University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University To Remain In The Big 12

NewsOn6.com 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- Oklahoma and Oklahoma State announced that they would both remain in the Big 12 after speculation that they would both end up in the Pac-10.

Both schools sent out press releases Monday evening stating their intentions.

"The decision to stay in the Big 12 represents a consensus position which resulted from a collaborative effort with our colleagues in the conference," said President David Boren and athletic director Joe Castiglione in a joint release. "We value the strong working relationship that has been reaffirmed during this process among the conference members. We intend to work very hard to make the conference as lasting and dynamic as possible. We appreciate the respect and interest that has been shown to OU during this process."

"We applaud Commissioner Beebe's bold moves and intense efforts over the past several days to keep the conference not only together, but also more viable than ever," said Oklahoma State president Burns Hargris. "We also appreciate the collaboration of all conference members to reach this agreement."

Texas says it is also staying in the Big 12.

Shortly after Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott confirmed to The Associated Press in an e-mail that the University of Texas had declined an invitation to join his conference, the Longhorns put out a statement saying they would "continue competing in the Big 12."

University president William Powers Jr. wouldn't give any details about why the school decided to stay put when asked by the AP. Texas has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday morning.

Texas A&M also says it will stay in the Big 12.

Both Nebraska and Colorado decided last week to leave the conference over the next two years.

6/11/2010 Related Story: Fans React To Big 12 Breakup

Get more on the conference realignment on OKBlitz.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.