Lehigh Football Nation
June 8th, 2010, 11:58 AM
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/060810dnospobayloremails.7e10ca51.html
Absolutely fascinating. Here's some highlights, in reverse chronological order:
From: Buddy Jones
Date: June 6, 2010 1:37:40 PM CDT
Subject: Fwd: orangebloods and Tweet from: @Lesleymccaslin
If the PAC 10 makes it's offer today without a final answer from Nebraska I am not positive what it means for us. My guess is that Colorado hasn't taken enough broadside hits to sink their boat yet and they may well be on the invite list. I hope I'm wrong. But there's still time left to change the scoreboard. We aren't through.
I would love for the Big 3 to come out and say " the 4 Texas teams are a package deal. Take all of us or none of us".
I just want to keep you all up to speed.
*****
Date: June 6, 2010 10:15:38 AM CDT
If you all don't think your efforts are paying dividends, think again. We have made great progress over the last 48 hours. Thanks to all of you for your great work. If Texas univ. will just continue to insist on all Texas schools sticking together as a unit we can win this thing.
Plus there is a chance that Neb. will stay in the Big 12 and that may shut down momentum for any school to leave.
Keep the faith.
*****
From: Buddy Jones
Date: June 5, 2010 12:43:11 PM CDT
To:
Subject: Fwd: Trib editorial
Just an update. It appears the entire Big XII axis turns on what Nebraska will do viz a viz the Big 10. It's hard enough get the home teams to stick tight . But harder still to influence a bunch of corn shuckers.
Thanks for all you are doing.
*****
From: Buddy Jones
Date: June 4, 2010 10:49:12 AM CDT
To: ADDRESSES REDACTED
Subject: Baylor Alert
To: Baylor grads in the 81st Legislature:
I have a critical issue that directly affects Baylor and it is very time sensitive. The Big XII and PAC 10 are both meeting separately today. According to a recent newspaper report, the PAC 10 may well issue an invite to all the Big XII South schools to join the PAC 10 – WITH THE EXCEPTION OF BAYLOR. In our stead, the PAC 10 is rumored to substitute Colorado. In this scenario, Baylor gets left out and this would be a major, major setback for our University. Perhaps a setback of immense proportion. The mere rumor of Baylor being left behind is harmful.
We cannot let the other schools in Texas (A&M, U.T., Tech) leave the Big XII WITHOUT BAYLOR BEING INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE. Long and short – if U.T., A&M and Tech demand that any move to any other conference include ALL TEXAS BASED TEAMS from the Big XII, we are golden. We need to be in a PACKAGE DEAL!
...
Here is the message to deliver:
• The four Texas schools in the Big XII conference have decades (if not a century) of history as being a family. The continuation of this almost sacred relationship is important to our State and to higher education in Texas.
• As the Big 10, PAC 10 and Big XII discuss re-alignment, the best possible scenario for these four schools (U.T., A&M, Tech and Baylor) is to stay in the Big XII Conference as it currently exists. That is the absolute BEST THING FOR ALL OF US – KEEP THE BIG XII INTACT.
• However, if some schools in the Big XII North feel compelled to go elsewhere (we hear rumors of Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska looking toward the Big 10), the next best scenario is to KEEP ALL SIX SCHOOLS FROM THE BIG XII SOUTH AS A PACKAGE DEAL. Do not leave Baylor out.
• There was a report today that the PAC 10 might extend an offer to invite five of the South schools to join the PAC 10 (Texas, A&M, Tech, Oklahoma and OSU). The report said Baylor would be replaced with Colorado. This is Armageddon for our University.
This would be devastating to Baylor and to the state of Texas. WE MUST STICK TOGETHER.
• Baylor is superior to Colorado academically. Baylor has athletic facilities superior to Colorado. Colorado doesn’t participate in the number of sports that Baylor does. Baylor’s overall record in all collegiate sports dwarfs that of Colorado. Our football, basketball (women’s and men’s), baseball, softball, track, tennis, golf programs are vastly superior to Colorado’s. The Baptist church base extends across the country and certainly trumps the University of Colorado’s local base limited to a small town in Colorado.
• I am asking you to commit to me to keeping all six schools from the Big XII South together if we can’t keep the whole Big XII intact. BAYLOR MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE. Make it clear that when it comes to our four Texas schools, IT IS ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL!!
Please DO NOT BREAK UP the history and working relationship we have nurtured over the decades.
Will you commit to including all Texas schools in any scenario that arises? Will you commit to include Baylor in any package you consider?
Please put these calls in today if at all possible. We need to stop any bleeding that this PAC 10 offer might have caused for Baylor quickly.
Many, many thanks for your assistance. This could be a pivotal moment in Baylor’s history.
Warmest regards,
Neal T. “ Buddy” Jones
Reading this email:
* it seems like pretty much like Nebraska is holding a key to conference action with folks trying to poach Big XII schools, and
* Texas is the key to everything
If Nebraska leaves, Texas, TAMU and Tech, Oklahoma and OSU will certainly get an invite to the Pac 10. They could also certainly leave Baylor in the dust if they want - especially if TV is the only thing driving this. Baylor would offer nothing to the Pac Ten if they have everyone else.
But it's Texas that would need to be convinced. The question is if they wish to leave for the Pac-16 and have to share TV revenue, or if the Big XII will let them make the Longhorn Network and keep all the money themselves. If Texas does that, the Big XII poaching would likely end and the Big XII would have to find a replacement for Nebraska and carry on.
