Texas A&M AD, Chancellor Comment On Rumored SEC Expansion
Texas A&M appears to have changed its tune regarding potential SEC expansion. Aggies athletic director Ross Bjork and chancellor Katherine Banks released statements on Saturday stating TAMU will be prepared for whatever comes its way.
Texas A&M is without a doubt the biggest opposition to Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC – which appears inevitable at this point. But Bjork and Banks made it clear on Saturday the Aggies are only going to focus on what they can control.
“Whoever joins the SEC – whether that’s now, in the future, whatever the NCAA landscape looks like, whatever conference realignment looks like – the 12th Man’s ready, our coaches are ready, our staff’s ready, our student athletes are ready, the university is ready to compete at the highest level,” Bjork told Travis Brown of The Eagle, via Twitter.
Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork on SEC expansion: pic.twitter.com/7uuRd8acc8
— 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕤 𝕃. 𝔹𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕟 (@Travis_L_Brown) July 24, 2021
Bjork has clearly changed his perspective on SEC expansion. He said earlier this week that he wanted Texas A&M to “be the only SEC team from the state of Texas.”
Ross Bjork says he was unaware of Texas/OU interest in joining the SEC. SEC ADs have not discussed the issue, he says.
It's clear where the Aggies stand.
"There’s a reason why Texas A&M left the Big 12 – to be stand alone & have our own identity. That’s our feeling," he says.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 21, 2021
Texas A&M chancellor Katherine Banks had a similar message to share regarding the possibility of Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC.
“The last few days have been challenging in many ways, and I recognize that change in college athletics often is unsettling for those who love their institutions,” Banks said, via Sam Khan Jr. of The Athletic. “Rest assured, the chancellor, our athletic director, and I, and everyone involved in this matter are focused solely on what is best for Texas A&M University. Since 2011, we have been a proud member of the best intercollegiate athletic conference in history and we look forward to continued success in our SEC partnership for many years to come.”
Statement from Texas A&M's president on SEC expansion: pic.twitter.com/Ii3iJsO0OX
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) July 24, 2021
It sounds like Texas A&M is on board with expanding the SEC to include Oklahoma and Texas.
If anything, expansion will give the Aggies an opportunity to prove they’re a true championship contender. And who doesn’t want to see Texas and Texas A&M battle it out on a yearly basis from now on? Sign us up.
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