By Brian Hamilton
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- It's a small world, after all, the space inhabited by football independents in the college football galaxy. But BYU is more than welcome in that small group, according to Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick, and probably better positioned than most to thrive in it as well.
And Swarbrick plans to extend a hand when the stars align scheduling-wise, to get the Irish and the Cougars on the same field -- though his counterpart at BYU spilled the beans later Wednesday on a forthcoming six-game series between the schools through 2020.
"(Independence) is not for everybody, but they certainly fit the profile of an institution for whom it probably does make great sense -- frankly, in the same way it still does for Army and Navy," Swarbrick told the Tribune on Wednesday.
"All the schools currently in that category have some common characteristics -- national profile, strong history and traditions that are important to honor. BYU adds to that, as I think Notre Dame has, media access. Not everybody can produce on their own. I know precious little of the details, but it certainly looks like a smart move, from where I sit."
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- It's a small world, after all, the space inhabited by football independents in the college football galaxy. But BYU is more than welcome in that small group, according to Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick, and probably better positioned than most to thrive in it as well.
And Swarbrick plans to extend a hand when the stars align scheduling-wise, to get the Irish and the Cougars on the same field -- though his counterpart at BYU spilled the beans later Wednesday on a forthcoming six-game series between the schools through 2020.
"(Independence) is not for everybody, but they certainly fit the profile of an institution for whom it probably does make great sense -- frankly, in the same way it still does for Army and Navy," Swarbrick told the Tribune on Wednesday.
"All the schools currently in that category have some common characteristics -- national profile, strong history and traditions that are important to honor. BYU adds to that, as I think Notre Dame has, media access. Not everybody can produce on their own. I know precious little of the details, but it certainly looks like a smart move, from where I sit."
What had been in the works for quite some time finally became official Tuesday, when BYU announced that it would leave the Mountain West in 2011-12, go independent in football and join the West Coast Conference in all other sports.
That didn't mean Notre Dame and BYU would share the field immediately, but Swarbrick said that eventually will occur.
"As you know, these things, you can't just flip a switch and say, 'OK, we'll start playing,'" Swarbrick said. "You have to find open dates that match and see when you can do that. But we will certainly do everything we can to create opportunities to play BYU in football."
Apparently they already have. In announcing an eight-year television deal with ESPN later on Wednesday, BYU athletics director Tom Holmoe added a press release statement about a yet-to-be-finalized series with the Irish.
"We're still working out the details, but we have agreed to a six-game deal through 2020 with Notre Dame football that will bring the Fighting Irish to Provo," Holmoe said in the statement.
BYU's independence day on Tuesday certainly helped speed that dealmaking. But a private, faith-based organization with a solid program that isn't aligned with a conference for football? It's as ideal a match as any for Swarbrick's scheduling philosophy.
"For all those reasons: A lot of success in football, great program, storied program, great following," Swarbrick said. "They have not only a local fan base, but the extent to which people around the country follow them is a real plus.
"We try very hard as we start our scheduling process to start by looking at schools that have a common approach to collegiate athletics and share our values. And they certainly fit that category."
That didn't mean Notre Dame and BYU would share the field immediately, but Swarbrick said that eventually will occur.
"As you know, these things, you can't just flip a switch and say, 'OK, we'll start playing,'" Swarbrick said. "You have to find open dates that match and see when you can do that. But we will certainly do everything we can to create opportunities to play BYU in football."
Apparently they already have. In announcing an eight-year television deal with ESPN later on Wednesday, BYU athletics director Tom Holmoe added a press release statement about a yet-to-be-finalized series with the Irish.
"We're still working out the details, but we have agreed to a six-game deal through 2020 with Notre Dame football that will bring the Fighting Irish to Provo," Holmoe said in the statement.
BYU's independence day on Tuesday certainly helped speed that dealmaking. But a private, faith-based organization with a solid program that isn't aligned with a conference for football? It's as ideal a match as any for Swarbrick's scheduling philosophy.
