Baylor wants football fans to 'rise up' in wake of Big 12 scare

After the near-death of the Big 12, Baylor will start a new marketing campaign encouraging fans to fill Floyd Casey Stadium.

Edwards defends himself against Flores charge that he got too involved in Big 12 talks

GOP candidate Bill Flores criticized U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards recently, saying Edwards should not have involved himself in the Big 12/Pac-10 skirmish of recent weeks.

Baylor excited about scheduling in new-look Big 12

The revised Big 12 Conference will project both new and old school values.

After Big 12 ordeal, Baylor and Waco community leaders see value of 'all hands on deck'

The concerted effort to save the Big 12 has brought an added degree of solidarity to Baylor's relationships with community leaders.

Staying in Big 12 a boost to Baylor academically as well

Despite all the discussion about athletics in the recent conference realignment, Baylor's participation in the Big 12 means quite a bit for the academic function of the school.

Big 12 exhales after conference's near demise; commish talks about future

When the siege of the Big 12 ended, the University of Texas athletic program emerged richer and more powerful than ever. But each of the 10 remaining Big 12 teams won.

John Werner: Baylor staying in Big 12 a cause for celebration

Baylor coach Art Briles summed up the joy he was feeling in seven words: “It’s like we’ve been given new life.”

Baylor coaches, officials cherish news of Big 12 Conference remaining intact

The Big 12 conference will remain intact, as Baylor had hoped, after the schools involved in a possible move to the Pac-10 agreed to the parameters of a deal to stay put.

Waco politicians, city and business leaders celebrate big off-the-field win for Baylor

Local politicians, city and business officials celebrated with Baylor University on Monday night after what appears to be one of the biggest victories of a year filled with big wins for Baylor athletics.

Big 12 official sweetens TV deal for remaining schools with 11th-hour pitch

Commissioner Dan Beebe's plan would give Big 12 universities an average of $17 million annually, comparable to the SEC.

Baylor, others discussing future of Big 12 even if Pac-10 exodus occurs

As Texas legislators call for delaying decisions and friction between Baylor and TCU is rumored, the five remaining Big 12 schools are looking to add teams from other conferences.

John Werner: Big 12 turmoil turns Baylor's sweet spring sour

Is anybody’s head spinning? I know mine is. Baylor's spring for the ages has unexpectedly turned into a summer of fear and uncertainty.

Starr's first days: Possible Big 12 breakup hands new Baylor president an early crisis

A week and a half into his tenure, Baylor president Ken Starr finds himself faced with a task more monumental than reaching Baylor's goal of a $2 billion endowment.

Baylor mounts effort to keep 10-team Big 12 together, but reports say it may be too late

Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw and President Ken Starr said they will work around the clock to preserve the league.

Texas House calls Wednesday hearing on Big 12; governor candidates stay out of issue

The hearing could be an afterthought if Texas and other Big 12 schools make their decisions Tuesday.

Colorado leaves Big 12; Baylor, others remain in limbo

The Big 12 isn't dead yet, but it might be on its last legs.

Baylor leaving Big 12 could have big impact on Waco economy

The fate of Baylor University may have serious effects on not only the Waco economy, but also the overall economy of the state of Texas.

State's top politicians not making pitch to help Baylor stay in Big 12

Despite a fresh round of pleas from notable Baylor University alumni and Waco business leaders, Gov. Rick Perry has declined to intervene.

Brice Cherry: Blame Big 12's demise on leadership

So the conference realignment fight has truly begun.Of course, it hasn't been much of a fight by the Big 12, which is taking its lumps from both left (the Pac-10) and right (the Big Ten).

Source: Nebraska will leave Big 12, join Big Ten

Nebraska is planning to accept a bid to the Big Ten, which could spell the end of the Big 12.

John Werner: Colorado has TV market, Baylor better program

With Nebraska planning to bolt to the Big Ten, the Big 12 could fold after two more seasons. The Pac-10 will be ready to pick apart the league, beginning with the Texas Longhorns.

Baylor president Ken Starr reiterates desire for Big 12 Conference to stay together

Baylor University president Ken Starr, a mere week into the job, emphasized unity for the Big 12's Texas schools on Monday.

John Werner: Big 12's fate lies in Nebraska's decision

The Cornhuskers, who feature one of the best all-around athletic programs in the country, are a critical bargaining chip in the Big 12's next round of television negotiations with Fox next spring.

'Armageddon' for Baylor? Regent to legislators: Don't split Texas teams

Baylor regent Neal T. “Buddy” Jones is reaching out to alumni legislators to make a full-court press to keep Baylor aligned with its historic Texas rivals — in the Big 12 or the Pac-10.

Texas lawmakers offer Baylor an ally in realignment talks with Pac-10

If the Pac-10 expands, Texas legislators could put pressure on the league to invite Baylor among six Big 12 schools, a source told the Tribune-Herald.

Big 12 breakup could leave Baylor, north teams without golden ticket

One thing seems clear in the almost-hourly Big 12 shuffle: Nobody seems to want Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor and Iowa State.

Rumor mill — Where Big 12 members may land

Texas to the Pac-10? Missouri to the Big Ten? Check out possible destinations.

