CoMo Weekend: 11/18-20

November 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mizzou vs. Buffalo

Click for source.

It’s almost Turkey Day! How are you spending the weekend before the holiday? Here are some things that the Collective will be doing this weekend…

Friday the 18th

  • TRYPS Treasure Island at the Columbia Mall and the TRYPS Little Theater; various times throughout the weekend - All weekend long, the TRYPS program is presenting a play about pirates and buried treasure. Go to the TRYPS website for further details.
  • Margin Call / The Skin I Live In at Ragtag; show times throughout the weekend ($8) – Two films highlight Ragtag’s weekend lineup. Margin Call features a star-studded cast telling the story of a brokerage firms during the 24 hours leading to financial collapse. In The Skin I Live In, Almodóvar and Banderas reunite for the first time since 1990′s Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! to bring us this suspenseful thriller.
  • Super Sonic Piss, The Liz, Stacian & Gel Set w/the fagettes at Cafe Berlin; 10:00 PM-1:00 AM ($?) – Three punk bands from around the Midwest and our own Fagettes are playing a good old fashioned freak out at Cafe Berlin. For more information, check the event page on Facebook.
Saturday the 19th
  • XCX at the  Midway Truckstop Sandbar here in Columbia; on-site registration and check-in is at 8:00 AM ($35 for participants) – The following descriptors are used for this event: “Deranged Cross-Country Run. Demented Obstacle Course. Unhinged Costume Contest. Complete Insanity. Can You Survive the XCX?” That’s all you really need to know. Also, watch the video below…

  • Benefit for Larry at Hawgs & Dogs Bar & Grill; 5:00 pm - Larry has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and will be undergoing chemotherapy. Money raised will be used to lessen the financial burden for Larry and his family during treatment. Hawgs and Dogs will be donating the money raised from the sale of Chicken and Ribs at the benefit. There is a Facebook event you can check out for more details. There will also be a raffle for a laptop, marble or granite 49″ desktop/vanity top ($300-500 value), Cardinal World Series t-shirts (9 of them L & XL), car washes, haircuts…… and more. Come by early and watch the Mizzou Game! The Big Square Band will play from 8 PM to Midnight.
Sunday the 20th
  • MU’s Women’s Basketball vs. North Florida at Mizzou Arena; 2:00-4:00 PM ($3-5) – One can’t beat major NCAA basketball for such a low price. Sunday afternoon games are often sparsely attended, giving one a chance to get up close to see Robin Pingeton’s undefeated crew take on the North Florida Ospreys.
  • Cross-legged #2 (with Fire Dog) at Ragtag; 4:00-5:00 PM (donations) – Here’s the description from Ragtag: “This new variety show compels young families and discerning adults to hunker down on the floor of our small, cozy theater.  This month, we welcome St. Louis band Fire Dog. This trio will offer a low-volume version of their playful blend of  soul and surf, with influences ranging from Elvis Costello and David Bowie to The Beach Boys and The Flaming Lips. Look for deep-knee bends and magic tricks too. “

Filed Under: CoMo Arts and Music, CoMo Family, CoMo Sports, CoMo Weekend, CoMusic, Kids Activities, What's Going On in CoMo Tagged With: , , , , ,

How to Win a World Series

November 2, 2011 By 1 Comment

Winning a World Series is no easy feat. Out of the current 30 MLB Teams 8 of them have not won a World Series, ever.  Since 1903, only 69 managers have won a World Series.  In fact, it is so hard to win a World Series, the Cubs haven’t won one in 103 years, which actually puts a smile on my face.  Some of baseball’s greats have never won a World Series, Ted Williams, Ken Griffey Jr, Ty Cobb, and any Cub player that played after 1908 unless you were one of the lucky ones like Lou Brock who got traded to a winner (ie: The Cardinals). 

So I am sure you are asking yourself  “Adam, you are a loan officer.  How the heck do you know how to win a World Series?”  Well I am glad you asked.  As noted above, it is not easy but I have found a way to just about guarantee you win a World Series. 

 First things first-you can’t play for the Cubs. It’s obvious that they are one of the worst teams in baseball when it comes to winning.  Now if you like to drink Old Style, get super drunk, and choke away every opportunity you ever have, than play for the Cubs or be a Cubs fan.  When you do choke you’ll at least be able to blame it on a goat, ball, or one of your own fans (see Steve Bartman).  

