Posted on 06/19/2010 4:14:53 PM PDT by Bad~Rodeo
On Thursday, Texas State Representatives Bill Callegari (District 132, Katy) and Garnet Coleman (District 147, Houston) joined other Houston-area legislators calling for the inclusion of the University of Houston in the Big 12 conference.
In a letter addressed to the president of each university in the conference and the Big 12 commissioner, the legislators noted that, "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."
Last week, the size of the Big 12 conference shrunk by two as the universities of Colorado and Nebraska announced their decision to compete elsewhere. This week, all Texas schools in the Big 12 -- the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Baylor -- announced their commitment to stay in the conference. These recent changes have prompted speculation as to whether additional schools may be included in the prestigious conference.
Representative Coleman added, "Now that the Big 12 is staying together, there's one path forward for Texas' universities that would bring the most benefit to our state: include more Texas teams in the conference. The University of Houston has shown the ability to compete on a national playing field and should be invited to join. Elevating more Texas schools would advance our student athletes and our institutions of higher education, serving as an economic boost to Houston and the state as a whole."
The letter signed by the Houston-area legislators noted that, "The University of Houston is ready for the Big 12. The Cougars concluded an inspired, well-played 2009 football season where they ranked as high as 12th in the nation. Already, pre-season 2010 polls place the team in the top 25." Legislators also noted that the University of Houston plans to build a new football stadium and renovate its existing basketball arena.
The legislators also observed that including UH in the Big 12 would accrue several advantages to the University, including improved athletic opportunities, heightened national recognition, improved athletic and academic recruiting, and greater sports revenues. "In light of these advantages," the letter continues, "the University of Houston would be well-served by being included in the Big 12."
Separately, Representative Callegari observed, "If our goal is to create more top tier public universities in Texas, then we must seize upon opportunities such as this to help. Including UH in the Big 12 puts the school in a class of academic and athletic peers, moving that proverbial ball down the field towards achieving tier one status."
Representative Callegari continued, "If UH is selected for the Big 12, it would make Houston the largest metropolitan area to host a conference team. Just as UH and the Houston area would benefit from this partnership, so, too, would the Big 12 as it taps into one of the largest, and growing, fan-base and television market in Texas and the United States."
The letter signed by Houston-area legislators noted that Texas Christian University "has also demonstrated its ability to compete on a national playing field and, like the University of Houston, has earned consideration for Big 12 muster." The letter concludes urging the Big 12's decision-makers to include the University of Houston and TCU in the conference.
Representative Callegari represents the West Harris County and Katy areas in the Texas House of Representatives. Representative Coleman represents the Houston area in the Texas House. His district includes the University of Houston.
Not sure the Big XII-2 want to share the loot. But if any are added, those two might be good choices. They don’t really add any TV market though.
Bingo, Big 12 has already said that Houston brings nothing to the table in terms of TV Markets
Houston was pretty fun to watch last year. The beat Okie State and some other big school that I cannot remember.....maybe Texas Tech??
Yes they were. They beat Tech 29-28. It was cool to see the excitement in their fans faces
The truth of the matter is that UH and TCU can play with most division one schools. The could beat either Nebraska or Colorado, for instance.
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