(03-25-2022 07:01 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote: The thing is we want to think of ourselves as worldly, even if most of us don't live up to the standards we put on ourselves. On the other hand, the folks on the other side live by an "us against the world" code of living. It's a lingering resentment from a big event a hundred and fifty years ago, in which they failed in achieving their objective.
It's the way they play sports: dirty and low down. And it works for them because we don't want to go to their level. And now with a massive corporate backer behind them they're convinced that they'll win in the end.
Well, we can't control that. However, one lesson learned is values are more important than money. It's a reason why I loathe this conference dealing with Disney and want to untie ourselves from that association once and for all.
Another thing is if others want to join the other group then that means they share the values of that other group and would not be a fit for us. So, yes, Texas and Oklahoma are not fits for us.
I covered violations for over a decade, just not for the NCAA. Nobody, B10 included, has been clean, and some of the violations under the sweater would make your skin crawl. Big Money, big college sports, recruiting, none of it is, or has been clean. So find another reason to want to distinguish yourself, because this one isn't it.
If you want to hold athletes to a higher academic standard that would be a good cause and a worthy point of distinction.
Now as to a 150 year old cause, Jim Crow handicapped the South in athletics. The SEC renaissance started in the 70's when Bryant integrated Bama's team. He and John McKay set up the USC 2 game schedule and McKay, with Cunningham I think, came into Birmingham and destroyed the Tide. Alabama integrated the next season, ran the wishbone and won. That was the beginning. Herschel and Bo in the early 80's was the turnaround.
The Big 8 and Big 10 recruited African American athletes in the South unchallenged until the mid 70's. When manufacturing jobs left the North and Jim Crow ended the worm turned.
Now most athletes stay in the South. NIL may change this, we'll see.
And Transic, the Supreme Court is enforcing the values you rail against. It's now law, and will be reinforced by pay for play.