Why UNI Must Always Fight For Our In-State Series

[UNIAlum95]

Having sat in the "Well" (that is an excellent name btw), it was not a great basketball venue. Unless this sham of a tournament is going to rotate through three cities, forget it. Glad to see Mac still remembers what the other side of the fence looks like. The problem is that he doesn't get to make the final decision. Does anyone really think that Iowa would sign up for this?

I don't think it will matter because this will never happen. First UNI won't sign up for this as long as Hartzel is in charge. I don't think he will be willing to take the second class citizen position. I just would hate to see Iowa turn into an Illinois or Kansas where we can't get a shot at a sister school.

[GonzoCat]

Mac will support this as long as his boss does, he's well aware of who signs his fat paychecks. Saying he wants what is best for all the programs is just political talk. His AD has already said it's a win/win for all parties. If you start with a lie as a foundation you can justify anything.

[Chitown Panther]

Make sure everyone remembers who indirectly signs these checks that are WAY TOO FAT!!!!

[joecooll6]

We will be powerless to stop it if Iowa and ISU both get on board, they could just threaten not to play us.

The thing that ticks me off is that this "letter" seems like an insult to our intelligence. I mean, the way he worded it it seems like he expects everyone to love this idea. Does he think UNI fans are that dumb? Or was he just too dumb to realize the problems it causes for us?

Has Hartzell made any comments about this?

[joecooll6]

Pollard will be on the radio today on Marty and Miller 1460 KXNO in Des Moines, I believe at 5:00, but it could be anywhere from 4-7, and he will be talking about this.

Streaming audio is available at www.kxno.com . But be prepared to be annoyed because Marty and Miller love this idea, Ive called into the show and tried to explain why its a bad idea for UNI. Basically all I heard was "no,no,no,no" with no real arguement in return.

[GonzoCat]

We will be powerless to stop it if Iowa and ISU both get on board, they could just threaten not to play us.

1. As stated before it's very possible the legislature will threaten mandated games as they have in the past. Pollard of course knows nothing about the history of college sports in Iowa.

2. So what if they threaten not to play us, they already are not playing us with this. Our game becomes nothing more than a buy in, and I doubt it will pay UNI that much. I assume we can always get a road buy in against BCS teams. Don't say these are nuetral site games.

[joecooll6]

I dont understand what you mean exactly.

[AmesPanther]

So what if they threaten not to play us, they already are not playing us with this. Our game becomes nothing more than a buy in, and I doubt it will pay UNI that much. I assume we can always get a road buy in against BCS teams. Don't say these are nuetral site games.

Wells Fargo shouldn't be neutral; but yeah it is. I fully agree it's close to Ames and a nice drive from Iowa City and thus should favor ISU the most, Iowa second, and UNI last, but I've seen a few games there and it was very neutral when it shouldn't have been. Probably the size the poor setup because of remenants from the hockey setup...

[GonzoCat]

I dont understand what you mean exactly.

Which part?

[joecooll6]

"Our game becomes nothing more than a buy in, and I doubt it will pay UNI that much. I assume we can always get a road buy in against BCS teams. Don't say these are nuetral site games."

Would we get the same amount of money from playing at another BCS school as we would from this?

Also, wouldnt you want to continue to play Iowa, and to play at a site that is easy to travel too? If it wasnt such a horrible idea for UNI, I think it would be fun, watch 4 games in 2 days, and get to see all 4 teams twice.

Dont get me wrong, Id rather keep things status quo, but I think between those two choices Id go for playing at the well. Please, prove me wrong, I want to be proven wrong on this one.

[joecooll6]

OK, I was wrong about the radio. I know Pollard is going to be on sometime on Marty and Miller and they WILL talk about this. I thought it was going to be today, I guess I was wrong.

[UNIpanther99]

Some posters continue to refer to this as a "tournament," but as I read it, the thing is just an "event" where Iowa and Iowa State play one of their in-state MVC brethern on a rotating basis each year. Just a one night deal, and the winners would not play each other if I understand it. Iowa and Iowa State would not want to play each other twice in a season, and you certainly couldn't have UNI play Drake 3 (or possibly 4) times in a season.

This would be similar to the UNI/Western Carolina, Drake/Detroit match-up in "the Well" last year I believe. We should continue to do something like that... I thought it was a great event. But we certainly should NEVER agree to a deal that doesn't put the Hawkeyes and Cylcones in Cedar Falls every year on a rotating basis.

[GonzoCat]

You aren't reading it right. It is not a tournament, correct, but ISU would play either UNI or Drake the first day and the other of the two the next day. Iowa would do the same. UNI and Drake would not play and neither would Iowa and ISU. Iowa and ISU would not play at Cedar Falls ever again. That is the main objective.

[UNIpanther99]

Thanks for the clarification... Obviously it makes no sense for UNI to agree to this unless they can guarantee us the kind of revenue that would outweigh the loss of the broadcasting rights UNI gets for it's home games against Iowa/ISU, the gate, concessions, the less attractive home schedule, extra compensation for being the furthest from Des Moines, including full travel for the band, student section, etc.

I'd say adjusting the football schedule so that all of the currently scheduled UNI/ISU football games at Jack Trice get moved to the UNI-Dome would be a good start.

[purple twister]

This "Big Four" challenge has been in the works for a while, I never thought PTTB would take it so personally! WOW!!

This could work out good for both ISU and UNI if a few details were altered. IF we want to showcase UNI/ISU/Drake and that other school, then the key points should be making sure UNI/Drake get just as much if not more $$ than they would by hosting 1 of the two schools each year. I think this could be done and I'm sure plenty of people would make the annual trip to DM for the w/e. Also, if this keeps the in state series alive then the Panthers should take a look. For the most part I think Mac and his staff would back this 100% and Jake would not be far behind.