphis once, and by signing a new TV deal worth more than $200 million with ESPN, its membership appears stable for the foreseeable future. Though it's easy to envision the league's eight private, non-football schools -- most of whom are currently struggling to compete -- eventually splitting off into their own league and opening slots in the Big East, it's probably a distant scenario.

Though there is no current groundswell of conference movement that could have an impact on Memphis, the dominoes could start falling at any time.

"I believe the landscape will change again, and there will be another opportunity for the University of Memphis to take a shot at a BCS league," said Alan Graf, executive vice president/CFO at FedEx and a significant Tigers supporter.

"You've got Tennessee and Mississippi, so you wouldn't think they'd want Memphis in the Southeastern Conference. You hear some about whether Arkansas is leaving or not. You hear a lot of rumors from time to time. Obviously, we'd never be in the Big Ten, but they only have 11 teams and would probably like a 12th, so there are things you could see out there starting a sort of chain reaction."

In the meantime, what does Memphis do to improve its sales pitch so that it does not get passed over this time?

Johnson claims location was the biggest reason Memphis was passed over by the Big East, and that clearly can't be changed. Asked if there were any specific issues that needed to be addressed to make Memphis more attractive, Johnson said, "I really don't think so."

"We went through that in talking to the Big East people, and I think the only thing that hurt us was geography. We draw really well. We really do. And our (non-revenue sports) are getting better. We've got some great things going. Media, population, corporate sponsors, stability."

But with so much at stake financially, how vigilant does Memphis need to be? With its football program losing $2 million in the last fiscal year -- a figure unlikely to reverse itself without BCS dollars -- Memphis relies greatly on the profits generated by its men's basketball program.

Even with profits generated by Tiger Scholarship Fund donations required to purchase season tickets at FedExForum, the athletic department needed a $1.3 million stipend from the university to break even last year. Though basketball attendance hasn't necessarily been hurt by Conference USA, many of the empty seats at FedExForum would likely be filled if Memphis' home schedule included Syracuse, Connecticut and Georgetown.

Because of those revenue opportunities provided by a BCS conference, Graf said it's important for Memphis to keep improving its brand, and part of that could include its association with FedEx.

"What we've learned from all this is, we've got to continue to keep raising money and improve the facilities on a continual basis," Graf said. "I think R.C. has done the right thing. We've got to continue to raise money. Money is the key. I think we're doing all those things, and there's a terrific amount of corporate support. I think we'll be much better prepared to attack. ... If we get another opportunity, we're going to sell hard."

Karma is a *****.

At least Memphis is guaranteed a NCAA Bid just about every year.

Karma?

fsquid Wrote:Karma?

That is one BIG SQUID......



Monster of the Deep
How the world

fsquid Wrote:Karma?

I'll bet Marquel Blackwell and his classmates who were denied a chance to play in Conference USA because of V. Lane Rawlins' power play consider it karma...

USFFan

Our basketball is doing just fine.

usffan Wrote:

fsquid Wrote:Karma?

I'll bet Marquel Blackwell and his classmates who were denied a chance to play in Conference USA because of V. Lane Rawlins' power play consider it karma...

USFFan

Can you jog my memory?

Quote: that reason, several prominent boosters advocate Memphis not just position itself for the next conference realignment but to actively pursue membership in another league.

"We are a thoroughbred racehorse right now, and we need to be playing basketball with other thoroughbreds," said Rick Spell, who sits on the six-member executive committee of the Tiger Athletic Advisory Board.

"Due to John's magnificent marketing and coaching capabilities, the conference is not a concern. And we like our conference members. These are great universities, but I am concerned if John were to not be our coach, would we be able to maintain the high level that Memphis (fans) would want and feel they deserve?

"For the long-term viability of our basketball program, there needs to be massive Conference USA improvement, which may not be possible. Therefore, we need a conference that can give us a conference of peers."

-- This is exactly the kind of attitutde that the folks around Memphis need. I know a lot of the Tiger fans like to say they are like UNLV or Umass in yrs passed. The trouble is what happened to UNLV and Umass when their high profile coaches left? They fell back to the pack immediatly.

Quote:Johnson claims location was the biggest reason Memphis was passed over by the Big East, and that clearly can't be changed. Asked if there were any specific issues that needed to be addressed to make Memphis more attractive, Johnson said, "I really don't think so."

-- Is this guy serious? Mr Johnson, I can think of one thing that would make Memphis more attractive. Winning football! If Memphis had a football program similar to Louisville's that would not have been left out. If Memphis wins a few CUSA football titles in a row and is nationally ranked during that period the chances of a split/addition of Memphis increase greatly. Football is driving the bus. The BE football schools aren't looking for how many NCAA tourneys a team makes. We are looking for schools that are in the BCS Top 25 yr after yr.


Jackson

usffan Wrote:

fsquid Wrote:Karma?

I'll bet Marquel Blackwell and his classmates who were denied a chance to play in Conference USA because of V. Lane Rawlins' power play consider it karma...

USFFan

who?

3601 Wrote:

usffan Wrote:

fsquid Wrote:Karma?