 Second, avoid being a fan of or playing for any team out of Texas.  We all know everything is bigger in Texas, this includes losses. No team that is currently based in Texas has won a World Series.  Between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers that is a solid 99 years of losing, not quite as awful as the Cubs but pretty bad.

 Third, and probably most important is to make sure a Crutchfield was born in the year you want your team to win the World Series. I was lucky enough to be born in 1982 when the Cardinals laid the smack down on the Brewers and my son Max was born in 2011 when the Cardinals crushed the Texas Rangers.  In a year of rally squirrels, good luck turtles, and happy flights we can also add the Crutchfield rally baby to the mix. 

It’s crazy to think that I have been on this earth long enough to have a baby and both of us have gotten to see a World Series win, not one single living Cubs fan can say that.  Of course my son and I are just doing our part as Cardinals fans but it is a pretty awesome bond that we share together.  A bond that not many people can share, *cough* *cough* Cubs fans.

I don’t want to get everyone’s hopes up to high, my family has no plans of having a baby in 2012 but if things go as planned I suggest you buy playoff tickets for the 2013 season as soon as possible.

The Rally Baby

Filed Under: CoMo Commentary, CoMo Sports, Misc CoMo Tagged With: , , , ,

CoMO Sports: Missouri’s Miracle Weekend

November 1, 2011 By 1 Comment

MISSOURI MIRACLE WEEKEND MONTAGE

It was called the greatest Missouri sports weekend of all-time. That might be debatable… but you would have to do a lot of research to find a better 4-day span for fans of Missouri sports teams. What made it so great? The idea that the Missouri sports team was the underdog in every single big game, and in every single big game David slew Goliath. There were six rocks for six slingshots.

 

Friday, October 28:

MIRACLE #1: “Purple Power” – The Hickman Kewpies football team’s only chance at the playoffs was to win on their homefield on the last week of the regular season. Unfortunately, the Kewpies had a 4-5 record and were facing 8-1 Jefferson City. The Jays were ranked #4 in the state, two weeks removed from their first #1 ranking in over a decade. Jefferson City was among the favorites to win the Missouri State Championship, all THEY had to do was beat their struggling rival. The Kewpies forced the heavily favored Jays to turn the ball over three times in the first half, and four times in total on their way to the biggest Missouri high school football upset of 2011 and a ticket to the playoffs (eliminating the Jays in the process). FINAL: Hickman 16, #4 Jefferson City 14.

MIRACLE #2: “The Rally Squirrel” – The St. Louis Cardinals took a standing 8-count in late August, but managed to wobble to their feet before the ref could call the knockout. All the Cards did was overcome a 10.5 game deficit to catch and pass the Atlanta Braves on the final day of the regular season to win the National League Wildcard. But like Rocky Balboa & Apollo Creed, the underdog Cardinals took the opportunity to beat the best team in baseball (Philadelphia) in the deciding Game 5 of the NLDS on the Phillies homefield against the Phillies ace pitcher. Then, it was on to Milwaukee. The Brewers outlasted the Cardinals all season in the NL Central on their way to the division crown. But the Cardinals outlasted the Brew Crew in six games of the NLCS to win the ”Pilsner Pennant”. In a remarkable World Series, the Cardinals did the improbable and beat the Texas Rangers in a classic seven games to win the organization’s 11th World Championship. FINAL: St. Louis 6, Texas 2.

 

Saturday, October 29:

MIRACLE #3: “College Station Conquest” – The relatively disappointing season the Missouri Tigers football team had stumbled and fumbled through with the #2 toughest schedule in America led them to a 3-4 record and a trip to College Station, Texas to face the #16 Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies were favored BIG. The Tigers hadn’t won a road game against a ranked opponent in nearly 15 years, and in such situations in 2011, they were already 0-3. It didn’t set up very well for Ol’ Mizzou. Missouri was down by two touchdowns (28-14) at halftime. But with some kind of fortitude, the Tigers fought back to tie the game 31-31 and headed to an improbable overtime. MU struck first with a touchdown pass to take a 38-31 lead, and then on defense swatted away A&M’s last chance on 4th down to come away with their first road win against a Top 25 opponent since 1997. FINAL (OT): Missouri 38, #16 Texas A&M 31.

