The ripple effects of Nebraska's decision to leave the Big 12 Conference for
the Bigger 10 will be felt well beyond the football field. No sport will be
more impacted than Big 12 women's gymnastics which, with the Huskers exit
next season, is left with only 3 teams to compete the sport. That's the
fewest number of teams in any sport in the conference. 2010 National
runner-up Oklahoma, 2010 National finalist Missouri, and Iowa State are all
that will remain.
Meanwhile, with Nebraska added to the roster, Big 10 women's gymnastics
grows to 8 total teams - one larger than the Southeastern Conference. It
will include traditional powers Michigan and Penn State along with emerging
programs like Iowa and Illinois.
But that's not all. Utah, whose gymnastics program had not been affiliated
with a conference, has signed up to join the Pac-10. This move cements the
Pac-10 as a true conference powerhouse - one that will rival the SEC year in
and year out. To wit: Utah and UCLA have won a combined 15 of the 29
National Championships in women's gymnastics. And Oregon State and Stanford
are consistent Super Six qualifiers in their own right.
The first question one might ask is "Will the Big 12 continue to sanction
women's gymnastics with only 3 teams?" In the short term, the answer is
most likely yes. With both Title IX and budget concerns looming, large
conferences are not usually keen on canceling, or expanding, women's sports.
However, in the long run, Oklahoma, Iowa State and Missouri could, like
Utah, opt for independent status in the sport - or even join other
conferences for women's gymnastics. Though unlikely, the Big 12 could
persuade another school to start a women's gymnastics program. Both the
University of Texas and Baylor have long been mentioned as possibilities.
There is currently no major university in the State of Texas with a NCAA
women's gymnastics program.
These conference changes will also have significant impacts on scheduling.
Utah has regularly trekked eastward to take on SEC teams such as LSU,
Florida, Georgia, and Alabama in past seasons. But with 7 weeks of
conference opponents to book each year - and a conference championship meet
- there will be precious little time on the calendar for the Utes to
schedule a ton of non-conference opponents.
The opposite holds true for remnants of the Big 12. The Sooners, Tigers and
Cyclones will each have one additional week in which to schedule a
non-conference opponent. Since each of these programs has, and can again,
host NCAA Regional meets, look for some big name opponents to travel to
Norman, Columbia, and Ames - and vice versa.
Nebraska's long gymnastics tradition, terrific fans, and great home venue
are a huge boost to the Big 10. Likewise, Utah's history as a national
power and NCAA leading attendance will elevate the Pac-10 to the next level.
The unfortunate losers in this shakeup are the 3 remaining teams in the Big
12 that sponsor women's gymnastics.
Posted via email from LSU Gymnastics
