Finally! The odyssey known as Texas A & M has landed. The Aggies have spent the last month trying to reel in a spot in the SEC for next season and Sunday, they did it.
The Aggies were voted into the SEC back on Sept. 6, but the threat of legal action by some schools in the Big 12, including Baylor and Texas (with help from ESPN) kept the move from actually happening. Now with the legal ranglings over, the Aggies were welcomed into the SEC Sunday with open arms. And don’t for one minute think this is where it stops.
There are many schools in the Big 12 that are unhappy with the route Texas has taken with ESPN and the new Longhorn Network. That is well publicized. It will take something gigantic for this conference to stay together. Still, last week the remaining members pledged solidarity after approaching the brink of collapse, again, when several schools explored their options. Commissioner Dan Beebe was ousted and Chuck Neinas was installed as interim commissioner. This was viewed as a positive move for the possibility of conference stability.
However if the Big 12 is to indeed work, it needs members who are committed to making it successful and loyal. It does not need members who are constantly looking for reasons to leave.
It’s amazing what has been learned since Texas A & M’s first foray into joining the SEC at the beginning of September. It’s obvious now the Pac-12 doesn’t really want Texas and Oklahoma to join. They are completely happy with the 12 teams they have now. Also its evident Missouri doesn’t really have an invitation to join the SEC and needs to look elsewhere if the Big 12 folds.
In a statement, R. Bowen Loftin announced A&M will officially join the SEC on July 1, 2012 and compete in all sports in the 2012-13 academic year.
“We are excited to begin competition in the nation’s premier athletic conference, this is a 100-year decision that we have addressed carefully and methodically, and I believe the Southeastern Conference gives the Aggies the best situation of any conference in the country.”
What this will do to the annual rivalry between Texas and Texas A & M is unknown. Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds already is on record saying it would be “next to impossible” for the rivalry to continue if the Aggies left the Big 12.
New Big 12 commissioner Neinas had hoped to convince Texas A&M to stay. But never had the opportunity to convince them.
“I am personally saddened to see Texas A&M depart from the Big 12, and I wish I had the opportunity to visit the campus to sit down and talk with their administration, now that the status of Texas A&M has officially been determined, the membership can focus on the desired course for the conference moving forward.”
Recruiting should be interesting. Do the Texas high school players stay in the Big 12 with Texas or go to play in the best conference in America with the Aggies? It’s a decision waiting to happen.
The Aggies have already made theirs.
