Arkansas athletics director Jeff Long decided to release a statement to the media this afternoon amid speculation on the national landscape that Arkansas could be a viable option to join the second incarnation of the Big 12, which will soon have 10 teams after the announced departure of Nebraska and Colorado.
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Here’s the statement in its entirety:
“In recent weeks and months there has been much national dialogue regarding conference affiliation in intercollegiate athletics. In the course of that dialogue some have suggested that the University of Arkansas was an institution that may be pursued by other conferences. From the beginning, we have been very clear that the University of Arkansas is a proud member of the Southeastern Conference and has no interest in joining another conference. Chancellor Gearhart has been unwavering in his support of our institution’s continued membership in the SEC. Recent events have not in any way altered our commitment or desire to remain a member of what we believe is the strongest conference in the nation.”
This pretty much puts a close to this issue today, which first started with the rise of the morning sun when a couple of columnists wrote about the possibility of the Razorbacks leaving the SEC. Some in the SEC were worried, wrote one columnist. Another columnist said a source close to Jerry Jones may be trying to get Arkansas into the Big 12.
Well, let me say this: I have no reason to believe Jerry Jones maneuvering for changes in the deep, dark corridors of the conference landscape. More specificially, in my informed opinion, I have no reason to believe he is attempting to bring Arkansas to the Big 12 to once again face its old rivals from the Southwest Conference days.
Jones said Saturday that the relationship the Cowboys have with college football is “very important to us” and that he had great respect for the administrators, athletic directors and college presidents dealing with the difficult decisions.
“I’m far frankly more interested in just how college football means so much to [the NFL],” Jones said Saturday before the Big 12′s announcement to stay at 10 teams, according to ESPN.com. “It’s just the natural order of things, high school, college and pro. I’m more interest (sic) in that than trying to figure out [what the Big 12 is going to do].”
So that’s that.
Time to move on, folks.
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Should have gone without saying, but some people need a little help from Captain Obvious sometimes. Thank you, Mr. Long.
Really, why was this even a question?
Recruits typically like to play for and against the best teams in the best conferences. In this regard, the SEC and Razorbacks are leaps and bounds above UT, A&M and the LITTLE 10.
There is no way UT [or A&M] could bully the SEC, on or off the field, as with the LITTLE 10.
I was glad to see Slive stay behind the log and not overly react. After the smoke cleared, the SEC easily remains the best conference in the country and recruiting should only get better.
And thank you Frank Broyles for your wisdom in directing Arkansas to the SEC. May Jeff Long consult your wisdom in the important decisions that are facing the U of A.
Frank’s gone … let him go. Jeff Long doesn’t need Uncle Frank looking over his shoulder trying to tell him what to do.
For the final time, to everyone outside the SEC, “ARKANSAS ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE! THEY’RE STAYING IN THE BEST CONFERENCE IN AMERCIA, NAMELY THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE! OKEE-DOKEE?!”