PDN news sources
The first big move in the pending realignment of college sports conferences has been made with the announcement today that Colorado is leaving the Big 12 Conference to join the Pacific 10 Conference.
The Pac-10 announced that Colorado had accepted an invitation to become the conference’s 11th member.
“This is a historic moment for the conference, as the Pac-10 is poised for tremendous growth. The University of Colorado is a great fit for the Conference both academically and athletically and we are incredibly excited to welcome Colorado to the Pac-10,” Commissioner Larry Scott said on the Pac-10 website.
“On behalf of the University of Colorado students, faculty, alumni and fans, we are proud to accept this invitation from the Pac-10 and join the most prestigious academic and athletic conference in the nation, ” said Philip P. DiStefano, chancellor of CU-Boulder.
“The University of Colorado is a perfect match — academically and athletically — with the Pac-10,” said University of Colorado President Bruce D. Benson, “our achievements and aspirations match those of the universities in the conference and we look forward to a productive relationship.”
Nebraska, also of the Big 12, is expected to announce it is joining the Big Ten conference. Once that happens, the Pac-10 is poised to seek five other Big 12 teams — including Oklahoma and Texas — to increase the conference to 16 schools.