MIRACLE #4: “M-I-Z! Beat-O-U!” – The Missouri Volleyball team came into the 2011 season with one of the top recruiting classes in the Big 12. The only problem the Tigers have with a top class is that they are all freshman. Due to that inexperience, MU had already lost a lot of close matches with some of the best teams in America. But not on this night at the Hearnes Center. Mizzou Volleyball would roll past #21 Oklahoma. FINAL: Missouri 3, #21 Oklahoma 0.

 

Sunday, October 30:

MIRACLE #5: “Greatest Show On Turf” – When you’re the St. Louis Rams and you start the season 0-6 things can’t get much worse. Unless of course, your #1 Draft Pick star quarterback Sam Bradford isn’t able to play against the powerful and potent 5-2 New Orleans Saints. The Cardinals World Series parade was set to begin just down the road from the Edward Jones Dome a few hours later, so most of the fans in attendance decided to take in a football game before celebrating their beloved baseball team. But even with Tony LaRussa and the Cardinals poking their heads in to the Dome before leaving for the parade, NOBODY WENT ANYWHERE. Wearing the old blue and yellow throwback uniforms of the late-90′s, the 2011 Rams resembled the classic Superbowl champion Rams both in uniform and in their play. With great defense and a punishing running offense, the Rams scored the biggest upset of the NFL season by handling the favored Saints, shocking the NFL and maybe even themselves. FINAL: St. Louis 31, New Orleans 21.

 

Monday, October 31:

MIRACLE #6: “Monday Night Black Magic” – Arrowhead Stadium is always a special environment. It’s a little more special at night. Monday Night Football rolled into Kansas City for a Halloween game between the AFC West Division rivals Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers. KC had started the season 0-3 and were getting pummeled by historically large margins at every turn and were considered the “worst team in the NFL”. After rattling off three straight victories, they had shed that “worst team” tag and had reached 3-3 on the year. In front of them was the favorite to win the division, the San Diego Chargers. San Diego was favored by four points to win in Kansas City and with the score tied 20-20, the Chargers were on their way to kicking the game-winning field goal with under a minute to play. The only thing San Diego quarterback Phillip Rivers (one of the best in the league) had to do was take the snap, kneel down and spot the ball perfectly for his kicker, and the Chargers would kick the short field goal and win the game. No problem. But Rivers inexplicably fumbled the football on the snap. Then the Chiefs miraculously fell on top of the football. Then the two teams went to overtime. Then the Chiefs won on a Ryan Succup field goal. The ghost of Lamar Hunt was smiling on this Halloween at Arrowhead. FINAL (OT): Kansas City 23, San Diego 20.

 

Click the link titled “Missouri Miracle Weekend Montage” at the top of the page to relive Missouri’s Miracle Weekend…

Highlights credited to:

KCFX – Chiefs FOX Football Radio Network

Learfield Sports Properties – Mizzou Sports Network

KMOX – Cardinals Radio Network

KLIK – Cumulus Broadcasting Columbia/Jefferson City

WWL – New Orleans Saints Radio

Filed Under: CoMo Sports, CoMo Weekend

The Comoian: Mizz-Who?

October 31, 2011 By 2 Comments

Kate and Zac asked me to include this disclaimer so that they don’t get blamed for my opinions. That’s fine. They’re my opinions, not theirs. I can own up to that while maintaining anonymity. So, you should know that The Comoian is part of the Collective meant to provide another perspective on Columbia not currently present in our pages. This perspective – like all the opinions on this website – are not representative of The CoMo Collective, its editors, nor its writers. Take it for what it is. Leave angry comments in the space below. Blah, blah, blah…

Is this really what you want?

So, the University of Missouri is on the verge of joining the SEC. Woopty-freakin’-do.

First of all, you’re delusional if you think this will be good Missouri’s “football” program. They are preparing to join the SEC, THE GREATEST FOOTBALL CONFERENCE OF ALL-TIME that regularly chews up mediocre football programs and spits out a bloody mess with much frequency. (See: The Big Ten) Not only that, but Mizzou will likely be in the toughest division in football, the SEC West. That means annual thrashings by the likes of LSU, Alabama, and Auburn…and, let’s face it, Arkansas as well.

There will be no more mythical Big 12 North Championships with an opportunity to get whooped by an overrated Oklahoma Sooners team. No longer will the likes of Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State (sans Bill Snyder), Baylor, Nebraska, or Texas Tech litter Missouri’s schedule with duds and the annual “upset.” Gone are the days of 45-38 shootouts and two-hand-touch defense. Say “so-long” to 8-win seasons, Tigers. Your days of happy mediocrity and the Insight Bowl bids are over.

