Posted on 12/18/2010 7:30:54 PM PST by greatdefender
CHICAGO -- Jim Delany has spent more than two decades as commissioner of the Big Ten, overseeing two conference expansions and the formation of the Big Ten Network.
None of it prepared him for the overwhelmingly negative reaction to the conference's new division names.Delany said during an interview with WGN AM-720 in Chicago on Thursday that the names Legends and Leaders were picked to highlight the conference's rich history, and that "to a great extent it's fallen on deaf ears." Many fans have instead mocked the names and asked officials to reconsider, which Delany said could happen after the first of the year.
"I think we have enough experience with names, and expansion and development of divisions, to know that you never, rarely, get 90 percent approval rating," Delany said during the interview. "But to get a 90 percent non-approval rating was, you know, really surprising."
The league will be split into two divisions beginning next season, when Nebraska becomes the 12th member. The Huskers will be joined by Northwestern, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota and Iowa in the Legends Division. Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin will comprise the Leaders Division.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
“The “Big Ten” gets an “F” in Arithmetic and Geography.”
An “F” in football too - the most successful Big 10 team (OSU) has a 0-9 record in bowl games against serious opposition (SEC).
They were trying for competitive balance rather than geography.
The names are crap, but it is a good idea to have several strong schools in each division.
I like that, over-rated and un-ranked. It’s better than what they came up with. Legends and Leaders, sheesh, those are names for wings in the hall of fame or something, not an active league.
LIKE!!!
That is good but you need two names. How about “Teams that always lose to the SEC in bowl games” and “Teams that would lose to SEC- teams if they ever make it to a bowl game”
I suggested “SEC Third Division” and “SEC Fourth Division”.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.