What’s goin on?
Lots to get at here so let’s do it…
I spoke to UConn athletic director Warde Manuel a few minutes ago to talk about the new college football playoffs decision, UConn’s place in it, beefing up the schedule, getting the program’s name out there more and building the fanbase, because all those things have to occur now. He talked about ways to do it including being open to playing neutral site games and re-opening discussions with Notre Dame -yes Notre Dame – about playing neutral site games (uh, no, there has been no change with Michigan next year. That game is a go at Rentschler Field. Manuel said he and Michigan AD Dave Brandon have spoken recently about it and both sides understand the game will and should be played at Rentschler Field so end of discussion on that one).
Here’s Manuel who is in meetings in Dallas….
On the playoff decision and what it means for UConn football?
“We’re going to have to play well enough and play good enough competition and strengthen our position in football and in the Big East; do our part to help strengthen the Big East conference as it relates to our competitive best in football across the country in order to get in. We’ll see how some of the details work out but it’s an exciting time ….exciting and at the same time we still have to figure out some of the details but we have to play ourselves in.”
What do you think is the best way for UConn to play itself in?
“Two things..
“… you have to play top competition and you have to win. I wish I could tell you it was complicated but it isn’t. UConn has shown that it can go to Notre Dame and win the game but we have to take that one in, keep with the consistency, do some of the things the top programs that have been nationally ranked and playing in bowl games and the national championship games have done. We have to continue to build. I know Paul [UConn football head coach Paul Pasqualoni] is working on it, building toward success.”
From an exposure standpoint it appears neutral site games are going to have to be considered much more now than in the past, probably, right?
“It’s been more of a trend now to schedule a neutral site game. Bigger programs are doing that in order to schedule bigger games, bringing your brand and bringing competition to different places. Hey, you know, look, I never thought Michigan would ever take a game out of Michigan Stadium but to have an opportunity to play Alabama on a one-time basis, no home and home – they moved the game to Dallas – I think that’s a trend that’s going on. I’ll have to see how that works out for us and how we do that. We want to bring great games to our fans but at the same time not pass up opportunities that may afford themselves to us with somebody on a one-time basis at a neutral site.
“You know, as we go it’s about competition and it’s about success against that competition that’s going to drive and elevate UConn football to continue to be on the national stage. Paul is working to get us to that level, increasing our success. We’ll keep finding a way to add teams to the schedule that would allow us to showcase ourselves nationally as well as what we do in the Big East.”
Can you talk about your vision for football a little bit, here? You scheduled some big-time games at Buffalo, including the matchup at Ohio State in 2013 among them. Is that what fans should expect in years to come here, that kind of scheduling, especially with the college football playoff setting being what it’s going to be. Basically teams that play cupcakes can forget it.
“I want us to compete at the highest level. I want us to have a balanced non-conference schedule and compete in the Big East against teams we need to compete against nationally already within the conference (such as Boise State) to be successful, be highly ranked…it’s going to be a balanced schedule. I don’t have a philosophy of over-stacking the schedule in terms of all four [non-conference] games being top 20 teams but I do want us to play top caliber competition both home and away and if it affords itself in a neutral site, one-time game.
“Are we going to challenge ourselves? Absolutely. I love competition and I want our student-athletes to go against the best competition and I want us to succeed against that competition and against everyone we play. I don’t take any football game or any competition for granted and just assume we’re going to win because we walk on the field. I want us to play at a high level and do the things to put us in position to be prepared for playoffs and those kinds of things.
On Michigan at UConn in 2013?
“Nothing has changed there. I had a great conversation with Dave Brandon. He understands my perspective and the game is going to be played at Rentschler Field.”
Manuel added that it’s likely down the road but UConn may have to move some home games to neutral sites to generate more revenue, build fan interest and of course the UConn brand. All that makes sense now the way things are swinging and are going to swing in college football.
Talking neutral sites? Gotta talk Notre Dame. Anything going on there?
“A little bit. I was brought up to speed with what was going on and we’ll see where it goes but who knows how it’ll play out - but are we interested in it? Yes we are.”
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
23 Responses to UConn AD Warde Manuel On College Football Playoff, UConn’s Place, Scheduling And…Notre Dame?
- -- ADVERTISEMENT --
Text Alerts
FREE Huskies, breaking news, and/or weather alerts sent to your mobile phone.*
*Or text UCONNFB, UCONNMB, UCONNWBNEWS, WEATHER, NEWS to 37798
*These programs are available on the following carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Nextel, Boost, Alltel, US Cellular. By clicking Submit you are confirming agreement with the terms and conditions governing this station and these mobile alerts. All submissions must be authorized by the account holder. Contact your carrier for more details.
You will receive up to 8 messages per day. Text STOP to 37798 to end subscription. You may receive subsequent messages clarifying or confirming your opt-out request. Text HELP to 37798 for info. Message and data rates may apply. Privacy Policy: privacy.tribune.com
UConn Football Pics
UConn Newsletters
Score big with our Husky Hoopla email.
See a sample
Sign in to add or remove newsletters.
