Walnut Creek, Calif. — The Pacific-10 Conference announced Thursday that the University of Colorado at Boulder has accepted an invitation to join the Conference as its 11th member, the league’s first new member since July 1, 1978.
“This is an historic moment for the Conference, as the Pac-10 is poised for tremendous growth, ” said Commissioner Larry Scott. “The University of Colorado is a great fit for the Conference both academically and athletically and we are incredibly excited to welcome Colorado to the Pac-10. ”
“On behalf of The University of Colorado students, faculty, alumni and fans, we are proud to accept this invitation from the Pac-10 and join the most prestigious academic and athletic conference in the nation, “said Philip P. DiStefano, chancellor of CU-Boulder.
“The University of Colorado is a perfect match — academically and athletically — with the Pac-10, ” said University of Colorado President Bruce D. Benson, “our achievements and aspirations match those of the universities in the conference and we look forward to a productive relationship. ”
Scott, DiStefano, Benson, CU Board of Regents Chairman Steve Bosley and CU Athletic Director Mike Bohn and others will hold the official press conference on Friday, June 11, 2010 at 11:00 a. m. MDT on the club level at Folsom Field in Boulder.
At Thursday’s PAC-10 press conference, PAC-10 Commissioner Larry Scott declined to elaborate on there being any more major moves with in the week, but in response to a question about travel distance, suggested that if the conference were enlarged further that they would look into division scenarios as a way to limit travel requirements.
In response to questions about the suddenness of the invitation and acceptance, CU President Bruce Benson said that discussions had been going on for some time. He added that academically, the university has been involved in research and collaboration with several universities in the PAC-10 and he felt that the faculty would have a favorable response to the move.
Responding to a question about how the addition of more schools would affect the financial aspects, Commissioner Scott said that a consulting firm has been studying the issues and making several models and that these factors were considered by the PAC-10 university presidents and chancellors when they authorized him to make the offer.