Let’s face it, the state of West Virginia is in a world of hurt economically. People are barely getting by, and the first chance my generation has to leave the state for greener pastures, you best believe it’s going to happen.
Yet, our illustrious Governor, Joe Manchin, is only worried about his pet project: The Friends of Coal Bowl. Hell, the trophy is named “The Governor’s Cup.”
Anyway, I found this article at the Charleston Gazette’s website that you can read here. Get ready for another FJM-style ride… my response in bold, AFTER THE JUMP!!!
Manchin, others await news about Coal Bowl
By Mitch Vingle
THROUGH NOV. 2, Gov. Joe Manchin is a just a tad busy.
Oh gee, ya think so, Mitch!?
He has the Mountain State to run. He’s also running a campaign to land the late Robert C. Byrd’s U.S. Senate seat.
So, like most West Virginians do to sustain themselves and their families, HE’S WORKING TWO JOBS!!!
But he’ll take time on Friday to attend the West Virginia-Marshall football game in Huntington. As most state residents know, it’s a matchup near and dear to his heart. And it’s a matchup he hopes to watch for years to come.
Yeah, because he’s the only person I know that wants to weaken his Alma Mater’s football team by making them play the other school that’s ACTUALLY IN KENTUCKY!!!
“I’ve been very vocal about it,” Manchin said on Tuesday. “Everyone knows how I feel. It’s been an economic boost to the state. It’s great for everyone. It’s a great game. I think Doc [Holliday] will bring that [Marshall] team along. He adds a new flavor.
So where’s this “economic boost”, Mr. Manchin? And, what flavor is Doc adding to the game, Mud Biscuit with 2% milk!?
“I think the fans should speak out if they believe the series should continue.”
Repeat after me, everyone: KILL THE SERIES NOW!
He tacked on the last sentence because there remains an impasse in regard to future MU-WVU matchups. The current seven-year deal expires in 2012. WVU will visit MU on Friday and the Thundering Herd will visit the Mountaineers the following two seasons.
Ahh… the good ole’ impasse… that means THE SERIES MAY NOT CONTINUE!!! Cause to celebrate!
Football schedules, however, are being worked on through, at least, 2016. It’s been time to hammer out a new deal for months. Yet, so far, nothing.
Yeah, we got games coming up with opponents like LSU, Florida State, Michigan State, et al coming up, yet Joe-Joe still wants us to play Marshall!
“Oliver and I have had discussions,” said MU athletic director Mike Hamrick on Tuesday. “Those discussions will continue.”
“Oliver has pretty much told me to get bent, that Marshall is a pathetic C-USA school, and will never be higher than middle-of-the-conference and won’t ever make the Liberty Bowl. Yet, he did it in such a classy way that, well, I couldn’t be mad at the guy.”
“Mike and I have had discussions,” said WVU athletic director Oliver Luck. “We’ll have discussions centered around [Friday’s] game. But I’ve pledged to him not to say any more and negotiate in the media.”
“Yeah, Mike and I have had discussions. I told him that I figured it was time for both schools to take the series in another direction—a direction to end it. There’s no upside for WVU to play Marshall.”
Sources, however, say the two will meet on the subject Friday. MU officials want a simple home-and-home series, like WVU gives Herd Conference USA peer East Carolina. WVU officials, meanwhile, have been seeking a 2-for-1 home advantage. Spots have been held for the game in 2013 and beyond.
I know Oliver Luck is a classy guy, but, Oliver, if you are reading this, PLEASE GIVE MIKE HAMRICK A WET WILLY AND A WEDGIE!!!
Whispers of late, however, say WVU officials, while willing to sign a contract, don’t want a deal that matches the teams every season. There are also signs MU might move off the 1-for-1 position in lieu of a 3-for-2 deal. Or two 3-for-2 deals.
Here’s how I propose this series; one of two ways: Either end it altogether, or WVU gets a 4 or 5-for-1 series… Marshall has absolutely ZERO leverage in this! They have to win something to earn their spot at the table!! GO BACK TO THE KIDDIES’ TABLE, MARSHALL!
We shall see. Luck, though, who replaced Ed Pastilong, has almost certainly added a different dimension.
Luck is cleaning out the crap from the Athletic Department. I look for him to eventually work his way up to football… seems like he’s getting a head start on that now.
“I think they’re still talking,” Manchin said. “These are good people. It’s been worked through before. Oliver has had to get up to speed on everything.”
Yeah, that’s because your boy Pastilong has made such a mess of things here in Morgantown with complacency.
The hope is a deal can be announced this weekend. There are but two major universities in this state. Not to figure something out and play, especially with the advent of 12-game schedules, would be silly. As I’ve said before, if Louisville and Purdue can agree to home-and-home series with Marshall, and WVU can agree to a home-and-home series with East Carolina into, seemingly, perpetuity, certainly an agreement can be reached here.
At least East Carolina gives WVU some competition, while the Louisville-Purdue game seems to be a good one… one that doesn’t have GOVERNORS involved! These games are on higher scales than WVU-Marshall.
If not, Manchin could again get involved in schedule making.
Cue up “Asshole” by Denis Leary.
“If I felt the negotiations were completely going south,” Manchin said, “would I step in and ask how that could be? Yes. I’d ask how that could be justified.
Joe, please do everyone in the state of West Virginia a favor and stay the hell out of it, PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE!
“If the sides reach an impasse and I get wind of it, I would [get involved]. I’m not hearing that, though. That’s what’s encouraging.”
He would get involved by saying that this will bring more money to the state (how it does, I have no flippin’ idea) and that the state needs this game. Correction—Marshall needs WVU; WVU doesn’t need Marshall.
Manchin continued.
Please dis-continue, Joe!
“It’s no different than a business and labor situation. If there’s an impasse and I’m asked to be involved, I will be. I don’t think it will get to that, though.”
That’s because you wanna put your big nose into EVERYTHING, Joe!
The governor said the presidents of both universities have expressed support of the game to him. So far, however, no agreement has been reached.
And Clements must have been absolutely trashed when he said it… hopefully he was only kidding.
“It’s not high on my agenda,” Manchin said. “But it is high on the state sports agenda.”
It’s not high on ANY agenda—yours, mine, WVU’s, anybody’s… except for Marshall’s. STOP THIS SERIES, ALREADY!!!