Official - A&M sends notice to Beebe, Big 12 that they are exploring options

[knapplc]

Stewart Mandel, via Twitter:

Breaking: Texas A&M sends official notice to Dan Beebe and Big 12 that they will explore conference options.

[knapplc]

Andy Staples follows with:

 

In the letter A&M prez Loftin sent to Beebe, he asked that the B12 spell out withdrawal procedures.

[knapplc]

And here's the first article, from the Houston Chronicle:

 

Aggies notify Big 12 they intend to ‘explore options’ on league front

 

COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M has made its first official move outside of Aggieland in its plans to exit the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference. The Aggies on Thursday afternoon sent the Big 12 office in Dallas a letter explaining the Aggies are “exploring options related to the institution’s athletic conference affiliation.”

 

An A&M insider said the letter is simply the first official, legal step in the process of A&M exiting the Big 12 for the SEC. The Big 12’s directors board is scheduled to meet on Saturday, the insider said, and perhaps at that time release the Aggies from the conference. If so, the SEC would then be free in the days following to invite A&M as its 13th member, and the Big 12 likely would officially begin its pursuit of a 10th member to take A&M’s place – perhaps BYU, Notre Dame, Houston or SMU, among other candidates.

 

A&M’s letter to the Big 12 is similar to the process that Nebraska, now in the Big Ten, followed in its exit from the Big 12 last year (Colorado also left for the Pac-12, leaving the Big 12 with 10 members). In A&M’s letter to Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe, A&M president R. Bowen Loftin “indicated that if the university withdraws from the conference, Texas A&M would do so in a way that complies with the Big 12’s bylaws. Additionally, Texas A&M would be supportive of the Big 12’s efforts to seek a new member of the conference,” according to an A&M release.

 

Said Loftin in the release, “As I have indicated previously, we are working very deliberately to act in the best long-term interests of both Texas A&M and the State of Texas. This truly is a 100-year decision. While we understand the desire of all parties to quickly reach a resolution, these are extremely complex issues that we are addressing methodically.”

 

Loftin added, “Ultimately, 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. As a public university, Texas A&M owes it to the state’s taxpayers to maximize our assets and generate additional revenues both now and well into the future.”

 

No timetable has been set for an announcement that A&M will join the SEC, as the Aggies continue working through the legal process, the insider said.

[AgMarauder04]

Dear ISU, KU, KSU, Mizzou, Tech, OU, and OSU: You're cool. It's been real.

 

Dear tu and Baylor: Go eff yourselves and your LHN and lawsuit threats in the ear.

 

WE'RE OUTTA HERE!!!

 

"Eastbound and down..."

[knapplc]

Staples has an article up. Dude types fast!

 

Texas A&M tells Big 12 it will explore conference options

 

Texas A&M has taken the next step toward leaving the Big 12 and joining the SEC.

 

A letter from Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin was delivered Thursday afternoon to Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe to inform Beebe that Texas A&M is exploring its conference options. In the letter, Loftin asked Beebe to outline the procedures required should the Aggies decide to leave the conference.

 

"If Texas A&M withdraws from the Conference, we want to do so in a way that complies with the Bylaws and is supportive of your efforts to seek a new member of the Conference," Loftin wrote in the letter. "We would appreciate your conferring with the other member institutions and outlining for us the process to be followed by Texas A&M should it withdraw from the Conference."

 

The letter is similar to the one sent last year by Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman shortly before the Cornhuskers left the Big 12 for the Big Ten. At the time, it also appeared Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado would leave the Big 12 and join the Pac-10. Only Colorado left. Beebe worked with television partners ESPN and Fox to stitch together a financial package attractive enough to keep the other schools in the conference. As part of the reformation of the 10-school Big 12, exit penalties were stiffened to discourage further departures.

[HuskerFanChuck]

And here's the first article, from the Houston Chronicle:

 

Aggies notify Big 12 they intend to ‘explore options’ on league front

 

COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M has made its first official move outside of Aggieland in its plans to exit the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference. The Aggies on Thursday afternoon sent the Big 12 office in Dallas a letter explaining the Aggies are “exploring options related to the institution’s athletic conference affiliation.”