Some of you will point out that Missouri is a basketball school. Yeah, like KENTUCKY? Or how about comparing the number of Final Four appearances at Missouri (0) to those of decidedly-non-basketball schools like Florida (4) and LSU(4)? Missouri’s a basketball school. Why? Because the football program was a joke for two decades? That must be it.

There are some Mizzou supporters who will say that Missouri has a long history of excellence. This makes Missouri attractive to the SEC, sort of like a fancy new doormat. And what does that history look like? The following three video clips represent the most important moments of Missouri sports history:

That’s right. The greatest moments in University of Missouri athletic history are all losses. I suggest Mizzou and their fans ready themselves for a lot more of this and a return from the lands of Lofty Expectations and Delusions for the more familiar confines of Mediocre City.

And that’s a best-case scenario. More than likely, the arms race that is SEC football will crush our little university. Faurot Field is larger than a measly four SEC stadiums, belonging to the murders’ row of Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and the Mississippi schools. Yep, that’s the kind of company Mizzou will keep in the SEC basement.

Then, there are the coaches. Missouri mistakenly thought Washington wanted Gary Pinkel, but who really thought they wanted a career .600 coach to resurrect their program? It’s unlikely Pinkel was ever a serious option. Either way, Mizzou is being taken for over $2.5 million a year from the man who would rather call a fake field goal on third down than give a scholarship to a fullback. That sounds like a lot of money the state of Missouri doesn’t have compared to other SEC coaches like Will Muschamp ($2.7 million), Bobby Petrino ($2.7 million), Mark Richt ($2.9 million), Les Miles ($3.9 million), and the diminutive-but-mighty Nick Saban ($6 million). Mizzou’s brain trust-in-a-visor just isn’t in their league – literally for now and figuratively forever.

Of course, the real drawback to Missouri’s move to the SEC, is the loss of tradition. There will be no more 15-point losses to Kansas in basketball. Tailgating in Columbia will soon be overwhelmed with blue and orange, crimson and white, or purple and gold instead of black and yellow. The great tradition of conference and national championships at Missouri…I suppose that will “continue.”

Also, how ’bout them Cards?

Filed Under: CoMo Commentary, CoMo Sports, Misc CoMo Tagged With: , , ,

CoMo Weekend: 10/21-23

October 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Looking for a way to spend your weekend? Here’s a list of things CoMo Collective writers are doing with their days off…

Friday, October 21

  • Columbia Montessori Benefit at the Bridge, featuring Spandex Ballet (80′s cover band) 8:00 – It’s 80′s cover band night at The Bridge and it’s for a good cause, the not-for-profit Columbia Montessori.
  • Black & Gold Game at Mizzou Arena.  Tipoff for the scrimmage at 8 p.m., doors at 6:30 p.m. – Basketball season is nearly upon us. Be there for the tip-off as Mizzou may or may not make their last run at a Big 12 championship.
  • Ha Ha Tonka at The Blue Note, show at 9:30  - Originally from Springfield, Ha Ha Tonka rock the Note for the low, low price of $10.  Here’s a taste:

Saturday, October 22

  •  Hermann Oktoberfest – Get your German on and head over to Hermann for what I would expect would mostly be beer and brats.
  • Missouri vs #4 Oklahoma State, football, game at 11am. – This game could make the season for Mizzou. They always seem to win one game that they have no business winning. Think last year’s OU game and find a way to sit on the rocks in the north end zone.

Sunday, October 23

  • Buddy Guy at Jesse Auditorium, 7pm. – Blues legend Buddy Guy is playing the beautiful Jesse Auditorium Sunday. Tickets are $19-39. Find more information here.
What are you doing this weekend? Let us know in the comments.

Filed Under: CoMo Events, CoMo Sports, CoMo Weekend, CoMusic Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

CoMO Sports: So, When Will Mizzou Decide?

October 5, 2011 By 1 Comment

Last night, the University Of Missouri Board Of Curators met with Chancellor Brady Deaton and Director Of Athletics Mike Alden. The results of the four-and-a-half hour meeting was that Deaton has resigned as the Big 12′s Chairman and a unanimous vote by the Board to explore other conference options.

In sports terms, Missouri announced that they are officially a “free agent” for the highest-bidding conference.

In layman’s terms, Mizzou changed their Facebook status from “In A Relationship” to “Single”.

