By Teddy GreensteinIt's officially official: Nebraska is coming to the Big Ten.
The Big Ten's board of presidents and chancellors unanimously approved adding Nebraska on Friday, just a few hours after the school formally disclosed its interest.
Nebraska will join the league July 1, 2011.
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said the league's expansion study will continue for another 6-12 months, but declined to say whether Notre Dame or any other school was being considered. Delany also said he presumed there would be a Big Ten championship football game beginning in 2011.
Photo: Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman (left) and athletic director Tom Osborne discuss the move to the Big Ten. (Nati Harnik/AP)
Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick told the Tribune on Friday that none of the conference changes going on will have any impact on his school's desire to remain independent in football.
Illinois officials and coaches welcomed the addition of Nebraska to the conference.
"Nebraska is a special brand and is a very good fit for the Big Ten," athletic director Ron Guenther said. "They have a broad-based program including a nationally recognized football team. Nebraska is a good academic and geographic fit for the conference and I believe the culture is very similar to existing members in the Big Ten."
Football coach Ron Zook noted that Nebraska "will provide another challenge in an already extremely competitive conference, but we look forward to competing with the Cornhuskers as soon as the schedules can be coordinated.
Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman said the Big Ten offers stability "that the Big 12 simply cannot offer."
Nebraska's departure is a potentially crippling blow to the Big 12.
"We've had a couple disappointing days with the departure of two valued members," Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said during a teleconference, referring to Colorado's move to the Pacific-10.
Perlman said he believed Nebraska is much more "aligned" with the Big Ten than the Big 12 when it comes to academics, culture and athletics.
The university issued a statement that said for more than 20 years, Nebraska has compared itself to a list of 10 peer institutions established by the regents. Five of the 10 are Big Ten members; four are former Big Eight schools that joined Nebraska in the Big 12 in 1996.
"The University of Nebraska would have new opportunities with membership in the Big Ten -- and I believe the Big Ten would be a stronger conference as well," university president J.B. Milliken said.
Tribune News Services contributed
Illinois officials and coaches welcomed the addition of Nebraska to the conference.
"Nebraska is a special brand and is a very good fit for the Big Ten," athletic director Ron Guenther said. "They have a broad-based program including a nationally recognized football team. Nebraska is a good academic and geographic fit for the conference and I believe the culture is very similar to existing members in the Big Ten."
Football coach Ron Zook noted that Nebraska "will provide another challenge in an already extremely competitive conference, but we look forward to competing with the Cornhuskers as soon as the schedules can be coordinated.
Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman said the Big Ten offers stability "that the Big 12 simply cannot offer."
Nebraska's departure is a potentially crippling blow to the Big 12.
"We've had a couple disappointing days with the departure of two valued members," Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said during a teleconference, referring to Colorado's move to the Pacific-10.
Perlman said he believed Nebraska is much more "aligned" with the Big Ten than the Big 12 when it comes to academics, culture and athletics.
The university issued a statement that said for more than 20 years, Nebraska has compared itself to a list of 10 peer institutions established by the regents. Five of the 10 are Big Ten members; four are former Big Eight schools that joined Nebraska in the Big 12 in 1996.
"The University of Nebraska would have new opportunities with membership in the Big Ten -- and I believe the Big Ten would be a stronger conference as well," university president J.B. Milliken said.
Tribune News Services contributed
Thanks everyone for the welcome to the Big 10. As a Nebraska alum, I am really happy about this and am looking forward to great football in the years ahead.
Cheers!
Great day for us Husker fans in Chicago - great day for Big 10 football too. Huskers vs. Wis, Iowa, Minn, Ill, OSU, Mich, PSU, - what's not to like?
So the Big Ten has twelve teams, and the Big 12 has ten teams, go figure!
Welcome to the Big Ten, Big Red!! Can't wait to see the matchups: Nebraska, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State (and the others aren't too bad either!!)!! YeeHah!!!
BK on June 11, 2010 6:47 PM
Welcome to the conference that has, collectively, won one and a half national titles(or 1/2 more than BYU) over the past forty years, Nebraska.
If you don't return to glory now, you never will.
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haha, nice try bonehead, they've won a lot more than that.
The Illini Nation welcomes Nebraska as a conference colleague and a respected competitor. Welcome, Big Red!
Welcome to the conference that has, collectively, won one and a half national titles(or 1/2 more than BYU) over the past forty years, Nebraska.
If you don't return to glory now, you never will.
For those of us who love college football, this is like Christmas in June.
Great move for Nebraska and the Big Ten!!!
Hey, Welcome Nebraska!!! Cant wait to see you in the Big Ten! Great fit and great program! Way to go BIG TEN!
Welcome Huskers! It's about time. I think you will have a much better time visiting Madison, Ann Arbor and Champaign than you ever did in Stillwater, Ames or Columbia!
Welcome Nebraska! It is going to be really cool seeing the Huskers and their fans in the historic Big 10 stadiums in the coming years. I remember how cool it was when they played ND in South Bend, and now we get to see them in the Big House, Ohio Stadium, etc. Very nice.
I really like how this is going for the B10 right now.
Can't wait to see the newest member of the Big Ten, the Big Red, and can't wait to see them play in THE BIG HOUSE!
Big Red to the Big Ten! Welcome to the Cornhuskers and to the University of Nebraska fans. I see this as an excellent choice for growing the Big Ten. Looking forward to new rivalries in the Big Ten and in the probable Big Ten West division.
Wow, first time I have ever seen a post where all the posts are postive.
Welcome Nebraska!!! Nice to have you!!!
Welcome to the Big Ten!! We are glad to have you. And, this is just one more reason for m^ch#g!n to see RED.
I am so excited to see Nebraska moving to the Big Ten and look forward to the matchups. I know the fan base in the Big Ten is a huge step up. :)
Glad to part of a first class conference! We have always really respected the rich tradition of the big 10 and the fine academic programs. You all will love coming to Lincoln to cheer for your respective teams. We are very competitive but always treat vistitors well.
Welcome to the Big Ten Nebraska!!!!! Glad to have you.
Welcome aboard Huskers from Buckeyeland. You've greatly improved your status and the Big Ten has just picked up some of the classiest fans in the land.
Since the Big 10 actually had eleven teams, now that the Big 12 has ten teams, maybe it should call itself the Big 11.
Since the Big 10 actually had eleven teams, now that the Big 12 has ten teams, maybe it should call itself the Big 11.
I wish my dad was alive to see this. I am proud that the Big Ten fans seem as happy to have us as we are happy and privileged to join your great conference. I look forward to starting some rivalries big some of the greatest teams in the country. Go big red!
Hey Teddy, it's actually the Big XII
Hey Teddy, it's Harvey Perlman and he is the Chancellor.
Hmm. Now the Big Ten has 12 teams, and the Big 12 has ten teams. Maybe Delany called to ask for naming rights?
Hey, Teddy, its actually "Harvey" Perlman, not Tom :)
Welcome, Nebraska!! Glad to have you.
Teddy Greenstein,
I believe you may have made an honest mistake regarding the names of the University of Nebraska Administrators. If I am incorrect, my apologies.
President J.B. Milliken
Chancellor Harvey S. Perlman
Hey Teddy,
Glad to be joining the Big Ten and I'm sure us Husker fans have a lot to learn. However, lay off Tom! It was a notecard of all things. Competition with the Big Ten brothers will start soon enough. For now, we just want to enjoy the historic day.
This is definitely a solid pickup by the Big Ten, Nebraska is a natural fit in every way and was the best pick out there.
Welcome to the Big Ten Cornhuskers! Glad to have you onboard!