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Wednesday, 15 February 2012 11:05

Written by Jenn Menendez

West Virginia's $20 million settlement with the Big East was made clear with a 25-page settlement agreement made available this morning following a Freedom of Information Act request by the Post-Gazette made just yesterday.

The document makes clear most of the terms of the settlement. It includes:

• The $2.5 million paid in October as part of the exit fee.
• A “settlement payment” of $8.5 million due by Feb. 17.
• And all of the University’s 2011-2012 conference revenue share, forecasted at $9 million.

There will be a time period at the end of the fiscal year where West Virginia could conceivably get money back from the Big East if “revenue distribution is greater than the forecasted amount.”

The agreement also includes a document labeled “Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Big 12 Transition Fund,” detailing an agreement with the West Virginia University Foundation, Inc.

The Foundation is giving West Virginia $10 million, half of which will be forgiven, and the remaining will be subject to be paid back with interest.

Note, that money, according to a source with knowledge, came from the Big 12 as we have reported.

Other interesting notes from the documents:

It includes a clause called "Additional games" where West Virginia essentially agrees to help the Big East with scheduling games in the 2012-13 season.

It goes on to specifically state West Virginia needs to use reasonable efforts to lend a helping hand to Pitt and Syracuse in their scheduling woes.

"In the event that the University of Pittsburgh or Syracuse University makes such a request before Feb. 15, 2012, WVU will use its reasonable best efforts to assist (the two schools) to schedule a game with a Big 12 member for the 2012-13 season if possible."

It also includes the following section:

"Each party agrees it will not make any disparaging comments about any other party. A disparaging statement includes any communication, oral or written, which would cause the recipient to question the business condition, integrity, competence or good character of any party.”

To view the documents, click here.

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Tuesday, 14 February 2012 22:21

Written by Jenn Menendez

Turns out Valentine’s Day may really be Christmas for West Virginia fans.

If a settlement in the courts, followed by the long-awaited release of the Big 12 schedule wasn’t enough, it looks like Dana Holgorsen is getting close to finalizing his defensive staff.

A few names are flying around out there and seem to have some legs.

One is Erik Slaughter, a defensive line coach from Stephen F. Austin in Texas.

West Virginia Metronews, citing unnamed sources, reported earlier tonight that he had accepted a position on the defensive staff.

The other name floating around out there, and a bigger name, is Keith Patterson - the former Pitt defensive coordinator who became interim head coach when Todd Graham bolted for Arizona State.

Patterson accepted a job at Arkansas State last month.

One source, when reached, could not confirm any deals had been made yet but certainly sounds like these two names have some legs, and are at the very least in the mix.

Could be a couple of days before we know for sure.

So as I’ve said before, until the ink is dry. . .

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 11:12

Written by Jenn Menendez

The long awaited, much-anticipated Big 12 schedule was just released.

West Virginia will open its Big 12 schedule at home on Sept. 29 with a game against Baylor, and will host Kansas State (Oct. 20), TCU (Nov. 3) Oklahoma (Nov. 17) and Kansas (Dec. 1) in the team's first year in the Big 12.

The team will travel to Texas (Oct. 6), Texas Tech (Oct. 13), Oklahoma State (Nov. 10) and Iowa State (Nov. 24).

Here is a link to the schedule in its entirety: Big 12 schedule.

From AD Oliver Luck in a statement:

“I know our fans will be looking forward to having the Big 12 schools visit Milan Puskar Stadium this fall,” Luck said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our department, and the challenges ahead are certainly exciting.”

Coach Dana Holgorsen in a statement:

“I am excited about this year’s schedule, especially since we will be competing in the Big 12,”  Holgorsen said. “I am familiar with the conference and know the challenges that are ahead of us. Mixing our conference schedule with Maryland, Marshall and James Madison, the offseason becomes even more important to our preparation.”

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 10:22

Written by Jenn Menendez

Exhale everyone.

It's official

West Virginia announced an official settlement this morning with the Big East Conference, ending the civil cases that began more than three months ago and opening the door for the program to be members of the Big 12 on July 1.

The University released a statement that didn’t share many details of the breakdown of the settlement and said “the agreement prohibit discussion of the details.”

However, it is expected to total around $20 million as the Post-Gazette reported last week.

From AD Oliver Luck in a release:

“Our membership in the Big 12 offers WVU significant advantages,” said Luck. “The Big 12 is a strong and vibrant conference academically and athletically. We look forward to the potential academic and athletic partnerships and financial opportunities that membership in the Big 12 offers."

“This closes a chapter and opens a new one filled with exciting possibilities for WVU’s future.  I’ve heard from Mountaineer fans across the country who have made it very clear that they are proud and honored to be heading into the Big 12.”

The school stressed in the release no state, taxpayer fund, tuition or academic support monies will be used to pay the settlement but instead will come from private sources and athletic revenues that are “independently generated.”

He added, “Our partnership with the Big 12 is an investment in WVU's future. We're looking forward to the tremendous opportunities it presents – all across our university."

***

The Big East, meanwhile, released a statement saying that the conference hsa voted to "terminate" West Virginia's membership, effective June 30, 2012.

“West Virginia University has acknowledged and agreed that the Court in Monongalia County, West Virginia, will enter a judgment that the Big East Conference Bylaws are valid and enforceable, and will dismiss with prejudice all of West Virginia’s claims against the Conference."

***

This news also means the Big 12 schedule is due out. WVU new media director John Antonik tweeted "look for the football schedule to be announced shortly."