Texas lawmakers make push for Houston's inclusion into the Big 12

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

ESPN

 

HOUSTON -- About two dozen Texas lawmakers are supporting efforts to get the University of Houston admitted to the Big 12 Conference.

 

State Reps. Garnet Coleman and Bill Callegari, both from the Houston area, co-wrote a letter Thursday asking Big 12 officials to consider adding the university to the conference.

 

"UH is the third largest university in Texas, and is on track to rank among the top research universities in this state," the letter says. "Despite UH's local and statewide prominence, the university does not belong to a strong BCS conference such as the Big 12. The Cougars, the city of Houston, and the state of Texas deserve better."

 

Houston is a member of Conference USA and was a member of the Southwest Conference until 1995.

 

Conference USA officials did not immediately respond Thursday to messages left by The Associated Press. Big 12 officials said commissioner Dan Beebe was not available to comment.

 

The Big 12 is set to lose two schools after Nebraska committed to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-10. Beebe has said the league has no plans to add any teams from within its five-state area, which includes Texas.

 

Coleman said he is not deterred by Beebe's stance.

 

"I don't quit," Coleman told the Houston Chronicle. "I don't start something I'm not going to finish. If I didn't think this was a worthy endeavor, I wouldn't have started it. This is the beginning of this effort, not the end."

 

Earlier this week, Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder said he believed that any new member of the Big 12 would have to bring $15 million in value.

 

"I don't really think right now that there's anybody that brings that kind of value, and then it would complicate matters if you had 11 schools," he said. "I think 10's a good number. I really believe that it gives our conference champion a better chance to advance to the BCS Championship Game."

[irafreak]

Interesting how when Nebraska was on top the south really wanted that conference title game...now 12 teams is a bad idea because of that title game....

[deedsker15]

Interesting how when Nebraska was on top the south really wanted that conference title game...now 12 teams is a bad idea because of that title game....

interesting isn't it...

[Husker66]

ESPN

 

HOUSTON -- About two dozen Texas lawmakers are supporting efforts to get the University of Houston admitted to the Big 12 Conference.

 

State Reps. Garnet Coleman and Bill Callegari, both from the Houston area, co-wrote a letter Thursday asking Big 12 officials to consider adding the university to the conference.

 

"UH is the third largest university in Texas, and is on track to rank among the top research universities in this state," the letter says. "Despite UH's local and statewide prominence, the university does not belong to a strong BCS conference such as the Big 12. The Cougars, the city of Houston, and the state of Texas deserve better."

 

Houston is a member of Conference USA and was a member of the Southwest Conference until 1995.

 

Conference USA officials did not immediately respond Thursday to messages left by The Associated Press. Big 12 officials said commissioner Dan Beebe was not available to comment.

 

The Big 12 is set to lose two schools after Nebraska committed to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-10. Beebe has said the league has no plans to add any teams from within its five-state area, which includes Texas.

 

Coleman said he is not deterred by Beebe's stance.

 

"I don't quit," Coleman told the Houston Chronicle. "I don't start something I'm not going to finish. If I didn't think this was a worthy endeavor, I wouldn't have started it. This is the beginning of this effort, not the end."

 

Earlier this week, Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder said he believed that any new member of the Big 12 would have to bring $15 million in value.

 

"I don't really think right now that there's anybody that brings that kind of value, and then it would complicate matters if you had 11 schools," he said. "I think 10's a good number. I really believe that it gives our conference champion a better chance to advance to the BCS Championship Game."

 

 

What is it with these lawmakers...dont mean this to be a political statament but...

 

We have unemployment, hunger, gulf crisis, wars, more problems than most can fit in their brain...etc. etc. etc. and they are involved in College football? Again!?

 

they should lose their jobs. lets let college football be college football, not a part of the legislative branch

[sd'sker]

ESPN

 

HOUSTON -- About two dozen Texas lawmakers are supporting efforts to get the University of Houston admitted to the Big 12 Conference.

 

State Reps. Garnet Coleman and Bill Callegari, both from the Houston area, co-wrote a letter Thursday asking Big 12 officials to consider adding the university to the conference.

 

"UH is the third largest university in Texas, and is on track to rank among the top research universities in this state," the letter says. "Despite UH's local and statewide prominence, the university does not belong to a strong BCS conference such as the Big 12. The Cougars, the city of Houston, and the state of Texas deserve better."