This quote came from Nebraska’s Tom Osborne: “To me, the people down there (Texas) joined the Big Eight. When they (Southwest Conference schools) joined up, my understanding was that they were going to accept the Big Eight’s rules and play by the Big Eight’s rules and they were happy to get in the Big Eight.”

Not long after the union of the SWC and the Big Eight… the conference headquarters were moved from Kansas City, Missouri to Dallas, Texas. Pretty symbolic, don’t ya think?

Tom Osborne and Nebraska would eventually leave the Big 12. So would Colorado and Texas A&M. Now Missouri is “single”. So, last night’s long wait for a decision from the Board Of Curators left us with “we’re looking at options”. More questions popped up… most importantly… WHEN will Mizzou DECIDE?

To answer that question, let’s look at the blueprint Texas A&M used to leave the Big 12:

JULY 2011: Texas A&M contacts the SEC as a back-up plan because they’re worried Texas may leave the Big 12 for Independence in a matter of a few years.

MISSOURI: (You would be crazy to think MU hasn’t had contact with the SEC by now)

AUGUST 14: When “A&M To The SEC” rumors swirl, the SEC covers their legal butts and state that “they will be staying with 12 members for the time being”.

MISSOURI: (When asked about Missouri, SEC Commissioner Mike Slive stated last week that “we anticipate being a 13-team league”)

AUGUST 15: Texas A&M Board Of Regents gives Bowin Loftin “the power to negotiate and determine all aspects of Texas A&M’s conference affiliation”.

MISSOURI: (MU Board Of Curators gave Deaton the same power last night)

AUGUST 25: In a letter, Texas A&M notifies the Big 12 of their intention to “explore their conference options”. A&M also requests to be informed of procedures for withdrawal from the Big 12.

MISSOURI: (The Big 12 was informed of this yesterday by Missouri, as well as Deaton stepping down as Chairman. MU already knows the “procedures for withdrawal” thanks to the Aggies)

AUGUST 31: Texas A&M releases a statement that they intend to apply for admission into “another conference”. If accepted, they plan to leave the Big 12.

MISSOURI: (This is the next step for Missouri. See where I’m going with this? Could be any day now.)

SEPTEMBER 6: The SEC conditionally accepts the Texas A&M Aggies. Baylor threatens law suit.

MISSOURI: (MU will likely be able to dodge a law suit with Texas and Oklahoma determined to keep the Big 12 together)

SEPTEMBER 25: When Baylor drops legal threat, the SEC drops their conditions and unanimously accepts Texas A&M as the 13th member of the Southeastern Conference.

MISSOURI: (Tic-Toc… Tic-Toc… Tic-Toc…)

So, when will Mizzou decide? I don’t have a specific date. The leadership and decision makers probably don’t either. But it won’t be long, and it shouldn’t be a surprise.

Filed Under: CoMo Sports

CoMO Sports: SEC-eding From A Big 12 Union

September 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Missouri fans in favor of a switch-up in conference affiliation for their beloved Tigers have been gaining momentum at a rapid pace. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an informed MU fan not verbally picketing the email addresses of University Curators or Athletic Department decision makers.

There are still a select few that maintain that the Big 12 is the best option. There are those that would still like to hold out for the Big Ten invitation. But the boisterous majority are chanting, tweeting, and promoting: “#Mizzou2SEC”

How do the options stack up with revenue for each conference and how it’s handed down to each member school?

The SEC will break their conference record for revenue this year. When you add up football/basketball TV deals, championship tournaments and games,  and NCAA championships.. you get $220 million. Each school (whether it be the Florida Gators or the Vanderbilt Commodores) receive right around $18.5 million in shared money. Schools that reach bowl games retain that bowl money.

The Big Ten doesn’t announce conference figures, but it is largely considered the richest in the NCAA. Each school gets paid out equally in the Big Ten. Ohio State and Michigan received $22 million from revenue, same as Northwestern.

The Big 12 has tiers to it’s revenue sharing. Meaning, some schools generate more money and therefore get paid out a bigger share. On average, each school received about $12 million last year. But, that’s the average. Some schools get a lot more (Texas), some schools get a lot less (Iowa State). In 2006, Texas received 44% more revenue than Baylor.

Before the last revenue sharing flare-up in the Big 12, about 57% of the total revenue was shared equally in the conference.  The other 43% was not. Those numbers have since been changed to 76% and 24%. A unanimous vote must be had to make any change and when that time came last year, Nebraska withheld their vote for more equality. Eventually, the Huskers left the conference altogether.