 

An A&M insider said the letter is simply the first official, legal step in the process of A&M exiting the Big 12 for the SEC. The Big 12’s directors board is scheduled to meet on Saturday, the insider said, and perhaps at that time release the Aggies from the conference. If so, the SEC would then be free in the days following to invite A&M as its 13th member, and the Big 12 likely would officially begin its pursuit of a 10th member to take A&M’s place – perhaps BYU, Notre Dame, Houston or SMU, among other candidates.

 

A&M’s letter to the Big 12 is similar to the process that Nebraska, now in the Big Ten, followed in its exit from the Big 12 last year (Colorado also left for the Pac-12, leaving the Big 12 with 10 members). In A&M’s letter to Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe, A&M president R. Bowen Loftin “indicated that if the university withdraws from the conference, Texas A&M would do so in a way that complies with the Big 12’s bylaws. Additionally, Texas A&M would be supportive of the Big 12’s efforts to seek a new member of the conference,” according to an A&M release.

 

Said Loftin in the release, “As I have indicated previously, we are working very deliberately to act in the best long-term interests of both Texas A&M and the State of Texas. This truly is a 100-year decision. While we understand the desire of all parties to quickly reach a resolution, these are extremely complex issues that we are addressing methodically.”

 

Loftin added, “Ultimately, 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. As a public university, Texas A&M owes it to the state’s taxpayers to maximize our assets and generate additional revenues both now and well into the future.”

 

No timetable has been set for an announcement that A&M will join the SEC, as the Aggies continue working through the legal process, the insider said.

 

Billy Luicci of the A&M rivals site said the same. Should be interesting, and basically says 'We're out of here, thanks for everything/nothing, and glad to be gone.'

[knapplc]

Dear ISU, KU, KSU, Mizzou, Tech, OU, and OSU: You're cool. It's been real.

 

Dear tu and Baylor: Go eff yourselves and your LHN and lawsuit threats in the ear.

 

WE'RE OUTTA HERE!!!

 

"Eastbound and down..."

 

I'm pretty sure you're going to get a lot of support from Nebraska Fan on this one. Good luck, Aggies. This is going to be a tough year. But just think what you have to look forward to:

 

[AgMarauder04]

Don't let Looch see you said he's part of rivals...he'll be PISSED

 

He's actually a part of TexAgs...competitor and WAY better than rivals.

[knapplc]

WAY better than rivals.

 

That isn't saying much. Rivals leaves a lot to be desired, IMVHO.

[AgMarauder04]

WAY better than rivals.

 

That isn't saying much. Rivals leaves a lot to be desired, IMVHO.

 

Yeah...Rivals sucks. Billy Liucci of TexAgs has been right this ENTIRE process. He has been quick and accurate, always giving the best info....and of course, most of TexAgs is now prepared to be "Nebraska'd" by the Big 9's refs this year :/

[Scarlet Overkill]

It's about time. Now I don't have to keep checking all the A&M related sites and may actually prove to be a productive citizen again.

[knapplc]

WAY better than rivals.

 

That isn't saying much. Rivals leaves a lot to be desired, IMVHO.

 

Yeah...Rivals sucks. Billy Liucci of TexAgs has been right this ENTIRE process. He has been quick and accurate, always giving the best info....and of course, most of TexAgs is now prepared to be "Nebraska'd" by the Big 9's refs this year :/

You're going to get screwed, and what sucks is this looked like a possibly good season for you with that tough DEF you have. Not sure if it will be as blatant as it was against Nebraska, but it could be worse since you're more a part of the family than we ever were.

[NebHusker72]

Finally! Should've listened to us last year! Aw, well....congrats aTm and good luck.

[knapplc]

Text of Loftin's letter to Mr. Beebe:

 

Dear Commissioner Beebe:

 

As you know, the Texas A&M Board of Regents has authorized me to take action relating to Texas A&M University's ("Texas A&M") conference alignment. While this letter is not a notice of Texas A&M's withdrawal from the Big 12 Conference (the "Conference"), we are exploring our options. There has been a great deal of speculation and comment in the media about Texas A&M leaving the Conference, including discussions of other institutions joining the Conference.

 

If Texas A&M withdraws from the Conference, we want to do so in a way that complies with the Bylaws and is supportive of your efforts to seek a new member of the Conference. We would appreciate your conferring with the other member institutions and outlining for us the process to be followed by Texas A&M should it withdraw from the Conference.

 

We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Sincerely,

 

R. Bowen Loftin

President

[Street Novelist]

absolutely hilarious! watch the state of panic in Texas over the next few days