Could Gonzaga work in the Big East?

[5DollarPitcher]

Or is the location issue too much to overcome? IMO they need to leave their nothingness conference and it seems no football would likely disqualify them from the PAC 12.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Word is they had conversations back when the new Big East was formed but geography was clearly too much of an issue.

I don’t think their conference is hurting them too much.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Basketball isn’t the issue, it’s every other sport they have to travel for.

[naginiF]

In theory? sure.

In practice? nope.

Plus, why would they? edit: what Fluffy and Chi said

[MU82]

Agree with everything Sultan said.

I mean, in the last 6 NCAA tournaments, they've finished:

Elite 8 ... Sweet 16 ... National Runner-up ... Sweet 16 ... Elite 8 ... National Runner-up.

Top guys want to play for the Zags, they have become a national brand, they've gotten high seeds annually for many years now, they play an awesome non-con schedule.

That's not a program being held back by their conference affiliation one iota.

In a year like this one, when folks were arguing whether or not they were the greatest team ever, yeah, their weak-arse conference was part of the discussion. But those debates don't matter. Gonzaga can make the Final Four and be legit threats to win the championship every year.

[GooooMarquette]

Agree with what several others have said so far. There just is no need for Gonzaga to do it.

[We R Final Four]

Or is the location issue too much to overcome? IMO they need to leave their nothingness conference and it seems no football would likely disqualify them from the PAC 12.

Why do they need to leave their conference???

[GoldenWarrior11]

No.  Gonzaga doesn't need the Big East, nor does the Big East need Gonzaga. 

Scheduling alliances are a beautiful thing, however.  Wouldn't mind an annual home/home with Gonzaga for the Big East, where they get a home game against a BE team, and one BE team gets them to travel.  Might work out for teams left out of the Gavitt Games and/or Big 12 Battle.

[Not A Serious Person]

Basketball isn’t the issue, it’s every other sport they have to travel for.

This is the stumbling block.  Spokane to Providence (or visa versa) for women's cross country/tennis/soccer/etc is horribly expensive and a killer on the athletes. (to save money they bus to Seattle, connect through Chicago or Dallas, and then Bus from Boston taking about 14 hours to get there the day before they compete!)

Now if there was a realignment where there were basketball and football-only conferences (and the rest of the sports were in a different conference), then you could have a conversation.

[AZMarqfan]

I've always thought the Big East and WCC should partner for filling schedules.  If Marquette were to get 3 non-conference games (at least two in Milwaukee) against WCC schools, it would likely be better than some of the schools they typically host.  This year Gonzaga was great, and the only really weak schools were USD and Portland.  A partnership would link these two conferences that have similar goals, while also having a scheduling relationship based on basketball and not requiring other sports commitments

[GooooMarquette]

I've always thought the Big East and WCC should partner for filling schedules.  If Marquette were to get 3 non-conference games (at least two in Milwaukee) against WCC schools, it would likely be better than some of the schools they typically host.  This year Gonzaga was great, and the only really weak schools were USD and Portland.  A partnership would link these two conferences that have similar goals, while also having a scheduling relationship based on basketball and not requiring other sports commitments

Either a partnership or a conference challenge like the Gavitt Games would be great. Maybe even a doubleheader or two in a neutral site like KC or Denver. Anything beyond that is unlikely to happen.

[MU82]

No.  Gonzaga doesn't need the Big East, nor does the Big East need Gonzaga. 

Scheduling alliances are a beautiful thing, however.  Wouldn't mind an annual home/home with Gonzaga for the Big East, where they get a home game against a BE team, and one BE team gets them to travel.  Might work out for teams left out of the Gavitt Games and/or Big 12 Battle.

Outstanding idea.

[Galway Eagle]

It might work occasionally but outside of Zags Nova there wouldn't be a great matchup. At best WCC sweeps the big East from Zags, ST Mary's, BYU. And that's a big maybe. But if the big East loses more than that we lose the power conference reputation

[Lennys Tap]

Why do they need to leave their conference???

This. A little private school in eastern freakin’ Washington is a national powerhouse, a top 5 program. Why would they change ANYTHING?

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I have no desire to see any sort of scheduling match up with the WCC.  Fun when you play the Zags or BYU.  Dull as dirt when you play Pacific.

[Scoop Snoop]

I have no desire to see any sort of scheduling match up with the WCC.  Fun when you play the Zags or BYU.  Dull as dirt when you play Pacific.