I'll bet Marquel Blackwell and his classmates who were denied a chance to play in Conference USA because of V. Lane Rawlins' power play consider it karma...

USFFan

Can you jog my memory?

At the time that Conference USA was formed, charter members USF and UNCC were told "as soon as you field a I-A football team, you will members of the football conference." Since USF was in the process of starting up their football program, they immediately set out to bring the team to the I-A level in order to do exactly that. In fact, Jim Leavitt built his football team so that in 2001 they would be ready to compete for a Conference USA title, promising players such as QB Marquel Blackwell that they would have an opportunity to play for a conference title in 2001.

Once it became apparent that USF was going to meet those timelines, then-Memphis president V. Lane Rawlins did his best to scuttle this by tying USF's football inclusion to ECU and TCU's full membership and insisting that USF should play for two years as a I-A independent. As it turned out, USF went 17-5 during those two years, including 5-1 against CUSA foes, but because of Rawlins ended up not only not playing for a conference championship but staying home because as an independent we didn't have any bowl ties.

Unrelated to any of that, USF was constantly excoriated in the press by R. C. Johnson as he spoke about the impending Big East expansion, telling everybody and anybody how "USF was NOT a candidate for Big East consideration." All things considered, I think most USF fans feel a sense of karma being served after all of that.

The humorous side is that Southern Miss coach Jeff Bower was the complete team player and made the public comment about how USF was being forced to wait because CUSA needed "quality, not quantity." When word leaked that a CUSA president was behind all of the aforementioned machinations that kept USF out for two years, it was assumed that it was Southern Miss' president who was behind it. It wasn't until a couple of years later that USF's beat writers found out that it was Rawlins who had pulled the strings. Meanwhile, it had sealed the bad blood between USF and Southern Miss, when in fact Southern Miss' administration had in fact voted FOR USF's inclusion and had been one of our biggest proponents.

USFFan

And in the end V. Lance Rawlins and R. C. Johnson were behind making South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville stay one more year in CUSA! Foe Memphis to ever have a chance at joining the Big East, they will need sponsorship from South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville! And folks that is not going to happen as long as V. Lance Rawli!ns and R. C. Johnson or any of their cohorts are representing Memphis

Wilkie01 Wrote:And in the end V. Lance Rawlins and R. C. Johnson were behind making South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville stay one more year in CUSA! Foe Memphis to ever have a chance at joining the Big East, they will need sponsorship from South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville! And folks that is not going to happen as long as V. Lance Rawli!ns and R. C. Johnson or any of their cohorts are representing Memphis

Ding, Ding, Ding. Memphis caused Louisville a BCS Bowl in 2004. IF we were able to compete in the Big East that year and am extremely confident we would have won the league.

We had so much talent that year Michael Bush was a 3rd string RB. Hell that team turned out that we would have 4 drafted RBs in Eric Shelton-(2nd Rounder), Lionel Gates-(7th Rounder) and Michael Bush-(Projected in 2nd or 3rd Round) and Kolby Smith-(Projected 4th or 5th Rounder).

It was done IMHO out of spite, it set back realignment a whole year and allowed schools like UofL, UC and USF to spend a year as a lame duck as well as Boston College.

I totally agree, he was done out of spite. And if you remember Memphis was the leader of forming the Great Miswest Conference!

3601 Wrote:Can you jog my memory?

My memory barely moves. It couldn't jog if my life depended on it.

Damn! We're powerful! lmfao

Wilkie01 Wrote:And in the end V. Lance Rawlins and R. C. Johnson were behind making South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville stay one more year in CUSA! Foe Memphis to ever have a chance at joining the Big East, they will need sponsorship from South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville! And folks that is not going to happen as long as V. Lance Rawli!ns and R. C. Johnson or any of their cohorts are representing Memphis

Rawlins left Memphis 7 years ago.

Bambu Wrote:Damn! We're powerful! lmfao

You got that right. I think we're the cause of global warming and terrorism too. lmfao

MichiganTiger Wrote:

Wilkie01 Wrote:And in the end V. Lance Rawlins and R. C. Johnson were behind making South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville stay one more year in CUSA! Foe Memphis to ever have a chance at joining the Big East, they will need sponsorship from South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville! And folks that is not going to happen as long as V. Lance Rawli!ns and R. C. Johnson or any of their cohorts are representing Memphis

Rawlins left Memphis 7 years ago.

R. C. Johson is still there, right? Is the new president independent of the old Rawlins clan? There was lots of bad blood and time has not healed it yet.

Wilkie01 Wrote:

MichiganTiger Wrote:

Wilkie01 Wrote:And in the end V. Lance Rawlins and R. C. Johnson were behind making South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville stay one more year in CUSA! Foe Memphis to ever have a chance at joining the Big East, they will need sponsorship from South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville! And folks that is not going to happen as long as V. Lance Rawli!ns and R. C. Johnson or any of their cohorts are representing Memphis

Rawlins left Memphis 7 years ago.

R. C. Johson is still there, right? Is the new president independent of the old Rawlins clan? There was lots of bad blood and time has not healed it yet.

Yes R.C. is unfortunately still our AD.

Rawlins has been gone so long I nearly forgot the name.