June 10, 2010
TUCSON, Ariz.--The Pacific-10 Conference announced today that the University of Colorado has accepted an invitation to join the conference.
"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," said Commissioner Larry Scott.
The school reportedly will begin competition in the league in 2012. Scott and CU Chancellor Phil DiStefano will lead a formal press conference on the Colorado campus in Boulder at 11 a.m. (MDT) Friday.
Amid a wave of national media reports about potential league-expansion scenarios across the country, the Pac-10's announcement is the first official move of any institution from one league to another.
"The University of Arizona enthusiastically welcomes Colorado, our fellow AAU institution, to the Pac-10. We have along history of academic partnerships, especially in the areas of astronomy and astrophysics, and they will be a tremendous addition to our conference," said University of Arizona President Robert Shelton. The AAU is the Association of American Universities, a coalition of 63 of the nation's leading research institutions.
"Colorado is a tremendous addition to our conference," UA athletics director Greg Byrne said. "This could be a first step in the growth and direction of the Pacific-10 under commissioner Larry Scott. More details about the new affiliation will come out tomorrow (in Boulder), and all league partners will be watching closely," he said.
Colorado has been a member of the Big 12 Conference since its early beginnings as the "Big Six," the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association, beginning in 1948-49. When Oklahoma State rejoined an original group (Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraksa and Oklahoma) in 1958, the conference became known as the Big Eight. In 1994 it expanded to 12 members with the addition of Texas, Baylor, Texas A&M and Tecas Tech.
The Pac-10 last expanded in 1978 with the addition of Arizona and Arizona State.
Scott has told conference and institutional leaders that the Pac-10 is well-positioned to emerge from a period of national conference realignment as a strengthened and revitalized league with a bright future.
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Arizona football coach Mike Stoops said, "Colorado is a great university and this brings the Denver market into play for our conference. CU has had great success in athletics and fits the profile of what the Pac-10 is all about."
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UA men's basketball coach Sean Miller said, "It's a great day for everyone in the Pac-10. To add a university, a state and a market like the Boulder-Denver market is amazing as we move forward. Its addition makes us a much stronger conference.
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UA women's basketball coach Niya Butts said, "Any time you can add a program to our league like Colorado with a great tradition, I think it is something extremely positive. I am excited about the changes and look forward to moving forward into the future with Colorado a part of the conference."
