Big 12 to embrace more US varsities

Article posted by Coliseum, September 24^th, 2021

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The Big 12 Conference (US) announced recently that the Brigham Young University (private university in Provo, Utah), the University of Central Florida (public university in Orlando, Florida), the University of Cincinnati (research institution in Cincinnati, Ohio), and the University of Houston (public university in Houston, Texas) will become members no later than the 2024-2025 athletic years.

The ‘big12sports.com’ stated that this marks the second time in the Conference’s 26-year history that new members were added. Baylor University in Texas, Iowa State University in Iowa, Kansas State University in Kansas, Kansas, Oklahoma State University, and the Texas Tech University have been members since the Big 12 began in 1996, with the Texas Christian University (TCU) and the West Virginia University joining the Big 12 fold in 2011.

The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference headquartered in Irving, Texas, USA. It consists of 10 full-member universities. It is a member of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for all sports.

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Noted Lawrence Schovanec, Chair of the Big 12 Boards of Directors and President of Texas Tech University, “The Big 12 Presidents and Chancellors entered this process with the singular focus to strengthen and stabilize the Conference. With the addition of these four tradition-rich institutions we have set the Big 12 on a continued path of success. We look forward to having Brigham Young University, University of Central Florida, University of Cincinnati, and the University of Houston under the Big 12 banner, both athletically and academically.”

The ‘big12sports.com’ further stated that the above step was in accordance with Big 12 Conference Bylaw 1.5.2.b.3 requiring an affirmative vote of a supermajority of Directors, and was approved unanimously by the eight continuing members.

Stated Commissioner Bob Bowlsby, “Today’s vote solidifies the long-term trajectory of the Big 12 Conference. I applaud the efforts of our Presidents, Chancellors and Athletics Directors of our continuing members to expeditiously consider and take this action. The addition of these four fine institutions ensures the continued success of the Big 12 at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics competition.”

Founded in 1875, the Brigham Young University is located in Provo, Utah (US). The campus is home to 33,181 undergraduate students, pursuing degrees in 186 majors. Athletically, the Houston Cougars (the athletic teams representing the University of Houston) compete in 21 sports. They have won 12 NCAA titles all-time, claimed 296 Conference championships and have been home to 1,385 All-Americans, one Heisman Trophy winner, and 75 Olympians.

Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, swimming and diving, tennis, and volleyball. Its women’s sports are basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, softball, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and volleyball. The Cougars participate in every sport sponsored by the Big 12 except equestrian, rowing and wrestling. The Big 12 sponsors every sport the Cougars compete in except men’s volleyball.

Located in Orlando, Florida, the University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that was founded in 1963. The University of Central Florida is recognized nationally for its innovation, affordability and for fostering social mobility. With approximately 70,000 students, 13 colleges and 230 degree programs, the university helps to develop the skilled talent needed to advance industry and solve society’s greatest challenges. In the 16 varsity sports the University of Central Florida sponsors, the UCF Knights teams have won a total of 148 Conference championships. In 2017, its football team capped an undefeated season with a Peach Bowl win over Auburn. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, and tennis. Its women’s sports are basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. The Knights participate in every sport sponsored by the Big 12 except equestrian, gymnastics, swimming and diving, and wrestling. The Big 12 sponsors every sport the Knights compete in except men’s soccer.

The University of Cincinnati is a public research university with an enrollment of 46,798. Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati offers 414 degree programs. Over its athletics history, the Cincinnati Bearcat teams have combined to win 116 Conference championships. The men’s basketball program has accounted for 41 Conference titles and two national championships. This past season, the University of Cincinnati football team took a perfect record and a #8 College Football Playoff (CFP) ranking into a Peach Bowl date with Georgia.

Cincinnati sponsors 18 varsity sports. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and swimming and diving. Its women’s sports are basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, lacrosse, outdoor track and field, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and volleyball. The Bearcats participate in every sport sponsored by the Big 12 except equestrian, gymnastics, men’s tennis, rowing, softball, and wrestling. The Big 12 sponsors every sport the Bearcats compete in except women’s lacrosse.

Established in 1927, the University of Houston is a Tier I research institution with over 47,000 students enrolled in its 408 undergraduate, masters and PhD programs. Its athletic success includes 158 Conference titles, 17 NCAA team champions, 1,059 All-Americans, 63 Olympians, and one Heisman Trophy winner. Last season was highlighted by the men’s basketball team’s run to the Final Four.

Houston sponsors 17 varsity sports. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. Its women’s sports are basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, and volleyball. The Cougars participate in every sport sponsored by the Big 12 except equestrian, gymnastics, men’s tennis, rowing, and wrestling. The Big 12 sponsors every sport in which the Cougars compete.

Beginning its 26^th year, the Big 12 has produced over 720 Academic All-America selections and claimed national championship team titles in 19 of its 23 sponsored sports. Its student-athletes and teams have combined for over 700 individual NCAA titles and 69 team national championships.

Beginning July 1^st, 2025, the Big 12 Conference will comprise 12 universities – Baylor, BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, and West Virginia. The additions jump the Big 12 footprint from five States and 40.2 million people, to eight States with over 76.5 million total inhabitants.

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