The late great state of Independence

[Katy Lied]

This is jumping the gun, but when we inevitably join another conference either imminently or some 16-team conference in the next two years, we'll look back and wonder what independence brought us. Plenty.

1. Soft landing place to facilitate our humiliating escape from the MWC.

2. Got the BYU Admin to start the process of stitching together sports with the rest of the BYUtv content. There must be 30 BYU classic games on demand from BYUtv, along with a weekly show, multiple pressers, interviews, programming bookends for football games, etc. It wasnt long ago when there was zero sports. (more on TV below)

3. Monetized the BYU market presence. For years we've been bragging about the national (worldwide) cougar fan base. Our negotiated contract with ESPN tells us exactly how much this is worth. When we finally accept a conference invitation, this gives us a strong bargaining position. No Utah-style, hat-in-hand, please-pick-us, we'll-forgo-all-revenue-for-3-years begging. We know what we're worth, so what will you offer?

4. Multiple feasibility studies. Sometimes the hardest part is just figuring out your options-- what you're willing to take, and where you're willing to go. I'm sure BYU has packaged several options featuring different conferences, including status quo. This will lead TH to nimbly consider all possibilities, and react quickly.

5. (Huge). The BoT has made the conscious decision to expand the BYU sports presence as a missionary tool. This was done in the move to independence. The ominous warnings from ALUFs that the Q12 has decided to disband sports/football at BYU can be relegated to the trash can.

6. Started the school-based TV package learning curve. There is a reason representatives from the LHN were at BYU two weeks ago, and that other schools are enquiring. No one really has a school based network, but with transmission and programming costs falling, I'm willing to bet this is the future. BYU has a jump on everyone else, including Notre Dame, who I bet knows next to nothing about it.

7. Scheduling experience. Yeah, it's hard to schedule games, but TH is learning how and who to schedule, and what is feasible to schedule. More learning that BYU was forced to do instead of sitting back and playing conference foes every year. I bet as better games are scheduled in the upcoming months, TH will toss the dogs from the existing schedule.

8. Oh yeah, more money.

Hard times force you to learn fast and innovate. The Independent experience has taught BYU's AD office a lot that other schools would love to know. I predict other schools will start raiding BYU personnel in the next few years. These will be the big dog dominant schools. Not the conference free riders like Baylor who sit back in comfy conferences and hope that no one notices they don't contribute.

Any other benefits from the flirtation with Independence?

[myboynoah]

This is jumping the gun, but when we inevitably join another conference either imminently or some 16-team conference in the next two years, we'll look back and wonder what independence brought us. Plenty.

1. Soft landing place to facilitate our humiliating escape from the MWC.

2. Got the BYU Admin to start the process of stitching together sports with the rest of the BYUtv content. There must be 30 BYU classic games on demand from BYUtv, along with a weekly show, multiple pressers, interviews, programming bookends for football games, etc. It wasnt long ago when there was zero sports. (more on TV below)

3. Monetized the BYU market presence. For years we've been bragging about the national (worldwide) cougar fan base. Our negotiated contract with ESPN tells us exactly how much this is worth. When we finally accept a conference invitation, this gives us a strong bargaining position. No Utah-style, hat-in-hand, please-pick-us, we'll-forgo-all-revenue-for-3-years begging. We know what we're worth, so what will you offer?

4. Multiple feasibility studies. Sometimes the hardest part is just figuring out your options-- what you're willing to take, and where you're willing to go. I'm sure BYU has packaged several options featuring different conferences, including status quo. This will lead TH to nimbly consider all possibilities, and react quickly.

5. (Huge). The BoT has made the conscious decision to expand the BYU sports presence as a missionary tool. This was done in the move to independence. The ominous warnings from ALUFs that the Q12 has decided to disband sports/football at BYU can be relegated to the trash can.

6. Started the school-based TV package learning curve. There is a reason representatives from the LHN were at BYU two weeks ago, and that other schools are enquiring. No one really has a school based network, but with transmission and programming costs falling, I'm willing to bet this is the future. BYU has a jump on everyone else, including Notre Dame, who I bet knows next to nothing about it.

