Sun City, Ariz.—Ending a decade-long courtship, the University of Phoenix Online has ditched cyberspace for the Pac-10, rejecting more lucrative offers from the Sun Belt Conference, Big Ten and meetup.com.
The decision comes nearly two years after the construction of University of Phoenix Stadium, when the school realized it had no athletic program.
"I hope you're ready, 'cause you're going down," University of Phoenix president Bill Pepicello said in a comment on Pete Carroll's blog moments after the announcement was made.
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Despite the move, UOP Online has yet to hire a coaching staff or recruit players, although "Division I Football" has been added to the drop down menu on the university's website.
Sources close to UOP administration indicated that the school is looking for an existing collegiate head coach who has a high-speed Internet connection and is able to administer team practice one night a week.
UOP's decision came as a surprise to Big Ten Conference commissioner James Delany, according to a statement he made to the Park Ridge Daily News on Monday.
"We were really, really hoping to add a 12th team to the Big Ten," said Delany. "Not so much that we'd be able to have a conference championship, because we all know seeing Ohio State and Michigan play two weeks in a row every year would become tiresome, especially to the Michigan fans, but because eleven is such a random number."
UOP Online will begin conference play on Sept. 20 against Arizona State, who gladly canceled its non-conference match up against an SEC team to accommodate UOP's late entrance.
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about 1 month ago
A few comments:
1. How will the Pac-10 incorporate "11" into their logo ala the Big Ten?
2. With as many locations as UoP has, they have the potential to out-recruit the mighty Pete Caroll
3. Well-written, humorous article
about 1 month ago
Favorite part: "Despite the move, UOP Online has yet to hire a coaching staff or recruit players, although "Division I Football" has been added to the drop down menu on the university's website."
But that does lead to the question of whether or not they will be playing at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale...
about 1 month ago
Hahaha...
That's Great.
about 1 month ago
this is funny stuff. great job.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks!
about 1 month ago
I wonder if they need a virtual quarterback...guess I'll have to check the website.
Hilarious article.
about 1 month ago
This is a joke, right?
from about 1 month ago
Yes, this is a joke, lolz :)
about 1 month ago
Finally!
about 1 month ago
Will, this is terrific! Had me laughing out loud -- gave it a "pick of the day" vote.
from about 1 month ago
I appreciate the vote, Brian!
about 1 month ago
I think he did this for a dynasty on NCAA Football 09.
about 1 month ago
This was hilarious! Thanks for the satire and great comedy! :)
about 1 month ago
Priceless! It really puts a new spin on "Fantasy Football!!!"
about 1 month ago
Will, this is great news. Do they have an online sports store yet where I can get their team hat, sweats, bobble-heads, oh yeah, and the large foam pointing finger with #1 on it. I want to be fully prepared for tailgating at that ASU opener.
Do you know what their big cheer is yet? USC has "Fight On! Mybe the UOP's is "Log On!
Wow! Speaking of logging on, I better log onto Stub Hub right away and get tickets before they're all sold out. Thanks for the breaking news. See ya there!
about 1 month ago
This is the best opportunity for 42 year old working parents to use up the rest of their eligibility. My wife looks great in her cheerleading skirt, but we'll have to find a baby-sitter if I am going to start on the offensive line.
about 1 month ago
Hilarious. Thank you for the laugh. Love the drop down menu comment.
One suggested change: because eleven is such "an odd" number.
about 1 month ago
Great stuff. With UoP joining, it actually added to their conference strength of schedule (Zing)
about 1 month ago
Maurice Clarett attends UOPO from prison. It's a shame he gave up his college eligibility eh? Him and Marcus Vick would be some duo! haha
about 1 month ago
You should submit that article to the Onion! The best part, was that someone actually believed it! Great satire!
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