Why won't Delaware play Delaware State?

[northzax]

first off, who knew that Delaware needed TWO state universities?

By Jeff Pearlman


Dear Delaware football recruit:

On behalf of alumni across the nation, I would like to congratulate you on being recruited to play football at the University of Delaware. As you know, our Blue Hens are six-time national champions and perennially one of the top Division I-AA programs in the country. We have produced dozens of NFL players, ranging from Rich Gannon and Scott Brunner to Ivory Sully and Mike Adams. With our explosive passing attack, I am confident that a wide receiver like you could thrive here.

I also have been informed, however, that you are a student of character, decency and open-mindedness. That, more than anything, is why I am writing this letter: to urge you (and your fellow recruits) not to attend my beloved university.

That's right. Say no to the Blue Hens.

Allow me to be blunt. The University of Delaware's persistent refusal to face Delaware State University in football is cowardly, pig-headed, self-righteous and, worst of all, oozing with racism. As you might know, the two schools -- separated by a mere 50-minute drive from Newark to Dover -- are both ranked in the top 25 of Division I-AA polls. For more than 30 years now, Delaware State has tried to arrange a football game with Delaware, only to be rebuffed time after time. "Name the place and the day, and we'll be there," Rick Costello, Delaware State's athletic director, told me recently. "Delaware-Delaware State would be great for the state, for the students, for ticket sales and school spirit. It's a natural, isn't it?"

read more...you'll never guess the reasoning he makes...http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=pearlman/070920

[madinmaryland]

1. Because they would have to pay a fortune in tolls to get to each others

sites!

:hide:

[northzax]

4. true...true...

this is perhaps the best idea.

[BOSSHOG]

2. I think the racism tag is a little over the top

When I went to THE University of Arkansas 30 years ago, Arkansas State University, the nice little school on the east side of the state spent a great deal of time and energy to get the Hogs on their football schedule. If THE University won 9 out of 10 that one would be a great victory for the nice little school. In Arkansas it was a way of keeping the sports attention where it belonged, on Fayetteville. Race was never an issue. I don't know how it could be in the First State. Delaware just doesn't want D-State to get much publicity. And then there are those endless tolls to consider. Are there tolls leading into and out of the parking lots at the University's parking lots?

[northzax]

5. but in this case

both schools are in the same ballpark on the field, both consistently ranked in the top20 in I-AA.

[BOSSHOG]

6. I would suspect

that Delaware has a higher profile in the state then "State" and they want to keep it that way. However, an annual game between the two schools to promote the state would be a great idea. It could be called the "TOLLBOOTH BOWL."

[KamaAina]

15. Better still, just the "Toll Bowl"

but where would you play it? Even UD's stadium holds a paltry 22,000, while DSU's sounds really old-school at 6800. Since Del. has no pro team, there isn't a neutral site I can think of, besides the Linc in Philly -- hardly the way to promote Delaware, and besides, no tax-free shopping :(

[SoxFan]

13. I hate the "we're too good for you" act

Arkansas won't play ASU (or, in basketball, UALR, UAPB or UCA). I don't like the attitude, and I say this as a Fayetteville alum.

LSU hates to play the University of New Orleans (UNO has spanked them several times).

Alabama and Auburn won't play UAB or South Alabama.

In Kentucky, it actually reached the point where the legislature passed a law requiring the Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals to play each other in both football and basketball on an annual basis.

Personally, I like the idea of an intrastate showdown. WVU/Marshall and OU/OSU provide some good matchups.

[BOSSHOG]

14. I think its all dollars and cents

UA wants the Razorback logo and merchandise all over the state and they want UA to be top dog in recruiting in the state and they don't want to share with ASU. Kinda selfish because ASU wouldn't make a dent.

I think UA and ASU lacks luster, no zip, no interest

LSU does play Tulane. Alabama does play Auburn.

OU/OSU is an awesome game but UA/ASU? Would anyone show up?

My name is on senior walk between Mullins Library and the Student Center.