Yep. I would like to see Gonzaga and maybe BYU play BE teams but getting involved in a conference matchup has little to offer for the BE.

[MDMU04]

I have no desire to see any sort of scheduling match up with the WCC.  Fun when you play the Zags or BYU.  Dull as dirt when you play Pacific.

Exactly. We’ll be treated to annual Villanova vs Gonzaga matchups while we play Pepperdine. Fun!

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Exactly. We’ll be treated to annual Villanova vs Gonzaga matchups while we play Pepperdine. Fun!

The Stan Bowl!!!

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

The Stan Bowl!!!

Swing and a miss.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Swing and a miss.

Oh that's right.  LMU. 

[StillAWarrior]

Yep. I would like to see Gonzaga and maybe BYU play BE teams but getting involved in a conference matchup has little to offer for the BE.

Agreed. It's interesting that the idea behind this thread is that the WCC is weak and doesn't provide Gonzaga with good competition, but the thread veered into a suggestion that the Big East teams should play those same teams.

[cheebs09]

Would be nice to use one of our “bye weeks” in our BE schedule to schedule with Gonzaga. Would also help them with not facing top competition after December.

I don’t know if teams are looking for cross country trips in the middle of conference season if they can avoid it.

[GooooMarquette]

I have no desire to see any sort of scheduling match up with the WCC.  Fun when you play the Zags or BYU.  Dull as dirt when you play Pacific.

I think it depends. Would it replace one of our usual 'home and home' games, or a buy game against a team like Presbyterian? If the latter, I'll take Pacific and an occasional matchup with Gonzaga, BYU, SMU or LMU.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I think it depends. Would it replace one of our usual 'home and home' games, or a buy game against a team like Presbyterian? If the latter, I'll take Pacific and an occasional matchup with Gonzaga, BYU, SMU or LMU.

With the expansion to a 20 game conference season, I doubt there are many scenarios by which MU is going to be giving up home buy games.

[muwarrior69]

Agreed. It's interesting that the idea behind this thread is that the WCC is weak and doesn't provide Gonzaga with good competition, but the thread veered into a suggestion that the Big East teams should play those same teams.

... all the MU logic professors are apoplectic.

[SaveOD238]

Call me when the WCC regularly has 2 teams in the top 25 and a majority of their teams in top 151 on kenpom.  Then we can talk.

What's that?  The WCC did that in 2021? And 2020? And 2019 (almost, SMC was just outside top 25).  Ok now you've got me interested. 

Guarantee me two west coast trips (gotta play in front of those recruit's families once) every four years, Gonzaga once a decade, and 1 of St. Mary's, BYU, or USF every couple years and I'm in for a scheduling alliance.

[Galway Eagle]

Call me when the WCC regularly has 2 teams in the top 25 and a majority of their teams in top 151 on kenpom.  Then we can talk.

What's that?  The WCC did that in 2021? And 2020? And 2019 (almost, SMC was just outside top 25).  Ok now you've got me interested. 

Guarantee me two west coast trips (gotta play in front of those recruit's families once) every four years, Gonzaga once a decade, and 1 of St. Mary's, BYU, or USF every couple years and I'm in for a scheduling alliance.

Yeah but that could be arranged by Scholl asking PAC 12, MWC and WCC teams that won't destroy our SOS. No sense in the Big East doing that unless we had a deal where the 3 or 4 preseason favorites play their 3 or 4 preseason favorites. Beyond that it's too high risk low reward.

[Billy Hoyle]

No, it didn't work in the past and won't work in the future. The only conference outside of the WCC that is feasible for GU is the Mountain West, which has reached out and have had informal discussions with GU.

That said, the Zags are willing to take on anyone in the non-conference. They've gone to Creighton and SLU and have played neutral site games in the midwest. Why not MU, either in Milwaukee or at a neutral site like Chicago? It would be up to MU to make the call.

[Coleman]

No.  Gonzaga doesn't need the Big East, nor does the Big East need Gonzaga. 

Scheduling alliances are a beautiful thing, however.  Wouldn't mind an annual home/home with Gonzaga for the Big East, where they get a home game against a BE team, and one BE team gets them to travel.  Might work out for teams left out of the Gavitt Games and/or Big 12 Battle.

Love it. you could even do 2 home and 2 away

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Should we bring back football or the medical school first?

[Herman Cain]

Should we bring back football or the medical school first?

