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Texas A&M Asks To Leave Big 12 Conference

In this Nov. 20, 2010 file photo, Texas A&M  quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) and Evan Eike (65) celebrate with fans after beating Nebraska 9-6 in an NCAA college football game in College Station, Texas.
David J. Phillip
/
AP
In this Nov. 20, 2010 file photo, Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) and Evan Eike (65) celebrate with fans after beating Nebraska 9-6 in an NCAA college football game in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M notified the Big 12 Conference that it had intentions to play elsewhere. In a press release, the College Station, Texas university said if it is accepted in another conference, it would end its Big 12 membership on June 30, 2012.

Here's a bit from President R. Bowen Loftin:

"As I have indicated throughout this process, we are seeking to generate greater visibility nationwide for Texas A&M and our championship-caliber student-athletes, as well as secure the necessary and stable financial resources to support our athletic and academic programs," Loftin said. "This is a 100-year decision that we have addressed carefully and methodically. Texas A&M is an extraordinary institution, and we look forward to what the future may hold for Aggies worldwide."

While Loftin did not specify an application timeline in his letter to the Big 12, he previously indicated that he does not intend to prolong the application process for an extended period of time.

USA Todayreports that the Aggies are expected to move to the Southeastern Conference. A&M was previously a member of the Southwestern Conference, until it broke up in 1996. The New York Times says now two big questions remain: What team replaces A&M in the Big 12 and what team does the SEC recruit to round off 14 teams?

Attention now turns to which university the Big 12 will bring in to replace Texas A&M. League officials have long stated their wish list as Notre Dame, Arkansas and Brigham Young for a 10th member, with full knowledge of the minuscule odds of Notre Dame or Arkansas leaving their current situations for the Big 12.

... Who will become the SEC's 14th team? The move, if a team is plucked from the Atlantic Coast Conference or the Big East, could prompt a major shift in the college sports landscape. The SEC is not opposed to playing the 2012 season with a 13-team league, but league officials expect the league to balance out at 14 for scheduling purposes.

Note at 7:29 p.m. ET: Earlier we said A&M has been a part of the SEC. They were a part of the Southwestern conference.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

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Eyder Peralta is NPR's East Africa correspondent based in Nairobi, Kenya.