 

Houston is a member of Conference USA and was a member of the Southwest Conference until 1995.

 

Conference USA officials did not immediately respond Thursday to messages left by The Associated Press. Big 12 officials said commissioner Dan Beebe was not available to comment.

 

The Big 12 is set to lose two schools after Nebraska committed to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-10. Beebe has said the league has no plans to add any teams from within its five-state area, which includes Texas.

 

Coleman said he is not deterred by Beebe's stance.

 

"I don't quit," Coleman told the Houston Chronicle. "I don't start something I'm not going to finish. If I didn't think this was a worthy endeavor, I wouldn't have started it. This is the beginning of this effort, not the end."

 

Earlier this week, Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder said he believed that any new member of the Big 12 would have to bring $15 million in value.

 

"I don't really think right now that there's anybody that brings that kind of value, and then it would complicate matters if you had 11 schools," he said. "I think 10's a good number. I really believe that it gives our conference champion a better chance to advance to the BCS Championship Game."

 

 

What is it with these lawmakers...dont mean this to be a political statament but...

 

We have unemployment, hunger, gulf crisis, wars, more problems than most can fit in their brain...etc. etc. etc. and they are involved in College football? Again!?

 

they should lose their jobs. lets let college football be college football, not a part of the legislative branch

i partially agree, but this is just the state legislature. and the houston representatives would be doing their job if they got houston in the big 12, and when i say they would be doing their jobs, i mean they would be doing something that would certainly get them re-elected. the strength and viability of state universities is a big deal to state representatives and closely linked to the legislature seeing how they fund schools and need to get money in their districts.

[EbylHusker]

Hmm, the state should not be involved in state universities? O rly?

[Captain K]

Nebraska out, Houston in. There goes the argument that the conference is stronger. And I'm not talking just football-wise.

[zoogs]

ESPN

 

HOUSTON -- About two dozen Texas lawmakers are supporting efforts to get the University of Houston admitted to the Big 12 Conference.

 

State Reps. Garnet Coleman and Bill Callegari, both from the Houston area, co-wrote a letter Thursday asking Big 12 officials to consider adding the university to the conference.

 

"UH is the third largest university in Texas, and is on track to rank among the top research universities in this state," the letter says. "Despite UH's local and statewide prominence, the university does not belong to a strong BCS conference such as the Big 12. The Cougars, the city of Houston, and the state of Texas deserve better."

 

Houston is a member of Conference USA and was a member of the Southwest Conference until 1995.

 

Conference USA officials did not immediately respond Thursday to messages left by The Associated Press. Big 12 officials said commissioner Dan Beebe was not available to comment.

 

The Big 12 is set to lose two schools after Nebraska committed to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-10. Beebe has said the league has no plans to add any teams from within its five-state area, which includes Texas.

 

Coleman said he is not deterred by Beebe's stance.

 

"I don't quit," Coleman told the Houston Chronicle. "I don't start something I'm not going to finish. If I didn't think this was a worthy endeavor, I wouldn't have started it. This is the beginning of this effort, not the end."

 

Earlier this week, Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder said he believed that any new member of the Big 12 would have to bring $15 million in value.

 

"I don't really think right now that there's anybody that brings that kind of value, and then it would complicate matters if you had 11 schools," he said. "I think 10's a good number. I really believe that it gives our conference champion a better chance to advance to the BCS Championship Game."

 

 

What is it with these lawmakers...dont mean this to be a political statament but...

 

We have unemployment, hunger, gulf crisis, wars, more problems than most can fit in their brain...etc. etc. etc. and they are involved in College football? Again!?

 

they should lose their jobs. lets let college football be college football, not a part of the legislative branch

 

College football is a big money-making enterprise that involves a lot of public, government funded schools. There's nothing wrong with the government taking some interest in this from a business/economics angle.

[Ponderosa]

I'm telling ya by the time this is all done - the Big XII will become the SWC - Part II. With OU and OSU.

UT (or the legislature) seems to have a burning desire to be in total control.

 

IMHO, it would be best if the Texas schools were all in different conferences.

A&M to SEC, TTU to PAC-10, Texas to Big Ten. As champions of their conferences they could have an all Texas title game.

