Dating back to 2005, Tulsa has won the Western division of Conference USA four times while UH has layed claim to three. | Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar
With conference realignment in full force and Conference USA programs at UH, Central Florida, East Carolina, Memphis, SMU and now Tulane bolting for the Big East, Tulsa — which remains tied for first in trips to the conference’s championship game since 2005 — is being wrongfully left out of the mix.
The Golden Hurricane are left in no-man’s land after watching their two closest rivals — UH and SMU — receive and accept invitations into the Big East. The conference took in Tulane on Tuesday — a program that has not seen a winning record in a decade or a conference championship since 1998.
While UH vice president of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades sought to ensure the Cougars’ place in the re-alignment mix one year ago, Tulsa representatives announced Tuesday that Tulsa director of Athletics Ross Parmley has been placed on paid administrative leave pending further investigation into gambling charges.
To be fair, Southern Miss also remains undeservedly stuck in the same sinking ship after serving as the league’s leader in Conference USA championships with five. Unfortunately, after the Golden Eagles ended UH’s perfect campaign a season ago, they celebrated the program’s 100th season with a 0-12 debacle.
For Tulsa, amidst all the turmoil internally and externally, it seems certain that the program will end up somewhere — be it the Mountain West or Big East. The Golden Hurricane, or Golden Eagles for that matter, do not belong in the likes of future C-USA members such as UTSA, North Texas or Old Dominion. Then again, one may not have expected former Southwest Conference member UH to end up in the Big East.
Poor Tulsa, couldn’t see the writing on the wall. When it comes to conference alignment, it’s everyone for themselves.
I’d like to keep a rivalry going with Southern Miss, since they seemed so pouty after not going to a bowl game a couple of years ago.
Who wants tulsa? NOBODY. Poor Tulsa?? When did this become “the Daily Golden Hurricane”?? This belongs in the OPINION column, NOT the sports column!! what are yall gonna post up next??? “Poor UCONN and Cincy got left behind” TERRIBLE LACK OF SCHOOL PRIDE HERE!!