WSR Gridiron Report

Nice article, Brad

I once read that there are more Arizona Alumni in the phoenix area than anywhere else, which I believe to be true. I see at least 2:1 bumper stickers for UofA when I drive around unless I am right near ASU and even then it's probably 1:1! I applaud Byrnes efforts but he really needs to understand Phoenix better - Glendale makes no sense - there is nothing in Glendale and no reason to go there. He would draw five times the people at Scottsdale CC, there are 30 of the states 35 top restaurants within 5 miles of Scottsdale CC and it's 2 miles from the states best shopping.

I hate ASU to my very core. I slap the statue of Frank Kush (only the 'devils' would erect a statue to a criminal!) every time I walk by it. I rout against ASU for EVERY game, even out of conference. I hate Dennis Erickson and thought he was perfect for the job. Rob Evans wife was the foulest, rudest, class-less bitch I have ever seen at BB game. I will never forget the incident with Kerr and I was at the game where Lute walked out onto the court and pointed at the scoreboard when the ASSWIPE students were chanting 'Bobbi', literally weeks after she passed away. I hate the colors, the mascot and the attitude... I hope they lose every game they ever play at everything.

BUT

Having been raised in Tucson and now living in Phoenix - I am patriotic about my state. Now, more so than ever. If you don't live in Phoenix and don't realize what President Michael Crow has done at ASU and ultimately for the state, you need to realize that there is a bigger picture, MUCH bigger picture than 'us & them'. Ultimately I believe that ASU and UofA's fortunes are inextricably linked and that projects like the joint college of medicine are what will build a brighter future in our state.

I'll just say this now and get it out of the way. If you live in Tucson and think Phoenix sucks... you are an idiot. I know because I used to. I hated moving up here but I had to further my career and after a few days in Phoenix, I realized how much I loved this city. I still love Tucson by the way and if you live in Phoenix and think Tucson sucks.... you are an idiot.

Crow inherited one of the lowest ranking institutions in academics and has elevated it significantly in nearly every discipline.

ASU is the largest public school in the country and I understand that between the three schools, Arizona has more public university students per capita than any state in the country and we have only three schools. While bigger is not always better, if you have sent a child to college, the economic impact is MASSIVE. Further, the long term impact is mind boggling. Many of these students will stay here after graduation and many of the ones who cannot stay will seek jobs here and come back or even retire. What our public universities are doing now will set the tone for the next 7 or 8 DECADES.

The downtown campus (fine arts and health sciences) is amazing. ASU West is the largest commuter college in the country and thats does not include the Tempe campus.

OK, it's just a massive diploma mill but the fact is that it is GREAT for Arizona, and that means Tucson and the University of Arizona as well. I seriously think the board of regents would do well to appoint Crow in charge of all three schools.

So again, while I hate ASU - I believe that there is room the state for both schools. Byrne isn't taking anything away from ASU by cultivating the alumni up here. ASU alumni were not going to go watch the Wildcats scrimmage anyway.

Wasn't Byrne the one who had the coaches go on a "state tour" kind of thing last year or a few years back as well? Hard to disagree with AZ steadily becoming "Wildcat Country" as I've also seen a few of those billboards on my trips (airports/interstates). And idk if i just didnt notice it earlier but I've also noticed more Wildcat fans around and less Assu fans. For that, I am grateful.... Great article Canyon.

I'm not an idiot, I live in Tucson, and...I still hate Phoenix. The place has as much character as a sorority party, which I guess makes sense, as my friends who are ASU grads like to proudly remind me. Our city has character, our university has character, and that's a big reason why we have passionate fans and a passionate alumni base. Go where your work takes you if you must, but never let yourself start believing that wannabe LA/Vegas wasteland is even close to as good as the Old Pueblo.