[SoxFan]

17. Senior Walk

Mine is over towards the Fullbright Fountain

[BOSSHOG]

18. When did

you attend? I was there 75-79. Frank Broyles and Sidney Moncrief and Ron Calcagni and Ben Cowins and streaking on Dickson Street (when Dickson Street wasn't so hoity-toity.) There was a move to tear down Old Main to build a parking lot. That was a massive turd in the punch bowl. Back then it was a long drive to the Mall (opened in 1971) Chicago and Black Oak Arkansas and the Harlem Globetrotters all played at Barnhill Arena. Razorback Stadium held about 45,000 and you could park closer then Farmington to go to a game. What a great little town. I do love the view of Old Main from the new interstate coming north from Fort Smith.

I have the original Uncle Heavy's Hog Hat.

Ray Zorback
Cate Brother's
Roger's Wreck
The Top Hat Drive In on 71 (I flipped burgers there in High School.)

[SoxFan]

19. Way before my time!

I attended the law school from 1997-2000, lived over on Deane St, about a mile and a half from campus.

[KamaAina]

16. WVU only started playing Marshall a few years ago

after refusing to do so for 70 years. LSU dropped Tulane for a while (it was getting like UD-West Chester, with the Wave as West Chester :( )

In basketball, though, UConn always schedules Fairfield, Yale, Central Conn., etc. as its early season patsies warmups. No risk of any of those schools challenging the Huskies' primacy, you see.

One point Pearlman misses, though:

I know. Mississippi-Mississippi State. Georgia-Georgia Tech. UCLA-USC. Washington-Washington State. Oregon-Oregon State. UNLV-Nevada. Texas-Texas A&M. Virginia-Virginia Tech. Florida-Florida State. Arizona-Arizona State. Duke-North Carolina. All in-state rivalries, all tearing apart the fabric of regional bliss.

Eight of these eleven rivalries are within the same conference, though VT just recently joined the ACC. Thus, those games are part of the conference schedule, rather than being scheduled at the pleasure of the various ADs.

edit: spelling

[Phillycat]

3. I went to Del State for a while.

It's an HBU (Historically Black University). I absolutely believe the reason Delaware won't play them is racist. Delaware is still a good ole boy state, once you get inland from the beaches a little.

[Kajsa]

7. I hate to be the bad news bear,

but they have a lot to deal with right now.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/21/delaware.shooting/index.html

[jobycom]

10. damn.

Hope that's the worst of it.

[Kajsa]

12. Hi Jobycom,

I hope so, too.

;(

:hi:

[NaturalHigh]

8. Is the nation rally clamoring for Delaware vs. Delaware State?

:shrug:

[jobycom]

9. Well written, that's for sure. I know less than nothing about Deleware, but

what the heck, I'll give an opinion. In-state rivalries are cash cows. They draw full stadiums, jersey sales, profits for all nearby businesses, and it's all doubled, since all the revenue from the rivalries stay in-state. Any state government hungry for cash salivates at in-state rivalries, and college officials know that in-state rivalries are their greatest source of sports revenues. They even stimulate the boosters and alumni to give more, to beat the hated rival.

The silly argument (mentioned in the article) that they split a state is asinine--for all the hatred between Texas and Texas A&M, for instance, that rivalry creates a bond between those two schools that no one can break, like a sibling rivalry. Longhorn fans will cheer against A&M and tell Aggie jokes all day long, but when the Aggies football team is weak, we shake our heads in sadness, and when they play a bowl game, we cheer for them like we'd cheer for a younger, slightly stupid and inferior, brother. With a big nose and ugly... I digress.

The possible range of excuses runs low. Race, class, fear of being beaten by a team of "undesirabled" seem to be the big three remaining. It's interesting to note, too, that the writer of the article is a Delaware alum.

Just my thoughts. I've driven through Delaware once. I had to mortgage my house to do it.

[madinmaryland]

11. 10 miles and you pay $6 in tolls!

:grr: