Bob Stoops' team is joining the PAC-10 early last year.
Norman, OK – In a move likely to open many eyes around the country, Oklahoma announced it would be joining the PAC-12 retroactively, effective March 31st, 2010. The announcement means that Oklahoma will get to claim a share of the 2010 PAC-10, which it will share with the University of Oregon, which had previously been the sole recipient of 2010 PAC-10 conference champion honors. Said OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione of the move:
“(PAC-12 Commissioner) Larry Scott made us an offer we couldn’t refuse. Our fan base was getting tired of piling up the same Big 12 trophy over and over, and Larry stepped in and gave us an opportunity to immediately trade one of those in for something different.”
For their willingness to share their conference title, Oregon was awarded Oklahoma’s 2003 Big 12 South Title, as well as Oklahoma State’s 2007 Insight Bowl championship trophy.
Oklahoma faces The University of Tulsa later today. Due to scheduling constraints relating to the Sooner’s conference move, Tulsa will be playing on behalf of the University of California Golden Bears, who host Fresno State University at Candlestick Park in San Francisco tonight. A Tulsa win would give Cal the inside track in the new-formed PAC-13 North Division.
It is yet to be decided whether Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State will officially join the Sooners in the move, stay tuned for more details as this story emerges.
