As if there were any doubt as to whether or not they would, Utah has accepted an invitation extended to them yesterday to become a member of the Pac-10.
With some state officials calling it “a red-letter day” for the institution, there were enough plaudits being thrown around by both sides to choke an average-sized adult male.
“The addition of the University of Utah as the Conference’s 12th member continues to strengthen the Pac-10’s goals of becoming the country’s leader in college athletics,” said commissioner Larry Scott. “The University of Utah is a great academic and athletic fit, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Pac-10.”
“I have no doubt that, speaking for the entire University of Utah family, we could not be more pleased to accept the invitation to join the Pac-10,” said Michael Young, University president. “The University of Utah will be a great contributor to an already great conference and this will be tremendous both academically and athletically for the University.”
Utah becomes the 12th school in the conference, but Scott stated at the press conference this afternoon that there was not yet a concrete plan as to whether the schools would be divided into divisions, let alone how. He also added that conference name is something that will be addressed in the future.
Utah will join the Pac-10 for the 2011-2012 school year. Colorado was expected to join for the start of the 2012 school year, but there’s a chance they could come into the league at the same time as the Utes.