MSU Welcomes Nebraska To Big Ten
6/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | General
June 11, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The leaders of the Big Ten today approved the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's application to join the conference. Nebraska's board of regents voted Friday to apply for membership.
"By unanimous vote, the Big Ten presidents and chancellors are pleased to welcome the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to the Big Ten Conference," said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, chairperson of the Big Ten's council of presidents/chancellors. "We believe Nebraska is an extraordinary fit, reflecting the criteria we established at the beginning of the process - high-academic quality, competitiveness, cultural compatibility and fiscal responsibility.
"The extensive and in-depth discussions my colleagues and I have had about Big Ten expansion permitted us to act expeditiously and prudently on the application submitted by Nebraska. We look forward to working with our colleagues at UNL in the years ahead."
Additional comments regarding Nebraska's admission into the Big Ten . . .
MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis:
"We're excited about Nebraska's admission into the Big Ten Conference. Across the board, Nebraska's sports are extremely competitive on the national level. There are very few programs that can rival the Nebraska football brand, which ranks fourth in the NCAA in all-time victories. In addition, Nebraska boasts a number of quality head coaches, including Bo Pelini (football), John Cook (volleyball), Doc Sadler (men's basketball), Connie Yori (women's basketball) and Mike Anderson (baseball).
"Nebraska is a perfect fit, academically and athletically, and I look forward to collaborating with Dr. Tom Osborne as we begin a new chapter in the Big Ten's storied history."
MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio:
"First, I'd like to congratulate Nebraska on its admittance into the Big Ten. Nebraska has a tradition-rich football program, and it certainly increases the value of the Big Ten brand. It's going to be exciting and challenging to compete against the Cornhuskers in the nation's premier conference. The game-day atmosphere in Lincoln is truly special.
"During my four years as an assistant at Kansas and my first two years as an assistant at Michigan State, I had an opportunity to compete against Tom Osborne-coached Nebraska teams. Coach Osborne had a Hall of Fame career, winning three National Championships.
"Now, Bo Pelini is doing great things at Nebraska. His teams have won 19 games over the last two seasons.
"As you know, I have great appreciation for the tradition of the college game and I admire the coaching connection between Nebraska and Michigan State. Legendary Nebraska head coach Bob Devaney got his start as an assistant under former Spartan head coaches `Biggie' Munn and Duffy Daugherty in the 1950s. All three of those coaches are members of the College Football Hall of Fame."