Osborne: Big Ten Icon

[knapplc]

But I do like that they're being such groovy hosts, and would bend over backwards and do something so nonsensical just to welcome us. Pretty rad.

That's what this is. They're a very welcoming bunch. I've spent some time at some of their forums and so far, they're pretty happy we're joining. There's the occasional asswipe whose panties are in a bunch because we got booted from the AAU, but you get those in every fanbase.

 

[Hujan]

I am not sure that charity is the Big Ten's sole motive in featuring TO as a "Big Ten Icon." Part of bringing Nebraska into the Big Ten was to raise the conference's profile. You've now got four of the top 10 winningest programs (Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Nebraska) in the same conference. That's more than the SEC (3), the Big 12 (2), or the Pac-12 (1).

What better way to further the goal of raising conference prestige than by laying claim to one of the winningest coaches in college football history? It is a subtle way of saying that TO is just another in the Big Ten's line of major figures in college football history (Woody Hays, Bo Schembeckler, Joe Paterno, etc.).

Calling TO a "Big Ten icon" is a two-way street: It says, "Welcome, Nebraska!" and "We're the best!" all in one breath. The technical term for this is "win-win."

 

[Creed]

The B10 network shows Penn State classic games before they were part of the Big 10.

 

[BOJ]

The B10 network shows Penn State classic games before they were part of the Big 10.

Not only that, but they named PSU athletes Big Ten Icons that played well before PSU joined the conference. Its a marketing piece as well as a way to show appreciation for the collegiate accomplishments of individuals in member schools. Its not so much that this person was an icon when they were in the BiG, but rather this person is an icon and it just so happens the school is now in the Big Ten so we can name them one. Just keep in mind its just a television show (a pretty good one too actually, very well produced if you guys have seen any of them)

The only thing that got my goat was that my avatar Jesse Owens was number 3d to Red Grange and Magic Johnson. I just can see how that's justifiable, but I am a little biased. I digress, Paterno will be one of those coaches and he coached far more games as an independent than he did as a member of the conference. With TO, it will simply be a nice way of celebrating his accomplishments on a documentary that just so happens to be called Big Ten Icons (they cold easily call it Iconic college football coaches of the midwest and get the same coaches--but that doesn't really have the flair :blink: ).

 

[knapplc]

Not only that, but they named PSU athletes Big Ten Icons that played well before PSU joined the conference. Its a marketing piece as well as a way to show appreciation for the collegiate accomplishments of individuals in member schools. Its not so much that this person was an icon when they were in the BiG, but rather this person is an icon and it just so happens the school is now in the Big Ten so we can name them one. Just keep in mind its just a television show (a pretty good one too actually, very well produced if you guys have seen any of them)

I haven't seen it, but it sounds like something worth checking out. I agree with the line I bolded above - it's just a friendly way to say "welcome to the conference." People who are freaked out by this need to calm down.

The only thing that got my goat was that my avatar Jesse Owens was number 3d to Red Grange and Magic Johnson. I just can see how that's justifiable, but I am a little biased.

I can see a case for Red Grange ahead of Jesse Owens. Both were superlative athletes, and while *I* would put Owens #1, it's not inconceivable to put Grange first. I see no justification for Magic ahead of Jesse Owens. That makes zero sense. :blink: