UCF is a "Locational" school not "Directional"

[scottb411]

From the following article on CBS Sports:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...bag-which-coaches-are-on-the-hot-seat-in-2015

"In fact, if there's any "directional" school that could one day join a Power Five conference, I'd say Central Florida is the most likely candidate, and central isn't really a direction as much as it's a location. So it's a "locational" school."

 

[KnightMatt8]

I'm amazed that any NIU fans would seriously think they will jump from the MAC straight to the Big 12. I have nothing against NIU or any other MAC school, and I realize some of them are capable of beating UCF on the football field or in other sports. However, as the author of the article said, you have to understand how expansion works. UCF didn't jump straight from the Atlantic Sun and MAC to the Big East/AAC; we had an 8-year stint in C-USA in between. I think C-USA would be the best option for NIU at this point, but I think it would take one or more schools leaving the AAC or Mountain West in order for C-USA to have a possible spot for them.

 

[firm_bizzle]

You will never change public perception. Why fight the uphill battle?

 

[80'sKnight]

Please explain to someone who doesn't follow this nonsense, but why does anyone give a crap about "directional" names. What the hell does it matter? To someone who doesn't know this ancient bias, is sounds like complete nonsense. I guess names matter since I want to shoot the one who wants UFO.

 

[ucflee]

From the following article on CBS Sports:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...bag-which-coaches-are-on-the-hot-seat-in-2015

"In fact, if there's any "directional" school that could one day join a Power Five conference, I'd say Central Florida is the most likely candidate, and central isn't really a direction as much as it's a location. So it's a "locational" school."

direction, location ??? EFFF that, UCF is a DESTINATION SCHOOL !!!!

 

[UCF08]

Please explain to someone who doesn't follow this nonsense, but why does anyone give a crap about "directional" names. What the hell does it matter? To someone who doesn't know this ancient bias, is sounds like complete nonsense. I guess names matter since I want to shoot the one who wants UFO.

It doesn't, it's just a term lazily used to mean the smaller colleges located in the periphery of the state that no longer applies to UCF, despite our name. That we're named UCF has no bearing on realignment, and anyone who says otherwise is an idiot.

 

[KNIGHTTIME^]

Please explain to someone who doesn't follow this nonsense, but why does anyone give a crap about "directional" names. What the hell does it matter? To someone who doesn't know this ancient bias, is sounds like complete nonsense. I guess names matter since I want to shoot the one who wants UFO.

There is a very real stigma attached to directional names in general. For a non-affiliated person to the University of Central Florida the name is so general that is really is tough for marketing. Associating a city name or state name is definitely easier for branding. That is why UCF goes ape and gives commentators the "don't call us Central Florida" lines. A professional team would never call themselves...Central Florida Magic....or Central Florida Lions.

Being the 2nd largest enrollment, I really do feel like the name holds us back not being in a P5 right now.

 

[aent]

There is a very real stigma attached to directional names in general. For a non-affiliated person to the University of Central Florida the name is so general that is really is tough for marketing. Associating a city name or state name is definitely easier for branding. That is why UCF goes ape and gives commentators the "don't call us Central Florida" lines. A professional team would never call themselves...Central Florida Magic....or Central Florida Lions.

Being the 2nd largest enrollment, I really do feel like the name holds us back not being in a P5 right now.

Yeah, there is no doubt that having a direction in the name is bad. Florida Technological University, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Florida Polytechnic, etc are all much better names. UCF Athletic's branding as UCF only would solve that problem, but UCF Marketing (academics) is not on board with any UCF Athletics branding.

 

[Nyght Shadow]

There is a very real stigma attached to directional names in general. For a non-affiliated person to the University of Central Florida the name is so general that is really is tough for marketing. Associating a city name or state name is definitely easier for branding. That is why UCF goes ape and gives commentators the "don't call us Central Florida" lines. A professional team would never call themselves...Central Florida Magic....or Central Florida Lions.

No, but they might call themselves, oh, the Tampa Bay Bucs, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, or New England Patriots.

 

[UCF08]

There is a very real stigma attached to directional names in general. For a non-affiliated person to the University of Central Florida the name is so general that is really is tough for marketing. Associating a city name or state name is definitely easier for branding. That is why UCF goes ape and gives commentators the "don't call us Central Florida" lines. A professional team would never call themselves...Central Florida Magic....or Central Florida Lions.

Being the 2nd largest enrollment, I really do feel like the name holds us back not being in a P5 right now.

Our name is so far down the list of quantifiable facts which matter in regards to conference realignment that is patently silly to even mention it. You people are being silly.

 

[KNIGHTTIME^]

Our name is so far down the list of quantifiable facts which matter in regards to conference realignment that is patently silly to even mention it. You people are being silly.

What do you think about when you hear Northern Illinois as an example? At best it would be blah, right? There is a reason it is very difficult to break out of that stigma. The only school I can think of is Southern Cal and that is more of a hipster term in general so it loses some of the stigma.

I think we can overcome the stigma but it is not easy. Everyone can say it is silly to worry about the name, but it is enough that UCF gets pissed when we are referred as Central Florida or various other versions like C. FLA.

