February 20, 2012
Whole new ballgame
Luck wants to ‘massively upgrade’ WVU baseball
Sports Editor

On Monday, West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck visited Charleston, home to one of the nation's finest small baseball parks.

And he revealed he's working on getting one of those parks for WVU and Morgantown.

"We have a number of challenges [moving to the Big 12]," Luck told a rather large Rotary Club of Charleston gathering. "There are some very good sports in the Big 12 and one of the sports we have to massively upgrade is baseball.

Read full story
YOU MUST FOLLOW THESE RULES TO POST A COMMENT:

  • Keep it clean. Comments that are obscene, sexually explicit, racist or offensive will be removed. If you wouldn?t say it to your mother, don't post it here.
  • Be civil. Don't threaten to hurt anyone. Personal attacks, insults or harassment of any kind are subject to removal.
  • Be truthful. Don't lie about a situation or person.
  • Keep it brief. Keep your comment to one post. Redundant or multiple posts in a row aren?t allowed.
  • Stay on task. Stick to the topics relevant to the story and discussion.
  • Let us know about offensive comments. Click the 'Report Abuse' button if you think a comment is against the rules.
    • NOTICE TO READERS:
    The Gazette values readers' comments and insights. So, to create a more constructive and civil setting for readers, we're making a few changes. Comments will no longer appear immediately, but will show up after they have been reviewed and approved. Also, we will be more selective about comments that we approve. We welcome wit and wisdom and, yes, dissent, but personal attacks, remarks in poor taste or those overly critical or irrational will not be published. We encourage you to keep posting. We just ask that you keep it civil.
    Submitting as:

    Tags: 0 / 1000
    30 Comments
    Posted By: hollerboy
    Report Abuse


    A very smart guy. I hope he stays awhile...
    Posted at: February 20, 2012 11:57:15 pm

    Posted By: Luckyme
    Report Abuse


    What Luck diplomatically skimmed over was the massive overhaul of the baseball staff. Most of this state is aware that VanZant micromanages WVU Baseball and chooses NOT to have a substantial pitching staff. You can only expect mediocre results and very sparse recruiting when you are the head coach and pitching coach combined. There are some very good players up there in Mo'town right now that deserve better, and they would only benefit if the coaching staff was bolstered to be like every other top team in the country
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 5:49:09 am

    Posted By: nomojo
    Report Abuse


    "The haves and have nots of college football!" Big 12 will have Texas and Oklahoma all the rest will continue to be have nots! Who you trying to fool Ollie? Other than AaronS I don't know any others that will fall for it!
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 6:42:43 am

    Posted By: wvfox
    Report Abuse


    A lot of people complain about what Oliver has done at WVU, but he may turn out to be the savior from mediocrity of WVU sports. He has some big visions, and I for one, find them exciting.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 8:01:32 am

    Posted By: WVUOutsider
    Report Abuse


    We are very fortunate to have Mr. Luck. He wants WVU to be bigger in all areas, not just football and basketball. I am very proud to be a WVU graduate, and will support WVU in all aspects.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 8:13:01 am

    Posted By: Carolina EER FAN
    Report Abuse


    Luckyme- "Ditto that" Cannot help but remember Pat White's comment about VanZandt- the coach at WVSU/ Cal Bailey has run the best baseball in the state for years. If he had some money to work with, its hard to tell what he could do. AND he uses in-state talent.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 8:23:03 am

    Posted By: 5speed
    Report Abuse


    So Luck is looking to add sports that were eliminated by ex-AD Ed Pastilong??? What a great move. Of course, they never should have been eliminated in the first place. Maybe some teams in the Big 12 have a Rifle Team...another sport that Pastilong cut. Methinks that some weeding out in the athletic department staff is still in order.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 8:46:13 am

    Posted By: wvu1980
    Report Abuse


    Many say that stepping into a more powerful conference means less titles for West Virginia. I disagree. Iron sharpens iron. And Mountaineer Field and the WVU Coliseum will see many dates with a full house.

