The Goat Pen

http://www.tamu.edu/athletics/conferenceChange.html

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M University today officially notified the Big 12 Conference that the institution will submit an application to join another athletic conference. Should this application be accepted, Texas A&M will end its membership in the Big 12 Conference effective June 30, 2012.

“After much thought and consideration, and pursuant to the action of the (Texas A&M University System) Board of Regents authorizing me to take action related to Texas A&M University’s athletic conference alignment, I have determined it is in the best interest of Texas A&M to make application to join another athletic conference,” President R. Bowen Loftin wrote to Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe in the letter dated August 31, 2011.

“We appreciate the Big 12’s willingness to engage in a dialogue to end our relationship through a mutually agreeable settlement,” Loftin added. “We, too, desire that this process be as amicable and prompt as possible and result in a resolution of all outstanding issues, including mutual waivers by Texas A&M and the conference on behalf of all the remaining members.”

Texas A&M has participated in intercollegiate athletics as a member of the Big 12 since the conference’s founding 16 years ago. Last season, the Aggies claimed nine Big 12 championships and four national team titles, both of which were school-bests. Since joining the Big 12 prior to the 1996-97 athletic season, Texas A&M has won 55 conference championships, including 32 in the last five years.

Texas A&M finished eighth in the prestigious Director’s Cup all-sport rankings a year ago, tallying its most points ever and leading all Big 12 schools. In the inaugural Capital One Cup, which rates teams’ final rankings, the Aggies were the top-ranking university from the Big 12. The Aggie women finished second with five top-10 finishes, while the Aggie men finished tied for third with five top-10 finishes.

“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.

Texas A&M at a glance:

• Located in College Station, Texas.
  Home to more than 49,000 students, ranking as the sixth-largest university in the country, with more than 360,000 former students worldwide.
  Holds membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities, one of only 63 institutions with this distinction.
  Has an endowment valued at more than $5 billion, which ranks fourth among U.S. public universities and 10th overall.
  Conducts research valued at more than $630 million annually, placing it among the top 20 universities nationally and third behind only MIT and the University of California at Berkeley for universities without medical schools.
  Recognized as Home of the 12th Man, where students stand during football games to show support for the team – and for fellow Aggies – a personification of the Aggie Spirit.
  Corps of Cadets is recognized among the nation’s largest uniformed student bodies at more than 2,000 strong. Texas A&M commissions more officers than any other institution outside of the nation’s service academies.
  Named second in the nation by The Wall Street Journal among all universities, public and private, in a survey of top U.S. corporations, non-profits and government agencies, based on graduates that recruiters prefer to hire.

Welcome to the Big East!

can hardly wait for eco-aggie to make an appearance.

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fuck

aren't you supposed to be out consoling talent somwhere?

You all knew Wiz would be back. He's like allergies.

The only question is which division of the Big East aTm will end up in. The Hobos or The Vagabonds?

They'll be in the SEC.

A&M will fit right in to the So Everyone Cheats Conference.

My son lives in Philly now.

does he go by the name Alum Africa?

I don't get it.

JOHN AFRICA's Organization
The MOVE Organization surfaced in Philadelphia during the early 1970's.
Characterized by dreadlock hair, they adopted the surname "Africa",


yes, I'm old...

Hmmmm....

I remember the whole MOVE fiasco. Osage Avenue...the mayor wanted to smoke the squatters out...the smoke bomb basically acted simply as a bomb...all of that block of Osage Avenue burned down. The mayor (Wilson Goode) never recovered politically from that mess.

I remember Ramona Africa, more than anyone. I was a small kid when it happened, but that's all everyone talked about for days.

So im sitting at the bar at Montgomery Inn tonight next to a guy who would not stop talking about the football Bearcats and how excited he was for this season to begin. I told the dude that I only follow the Bearcats because I was born and raised here and as he could probably tell by my shirt and hat I was a Gator fan but I hoped his team did well this year and wished him luck. We talked a little more about college football and then he left. A few minutes later the room got loud and I realized they were broadcasting the UC coaches show on 1530 live. I was sitting next to Butch Jones. Had no idea. But as I left I tipped my hat to him, gave him the Gator clap and waved bye. He shot me with his hand and said "good luck gator".

How could you not recognize roided up Sabo?

I was eating ribs first off and I see Sabo every morning at UDF.

I was at the montgomery inn tuesday night - the one on the river

I ate way too much and am paying for it this morning.

If it really is Wiz, he will know where I can find quotes from the Dems about the war in Iraq.........