Colorado administrators release statements on move back to Big 12 Conference

The move is now official — Colorado will be joining the Big 12. After leaving the conference back in 2010, the Buffaloes will be returning after a stint in the Pac-12. Just the latest move in realignment, officials in Boulder voted to join prior to the 2024 football season on Thursday afternoon.

Colorado Chancellor Philip DiStefano and athletic director Rick George released a statement shortly after the vote, explaining why going back to the Big 12 was a good move for the program. They called the upcoming era an “exciting” one even if it was not an easy decision to make.

“After careful thought and consideration, it was determined that a switch in conference would give CU Boulder the stability, resources, and exposure necessary for long-term future success in a college athletics environment that is constantly evolving,” DiStefano and George said. “The Big 12’s national reach across three time zones as well as our shared creative vision for the future we feel makes it an excellent fit for CU Boulder, our students, faculty, and alumni.     

“These decisions are never easy and we’ve valued our 12 years as proud members of the Pac-12 Conference. We look forward to achieving new goals while embarking on this exciting next era as members of the Big 12 Conference.”

Colorado was a founding member of the Big 12 back in 1996. It was the combination of the Big 8 and the Southwest Conference, creating a real presence in the Central Time Zone, even if Colorado is in the Mountain Time Zone.

They will now get back into familiar territory while also having the chance to travel to the Eastern Time Zone. Three different Big 12 teams are now on EST, with West Virginia being the furthest out. Some long plane rides are on deck, even if DiStefano and George view the Big 12’s range as a positive.

As for the Board of Regents, the chair, Callie Rennison, represented them with a statement. They thanked the Pac-12 for the decade-plus of memories before saying everyone in Boulder is excited to get back to the Big 12.

“The Board of Regents unanimously agreed to grant the University of Colorado Boulder authority to enter into an agreement with the Big 12 conference,” Rennison said. “Being a part of the Pac-12 has been wonderful for Boulder athletics, and we appreciate all the conference has done for our student-athletes.

“We are pleased that CU Boulder will return to the Big 12 for athletics competition. We are thankful for the due diligence and time put in by Chancellor DiStefano and Athletics Director George, and we appreciate President Saliman bringing their conference affiliation recommendation to the Board of Regents. We look forward to seeing Buff athletics achieve great things on and off the fields of play.”