There is more money coming in to the Big 12 with their newly signed TV deal. That’s good for everybody. Kinda. With the current structure, the more money that comes in, the bigger the gap gets between Texas and everybody else.

For instance, if you split up $15 among nine friends this way:

ME: $4, YOU: $2.50, EVERYBODY ELSE: $1.25 apiece

There’s a small discrepency. But I’m only making $1.50 more than you, and $2.75 more than everybody else. What happens when we split $60?

ME: $16, YOU: $10, EVERYBODY ELSE: $5

Wow. That gap widened didn’t it? Sure, you and everybody else is making MUCH more money. But, all of the sudden everybody is noticing just how much I’M now making. Did I mention that ESPN is throwing me an extra $10 on the side?

The scoreboard now reads:

ME: $26, YOU: $10, EVERYBODY ELSE: $5

See what the fuss is about? Texas A&M and Nebraska couldn’t stand to see one of their chief rivals continue to widen the gap on them, so they decided to simply leave.

Of the shared money, Texas makes nearly $10 million more than the lowest-earner in the conference per year. Texas also has an additional $15 million per year coming from ESPN in their new “Longhorn Network”. As of today, they do NOT have to share that money with anybody else. So, to recap:

Big 12: $12 million per school

SEC: $18.5 million per school

Big Ten: $22 million per school

Texas: $33 million per… well… themselves.

If all things are equal in the Big 12 and Texas gets 100% behind giving up more of their money annually and 90% of their Longhorn Network money… then the Big 12 doesn’t look so bad afterall. The chances of that happening are slim to none. That means the conference will continue having revenue sharing meetings every year and other schools will be looking to leave every year. That, my friends, is called “instability”.

As far as athletic competition goes, Texas A&M and Missouri have won one Big 12 football championship in 15 years between them. If they combine to win one SEC football championship sometime in the NEXT 15 years, would you be terribly disappointed or feel as if the Tigers and Aggies are out of their league, so to speak?

As far as most of us know, the Big Ten hasn’t been calling Missouri. So, maybe this adds a little more clarity as to why “SEC-eding from the Big 12″ may clearly be the best option.

Filed Under: CoMo Sports, Misc CoMo

CoMo Sports: MU Has The Best Hand At Big 12 Poker Table

September 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Image by The BDC : http://thebdc.deviantart.com/


 
Don’t get it twisted. Missouri has the best hand at the poker table.

Oklahoma can’t go to the Pac-12 without Texas, Texas can’t go to the Pac-12 without ending their penchant for “being Texas”, and Missouri still has a conditional option for greener pastures.

What does this mean? 

In poker terms, it means Missouri has the choice to “raise”.. to “check”.. or to “fold”. In a scenario where Missouri leaves the Big 12 and goes elsewhere, ESPN/ABC and FOX will be looking at their respective network contracts with the conference. There’s no “Texas A&M vs. Texas” on the schedule. There’s no “Nebraska vs. Oklahoma”. There’s no “Missouri vs. Nebraska”. There’s no “Nebraska vs. Texas”. There’s no “Oklahoma vs. Missouri” on the schedule. You’re kidding yourself if you think the networks won’t be wondering why in the hell they would want to pay top-dollar for only “Oklahoma vs. Texas” every year.

The agreements are based on handing out large sums of money in exchange for compelling weekly sports programming. With another heavy-hitter leaving, the Big 12 just isn’t compelling at all (with the exception of one Saturday per year). Adding TCU or BYU or the Kansas City Chiefs doesn’t change that.

With Oklahoma President David Boren simply holding a press conference the same day (with the same information) as Big 12 Chairman Brady Deaton screamed of self-importance and was out-of-turn. Furthermore, holding that press conference BEFORE Deaton’s was incredibly disrespectful. As casual as the decision to knowingly “steal thunder” must have been, it tells me that Oklahoma’s President:

a) Doesn’t fully trust Deaton’s ability to convey the information;

b) Doesn’t believe Missouri is totally behind the new structure and has a foot out the door anyway; 

c) Knows that the rest of the conference doesn’t trust Deaton, in general;

d) Feels like he is the unofficial mouthpiece of the conference and his words/actions carry more weight;

e) WANTS to be the mouthpiece of the conference;

f) All of the above (which isn’t out of the question)

(Imagine the Vice President hopping on TV fifteen minutes before the President gives the “State Of The Union” address.)

