The University of Colorado has decided to bring that old thing back and return home. The CU Board of Regents voted on Thursday to join the Big 12 Conference effective for the 2024-25 academic year.
The move was more of a formality as the news had been bubbling for weeks about the impending return. CU competed in the Big 12 previously from 1996-2010. Deion Sanders, CU’s head football coach, spoke about the possibility of the move earlier in July.
“Whoever you put on the schedule I want. I want our kids to be dominant, I want our kids to compete. I want our kids to win. I know at the end of the day it’s going to be business, and Rick is going to do the best thing for the University, he always has, I have full respect and understanding that Rick is going to do the right thing,” Sanders said.
Colorado left for the Pac-12 in 2011 and has had no bowl wins and just two winning football seasons since the move.
Joint Statement from Chancellor Philip DiStefano and Athletic Director Rick George
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. 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.