    This is a good move. Thanks Oliver, and President Clements.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 8:47:01 am

    Posted By: ODF
    Report Abuse


    It is better to be in a conference with the "halves" than to be in a conference with all of the "have nots", like the Big East. We will get more respect and have a much better chance to compete with the big boys. Nomojo, what do you want, to stay with the losers? Ollie is a very intelligent person and WVU is very fortunate that he wanted to come back and help his university and try to build us into one of the "haves". Ollie is so well known and respected that he has many opportunities in the national arena that he can get a position anywhere. He could have set on the sidelines like Eddie did when three other teams left the Big East and did nothing like the Big East Conference did. What do you want, to remain in a Big East that has turned into a Conf USA? Talk about "have nots". I would rather run with the big boys! We will never turn into one of the "haves" if we set on our behinds and cry poor all the time. Proud graduate of WVU and life long Mountain State resident.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 8:58:12 am

    Posted By: Coolridge69Vette
    Report Abuse


    Geez Mojo! Do you ever have a positive thing to say about anything? This is not Marshall we're talking about here.....being comfortable with mediocrity. WVU is keeping up with the times and the opportunities laid before them. One note that you should keep in mind is that in order to play with the big boys, you actually have to be invited to the game.

    Go Mountaineers!
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 9:13:26 am

    Posted By: AtlWVU86
    Report Abuse


    Oliver Luck is correct, the WVU baseball facilities are embarrasing for a major college program. The university has done a good job of updating the facilities for basketball, wrestling and soccer, now it's time to upgrade our baseball facilities. With top notch facilities the expectations for the program should elevated and if that means upgrading the coaching staff then do than as well.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 9:16:05 am

    Posted By: William J. Lepetomane
    Report Abuse


    @nomojo, that's the kind of ignorance and jealousy of WVU that makes you and your ilk look silly. UT and OU are the only haves? Have you ever heard of T Boone Pickens?
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 9:26:35 am

    Posted By: WVian1978
    Report Abuse


    So let me get this straight - WVU is skimming property taxes off of a commercial development to pay for a second baseball stadium, and the economic benefit (as required by the TIF) is that it -might- attract a short season sub-Class A rookie league team to a college town in the middle of Summer?

    Yeah, this Luck guy is a genius - he found the "WVU Funding" button in the state legislature.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 9:27:34 am

    Posted By: banglijk
    Report Abuse


    Don't let homojo fool you about his views. His is not a myopic view of the Mountaineer program, but rather a hateful view of everything Mountaineer. His every post is critical of the AD, sports teams, coaches, etc. And WVian just dislikes Luck for a reason known only to him.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 10:22:19 am

    Posted By: birdeye
    Report Abuse


    Add Track & Field..Why? Because it will help football recruiting. Schools like the University Tennessee used its stellar track program to draw in fleet footed receivers. Texas has done the same thing as well.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 11:09:37 am

    Posted By: WVU39042
    Report Abuse


    WVian1978- A good park would be a benefit to the area, not only the possibility of a minor-league system, but by making the WVU baseball homestands a more enjoyable event with decent facilities. Good teams travel well with a contingent of fans supporting them. The AD is right on target with this one, except I would drop the money and redo the embarassment that is Hawley Field
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 11:23:06 am

    Posted By: nomojo
    Report Abuse


    WVU gets a "full" share of revenue from the Big 12 in year 4, the condition of year 4 is if WVU doesn't still owe the Big 12 for the Big East bailout! WVU will be paying-off scheduled non-conference football games for the next 3 years. How much will this cost WVU in the end? Being the "haves" of the BE has been good for WVU! The Big 12 (team that are still in the league) since 1996 have had two different conference winners beside Texas and Oklahoma. Kansas State once and Oklahoma State once!
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 12:03:57 pm

    Posted By: Mr. Bill
    Report Abuse


    Ollie makes us a cool million on beer sales, And improves the atmosphere at the Stadium. Check.

    Ollie hires a new Coach, who brings in an all new Offensive staff, that has it's 1st Gameday in Motown and sets 14 records in a BCS game. Check.

