Colorado Approved to Move to Pac-10
Boulder, CO (Sports Network) – The University of Colorado’s Board of Regents officially accepted the school’s move to the Pac-10 Conference on Friday.
Colorado and the Pac-10 announced the move on Thursday and the school’s Board voted 9-0 in favor on Friday.
“The Pac-10 membership will serve the University of Colorado for many, many years,” said regent chair Steve Bosley. “It seemed like CU was doing nothing, (but) we always had a quiet confidence (that the Pac-10 invite would come).”
Colorado will become the 11th member of the conference, which will expand for the first time since July 1, 1978 when Arizona and Arizona State joined the league.
“We are excited to get the invitation to join the (Pac-10) but with a heavy heart as we depart our friends of the Big 12,” said regent James Geddes. “We have many fond memories…now we are taking another large quest in our athletic and academic success.”
Colorado had been part of the Big 12 since its inception in 1996. The league formed with members of the old Big 8 Conference, of which Colorado was affiliated, and the Southwest Conference.
The dissolution of the Big 12 appears imminent. Nebraska has applied to depart the Big 12 in favor of the Big Ten and reports have indicated that the Pac-10 is considering other Big 12 members for a larger expansion.
“I’ve been authorized…to pursue other opportunities if they arise,” said Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott when asked if his conference would cease expansion after accepting Colorado. “A lot of that depends on what happens elsewhere in the country and what individual schools want to do.”
Updated 06-11-2010
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