As much as Oklahoma wants to make this about them, they can only bluff.  This is really a matter between Texas and Missouri.

Oklahoma has more clout within the conference at this point. But they also are no longer a threat to blow a hole through everything, anymore. Missouri could.

With the way the Pac-12 scenario played out, it basically handed Missouri the pistol. Maybe Nebraska and Colorado leaving the conference wasn’t crippling. But Texas A&M set to leave for the SEC with bags packed full of oranges and iced tea, most certainly is.

Missouri is in this position today because they are the last of the relevant markets remaining. Texas knows this. Oklahoma knows this. ESPN & FOX knows this.

Strangely and ironically, Missouri leaving the Big 12 at this juncture would be more damning to the Big 12 than powerhouse Nebraska leaving for the Big Ten a year ago.

Missouri can raise the stakes and force Texas to fold. If Texas decides to hold their ground, Missouri should win the hand and leave the Big 12.

As proud Oklahoma Sooner fan and WWE announcer Jim Ross used to say as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin sneered down the aisle with a Budweiser in his hand:

“Business is about to pick up.”

 

Filed Under: CoMo Sports Tagged With: , , , , ,

CoMO Sports: Big 12 Timeline

September 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

December 19, 2009: Missouri Governor Jay Nixon publicly states that the University of Missouri should examine a move from the Big 12 to the Big Ten. He also makes the controversial statement that angered leaders/fans of other Big 12 schools:

“When you compare Oklahoma State to Northwestern, when you compare Texas Tech to Wisconsin, I mean, you begin looking at educational possibilities that are worth looking at.”

May 10, 2010: “Reports” begin popping up that the Big Ten is interested in expanding. The top schools cited as possible candidates include Notre Dame, Nebraska, and Missouri. Throughout the month of May, conflicting reports from uncited “sources” claim that the Big Ten has extended invitations to all three schools, while other reports state that the Big Ten had not extended invitations to anybody.

Missouri officials repeatedly deny receiving an invite from the Big Ten and claim the now infamous “we’re proud members of the Big 12 Conference”.

June 10, 2010: The Pac-10 also shows interest in expanding and only days later, pulls off the first move by inviting Colorado. The Buffaloes accept the invitation and announce that they will officially join the Pac-10 in 2012. The school later makes a settlement with the Big 12 and is allowed to leave within three weeks.

June 11, 2010: The very next day, Nebraska applies for membership in the Big Ten and is unanimously accepted.

June 12, 2010: Rumors begin to swirl that the Pac-10 isn’t finished pillaging the Big 12, and have invited Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech to join up.

June 13, 2010: It becomes clearer that the loss of Texas and/or Oklahoma would spell the end of the Big 12 Conference. Texas considers remaining in the Big 12, if some concessions are made by the other remaining schools.

June 14, 2010: The “Five schools to the Pac-10″ deal was close to being made before all ten  Big 12 members made an 11th-hour agreement to stay together and save the conference.

As part of this new deal, revenue sharing was restructured and a verbal promise of a new television deal was made by Commissioner Dan Beebe. Texas was permitted to launch it’s own television network (The Longhorn Network) in this new agreement. All members had the opportunity to do this, but only Texas had the legitimate capability. Texas A&M and Oklahoma agreed to discontinue contact with the SEC who had been pursuing both schools. All schools agree to cut off communication with all other conferences.

June 16, 2010: Two Texas-state lawmakers (both from Houston) co-write a letter to the Big 12 to consider adding Houston to the conference.

April 4, 2011: Texas and ESPN announce the launch of a 24-hour Texas Longhorn Network which would pay out $300 million over 20 years… to Texas.

July 18, 2011: The Longhorn Network announces they intend to air the high school football games of some of their top recruits. Texas A&M is the most vocal of the rest of the schools that all agree it gives Texas an even greater competitive advantage in recruiting and it’s wholly unfair.

August 11, 2011: The NCAA announces it will not allow The Longhorn Network to televise high school football games.

August 14, 2011: Texas A&M formally applies for membership to the SEC, and Baylor threatens legal action against the SEC. The SEC denies Texas A&M’s membership. It is well-documented that the primary reason was because the SEC didn’t want to face any legal repercussions.

August 31, 2011: Texas A&M officially notifies the Big 12 of their intention to seek other opportunities in other conferences. The SEC accepts the Aggies as a 13th member under the condition that the other schools not pursue legal action to block the move. 