Whatever the deal, this is just one fascinating piece of email the Dallas News shared with the world.
Absolutely fascinating. Here's some highlights, in reverse chronological order:
From: Buddy Jones
Date: June 6, 2010 1:37:40 PM CDT
Subject: Fwd: orangebloods and Tweet from: @Lesleymccaslin
If the PAC 10 makes it's offer today without a final answer from Nebraska I am not positive what it means for us. My guess is that Colorado hasn't taken enough broadside hits to sink their boat yet and they may well be on the invite list. I hope I'm wrong. But there's still time left to change the scoreboard. We aren't through.
I would love for the Big 3 to come out and say " the 4 Texas teams are a package deal. Take all of us or none of us".
I just want to keep you all up to speed.
*****
Date: June 6, 2010 10:15:38 AM CDT
If you all don't think your efforts are paying dividends, think again. We have made great progress over the last 48 hours. Thanks to all of you for your great work. If Texas univ. will just continue to insist on all Texas schools sticking together as a unit we can win this thing.
Plus there is a chance that Neb. will stay in the Big 12 and that may shut down momentum for any school to leave.
Keep the faith.
*****
From: Buddy Jones
Date: June 5, 2010 12:43:11 PM CDT
To:
Subject: Fwd: Trib editorial
Just an update. It appears the entire Big XII axis turns on what Nebraska will do viz a viz the Big 10. It's hard enough get the home teams to stick tight . But harder still to influence a bunch of corn shuckers.
Thanks for all you are doing.
*****
From: Buddy Jones
Date: June 4, 2010 10:49:12 AM CDT
To: ADDRESSES REDACTED
Subject: Baylor Alert
To: Baylor grads in the 81st Legislature:
I have a critical issue that directly affects Baylor and it is very time sensitive. The Big XII and PAC 10 are both meeting separately today. According to a recent newspaper report, the PAC 10 may well issue an invite to all the Big XII South schools to join the PAC 10 – WITH THE EXCEPTION OF BAYLOR. In our stead, the PAC 10 is rumored to substitute Colorado. In this scenario, Baylor gets left out and this would be a major, major setback for our University. Perhaps a setback of immense proportion. The mere rumor of Baylor being left behind is harmful.
We cannot let the other schools in Texas (A&M, U.T., Tech) leave the Big XII WITHOUT BAYLOR BEING INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE. Long and short – if U.T., A&M and Tech demand that any move to any other conference include ALL TEXAS BASED TEAMS from the Big XII, we are golden. We need to be in a PACKAGE DEAL!
...
Here is the message to deliver:
• The four Texas schools in the Big XII conference have decades (if not a century) of history as being a family. The continuation of this almost sacred relationship is important to our State and to higher education in Texas.
• As the Big 10, PAC 10 and Big XII discuss re-alignment, the best possible scenario for these four schools (U.T., A&M, Tech and Baylor) is to stay in the Big XII Conference as it currently exists. That is the absolute BEST THING FOR ALL OF US – KEEP THE BIG XII INTACT.
• However, if some schools in the Big XII North feel compelled to go elsewhere (we hear rumors of Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska looking toward the Big 10), the next best scenario is to KEEP ALL SIX SCHOOLS FROM THE BIG XII SOUTH AS A PACKAGE DEAL. Do not leave Baylor out.
• There was a report today that the PAC 10 might extend an offer to invite five of the South schools to join the PAC 10 (Texas, A&M, Tech, Oklahoma and OSU). The report said Baylor would be replaced with Colorado. This is Armageddon for our University.
This would be devastating to Baylor and to the state of Texas. WE MUST STICK TOGETHER.
• Baylor is superior to Colorado academically. Baylor has athletic facilities superior to Colorado. Colorado doesn’t participate in the number of sports that Baylor does. Baylor’s overall record in all collegiate sports dwarfs that of Colorado. Our football, basketball (women’s and men’s), baseball, softball, track, tennis, golf programs are vastly superior to Colorado’s. The Baptist church base extends across the country and certainly trumps the University of Colorado’s local base limited to a small town in Colorado.
• I am asking you to commit to me to keeping all six schools from the Big XII South together if we can’t keep the whole Big XII intact. BAYLOR MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE. Make it clear that when it comes to our four Texas schools, IT IS ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL!!
Please DO NOT BREAK UP the history and working relationship we have nurtured over the decades.
Will you commit to including all Texas schools in any scenario that arises? Will you commit to include Baylor in any package you consider?
Please put these calls in today if at all possible. We need to stop any bleeding that this PAC 10 offer might have caused for Baylor quickly.
Many, many thanks for your assistance. This could be a pivotal moment in Baylor’s history.
Warmest regards,
Neal T. “ Buddy” Jones
Reading this email:
* it seems like pretty much like Nebraska is holding a key to conference action with folks trying to poach Big XII schools, and
* Texas is the key to everything
If Nebraska leaves, Texas, TAMU and Tech, Oklahoma and OSU will certainly get an invite to the Pac 10. They could also certainly leave Baylor in the dust if they want - especially if TV is the only thing driving this. Baylor would offer nothing to the Pac Ten if they have everyone else.
But it's Texas that would need to be convinced. The question is if they wish to leave for the Pac-16 and have to share TV revenue, or if the Big XII will let them make the Longhorn Network and keep all the money themselves. If Texas does that, the Big XII poaching would likely end and the Big XII would have to find a replacement for Nebraska and carry on.
Whatever the deal, this is just one fascinating piece of email the Dallas News shared with the world.