Big Ten welcomes Nebraska as 12th member
Twenty years after Penn State took the plunge, the University of Nebraska was welcomed into the Big Ten Conference on June 11.
“Nebraska is a tremendous addition to the Big Ten,”said Penn State President Graham Spanier.
“Nebraska has a rich tradition of academic excellence. It has been a valued institutional partner in the Association of American Universities for decades, and we look forward to enhanced relationships through the academic alliance that surrounds the Big Ten.”
Speculation had run rampant about potential Big Ten expansion since Commissioner Jim Delany had announced in December the conference’s intention of exploring the possibility of expanding. Amid rumors of a six-school Big XII South consortium l e d b y T e x a s defecting for the Pac 10, Colorado made the move west days before Nebraska’s announcement. Days after the Huskers decided to bolt for the Big Ten, the Big XII announced it would continue to exist, but with only 10 members.
T h e B i g T e n C o u n c i l o f Presidents/Chancellors announced unanimous approval for Nebraska to join the conference effective July 1, 2011, with competition to begin in all sports for the 2011-12 academic year.
“Nebraska is a great fit with our athletic programs,” said Director of Athletics Tim Curley.
“Their athletic accomplishments on the field of play are among the strongest nationally, and they enjoy excellent graduation rates. We have enjoyed our athletic competitions and friendships forged with Nebraska and are looking forward to welcoming their university staff, student-athletes and loyal alumni and fans into the Big Ten.”
In order for an institution to be admitted to the Big Ten Conference, it must submit a written application, which must then be approved by at l e a s t 7 0 p e r c e n t o f t h e B i g Ten COP/C. The University of Nebraska Board of Regents formally submitted an application to join the Big Ten Conference the afternoon of June 11. The Big Ten COP/C then met via conference call and approved Nebraska’s application.
“The Big Ten Conference has much t o o f f e r, ” N e b r a s k a D i r e c t o r o f Athletics Tom Osborne said. “This is a tribute to our athletic program, our academic programs and our fans. This is the right move at the right time. This is a rare opportunity that may not have been an option for us in the future.”