A day we will never forget.
What were you doing on Friday when you learned Arizona officially joined the Big 12 along with ASU and Utah, perhaps bringing about the demise of the Pac-12?
Some in social media have tried to boost their business and identity through hyping all the expansion rumors, even if some of those rumors were not true.
Give people what they want no matter what — similar to acting like you’re throwing a bone for a dog to run after, and the dog realizes nothing was thrown, yet still comes back for the bone salivating.
Now what will people chew on?
Two more Big 12 schools to make it 18 members?
Perhaps San Diego State will bring a piece of the Southern California market?
Maybe Oregon State and Washington State could still hop on to this Big 12 Bandwagon (as was suggested in a Tweet on Friday).
What would conference realignment be without Twitter and social media?
Here is a collection of some of the many tweets regarding today’s news of Arizona, ASU and Utah officially headed to Utah as well as it being a done-deal that Oregon and Washington joined the Big Ten (reuniting with USC and UCLA even though they are still in the same conference presently).
From an Arizona perspective: From Ricky Hunley to Lute Olson to Sean Elliott to Dick Tomey … so long Conference of Champions.
The most significant day in college athletics history. The Conference of Champions essentially goes away, buried under the altar of commerce. From Jackie Robinson to John Wooden to Reggie Bush to Bill Walsh. One less major conference, a century of tradition.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) August 5, 2023
Make that three times now that Arizona was forced to persuade Arizona State from making the right move to another conference with them — Border Conference to WAC, WAC to Pac-10 and now Pac-12 to Big 12.
even better. Sound familiar ASU fans? From the Citizen https://t.co/DecyW2VQto pic.twitter.com/D8CEkptDb4
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) August 4, 2023
So, I was curious, ASU was hesitant to leave the Border Conference also. Clipping from the Star in 1961 https://t.co/X1hnXsxwww pic.twitter.com/GAq9aroxpK
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) August 4, 2023
Yes, this is a view you won’t see in Manhattan, Kansas.
Hey, @Big12Conference writers…. you’ll enjoy the view from the press box patio on the west side of Arizona Stadium. pic.twitter.com/1NgcwUiFSh
— Anthony Gimino (@AGWildcatReport) August 5, 2023
The drama of it all …
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) August 5, 2023
Just don’t complain about kickoffs before noon. That’s much better than having to stay awake past midnight for a game to finish.
And, we are National! EST, CST, MST, PST…. pic.twitter.com/Gdx1HCfPQC
— Jedd Fisch (@CoachJeddFisch) August 5, 2023
Oregon vs. Washington rivalry will become that much more intense.
Oregon says it plans to continue its rivalry with Oregon State in all sports.
I asked Oregon State AD Scott Barnes about the rivalry’s future.
“To be determined.”
Barnes, on one of the longest day’s in OSU athletics history.https://t.co/aZZsRYQmIX
— Nick Daschel (@nickdaschel) August 5, 2023
Big 12 basketball tournament at Las Vegas? The question is not will it happen, it’s when will it happen?
My two cents worth: I believe schools such as Arizona, ASU, BYU and Utah will lobby for the Big 12 to pursue having their conference basketball tournament in Las Vegas in addition to the football championship. It could alternate between Las Vegas and Kansas City for the hoops…
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) August 5, 2023
Arizona will still be able to recruit California, including talent-rich Southern California, but it sure would be nice for the fan base there and for the exposure to still have games in that area.
By moving to the Big 12, Arizona will play in recruiting hotbeds of Texas, Florida and Ohio (53 players on Ohio State’s roster are from Ohio), but not Southern California.
Important that Arizona schedules non-conference games with USC, UCLA and/or SDSU over the years.
AND…— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) August 5, 2023
Don’t know about you but I’m kinda interested if Bob Huggins will be coaching Kriisa in this game.
Just think of Kerr Kriisa as a super senior coming to McKale in early 2025 with the WVU Mountaineers…
— Tom Duddleston (@TomDudd) August 5, 2023
Softball and baseball greatly affected with a majority of the schools leaving the West coast to play most of their games in a season. Remember, many of Arizona’s softball recruits come from California.
no more back the pac i guess😔 https://t.co/0DFCTz2Kvz
— paige dimler (@DimlerPaige) August 5, 2023
Imagine seeing this 10 years ago as a prediction …
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) August 5, 2023
Pause to think about those who are adversely affected by this and are not excited about what an Arizona-Baylor football game could bring.