Baylor and Big 12 officials optimistic conference will remain intact

Baylor and Big 12 officials expressed optimism that the conference can remain intact, despite rumors that the Pac-10 and Big Ten are preparing to raid the conference.

John Werner: Let's stay together in the Big 12

I’d like to see the Big 12 stick around forever. Unfortunately, with big-money TV contracts calling the shots...

John Werner: Baylor staying in Big 12 a cause for celebration

Baylor coach Art Briles summed up the joy he was feeling in seven words: “It’s like we’ve been given new life.”

John Werner: Big 12 turmoil turns Baylor's sweet spring sour

Is anybody’s head spinning? I know mine is. Baylor's spring for the ages has unexpectedly turned into a summer of fear and uncertainty.

Brice Cherry: Blame Big 12's demise on leadership

So the conference realignment fight has truly begun.Of course, it hasn't been much of a fight by the Big 12, which is taking its lumps from both left (the Pac-10) and right (the Big Ten).

John Werner: Colorado has TV market, Baylor better program

With Nebraska planning to bolt to the Big Ten, the Big 12 could fold after two more seasons. The Pac-10 will be ready to pick apart the league, beginning with the Texas Longhorns.

John Werner: Big 12's fate lies in Nebraska's decision

The Cornhuskers, who feature one of the best all-around athletic programs in the country, are a critical bargaining chip in the Big 12's next round of television negotiations with Fox next spring.

John Werner: Let's stay together in the Big 12

I’d like to see the Big 12 stick around forever. Unfortunately, with big-money TV contracts calling the shots...

 

Read our livechat

Trib sportswriter John Werner answered your questions for an hour June 14 on all the Big 12 hubbub. Click here to read the transcript.

 

Letter from State Rep. Doc Anderson to chancellors, regents of Big 12 Texas universities

This letter urging the postponement of conference realignment decisions was sent Friday, June 11 to Texas universities.

LIVEBLOG: Baylor AD holds press conference on Big 12 issues

Read our live account of Ian McCaw and Ken Starr's comments at the Friday, June 11 press event.

Statement from Baylor President Ken Starr on Big 12 developments

Baylor President Ken Starr called for unity among the remaining Big 12 members.

 

Waco Politics Report

The Austin perspective on conference realignment

 

Guest column: Big 12's holding together is great for our entire state

For generations, we Texans have enjoyed the high-stakes — and highly entertaining — athletic rivalries between our great state’s top universities. These rivalries are fueled by our love of our alma maters, the proximity of our wonderful universities and the regular meetings of our ...

EDITORIAL: Lessons for Big 12, Act II

Hallelujah! The league holds together, but let's embrace lessons from this affair.

Bill White, guest columnist: Governor should address conference alignments, other Texas university issues

Gov. Rick Perry has said each board of Texas’ universities should make its own “wise” decision on athletic conference alignments. Our state deserves more leadership than that on conference alignment and other issues affecting the future of Texas’ universities. In ...

Donnis Baggett: Time to step up, Gov. Perry, and show leadership amid threats to the Big 12

Gov. Perry, wherefore art thou? You don’t write, you don’t call, you don’t send flowers anymore . . . Your loyal friends in the Baylor Nation need to hear from you, Governor. We’ve always been there for you, and now we need to know where you stand ...

Chet Edwards, guest columnist: Texas Legislature can solve Big 12 controversy

When it comes to standing up for Baylor and its future, the Texas Legislature can make a difference. I know, because in 1989, when I was a Texas state senator, that is exactly what we did. Now it’s time for our legislative leaders in Austin to do it again, and that is why I have urged ...

EDITORIAL: As the Big 12 crumbles, the silence from Austin is deafening

While Texans are in a state of near-shock at the sudden crumbling of the Big 12, we're amazed at what is either paralysis or stunning indifference by our top state leaders.

Henry H. Walbesser, guest columnist: Real reasons for dumping Big 12 have nothing to do with academics

There has been a plethora of reports recently about the possible demise of the Big 12 Conference and enlargement of the Big Ten and Pac-10 sports conferences. This provides humor and questions from the ridiculous claims. For example, how can the movement of the University of Colorado to the ...

Jim Dunnam, guest columnist: Vibrant public discussion needed before Texas schools defect from Big 12

Given that Texas’ three largest public universities may now play a third of all future sporting events two time zones away, public input is needed.

EDITORIAL: Political muscle could aid in fight to protect Big 12 rivalries, our economic prosperity

Enlisting state lawmakers to keep the Big 12's Texas rivals together, whether in the Big 12 or an expanded Pac-10, might strike some casual observers as strange, even inappropriate, but we wholeheartedly back such efforts.

Ken Starr, guest columnist: Baylor, other Big 12 Texas schools must stick together in any conference realignment

Remaining aligned with our fellow Big 12 institutions in Texas is significantly positive for Baylor and Central Texas. Any change that disrupts those affiliations will most certainly have negative financial consequences.

EDITORIAL: Big 12 intrigue shouldn't make Baylor forget its potential in so many areas

It's worth remembering that many blessings have fallen upon Baylor - and not just in the field of athletics but in academics and research.