Oregon and Washington go to the Big Ten, and the Pac-12 answers the same day
The Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors voted to admit the University of Oregon and the University of Washington to the Big Ten on August 4, 2023, effective August 2, 2024. The Pac-12 called the news incredibly disappointing the same day.
Kirk Schulz and Pat Chun, Washington State president and athletic director
While we had hoped that our membership would remain together, this outcome was always a possibility, and we have been working diligently to determine what is next for Washington State athletics.
Sports Illustrated, Aug 4, 2023
Associated Press, via Sports Illustrated
The day of the vote
The Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors (COP/C) voted today to admit the University of Oregon and the University of Washington to the Big Ten Conference effective August 2, 2024 …
Big Ten Conference, Aug 4, 2023
Release, via Penn State Athletics (gopsusports.com); the Big Ten’s release
Tony Petitti, Big Ten commissioner
We are excited to welcome the University of Oregon and the University of Washington to the Big Ten Conference, …
Big Ten Conference, Aug 4, 2023
Release, via Penn State Athletics (gopsusports.com); the Big Ten’s release
What the schools and the Pac-12 said
Through Nov 10, 2023
Announces or welcomes the move
Ana Mari Cauce, University of Washington president
My top priority must be to do what is best for our student-athletes and our University, and this move will help ensure a strong future for our athletics program.
John Karl Scholz, University of Oregon president
I’m thrilled that the University of Oregon has the opportunity to join the nation’s preeminent academic-athletic conference, …
Article, via KPTV FOX 12 Oregon
Regrets or opposes the move
Jayathi Murthy, Oregon State University president
Well, clearly shock and disappointment that we’d take a 108-year-old conference and have it simply destroyed overnight - so a great deal of anger and, you know, I want to say a great deal of grief around that idea.
Interview, via WFAE (wfae.org); NPR All Things Considered interview with Juana Summers
The Pac-12 Conference
Today’s news is incredibly disappointing for our student-athletes, fans, alumni and staff of the Pac-12 who cherish the over 100-year history, tradition and rivalries of the Conference of Champions, …
Related
- Jul 29, 2021Texas and Oklahoma move to the SEC
- Sep 10, 2021The Big 12 adds BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF
- Jun 30, 2022USC and UCLA leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten
- Jul 27, 2023Colorado returns to the Big 12
- Oregon and Washington join the Big TenThis page
- Aug 4, 2023Arizona, Arizona State and Utah leave the Pac-12 for the Big 12
- Sep 1, 2023Stanford and Cal join the ACC
- Dec 22, 2023Florida State sues the ACC
Sources
News and releases
- Sports Illustrated, Aug 4, 2023·Archived copy
“Oregon, Washington Officially Set to Join Big Ten Following Unanimous Vote”
- Big Ten Conference, Aug 4, 2023·Archived copy
“University of Oregon and University of Washington to Join Big Ten Conference in 2024”
KPTV, Aug 4, 2023·Archived copy“Oregon and Washington officially join Big Ten”
Awful Announcing, Aug 4, 2023·Archived copy“Big Ten Conference officially adds Oregon and Washington”
CBS Sports, Aug 4, 2023·Archived copy“Pac-12 focused on securing ‘best possible future’ after losing five schools in one day to Big Ten, Big 12”
Statement, as quoted by CBS Sports (Dean Straka); the Pac-12’s statement, and this copy replaces the Indianapolis Business Journal copy of the same statement, whose wording differs (‘for student-athletes’)
- NPR, Nov 10, 2023
“Oregon State’s president doesn’t want to do away with the Pac-12 conference”