Oregon and Washington join the Big Ten: Tony Petitti said “excited to welcome”
Tony Petitti said “We are excited to welcome the University of Oregon and the University of Washington to the Big Ten Conference.” The same day, The Pac-12 Conference said “Today’s news is incredibly disappointing for our student-athletes, fans, alumni and staff.”
Published Aug 4, 2023 to Nov 10, 2023.
Quotes
The Big Ten
Robert Jones, COP/C chair and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign chancellor
When considering the full spectrum of academic, athletic and research excellence, the alignment with our member institutions is extremely clear.
Big Ten Conference, Aug 4, 2023
Release, via Penn State Athletics (gopsusports.com); the Big Ten's release
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
Oregon and Washington
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
The Pac-12 and its schools
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 Pac-12 Conference
We remain focused on securing the best possible future for each of our member universities.
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
Jayathi Murthy, Oregon State University president
We believe the preservation of the Pac-12 is in the best interests of all member universities, student-athletes and fans.
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,
The record
- Announcement date (Big Ten release)
- August 4, 2023Big Ten Conference, Aug 4, 2023
- Admission effective, per release
- August 2, 2024Big Ten Conference, Aug 4, 2023
Sources
- Big Ten Conference, Aug 4, 2023 Archived copy
“University of Oregon and University of Washington to Join Big Ten Conference in 2024”
- Oregon State University, Aug 4, 2023 Archived copy
“Today's news regarding the Pac-12”
Message published by Oregon State University (leadership.oregonstate.edu); from the Office of the President to the OSU community
- 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”
- Sports Illustrated, Aug 4, 2023 Archived copy
“Oregon, Washington Officially Set to Join Big Ten Following Unanimous Vote”
- 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')
Statement, as quoted by CBS Sports (Dean Straka); the Pac-12's statement
- NPR, Nov 10, 2023
“Oregon State's president doesn't want to do away with the Pac-12 conference”