West Virginia: Vainglory At What Price?

While neither the Big 12 nor Big East Conferences have issued statements or 2012 schedules yet, the news media reports that West Virginia has negotiated a release from its membership agreement with the Big East and will join the Big 12 in July.Farewell Mountaineers.As a Big East fan, that’s an honest sentiment. I don’t begrudge them an opportunity to take on a new challenge. But I won’t say that I admire the manner in which the move was made.Just a year ago, the Big East football was in a comfort zone, looking forward to TCU’s arrival in the 2012 season and hopes for still more expansion as a conference on the rise.Then came the perfect storm. Texas A&M had been growing in discontent with its situation in the Big 12. Its switch – even speculation of its switch – to the SEC, set off a series of conference realignment moves that dealt the Big East a heavy blow. Long-time members Pittsburgh and Syracuse bolted to the ACC, and TCU reversed course to join the Big 12. Instead of ni...