West Virginia to join Big 12 Conference in 2012

By Kevin Kelley -

Big 12The West Virginia Mountaineers have accepted an invitation to join the Big 12 Conference, it was announced today.

West Virginia will become a full member of the Big 12 on July 1, 2012. Their current conference, the Big East, requires a 27-month waiting period before leaving. The release indicates that the Mountaineers will be able to bypass that hurdle.

The Mountaineers should replace Missouri, who many expect to leave the conference for the SEC. Texas A&M left the Big 12 earlier this year and was replaced by TCU.

The departure of West Virginia leaves the Big East with only five football playing members. But the conference is expected to expand to 12 and is talking to Air Force, Boise State, Houston, Navy, SMU and UCF.

“The Big 12 Presidents and Chancellors are excited to welcome another outstanding institution to the Conference,” said Burns Hargis, Chair of the Big 12 Board of Directors and President of Oklahoma State University. “The addition of West Virginia, while expanding the reach of the Big 12, brings an impressive institution with esteemed academics and a proud athletic tradition into the Conference. This is another step in building a strong foundation for the future of the Big 12.”

“The Big 12 is a perfect fit for West Virginia University,” said WVU President Dr. James P. Clements. “It is a strong conference that, like WVU, values quality academic and athletic programs, and has a great tradition of success. This is a very exciting time for WVU and Mountaineer nation. I am confident that the future of WVU athletics has never been more promising.”

“We are excited to add West Virginia to our exceptional lineup of Conference members,” said Big 12 Interim Commissioner Chuck Neinas. “They bring an excellent overall athletic program to the Big 12 and allow the league to expand into an area that boasts a passionate group of fans and alumni throughout its region.”

Comments (9)

a decent football team but a long ways to send the minor sports teams for volleyball,baseball, track,etc, shows how desperate texas and the 9 dunces are.

hello remember penn state thats right wvu going down same road we cant even win in the big east lol.

jeers to big east teams for wanting to leave. They claim lack of competition , but if that’s true then why are they constantly kicking each others buts and nocking each other off. If you ask me it’s the most competitave ncaa conference. Now jeers to the big for wanting to bring in boise state , houston ect. The key word in big east is EAST… East coast not west coast.

wv what a joke big east powerhouse bcs champs not. big 12 will turn us to the easy win chumps

I really wish they went to the ACC. Larger scale of good schools to play. WVU has a fantastic football team, they need to prove it to other schools that sadly underestimate their power. GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!

Really excited about joining the Big 12. Shame the Big East dropped the ball 20 years with Penn State. Eastern football was always competitive. If it was my choice, Big Ten would been the best – closer for teams and fans. Still glad to be in the Big 12!!!

Great really solid school , great fit both ways . . they deserve WAY better than the big east anyway !!!

it is only going to help the big12. champion from mwc. champion from big east, orange bowl winner, getting rid of 2 mediocre teams. tcu better than a&m, wv better than mo. big12 will be strong from top to bottom(except for kans, and who knows new coach may help there) checked big12 schedule and they arefinally going to do what the sec does and evey team plays an FCS team. conf will be good next year.