From the Rice University President’s Office (SIGNED)

[NavyCrimson]

now this is interesting, but notice the contingencies...it looks like this whole %^%$ move is contingent - of course it is - upon the little east gobbling up the other c-usa members...now if that does't happen - KATIE BAR THE DOOR & i guess were stuck, too with NO PLACE TO GO?

or do we - the wac - robs c-usa? u can bet that's in c-usa's mind also.

what a mess! college athletics in the 21st century!!!

i'm getting closer & closer to going fishing on my weekends - permanently!


From the Rice University President’s Office

10/17/2003


From the Rice University President’s Office

STATEMENT

Oct. 17, 2003

In the expectation of the probable conference realignments, Rice and Conference USA have held a series of discussions to reach agreement on the terms under which Rice could join Conference USA. Under authority granted by our Board of Trustees, I have today signed a membership agreement with Conference USA. Contingent upon certain other changes in the national athletic scene, Rice would be a part of a six-member western wing of C-USA, consisting of five private schools and one public school, including SMU, TCU, Tulsa, University of Houston and Tulane. This configuration will allow for very substantial savings in travel costs. Even more importantly, the proximity of these schools will benefit our men and women athletic teams through large reductions in time away from class.

We especially welcome the opportunity to renew old Southwest Conference rivalries with TCU and University of Houston. We expect to have in the near future a formal announcement with Conference USA regarding its membership realignment.

http://www.riceowls.com/sports/news/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=1953

<small>[ 10-17-2003, 06:30 PM: Message edited by: Navy&Crimson ]</small>

[MizterTea]

Originally posted by Navy&Crimson:
now this is interesting, but notice the contingencies...it looks like this whole %^%$ move is contingent - of course it is - upon the little east gobbling up the other c-usa members...now if that does't happen - KATIE BAR THE DOOR & i guess were stuck, too with NO PLACE TO GO?

or do we - the wac - robs c-usa? u can bet that's in c-usa's mind also.

what a mess! college athletics in the 21st century!!!

I know that if a sucka foo' me once, shame on him... sucka foo' me twice, shame on me

that bein' said, I would bet that those "sources" about the BE and CUSA know what they are talking about - no matter what condition the BE is in, there is some $$ floating around the conference for a few more years - and they are an East Coast league (which controls the BCS Cartel) - they will rob CUSA, and this deal will go through

if not... Welcome Cougars and Toads to the WAC!

I pity the foo'

[The PonyGrad]

Originally posted by Navy&Crimson:
what a mess! college athletics in the 21st century!!!

Would you rather that it all be done secretly in some airport and then just announced?

[NavyCrimson]

u missed the whole point...

anyways - there's still a lot of 'ifs' in this whole scenario...first & foremost - the little east has to take the c-usa teams before anything happens (ripple affect).

nothing more - nothing less.

[Stallion]

well its really required legally-if it wasn't made a conditional offer CUSA would have something like 19 schools right now.