Kansas' pols are out in force to keep the Big 12 together. Does anyone care?
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By Matthew Schofield, Kansas City Star editorial board columnist
Kansas' three most powerful politicians, almost in unison, have come out against a possible Big 12 breakup today.
So, that's solved then. Time to move on to other issues, right?
Well, no. Despite the very gallant efforts of U.S. Sens Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback (who will soon be Governor) and current but not running again Gov. Mark Parkinson, the Big 12 (or is it XII) will fall apart, or stay together, on its own.
The senators issued a joint statement, waxing historical: “Since 1928, the Kansas State University, the University of Kansas and the University of Nebraska have competed for conference championships," they began. Later they noted that Nebraska has been successful in the Big 6, Big 7, Big 8 and Big 12, and that: "We remain hopeful the Nebraska Board of Regents will come to the same conclusion as the Kansas Board of Regents, that member institutions should join efforts to sustain and advance the Big XII.”
It is pretty clear, however, that the universities of the probably soon to be former conference - much like a recent liberal arts grad who now realizes the need of returning for a practical Masters Degree _ already have decided "to phooey with history." So, nice try senators, but ...
Meanwhile, Parkinson played more on economics. He didn't mention the much talked about animal health cooridor that runs from K-State through KU, UMKC and to Mizzou, but he was addressing it. After all, there's a lot more money at stake in that thing than will be on offer with an improved television contract. Of course, UMKC is included in this corridor, and they're not in the same athletic conference...
“A regional partnership between our universities is essential in facilitating the schools’ economic opportunities, which benefit our students and our state," he said.
In the end, however, Parkinson's statement exposed just how powerless his state in this mess.
"Maintaining the Big XII Conference is, therefore, of great importance to KU and K-State, and I will do all that I can as governor to help in this effort.”
And you do get the impression with all this talk of breaking apart, that Kansas stands to lose more than any other state in a reshuffling.
Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, all have schools expecting invitations to new dances. Kansas appears to have two wall-flowers.
Read more: http://voices.kansascity.com/node/9280#ixzz0qNBewi2G
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