 

[80'sKnight]

Just a small point but, where's Florida Tech, Georgia Tech (probably better known), Virginia Tech etc. I live next to Ga Tech so know, but don't follow anyone else so have no idea where W. Virginia or the others are. I do know Florida Tech, FIU, FAU are in the same place as UCF- Florida. F is kind of a big hint what state it's in. This direction stuff just seems like a small point, that more publicity could easily get rid of, and if that's any kind of a real obstacle to getting in a power conference then the only thing I can think is those teams and conferences have to be run by people who don't pay much attention. Is this really just a journalist created stigma? No one who is really involved career wise in NCAA could actually think this way, could they? Where the hell is Northwestern anyway?

 

[pittstoner74]

Just a small point but, where's Florida Tech, Georgia Tech (probably better known), Virginia Tech etc. I live next to Ga Tech so know, but don't follow anyone else so have no idea where W. Virginia or the others are. I do know Florida Tech, FIU, FAU are in the same place as UCF- Florida. F is kind of a big hint what state it's in. This direction stuff just seems like a small point, that more publicity could easily get rid of, and if that's any kind of a real obstacle to getting in a power conference then the only thing I can think is those teams and conferences have to be run by people who don't pay much attention. Is this really just a journalist created stigma? No one who is really involved career wise in NCAA could actually think this way, could they? Where the hell is Northwestern anyway?

If you don't know where those schools are...you haven't been watching sports for very long.

 

[80'sKnight]

"If you don't know where those schools are...you haven't been watching sports for very long."

I don't watch anything but UCF, plus you missed the point completely. Let me make it obvious, the "direction" of UCF wouldn't matter with more publicity/rankings/highly rated games. The whole "direction"/name arguments just seem like a made-up fake reason. You only know where those places are because you watch the games or really like knowing the home towns of universities.

 

[firm_bizzle]

Directional matters.

 

[Knight_Classes_begin_7pm]

Go Knights...where is this thread going? LOL....just win!

 

[Deuce511]

The University of Southern California doesn't care that it's a directional school, so neither should we. Once we make it to the big time, the stigma will go away. Until then, it's just another talking point for people.

 

[pittstoner74]

"If you don't know where those schools are...you haven't been watching sports for very long."

I don't watch anything but UCF, plus you missed the point completely. Let me make it obvious, the "direction" of UCF wouldn't matter with more publicity/rankings/highly rated games. The whole "direction"/name arguments just seem like a made-up fake reason. You only know where those places are because you watch the games or really like knowing the home towns of universities.

That was a long winded way to say Direction or regional tags don't matter...next time just say that...But why would people only watch UCF and have nothing to compare them too? Thats why people are dumbfounded when UCF basketball players dont get drafted or make rosters and people like plummer don't get drafted. Believe it or not, there is more out there than UCF as a pool to choose from...Thats like only watching comedy movies and complaining the one you like didnt get Picture of the year...Oh and by the way, the people who use directional against us are not serious...its just a jab they can take until proven wrong,.

 

[firm_bizzle]

The University of Southern California doesn't care that it's a directional school, so neither should we. Once we make it to the big time, the stigma will go away. Until then, it's just another talking point for people.

Not a directional school. Just stop.

 

[Stetson_1883]

I'm always proud of the fact that UCF has CENTRAL in its name.

That beats Eastern/Western Michigan, Northen Ill. or South Florida.

 

[firm_bizzle]

Just shoots us in the foot.

 

[80'sKnight]

That was a long winded way to say Direction or regional tags don't matter...next time just say that...But why would people only watch UCF and have nothing to compare them too? Thats why people are dumbfounded when UCF basketball players dont get drafted or make rosters and people like plummer don't get drafted. Believe it or not, there is more out there than UCF as a pool to choose from...Thats like only watching comedy movies and complaining the one you like didnt get Picture of the year...Oh and by the way, the people who use directional against us are not serious...its just a jab they can take until proven wrong,.

Again missed the point, problems with reading comprehension? Why watch anything other than UCF? What's the point? I couldn't care less about UCLA, Texas etc. Just UCF and any NFL team with UCF players on it. Seems pretty stupid of you to bitch about my viewing patterns. I couldn't care less what you do.


PS If you still can't understand, I'm not a footbal fan, I'm a UCF fan, hence the original question on why this "directional" thing matter, it's senseless. Can you understand now?

 

[Stetson_1883]

My viewing patterns are the same exact way 80'sKnight. However Ill watch any NFL game I can get my hands on, on account of fantasy football. But I'm a big Ravens/Jags fan now bc of the UCF alumni.

 

[UCF08]

What do you think about when you hear Northern Illinois as an example? At best it would be blah, right? There is a reason it is very difficult to break out of that stigma. The only school I can think of is Southern Cal and that is more of a hipster term in general so it loses some of the stigma.

I think we can overcome the stigma but it is not easy. Everyone can say it is silly to worry about the name, but it is enough that UCF gets pissed when we are referred as Central Florida or various other versions like C. FLA.

I honestly see no stigma with their name, I see stigma associated with their conference affiliation and poor fan support. I'm sorry, it's just not quantitatively important, and I can't imagine a scenario in which a conference does/doesn't add a school based on it's name. Hell, even a programs success isn't nearly as important as their geography and market, so let's not act like conference invites worth tens of millions of dollars a year are decided because of a schools name. Notre Dame could be named 'I Banged Your Mom-U' and every conference would bend over backwards for them.

These are businessmen looking at numbers and figures making this decision, not tween girls choosing their favorite member of One Direction.