September 2, 2011: Oklahoma officials make it known that they are looking at other conference options as well as their option to remain in the Big 12. A move to the new “Pac-12″ seems imminent.

September 7, 2011: It’s reported that Baylor and the remaining schools agree to waive their right to pursue legal action against Texas A&M, if Oklahoma remains in the Big 12.

September 12, 2011: The SEC invites Texas A&M to join the conference as it’s 13th member, and the Aggies accept.

September 18, 2011: After days of media speculation as to whom the SEC would add as a 14th member to balance the conference, a “West Virginia or Missouri to the SEC” report begins making it’s rounds.

September 19, 2011: News is leaked that West Virginia was denied admittance into the SEC, leaving Missouri as the likely top choice as a 14th member.

Simultaneously, the Texas Board of Regents are meeting and the Oklahoma Board of Regents are meeting. The BOR’s of each respective school gives their system Presidents the permission to speak freely with other conferences. Oklahoma’s President admits to having long-time communication with the Pac-12.

September 20, 2011: Oklahoma’s future in the Big 12 is cloudy. Announcing a move to the Pac-12 with Oklahoma State seems almost a formality. Without OU, the Big 12 may not survive the blow. The Sooners believe this, and to ensure they will stay in the Big 12, OU makes a list of demands from Texas. The list includes “hard and fast rules for The Longhorn Network” and the removal of Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe.

Hours later, the Pac-12 Presidents meet and announce that because Texas won’t guarantee relinquishing The Longhorn Network or share money equally with the rest of the Pac-schools, that they are no longer looking to expand beyond their current 12-teams.

Conflicting reports surface from Kansas City and St. Louis that the SEC has interest and a forthcoming offer for Missouri to become the 14th member. The Star cites two sources saying it’s very likely, the Post-Dispatch cites an SEC official stating “no invitation” has been made to anybody but Texas A&M.

September 21, 2011: Good morning.

Filed Under: CoMo Sports Tagged With: , ,

CoMo Fun for all: Roller Derby in Columbia? Who Knew?!

September 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Not one, but two whistles start the Jammers speeding along the elliptical track, pushing, shoving and maneuvering their way through the Pack. Suddenly, the Lead Jammer emerges, leaving everyone in her wake, lapping, stacking up points and pleasing dedicated fans who scream encouragement from the metal bleachers.

For those of us who remember nightly TV ending with the playing of  the Star-Spangled Banner, this might sound familiar. For the younger set, it’s called Roller Derby. And  it’s making a comeback here in Mid-Missouri through our hometown league, the Como Derby Dames.

If you check out the Dame’s website you’ll see some pretty tough cookies, with roster names like Deth Block and Slamrock. But attend an event and you’ll find their philosophy of positive conduct (aside from the necessary crowd-pleasing rough and tumble competition) holds true. Additionally, their mission “…to support female empowerment through the structure of this alternative sport” is just as apparent in the strength and agility of the team players.

The September intra-league bout, featuring  the Con Vixens versus the Violent Phlegmmes, certainly proved this sport can fire up both teams and fans. About 200 spectators were in attendance.

Along with the bout, refreshments like $3 mozzarella sticks, were readily available (along with wings, corn dogs and a variety of soft drinks).

A table full of Roller Derby gear and gifts, everything from t-shirts to guide books were for sale.

 

And for a buck (or more) you could enter the halftime raffle for cash and prizes!

 

 

Of course, for those who want to experience Roller Derby first hand, the league is always on the lookout for fresh meat (new recruits). You have to be female and at least 18 years old. Additional requirements include: comfortable workout clothing,  a small fee, an insatiable need for speed, a boilable mouth-guard (good idea), a sense of humor and a unique derby name (essential).

If you want to be a part of this fast-paced sport, but are not crazy about bruising, men and women can help ref, set up, cheer-lead and take stats.

Mid-Missouri Roller Derby is held at the Boone County Fairgrounds, but they will be changing their venue in the future. Consult their website for more information.

The  next bout will be Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, followed by another on Saturday, Dec. 3. 7pm start times.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door and kids under 12 get in free. Advance tickets can be picked up from Maude Vintage (The District), from a Derby girl or online at Brown Paper Tickets.

Come for the speed, the costumes (extremely creative) and the fierce competition. Overall, great fun for all ages.

 

 

Filed Under: CoMo Family, CoMo Sports, What's Going On in CoMo Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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