-- ADVERTISEMENT --
The Big East is in a tail spin. The ACC tries to create a relevance for itself by badmouthing the BE. Bottom line is with the new playoff the BE Is left out in the cold, the ACC is one step behind the BE, and the other four conferences are laughing to all the way to the bank.
The miltimillions of $ spent to get UCONN in the bigtime will result with the football team playing in an mid level football conference
Who cares in the ended UConn is not a factor in college football. Its never going to be factor cause the state and the school will never put up the money like the SEC Schools do to make it matter. I don’t care I had season tickets now for 8 years enjoyed a lot of games at the rent. Until we can get Big time recruits to come here then forget Coach P effort this year earned him the 8th spot for recruiting classes do you really think we going to beat the big boys come on just enjoy what games u can and wait for girls B-Ball to start.
Thanks for the many laughs this morning!
A large number of big time programs are playing neutral site games. They are 1 time match-ups. They are not a home and home series. Teams do not give up a home game, but replace an away contest with this neutral site. I think it will be very hard to attract large programs to the Rent ( too small ) on a regular basis. NY, NJ, Foxboro could attract big schools. It would be an “away game” that Uconn fans can get to in addition to our regular 6/7 home games.
I agree that UConn should not play away games just for a big paycheck, but if you have seven home games UConn should play a neutral site game at Metlife, Gillette, Yankee, or even historic Yale Bowl against SEC, Big 10, Big 12, PAC 12 or Notre Dame for exposure. Also play a 2 for 1 series. Why not?
8 Year Season ticket holder here.I understand the Fact the Uconn name has to get out there However I will NOT renew season tickets if we do not play home games at the RENT.Why did we spend 92 Million on the RENT to play home games away.Add to the RENT make teams play in CT if not this program should never have moved to Div1 it will move backward
I’d like to see a long term strategy to improve the Rent from the wind tunnel that it is now into a real bowl type of stadium where at least some of the fans are covered from the rain and the place kickers have a better chance of “kicking one straight” on windy days. If playing at neutral sites for a big payday can help revamp the Rent then I can buy into that. But the ultimate goal has to be that the Rent is at the very least the nicest stadium to play in in the Big East.
Dave Teggart might disagree with some of that.
FREDDYKOOL: DEZ,I AM A TRANSPLANTED UCONN FOR OVER 25 YEARS HERE IN FLORIDA AND AFTER (RELUCTANTLY) REALIZING THAT THE SEC IS THE NFL OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL,(EVERY YEAR 5-8 TEAMS GO TO BOWL GAMES AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THEY ALWAYS WIN THOSE BOWL GAMES,WANNA MAKE UCONN GREAT, BOOK A COUPLE OF GAMES FROM ANY TEAM IN THE SEC, YOU’LL SEE THE POOP HIT THE FAN!!!!!!!!!!
Hi DC: I’m a former player and season ticket holder. If our “home games” turn into games at neutral sites, you can count on me NOT to renew my season tickets….only will buy game tickets for home games at the Rent.
Not all games will look at some down the road
I’m perfectly fine with scheduling neutral site games against big name opponents. What I don’t want to see is us going on the road to play Texas A&M in College Station, TX and our “home game” is played in Atlanta.
He scheduled big names while at Buffalo to take a beating and collect a paycheck. The real question that should have been asked, is whether UConn will be doing the same, or insisting on home-and-away agreements? And if UConn wants to beef up the schedule by playing for paychecks at big names, isn’t that a reflection of the BE’s diminished status in college football?
Yeah that makes sense. Ill call him back and ask him if he’s going to schedule games to take a beating and collect a paycheck. How could I miss not asking him that one!
You can spin Buffalo at Ohio St. as being played for the “exposure”, he was funding the athletic department with pay games at big programs. I just want to know if we are playing programs on even terms or acknowledging our new place in the college football world.
What will the coach and players be doing? Going through the motions or enjoying the experience and try to upset Ohio State. You know what happens on the field does matter to a few folks and as to your question I think the AD has answered it. If you want to go down Silly Road trying to infer UConn will be stepping on the field for a paycheck then you go down that road . You won’t have much company.
so wait a minute, I thought notre dame was already on the schedule?
If we need to start scheduling neutral sites, I would love to see us take some shots at the NY market and get a high profile venue like Yankee stadium or even Citi field. You have to figure a game there alwys will turn heads and is exactly what is needed to better build the brand.
As much as I would love to see a game at Citi Field, the purpose of the neutral site is for increased seating, the couple thousand extra seats wouldnt be enough.
The point of neutral site games is also to have them in places where the opposition has a bigger fan base ie: not East Hartford. I’m willing to bet that despite the size of a Venue like Yankee stadium or Citi that the profile of it and location would be good enough for a few bigger schools out there.
I can say with almost 100% certainty If proximity is also a factor, they would rather drive 20 miles further south and sit in 100,000 seat MetLife stadium. 60,000 more seats to fill with the oppositions fan base and also more revenue.
Dez, I know it’s real early but I love this guy. He just seems to “get it” and appears to be very genuine.
Can confirm that he gets it and is genuine Ed