The Big 3 of Marquette
1) Bring Back Football
2) Bring Back Medical School
3) Make Wisconsin Avenue Pedestrian

[Dr. Blackheart]

The Big 3 of Marquette
1) Bring Back Football
2) Bring Back Medical School
3) Make Wisconsin Avenue Pedestrian

4) Block Party/Jigglesfest
5) Naked beer slides
6) Mug Rack concerts

[DFW HOYA]

The Big 3 of Marquette
1) Bring Back Football
2) Bring Back Medical School
3) Make Wisconsin Avenue Pedestrian

Start with #1. You've got (at least) three waiting opponents.

https://butlersports.com/index.aspx?path=football
https://guhoyas.com/sports/football
https://villanova.com/sports/football

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

4) Block Party/Jigglesfest
5) Naked beer slides
6) Mug Rack concerts

The Dr. has it. 
It is Mr. Jigglesfest season after all.  Get the Domes ready.

[Newsdreams]

The Dr. has it. 
It is Mr. Jigglesfest season after all.  Get the Domes ready.

Dr. Knows best.

[warriorchick]

The Big 3 of Marquette
1) Bring Back Football
2) Bring Back Medical School
3) Make Wisconsin Avenue Pedestrian

1)Not gonna happen, 2)not a snowball's chance in Hell, and 3) when pigs fly.

[Herman Cain]

1)Not gonna happen, 2)not a snowball's chance in Hell, and 3) when pigs fly.

Did you ever watch Miracle on 34th street ?

[Scoop Snoop]

The Big 3 of Marquette
1) Bring Back Football
2) Bring Back Medical School
3) Make Wisconsin Avenue Pedestrian

Marquette had "club football" for one year in the late 60's. It was basically a football version of a YMCA bball team. MU's announcer mercilessly ridiculed the refs, just as he did during soccer games. Surprisingly, Sports Illustrated commented (maybe 1/2 of a page, if that) on all the club football teams at the end of the season. They had a one line comment about Marquette: "World's biggest outdoor cocktail party."

One of my older brothers graduated from MU's last Medical School class. It was hemorrhaging money Big Time so it was shut down when the losses were no longer sustainable. Why would it be feasible now?

Love the idea about Wisconsin Avenue. How much would it cost and who is going to pay for it? A pedestrian bridge over it are as close as it would ever come to reality I think.
 

[Coleman]

Marquette had "club football" for one year in the late 60's. It was basically a football version of a YMCA bball team. MU's announcer mercilessly ridiculed the refs, just as he did during soccer games. Surprisingly, Sports Illustrated commented (maybe 1/2 of a page, if that) on all the club football teams at the end of the season. They had a one line comment about Marquette: "World's biggest outdoor cocktail party."

One of my older brothers graduated from MU's last Medical School class. It was hemorrhaging money Big Time so it was shut down when the losses were no longer sustainable. Why would it be feasible now?

Love the idea about Wisconsin Avenue. How much would it cost and who is going to pay for it? A pedestrian bridge over it are as close as it would ever come to reality I think.

I believe MU still has club football.

[Scoop Snoop]

I believe MU still has club football.

Really? Well, they dropped it in the 60's after either 1 or maybe 2 years. Does MU provide the uniforms and equipment but little else?

[Galway Eagle]

Really? Well, they dropped it in the 60's after either 1 or maybe 2 years. Does MU provide the uniforms and equipment but little else?

I know when I was playing club lax 10 & 11 yrs ago they still had club football because we'd share the field. Didn't look like enough players to field a full team tbh

[Coleman]

Really? Well, they dropped it in the 60's after either 1 or maybe 2 years. Does MU provide the uniforms and equipment but little else?

They definitely had it a decade ago when I was there.

I believe it was funded just like all club sports. They get a certain amount from the university's activity fees but were reliant on fundraising/self funding for whatever amount beyond that.

[Coleman]

Looks like it officially died in 2012

https://www.facebook.com/Marquette-University-Club-Football-156602911036518/

It is offical Marquette no longer offers club football. Here is the quote from Club Sports Director Scott Andregg:

"Yes, you are correct in that MU will no longer be offering football as a club sport. There were MANY factors involved when reaching this decision. Two of the major concerns were the numerous liability issues (nothing really you could control as the MU Club Sports Program just doesn't have the resources needed to operate a sport like football in a safe manner), and the lack of players. It is impossible to run a team from week to week not knowing if you have enough players ,etc. These issues have been plaguing the club for years (not just the last few) so the University decide to finally make this difficult decision. Thank you for the time and effort you gave the club the last few years."

