Texas A&M Officially Withdraws from the Big 12

[Aughnanure]

http://www.tamu.edu/athletics/conferenceChange.html

TEXAS A&M TO SEEK AFFILIATION WITH ANOTHER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

NEWS RELEASE - August 31, 2011

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M University today officially notified the Big 12 Conference that the institution will submit an application to join another athletic conference. Should this application be accepted, Texas A&M will end its membership in the Big 12 Conference effective June 30, 2012.

"After much thought and consideration, and pursuant to the action of the (Texas A&M University System) Board of Regents authorizing me to take action related to Texas A&M University's athletic conference alignment, I have determined it is in the best interest of Texas A&M to make application to join another athletic conference," President R. Bowen Loftin wrote to Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe in the letter dated August 31, 2011.

"We appreciate the Big 12's willingness to engage in a dialogue to end our relationship through a mutually agreeable settlement," Loftin added. "We, too, desire that this process be as amicable and prompt as possible and result in a resolution of all outstanding issues, including mutual waivers by Texas A&M and the conference on behalf of all the remaining members."

Texas A&M has participated in intercollegiate athletics as a member of the Big 12 since the conference's founding 16 years ago. Last season, the Aggies claimed nine Big 12 championships and four national team titles, both of which were school-bests. Since joining the Big 12 prior to the 1996-97 athletic season, Texas A&M has won 55 conference championships, including 32 in the last five years.

Texas A&M finished eighth in the prestigious Director's Cup all-sport rankings a year ago, tallying its most points ever and leading all Big 12 schools. In the inaugural Capital One Cup, which rates teams' final rankings, the Aggies were the top-ranking university from the Big 12. The Aggie women finished second with five top-10 finishes, while the Aggie men finished tied for third with five top-10 finishes.

"As I have indicated throughout this process, we are seeking to generate greater visibility nationwide for Texas A&M and our championship-caliber student-athletes, as well as secure the necessary and stable financial resources to support our athletic and academic programs," Loftin said. "This is a 100-year decision that we have addressed carefully and methodically. Texas A&M is an extraordinary institution, and we look forward to what the future may hold for Aggies worldwide."

While Loftin did not specify an application timeline in his letter to the Big 12, he previously indicated that he does not intend to prolong the application process for an extended period of time.

Texas A&M at a glance

• Located in College Station, Texas.
• Home to more than 49,000 students, ranking as the sixth-largest university in the country, with more than 360,000 former students worldwide.
• Holds membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities, one of only 63 institutions with this distinction.
  Has an endowment valued at more than $5 billion, which ranks fourth among U.S. public universities and 10th overall.
• Conducts research valued at more than $630 million annually, placing it among the top 20 universities nationally and third behind only MIT and the University of California at Berkeley for universities without medical schools.
• Recognized as Home of the 12th Man, where students stand during football games to show support for the team – and for fellow Aggies – a personification of the Aggie Spirit.
• Corps of Cadets is recognized among the nation's largest uniformed student bodies at more than 2,000 strong. Texas A&M commissions more officers than any other institution outside of the nation's service academies.
• Named second in the nation by The Wall Street Journal among all universities, public and private, in a survey of top U.S. corporations, non-profits and government agencies, based on graduates that recruiters prefer to hire.

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[bilsu]

I never would of guessed they are the 6th largest university in the country.

[GGGG]

Every public university in texas is big. Some in SEC land are acting like they are some second rate university. They are not.

[oldwarrior81]

I never would of guessed they are the 6th largest university in the country.

largest total enrollments for 2010-2011 academic year:

1) Arizona State,  2) Central Florida,  3) Ohio State,  4) Minnesota,  5) Texas,  6) Florida,  7) Texas A&M,  8) South Florida,  9) Michigan State,  10) Penn State

[texaswarrior74]

largest total enrollments for 2010-2011 academic year:

1) Arizona State,  2) Central Florida,  3) Ohio State,  4) Minnesota,  5) Texas,  6) Florida,  7) Texas A&M,  8) South Florida,  9) Michigan State,  10) Penn State

That's for the College Station main campus. The A&M "system" which includes satellite campuses is 6th.

[Aughnanure]

Word now is that both Oklahoma and Missouri have invites to join the SEC, whoever decides 1st gets in.

[Warriors10]

Word now is that both Oklahoma and Missouri have invites to join the SEC, whoever decides 1st gets in.

SEC has officially invited nobody, not even A&M.

[Aughnanure]

Well duh, not "officially." Don't for one second think that A&M didn't know they were in and that conversations are happening. No one is applying to the SEC or withdrawing from the Big 12 that doesn't have 100% certainty where they are going or have the votes.

[Warriors10]

Well duh, not "officially." Don't for one second think that A&M didn't know they were in and that conversations are happening. No one is applying to the SEC or withdrawing from the Big 12 that doesn't have 100% certainty where they are going or have the votes.

I obviously agree with that, but I don't know where this notion that the SEC is going to take either Oklahoma or Missouri on a first-come, first-serve bases comes from.

From what I have read is that last week Oklahoma started looking into their possible options and those were mainly revolved around the Pac-12 (which it was invited to last go around) and the Big Ten.

[Aughnanure]

I obviously agree with that, but I don't know where this notion that the SEC is going to take either Oklahoma or Missouri on a first-come, first-serve bases comes from.

From what I have read is that last week Oklahoma started looking into their possible options and those were mainly revolved around the Pac-12 (which it was invited to last go around) and the Big Ten.

Its just a rumor running around, but one from a source that's very highly respected in SEC circles at least. I think Oklahoma would rather go Pac-12 which would allow them to bring along OSU, but OU is the western prize SEC is looking at.

If not, its Mizzou they'll want from the west - But they dream of the B1G, but after last year's embarrassment they may take what they can get (after sending at least one more call to the B1G).

The sharks are circling, the Big 12 has to move FAST and add some teams (mutliple, not just BYU) or this could get ugly real fast.

[GGGG]

Rumors are that an airplane owned by OU made multiple trips to Columbia, MO and College Station, TX over the weekend.  For what *that's* worth.

(IMO, not much.)

[Hoopaloop]

If Oklahoma leaves to the Pac 12 or the SEC or Big 10, probably spells doom for the the Big 12 once and for all.  What happens to the Big East as a result?  What happens to Marquette without a football team? 

[GGGG]

It isn't so much if Oklahoma leaves....it is who they take with.  Then the question becomes what happens to the "survivors."  Do they stick together and form their own conference and add a few MWC teams?  Does the BE try to add KU, KSU and Mizzou?  If it is the former, MU is fine.  If it is the latter, we might be screwed.