7. Scheduling experience. Yeah, it's hard to schedule games, but TH is learning how and who to schedule, and what is feasible to schedule. More learning that BYU was forced to do instead of sitting back and playing conference foes every year. I bet as better games are scheduled in the upcoming months, TH will toss the dogs from the existing schedule.

8. Oh yeah, more money.

Hard times force you to learn fast and innovate. The Independent experience has taught BYU's AD office a lot that other schools would love to know. I predict other schools will start raiding BYU personnel in the next few years. These will be the big dog dominant schools. Not the conference free riders like Baylor who sit back in comfy conferences and hope that no one notices they don't contribute.

Any other benefits from the flirtation with Independence?

That's a great list KL. I think probably incumbent with all of those (especially #3) is a confidence and realization at BYU of where the school stands among its peers. That I think has been very liberating.

[beefytee]

I really think that it has elevate byuTv in general.

I watched "Dining with the Dean" last night and was impressed with the quality of the production. Sure it is a crappy reality show, but I think the production was as good as the crappy reality shows that they have on the Food Network or HGTV.

I imagine the broadcast and journalism type majors are going to get some great experiences working on these productions and it should give them an edge going out in the workforce.

[Goatnapper'96]

I really think that it has elevate byuTv in general.

I watched "Dining with the Dean" last night and was impressed with the quality of the production. Sure it is a crappy reality show, but I think the production was as good as the crappy reality shows that they have on the Food Network or HGTV.

I imagine the broadcast and journalism type majors are going to get some great experiences working on these productions and it should give them an edge going out in the workforce.

I am a partisan homer, but I really have thought that BYU has taken a huge step forward with its media. Great Steps Forward are frequently the result of great opportunities and with the Jimmer and the excitement of BYU independence for football it might have been hard to screw it up, but from BYU TV to the various storylines about the personal lives of the players to the various ads I have seen this year, I think BYU is much, much better than they were a year ago.

From the Great Step Forward to our own Cultural Revolution!

[originalsocal]

Great post KL

I don't post much...but this subject is really interesting.

I think one of the benefits not mentioned is the confidence factor. In the past I think we were a bit limited in our OOC perspective. For years Lavell would always poo poo OOC losses, stating that the CC was the important thing. That made for some pretty under-prepared, unenthusiastic performances over the years.

Independence destroys this perspective and gives added importance on performing well in all games...and not for the conference's sake, but for our own sake.

[statman]

Because of point 5, BYU will never (ever!) return to a LaVell Edwards style of Honor Code enforcement. All the coaches know where the administration stands on this issue. All the players know it as well.

Like it or not, the bar has now been permanently raised.

[BoylenOver]

When we finally accept a conference invitation, this gives us a strong bargaining position. No Utah-style, hat-in-hand, please-pick-us, we'll-forgo-all-revenue-for-3-years begging. We know what we're worth, so what will you offer?

Who needs reality when you can have BYU-spun dream worlds?

[Paperback Writer]

Because of point 5, BYU will never (ever!) return to a LaVell Edwards style of Honor Code enforcement. All the coaches know where the administration stands on this issue. All the players know it as well.

Like it or not, the bar has now been permanently raised.

Count me as a not (as in like it or not). I think when the masses learn about HC enforcement, the missionary aspect will backfire. When a player is suspended, non-Mormons will think the player broke NCAA rules or broke the law. When they find out a player is ineligible because he slept with his girlfriend, that won't put BYU or the church in a positive light.

[Eddie]

Count me as a not (as in like it or not). I think when the masses learn about HC enforcement, the missionary aspect will backfire. When a player is suspended, non-Mormons will think the player broke NCAA rules or broke the law. When they find out a player is ineligible because he slept with his girlfriend, that won't put BYU or the church in a positive light.

I don't necessarily think that is true. I think BYU will see a mixed response.

It was pretty clear that Davies issue was - and while some described it as racist or weird and everything in between, there were also responses of admiration for BYU viewing its rules and honor code as being above winning in sports.