"For all those reasons: A lot of success in football, great program, storied program, great following," Swarbrick said. "They have not only a local fan base, but the extent to which people around the country follow them is a real plus.
"We try very hard as we start our scheduling process to start by looking at schools that have a common approach to collegiate athletics and share our values. And they certainly fit that category."
I went to BYU, but grew up in the midwest and have always been a ND fan too. I'm looking forward to this. BYU's AD later said that the 6 year deal will essentially be two '2 for 1's', i.e., they'll play in South Bend 4 times and Provo 2 times.
I've been to every BYU game in South Bend so far, hopefully I can make these next 4 too.
Go BYU and ND!
Whoa...what a story! ND is going to play BYU 6 times! I'm sure NBC is excited as they can be to have those games! The word out of South Bend is that they hope to have a 6-game contract with Akron wrapped up soon!
My how the Irish have fallen to the ranks of the irrelevant when they make a major announcement about a deal with a mid-major football opponent.
Lets get things rolling,Invite Navy and Army,they are independent too.May be its in the making.GO COUGS.
I'm a long-time BYU fan and it's exciting to see things starting to come together already for BYU as an independent. And it will be GREAT to finally be rid of that awful The mtn. tv deal that every team in the MWC hates but that Craig Thompson thinks is so freakin wonderful because it was his baby. Yo Craig, you should have taken BYU's complaints and recommendations seriously a few years back. Way to go Commissioner Hair, you just lost the marquee team of your conference!
The opportunity to play a long series with Notre Dame is fantastic! I've always admired their program and I like that sign "Play Like a Champion Today" that the players touch on their way out of the locker room. One time a number of years ago I used that in a Family Home Evening lesson to help teach my kids about having a winning attitude and taking a positive approach to life.
GO COUGARS!! GO IRISH!!
I'm a Cougar fan first, but I've also been a ND fan since I was a young kid. Can't wait!
I am a long time BYU fan in Kansas City and pumped to get to a few games in South Bend over the next few years. I am planning the tour bus to make our way out and pick up more on the way! Lets get this rollin!
Hey Captain Oblivious:
Let me see if I understand you correctly: You're saying that ND doesn't join a conference because it makes financial sense for ND to remain independent? Is that about right?
If captain oblivious doesn't care about nd then why does he/she feel so compelled to follow nd stories and comment. You also are the only he/she to make personal attacks. Does your school have a football team. ND is only one of four div 1 schools that has NOT played a div 2 school in the last 15 years. And by the way- not only do all of us ND fans watch nd- but jealous shemales like you help boost the tv ratings.
BYU fans are everywhere. - Seriously. A game can be played anywhere , ,even internationally, and fans will come out. - why? because Mormons are everywhere.
Will be great to see Notre Dame and BYU play more often. Always a great series.
camden on September 1, 2010 5:18 PM
BYU? Who the heck follows BYU that much that they can go "independent" in football? Odd.
Camden, your ignorance is showing. BYU has a large fan base and draws very well when they travel. Also, their TV ratings are strong. Obviously you aren't a fan, but do you think that ESPN would sign an 8 year contract to broadcast all BYU home games and selected road games if they hadn't had high ratings in the past?
Going independent makes lots of sense. It allows BYU to control their own destiny, schedule better opponents, and gain much more exposure for their fan base. Obviously the 6 - 8 ESPN games is going to pay them way more than the paltry "The Mountain" deal that they are currently stuck with. Of course they will get to keep all the bowl money as well. Money will be much better for BYU, but this was done for exposure and opportunity.
It doesn't look like scheduling will be a problem. Notre Dame has stepped up for 6 games. Texas signed on a few weeks ago. BYU usually plays Pac 10 opponents every year. This year they start off with Washington. They will continue to play Utah and they have a 3 year deal with Boise State. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that this is going to be much better for BYU.
BYU? Who the heck follows BYU that much that they can go "independent" in football? Odd.
