33 years ago today member institutions Arizona and Arizona State joined the Pac-8 conference, to form what has become one of the most prestigious conferences (won 258 NCAA championships since 1978) over the past three decades.
Now, we can celebrate once again as the Pac-10 conference officially turns a page and begins a whole new chapter with the additions of Colorado and Utah.
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Today, the conference carries on the traditions of the past with a new look and a new name, the Pac-12.
Pac-12 newcomers Colorado and Utah not only add to the conference's rich tradition of athletic (44 NCAA championships between the two) and academic success, but also an intense 57-game rivalry between the two dating back to 1903. Thanks to expansion, the two teams will meet on the football field in 2011 for the first time in 49 years.
As part of the celebration, governors from Colorado and Utah have decided to commemorate this new beginning by declaring July 1 as Pac-12 Day in each respective state. Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott will participate in a ceremony on the steps of Utah State Capital building with among others interim Utah President Lorris Betz and Athletic Director Chris Hill.
With expansion, the conference format will now be divided into two divisions, the Pac-12 North (California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington and Washington State) and the Pac-12 South (Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, UCLA, USC and Utah.
For Trojan fans, USC football's first meeting with division foe Utah will be at 4:30 PT on Sept.10 at the Coliseum (TV-Versus). The Trojans will also travel to Boulder,CO this season to take on the Buffs in a rare Friday night (6:00 PM PT) clash on Nov. 4 (TV-ESPN2).
Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott explaining the conference's new division format
(Photo by AP)
