Mark Passwaters
Special to AggieYell.com
Talk about it in Northgate
What was once unthinkable has, apparently, come to pass. Texas A&M and the University of Texas, barring the unforeseen or political activity, will be heading their separate ways in 2011. The Aggies will be the newest member of the Southeastern Conference.
Aggieyell.com has confirmed through multiple sources that Pac-10 Commissioner Larry Scott met with members of the A&M Board of Regents in College Station Sunday morning. At that meeting, the Scott was informed that the board would be declining the conference's offer to join. Scott was the second conference head to visit College Station this weekend, with the SEC's Mike Slive being the first.
Aggieyell.com has been told by more than once source that the driving forces behind the move to the SEC are Board Chairman Morris Foster and A&M Chancellor Mike McKinney. In part due to a push by former A&M and Alabama head coach--and current Regent--Gene Stallings, there is a 6-3 board majority in favor of making the move to the SEC.
A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne was not involved in either meeting and has not been consulted on the decision by the board. This decision, sources indicate, will be the board's alone.
The support of Foster and McKinney, both close associates of Gov. Rick Perry, for the SEC has surprised many observers. Perry, who has repeatedly said he wanted the Texas teams to stick together--a move many thought meant he supported the Pac-10 concept. Perry has since said he intends to stay out of the process, which he may indeed be doing.