I'm not saying I like how the honor code is enforced - because I don't. I really like some of the ideas thrown around that allow a Bishop to play a bigger role and that would take into account whether the "sinner" turned themselves in or not, or if it was a one-time incident or a repeated pattern, and the person's attitude, etc. when determining if someone would be under some form of informal probation, formal probation, or be booted.

I'm simply saying we've seen the hypothetical situation you state play out - and it wasn't all negative press.

[Paperback Writer]

I don't necessarily think that is true. I think BYU will see a mixed response.

It was pretty clear that Davies issue was - and while some described it as racist or weird and everything in between, there were also responses of admiration for BYU viewing its rules and honor code as being above winning in sports.

I'm not saying I like how the honor code is enforced - because I don't. I really like some of the ideas thrown around that allow a Bishop to play a bigger role and that would take into account whether the "sinner" turned themselves in or not, or if it was a one-time incident or a repeated pattern, and the person's attitude, etc. when determining if someone would be under some form of informal probation, formal probation, or be booted.

I'm simply saying we've seen the hypothetical situation you state play out - and it wasn't all negative press.

Agree there was positive press - but it was mostly for not making an exception for a key athlete when enforcing the HC - upholding the "honor". But when people start thinking deeper about the BYU honor code that's when it becomes problematic. And it was the Brandon Davies case that sparked a conversation at my work. When co-workers realized that a student could be suspended from BYU for sleeping with his/her fiancée my co-wokers were incredulous. It wasn't a missionary momment and the speculation was that the LDS chruch controlled every aspect of its members' lives.

[Omaha 680]

I don't necessarily think that is true. I think BYU will see a mixed response.

It was pretty clear that Davies issue was - and while some described it as racist or weird and everything in between, there were also responses of admiration for BYU viewing its rules and honor code as being above winning in sports.

I'm not saying I like how the honor code is enforced - because I don't. I really like some of the ideas thrown around that allow a Bishop to play a bigger role and that would take into account whether the "sinner" turned themselves in or not, or if it was a one-time incident or a repeated pattern, and the person's attitude, etc. when determining if someone would be under some form of informal probation, formal probation, or be booted.

I'm simply saying we've seen the hypothetical situation you state play out - and it wasn't all negative press.

I agree with this. I interact with a fairly wide cross section of people and the reaction to the Davies incident among non-Mormons ranged from "that's odd", to "well I don't get it, but rules are rules", to "good for BYU for standing for something". I don't think I talked to one person who thought it was outrageous or made the Church look bad. Weird in a few peoples' eyes maybe. But not bad. I was way more upset about the way it was handled than anyone I talked to.

FTR, I too wish that honor code issues would be handled mostly ecclesiastically.

[Flystripper]

I agree with this. I interact with a fairly wide cross section of people and the reaction to the Davies incident among non-Mormons ranged from "that's odd", to "well I don't get it, but rules are rules", to "good for BYU for standing for something". I don't think I talked to one person who thought it was outrageous or made the Church look bad. Weird in a few peoples' eyes maybe. But not bad. I was way more upset about the way it was handled than anyone I talked to.

FTR, I too wish that honor code issues would be handled mostly ecclesiastically.

weird is bad. They are just too polite to tell you to your face.

[hello]

Agree there was positive press - but it was mostly for not making an exception for a key athlete when enforcing the HC - upholding the "honor". But when people start thinking deeper about the BYU honor code that's when it becomes problematic. And it was the Brandon Davies case that sparked a conversation at my work. When co-workers realized that a student could be suspended from BYU for sleeping with his/her fiancée my co-wokers were incredulous. It wasn't a missionary momment and the speculation was that the LDS chruch controlled every aspect of its members' lives.

That is NOT what happened in this instance!

[kccougar]

Indpendence (and the ESPN contract) immediately elevated BYU out of the mid-major category. I haven't seen BYU grouped with the rest of the "mid majors" in any conversation of this new football season.

[jay santos]

Indpendence (and the ESPN contract) immediately elevated BYU out of the mid-major category. I haven't seen BYU grouped with the rest of the "mid majors" in any conversation of this new football season.

That's one of the huge positives for going independent.

Going independent vs staying in the MWC was almost a no brainer. But it's still far inferior option to going to a major conference.