Today is a historic day for the schools involved in conference realignment, but it’s an awful day for the incredible people who work tirelessly for the Pac-12.
So many lives are affected. I feel for Pac-12 employees. Hang in there, y’all.
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) August 5, 2023
The traditionalist that I am, I’d rather watch UCLA play Arizona at McKale, but, hey, having Kansas come to Tucson is not bad either.
Kansas vs. Arizona at McKale Center on Feb. 17, 2025 for the Big 12 lead (yes, I am making up the date, etc.) … BUT who’s excited? pic.twitter.com/YlXLbHFJIV
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) August 4, 2023
The Pac-12 for years wanted to isolate itself because it was proud of being entirely research universities that offer Ph.D.s in various disciplines. That’s all well and good but you can be that way and also broaden your horizon in the scope of college athletics.
Statement from the Pac-12 Conference: pic.twitter.com/XKwEqw9A3C
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) August 5, 2023
The Pac-12’s inability to get an attractive media rights deal made the conference crumble. No foresight. Passive. Wishful thinking. … You get what you deserve. All these schools leaving the Pac-12 HAD TO LEAVE. https://t.co/EMM2Irp7yv
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) August 4, 2023
This all trails to Larry Scott’s ineptitude to make the Pac-12 a bigger brand because of missed opportunities due to an arrogance of “everything is okay because we are the Pac-12.”
And to think some media types actually lauded Larry Scott becoming the Pac-12 commissioner way back when because of his management of the Association of Tennis Professionals. The ATP? That should have been a red flag from the start.
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) August 5, 2023
BYU vs. Arizona was a significant rivalry in the WAC about 50 years ago. Hello, old friend. Same goes for Texas Tech and the Border Conference days. Nice to see you again, Red Raiders.
And, hey, BYU is a conference rival again for Arizona for the first time since the 1977-78 school year when both were in the WAC.
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) August 5, 2023
Remember when Arizona vs. Texas Tech was a thing in football from the Border Conference days and even into the Wildcats’ existence in the WAC?
Does it become a “thing” again now that it looks like they’re back in the same conference?
(Arizona Daily Star clipping from 1975 game… pic.twitter.com/Y0iMnO6JpW— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) August 4, 2023
Time and again, Arizona president Robert C. Robbins voiced his support of Arizona remaining in the Pac-12 and keeping the conference together, but he had no choice with the Pac-12 not achieving a lucrative media-rights deal. No-brainer.
Pleased @UArizona will join @Big12Conference in all sports beginning in the 24-25 academic year. @AZAthletics serves as the front porch for the university and this secures a bright future for student-athletes, fans & our community.
Full statement: https://t.co/qG7mZ8ua8Y pic.twitter.com/aedReZUJ13
— Robert C. Robbins (@UArizonaPres) August 5, 2023
ASU president Michael Crow and AD Ray Anderson finally came around as well, following Robbins’ lead.
Ray Anderson: “The financial package is strong. The stability of the Big 12 is strong. We are ready, and the timing is right. The exposure and visibility as well as the resources from the conference will help us compete for championships. From enhancing our ability to recruit…
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) August 5, 2023
Replace those games with UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington!
Arizona’s move to the Big 12 will mean having to replace nonconference football games over the next 4 years
Wildcats were set to begin a home-and-home at Kansas State in 2024, playing in Tucson in 2025, and another with BYU in 2026-27. Also have a 2034 game at Texas Tech.
— Brian Pedersen (@realBJP) August 4, 2023
Off to a new frontier of dining possibilities. Bar-B-Q, anyone?
Arizona fans: When I reported on the Arizona baseball team in 1993, the Wildcats played at Oklahoma State in an NCAA regional. A restaurant that sticks out in my mind and is highly popular in Stillwater, Okla., was Eskimo Joe’s. Check it out! pic.twitter.com/spRMQ1r6lJ
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) August 4, 2023
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator five years ago and is presently a special education teacher at Gallego Fine Arts Intermediate in the Sunnyside Unified School District.
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