Then again they might acutally have to recruit from outside of Texas.

[Husker66]

ESPN

 

HOUSTON -- About two dozen Texas lawmakers are supporting efforts to get the University of Houston admitted to the Big 12 Conference.

 

State Reps. Garnet Coleman and Bill Callegari, both from the Houston area, co-wrote a letter Thursday asking Big 12 officials to consider adding the university to the conference.

 

"UH is the third largest university in Texas, and is on track to rank among the top research universities in this state," the letter says. "Despite UH's local and statewide prominence, the university does not belong to a strong BCS conference such as the Big 12. The Cougars, the city of Houston, and the state of Texas deserve better."

 

Houston is a member of Conference USA and was a member of the Southwest Conference until 1995.

 

 

Will OK, I am not real good with all this state and local govt stuff so Ill take this as am oppty to learn something...but it sure seems like a whole lot more people involved than ever before. I guess the numbers are so big and college sports is really changing. soon State and local govt will be involved in recruiting! haha

 

Conference USA officials did not immediately respond Thursday to messages left by The Associated Press. Big 12 officials said commissioner Dan Beebe was not available to comment.

 

The Big 12 is set to lose two schools after Nebraska committed to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-10. Beebe has said the league has no plans to add any teams from within its five-state area, which includes Texas.

 

Coleman said he is not deterred by Beebe's stance.

 

"I don't quit," Coleman told the Houston Chronicle. "I don't start something I'm not going to finish. If I didn't think this was a worthy endeavor, I wouldn't have started it. This is the beginning of this effort, not the end."

 

Earlier this week, Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder said he believed that any new member of the Big 12 would have to bring $15 million in value.

 

"I don't really think right now that there's anybody that brings that kind of value, and then it would complicate matters if you had 11 schools," he said. "I think 10's a good number. I really believe that it gives our conference champion a better chance to advance to the BCS Championship Game."

 

 

What is it with these lawmakers...dont mean this to be a political statament but...

 

We have unemployment, hunger, gulf crisis, wars, more problems than most can fit in their brain...etc. etc. etc. and they are involved in College football? Again!?

 

they should lose their jobs. lets let college football be college football, not a part of the legislative branch

 

College football is a big money-making enterprise that involves a lot of public, government funded schools. There's nothing wrong with the government taking some interest in this from a business/economics angle.

 

OK this govt stuff is not my strong suit...just seems like a whole lotta people involved.

[irafreak]

ESPN

 

HOUSTON -- About two dozen Texas lawmakers are supporting efforts to get the University of Houston admitted to the Big 12 Conference.

 

State Reps. Garnet Coleman and Bill Callegari, both from the Houston area, co-wrote a letter Thursday asking Big 12 officials to consider adding the university to the conference.

 

"UH is the third largest university in Texas, and is on track to rank among the top research universities in this state," the letter says. "Despite UH's local and statewide prominence, the university does not belong to a strong BCS conference such as the Big 12. The Cougars, the city of Houston, and the state of Texas deserve better."

 

Houston is a member of Conference USA and was a member of the Southwest Conference until 1995.

 

Conference USA officials did not immediately respond Thursday to messages left by The Associated Press. Big 12 officials said commissioner Dan Beebe was not available to comment.

 

The Big 12 is set to lose two schools after Nebraska committed to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-10. Beebe has said the league has no plans to add any teams from within its five-state area, which includes Texas.

 

Coleman said he is not deterred by Beebe's stance.

 

"I don't quit," Coleman told the Houston Chronicle. "I don't start something I'm not going to finish. If I didn't think this was a worthy endeavor, I wouldn't have started it. This is the beginning of this effort, not the end."

 

Earlier this week, Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder said he believed that any new member of the Big 12 would have to bring $15 million in value.

 

"I don't really think right now that there's anybody that brings that kind of value, and then it would complicate matters if you had 11 schools," he said. "I think 10's a good number. I really believe that it gives our conference champion a better chance to advance to the BCS Championship Game."

 

 

What is it with these lawmakers...dont mean this to be a political statament but...

 

We have unemployment, hunger, gulf crisis, wars, more problems than most can fit in their brain...etc. etc. etc. and they are involved in College football? Again!?