In case CaptObv meant to include BYU in his "weak sisters" comment, here are BYU's final rankings for the last four years:
2009 - 12
2008 - 25
2007 - 14
2006 - 16
We haven't been AQ-dominating but I believe we're a worthy opponent. At least we have a 4-0 combined overall record against Texas and Oklahoma.
.
BTW, BYU fans returning from our previous games at Notre Dame universally commented on how well they were treated by Notre Dame's fans -- another reason I look forward to this series.
Future schedules are FUTURE schedules. Good to see them playing big-time football powers again in the upcoming years. Now (and in recent years), I'm afraid it's been various collections of Tulsa, Western Michigan, Army, Navy, Duke, Stanford, UConn, Nevada, Washington State, Syracuse, etc. This is the reason for the horrid 1-10 bowl streak over the last 15 or so years; a weak regular season schedule leads to inflated rankings and a bowl against...uh oh...somebody decent.
And, why do ND fans always resort to personal attacks? You gentlemen are so sensitive. If only your creativity could match your sensitivity. By the way, I'm surprised nobody's come up with the well-worn (CaptainObvious is) "anti-Catholic" angle. That one always seems to be trotted out the second someone criticizes the Irish. Finally, about the reason ND won't be joining a conference? It's way simpler than the previous poster pointed out...ND would have to share bowl money with other schools. Verboten.
I'm sure CaptainObvious' favorite team is probably one that is located somewhere in the southeast and it is one that "ummm...he's been rooting for all of his life!" ND is ready to go play anybody, anywhere, and they always have.
I'd love to see BYU on the schedule, but the future schedule is starting to be stacked in places already!
ND does not need to join a conference for football because it is not in their best interests. One, the administration, alumni and fanbase (me included) like the challenges and traditions of a national schedule. Two, money. ND is self-supporting, much of the TV, BCS and NBC money helps to fund other aspects of the university. I believe the NBC money is earmarked for student scholarship funds, for example. Splitting that 11 ways with, say, the Big 10 would not be good business for them.
As a long time BYU fan in Illinois I think this would be great to see. I've traveled to two BYU games in South Bend and watched one BYU - Notre Dame game in Provo. I have been pleased with the class of both fan groups and the way these games have been handled with mutual respect.
I am super pumped to be playing Irish. Will this be the new Holy War? I certaintly hope so.
Captain Obvious, an imbecile, is the kind of person who allows his irrational hatred for Notre Dame to cloud his ability to see the facts.
Notre Dame does not belong in a conference because it does not want to belong to one. And, unlike almost every other school, presumably including the one Captain Obvious roots for (I'm guessing a supermassive, land grant, secular, public university with a overwhelmingly regional appeal), it does not have to belong to one.
Conferences exist for no other reason than to protect regional entities in a national marketplace. There is no reason for ND to join a conference, just as there is every reason for a conference-based team to be independent, if it could make it work. Most, however, can't.
And it is also almost certain that ND plays a tougher schedule than your team as well, year in and year out.
Finally, the Trib is staffed almost exclusively by Northwestern fanboys. A Notre Dame public relations outpost is most certainly is not.
With games against Texas, Miami, Oklahoma, and Arizona State on future schedules, it would seem Notre Dame is hardly scheduling "weak sisters" for football. "CaptainObvious" should change his name to "CaptainIdiot" if he wants to be honest.
Anything that helps the Irish continue to insist they're not out on a limb (and let's them schedule service academies, basketball schools and other weak sisters for football each year) will, of course, be embraced and used by the Irish. So there's no actual story here; just more ND coddling by the Tribune...de facto members of the ND public relations staff.
I live in Indiana, but I am a die-hard BYU fan. I look forward with great excitement to more match-ups with Notre Dame. The couple of times I have visited South Bend have been wonderful. I can only hope that the classy reception I received as a Cougar fan was reciprocated to Notre Dame fans in Provo.
ND's fan base is especially strong in the East and MidWest. BYU's fan base is strong in the West. Sounds like a made for TV game to me.