    Ollie wants to build a new BB stadium overlooking Touchdown City, to be used year 'round and include a Corporate Business Office Complex with easy access to the Interstate, creating hundreds of jobs and thousands of visitors. Check.

    Ollie has WVU simply raking it in. Period.

    Whole New Ballgame. B.A.M.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 12:37:39 pm

    Posted By: birdeye
    Report Abuse


    One thing which is bothersome...Texas basically ran off Nebraska,Texas A&M, Colorado and Missouri. So then WVU/TCU comes in to fill the void. Almost as if they want to create a Top heavy conference where Texas and Oklahoma rules at the expense of the rest. Partly what makes the SEC a strong conference is equal revenue sharing. So Alabama & Vanderbilt get the same TV revenue split. Something Texas has refused to do. Im not saying leaving the Big East was a bad move. But it sticks in my crawl the Texas gets its cake and eats it too... Just like Notre Dame does.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 1:08:16 pm

    Posted By: Raven304
    Report Abuse


    The big 12 has the same revenue sharing setup as the SEC. They do not share the tier 3 tv rights. They share tier 1 and tier 2. Tier 3 tv is the one the Longhorn network falls into. Florida makes close to 9 million in tier 3 tv rights that they don't share. The PAC 12 and Big 10 are the only conferences that share all 3 tv rights equally.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 3:09:36 pm

    Posted By: teddyb
    Report Abuse


    Hahaha, yeah Big 12 baseball teams will bring lots of "fans". Who thinks that anyone is going to fly across the country to go to a college BASEBALL game, even if it is D-1?

    This will only be the tip of the iceberg. The taxpayers will fund (indirectly) this baseball facility; then comes the Morgantown airport expansion, etc; etc.

    Then, in 5 years the 2 athletic program "saviors" will bolt--Luck for the NFL, Holgie for a major college football program.

    Your tax dollars at work...
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 3:46:42 pm

    Posted By: seacat923
    Report Abuse


    I totally agree with Oliver that WVU baseball needs a massive upgrade. IMO it should start with getting rid of VanZant and hiring a new coach. He's terrible and doesn't seem to know talent when it's standing in front of him. Pat White can verify this.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 4:24:29 pm

    Posted By: AaronS
    Report Abuse


    Here's hoping the can upgrade the baseball facility, preferably to something with a dome as that's the only way the baseball team can compete regardless of conference. There's a reason major league teams spring train in Fl and AZ and why no major college team north of the M-D line has won the World Series since the mid 60's.

    I also agree with Luckyme about the baseball staff. The current crop has to go.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 4:33:46 pm

    Posted By: birdeye
    Report Abuse


    @ Raven 304-To compare the Longhorn Network deal with ESPN to Florida's tier 3 TV revenue is like comparing ants to elephants. Money power and influence through the LHN having a lock on texas high school football braodcasting is a huge recruiting tool. Check out the roster of most big 12 schools and you will find the majority have well over 70 percent of the recruits are from Texas. The SEC schools are not as dependednt on florida hs football as Big 12 schools are to Texas HS. Texas is a Giant with Oklahoma the junior partner relative to the other Big 12 institutions. Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Georgia are virtual equals with most of the other SEC schools not far behind. the SEC has a different business model than the BIG 12..How else to explain why Texas A&M and Missouri left? .. And so it goes with Colorado and Nebraska.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 6:32:56 pm

    Posted By: nomojo
    Report Abuse


    VanZant has been at WVU for 25+ years, about 20 more than should have been!

    Big 12 has Texas and Oklahoma Baseball, WVU will not compete well against them.
    Posted at: February 21, 2012 8:00:41 pm

    Advertisement - Your ad here
    More Sports
  • Hoover nails down state tourney berth
  • Putnam proud
  • WVU cashes in on TCU errors
  • Hanner latest to leave Herd
  • Allie stays hot, Power drubs Lakewood 11-2
    • Advertisement - Your ad here
    Inside wvgazette.com