Joining the AAU could eventually be huge for Utah Athletics

[Ghost of the HEB]

Nobody knows what will happen in the not so far off conference realignment period. Things may remain mostly the same, or schools may join together and create super conferences. If this happens, some P5’s may find themselves not being P5 anymore. Seeing as how the school presidents are the ultimate decision makers when it comes to conference alignment, having academically prestigious memberships will absolutely make some schools more desirable over others.

Obviously there’s a lot more that goes into those kind of decisions, but Utah being a tier 1 research institution was key in getting into the PAC12. It isn’t unreasonable to think the AAU membership could be similarly important in future realignment.

[Uteusmc]

So it says we have been invited but haven’t yet accepted it. Do you think we hold out and try to negotiate terms to our liking before we accept? I mean don’t you think we at least should try to bring TDS along with us since we know they might be a little butt hurt that they didn’t even get a courtesy calL!

[EagleMountainUte]

I feel an audit coming if we don’t. 

[ThurstonW]

We’re safe.  Hughes and Niederhauser are simpletons and don’t understand what the AAU is…..

[Anonymous]

Per this news release, the U has already accepted the invitation.

University of Utah invited to join prestigious Association of American Universities

[Utesbyfive]

Watkins accepted immediately. It’s a done deal.

[PhiladelphiaUte]

And rightly so.  There’s no room for “negotiating” this sort of thing.  When you’re moving UP, you take it.  When you’re moving laterally, THEN perhaps a discussion about “what’s in it for me” may be in order.

MWC vs. Pac-10?  Easy decision.  Do whatever it takes to get into that league.

NWCCU vs. AAU?  Easy decision.  Do whatever it takes to get into that organization.

No “holding out”.  No “wait-and-see”.  No “pregnant pause”.  It’s an IMMEDIATE “yes”, with no requests for “special considerations”.  That’s how you join a club.

Well done Dr. Watkins!  Well done Utah!

[darklightning]

Not positive, but I took the negotiate a better position comments to be sarcasm.

[ThurstonW]

Shockingly, the AAU doesn’t want Harvard-of-the West…..

[Utesbyfive]

Well, they’re not a major research center. They don’t have a world class medical school, nor do they have a $150M donation to build a mental health facility.