 

they should lose their jobs. lets let college football be college football, not a part of the legislative branch

i partially agree, but this is just the state legislature. and the houston representatives would be doing their job if they got houston in the big 12, and when i say they would be doing their jobs, i mean they would be doing something that would certainly get them re-elected. the strength and viability of state universities is a big deal to state representatives and closely linked to the legislature seeing how they fund schools and need to get money in their districts.

I only have a problem with this part right here...it's not their job to get re-elected. State officials were designed to serve....of course college football used to be about a lot more than money too.

[sd'sker]

ESPN

 

HOUSTON -- About two dozen Texas lawmakers are supporting efforts to get the University of Houston admitted to the Big 12 Conference.

 

State Reps. Garnet Coleman and Bill Callegari, both from the Houston area, co-wrote a letter Thursday asking Big 12 officials to consider adding the university to the conference.

 

"UH is the third largest university in Texas, and is on track to rank among the top research universities in this state," the letter says. "Despite UH's local and statewide prominence, the university does not belong to a strong BCS conference such as the Big 12. The Cougars, the city of Houston, and the state of Texas deserve better."

 

Houston is a member of Conference USA and was a member of the Southwest Conference until 1995.

 

Conference USA officials did not immediately respond Thursday to messages left by The Associated Press. Big 12 officials said commissioner Dan Beebe was not available to comment.

 

The Big 12 is set to lose two schools after Nebraska committed to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-10. Beebe has said the league has no plans to add any teams from within its five-state area, which includes Texas.

 

Coleman said he is not deterred by Beebe's stance.

 

"I don't quit," Coleman told the Houston Chronicle. "I don't start something I'm not going to finish. If I didn't think this was a worthy endeavor, I wouldn't have started it. This is the beginning of this effort, not the end."

 

Earlier this week, Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder said he believed that any new member of the Big 12 would have to bring $15 million in value.

 

"I don't really think right now that there's anybody that brings that kind of value, and then it would complicate matters if you had 11 schools," he said. "I think 10's a good number. I really believe that it gives our conference champion a better chance to advance to the BCS Championship Game."

 

 

What is it with these lawmakers...dont mean this to be a political statament but...

 

We have unemployment, hunger, gulf crisis, wars, more problems than most can fit in their brain...etc. etc. etc. and they are involved in College football? Again!?

 

they should lose their jobs. lets let college football be college football, not a part of the legislative branch

i partially agree, but this is just the state legislature. and the houston representatives would be doing their job if they got houston in the big 12, and when i say they would be doing their jobs, i mean they would be doing something that would certainly get them re-elected. the strength and viability of state universities is a big deal to state representatives and closely linked to the legislature seeing how they fund schools and need to get money in their districts.

I only have a problem with this part right here...it's not their job to get re-elected. State officials were designed to serve....of course college football used to be about a lot more than money too.

well, it is kind of semantical or circular logic or something, but they get re-elected by serving and the serve to get re-elected, and so forth. i just meant that it is something their constituents would much appreciate. i think you and i see it the same, i am just a little more cynical. one of the few things i remember from my poli. sci. degree is fenno's 3 rules for representatives: good laws, prestige in the legislature, and getting re-elected. i know it is very simple, but those three principles are the foundations of a legislator's motive. sorry for the rant, i'm just saying, i think we actually agree; i just conveyed my thought with a more cynical tone. houstonians would love it and it would be good for the school.

[huKSer]

well, it is kind of semantical or circular logic or something, but they get re-elected by serving and the serve to get re-elected, and so forth. i just meant that it is something their constituents would much appreciate. i think you and i see it the same, i am just a little more cynical. one of the few things i remember from my poli. sci. degree is fenno's 3 rules for representatives: good laws, prestige in the legislature, and getting re-elected. i know it is very simple, but those three principles are the foundations of a legislator's motive. sorry for the rant, i'm just saying, i think we actually agree; i just conveyed my thought with a more cynical tone. houstonians would love it and it would be good for the school.

not necessarily in that order

[TheCheshireCat]

One more school for Texas recruits to consider... bad for us.

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

Nebraska out, Houston in. There goes the argument that the conference is stronger. And I'm not talking just football-wise.

To their favor, Houston did have a pretty good run in the late 80's and early 90's. I see Houston as being a lot like TCU. They may not be tough but they'll play you tough and every once in a while, they'll trip you up.