[wildbillsb]

The Big 3 of Marquette
1) Bring Back Football
2) Bring Back Medical School
3) Make Wisconsin Avenue Pedestrian

As a '61 alum, I'm liking this more and more.

[warriorchick]

Did you ever watch Miracle on 34th street ?

You seem to be confusing Marquette U with Marquette High.

[warriorchick]

Love the idea about Wisconsin Avenue. How much would it cost and who is going to pay for it? A pedestrian bridge over it are as close as it would ever come to reality I think.

This was formally considered awhile back.  It would be a traffic nightmare, not to mention campus is a lot safer when MUPD squad cars are constantly driving back and forth on Wisconsin Avenue.

And why would we put up a pedestrian bridge?  In order to make it ADA-compliant for wheelchairs, it would have to start under the Olin Engineering building and end almost as far west as the AMU.  Do we really want that monstrosity bisecting our campus because a few numbskull students don't look both ways before crossing the street?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

And why would we put up a pedestrian bridge?  In order to make it ADA-compliant for wheelchairs, it would have to start under the Olin Engineering building and end almost as far west as the AMU.  Do we really want that monstrosity bisecting our campus because a few numbskull students don't look both ways before crossing the street?

Or an elevator works too.

[MU82]

numbskull students

I resembled that remark!

[Dr. Blackheart]

Back in 4evers' day, MU had a pedestrian tunnel under Wisconsin Ave.

https://content.mpl.org/digital/collection/RememberWhe/id/480/

[warriorchick]

Or an elevator works too.

And then Marquette would have the cost of maintaining an outdoor elevator - in Wisconsin.  Also, it would be almost impossible to make that attractive.

[Billy Hoyle]

This was formally considered awhile back.  It would be a traffic nightmare, not to mention campus is a lot safer when MUPD squad cars are constantly driving back and forth on Wisconsin Avenue.

1994 and 95. When I started at MU that was the big promise being made to us, that WI Avenue was going to be shut down. In 1995, the city council defeated it by one vote...the Alderman whose district included MU. The current set up is much better than it was in the 90's, as students really have to only cross at designated crosswalks.

If we wanted to do bridges, what about sky bridges from existing/planned buildings? For example,  the new business school to Olin. A D2 school that recruited me for athletics made a big deal out of having every building connected via sky bridge so students didn't have to go outside in the winter. Kind of like DT Minneapolis too. Thought I'm sure the costs for adding them existing buildings would be ridiculously high.

[GooooMarquette]

1)Not gonna happen, 2)not a snowball's chance in Hell, and 3) when pigs fly.

So you're saying there's a chance?

#donedeal

[warriorchick]

1994 and 95. When I started at MU that was the big promise being made to us, that WI Avenue was going to be shut down. In 1995, the city council defeated it by one vote...the Alderman whose district included MU. The current set up is much better than it was in the 90's, as students really have to only cross at designated crosswalks.

If we wanted to do bridges, what about sky bridges from existing/planned buildings? For example,  the new business school to Olin. A D2 school that recruited me for athletics made a big deal out of having every building connected via sky bridge so students didn't have to go outside in the winter. Kind of like DT Minneapolis too. Thought I'm sure the costs for adding them existing buildings would be ridiculously high.

Not to mention incredibly ugly. Warriors are tough enough to walk a block or two in cold weather.

[Coleman]

If we wanted to do bridges, what about sky bridges from existing/planned buildings? For example,  the new business school to Olin. A D2 school that recruited me for athletics made a big deal out of having every building connected via sky bridge so students didn't have to go outside in the winter. Kind of like DT Minneapolis too. Thought I'm sure the costs for adding them existing buildings would be ridiculously high.

This is the way.

Connect the new B school to Olin. And add another one from Zilbert Hall to Marquette Hall.

[Coleman]

Not to mention incredibly ugly. Warriors are tough enough to walk a block or two in cold weather.

Right, but clearly not tough enough to live in McCormick Hall. Need a hotel-like experience.

I think the sky bridges is a cool idea.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Right, but clearly not tough enough to live in McCormick Hall. Need a hotel-like experience.

I think the sky bridges is a cool idea.

And expensive - especially if you are intending to go over a street.  Put that money toward increased financial aid packages and it would have a much greater impact on enrollment.

[warriorchick]

I think the downhill view East on Wisconsin Avenue is actually pretty nice, and I would hate to see it broken up by a bunch of ugly sky tunnels.

If you want those, go to UW-Parkside.