Jim Sterk ran a chat today at wsucougars.com, and as one might expect, the majority of the time he was on the defensive in regards to moving the Apple Cup to Qwest.
Give it a read here:
http://wsucougars.cstv.com/chat/042009aaa.html
But there was a nugget here that might open some eyes. When asked about the PAC-10 and where we are right now, Sterk laid it on the line:
"I’d like to point out that in the 1960’s WSU membership in the conference was at stake and only a close vote saved the school from being ousted from the conference. The Pac-10 is one of the most prestigous conferences in the country and allows the WSU athletics program and the university’s academic programs to be on the same field and classrooms as Stanford, UC-Berkeley, USC, etc. The athletic program at WSU is the only way this membership is achieved. Our annual budget is currently $14 million BELOW the next lowest member in the conference. If we do not take action to create revenue and level this playing field, we may be at some point in the future be facing ANOTHER VOTE. I will do everything that I can on my watch to prevent such an action. This is why I am pushing Phase III of the renovation and a considering the Apple Cup move."
Scare tactics…..or something else entirely? When you are in the basement, and are so far down there that 9th place is another $14 million away? Not to over-react, but Jim, when you put it that way?? Sign the damn deal already and move the AC to Qwest!
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