[Saulbadguy]

http://cjonline.com/sports/2011-10-0...u#.To3jpfJH5yU

Kansas State president Kirk Schulz, chairman of the Big 12 expansion committee, confirmed the league has voted to invite TCU as a 10th member.

"(TCU) fits well within our conference profile," Schulz said in a telephone interview. "This represents a tremendous addition to the Big 12."

The Big 12 later confirmed the move, saying it was approved by unanimous vote by the league's board of directors. Missouri, which announced plans to explore its conference affiliation, abstained.

"Obviously, we are very interested in Missouri staying in the Big 12," Schulz said. "We think the addition of TCU shows some stability. Bringing a team in this region into this league is critical."

Schulz said the league had not yet reached a consensus on whether to pursue future expansion or stay with 10 teams.

"I think we are continuing to deliberate and watch the conference landscape," Schulz said.

Schulz did say the league's board of directors would need to reach a decision "relatively soon" on how many members to add.

From K-State's standpoint, there's an argument for both a 10- and 12-team league, Schulz said.

"I think we've got some parts of us like the championship game and like the North-South format," Schulz said. "There's some places within the university at K-State that believes that. I also think there's some particular groups that love the fact we're playing every school in the league, making the championship determination on the field.

"As K-State president, I'm not sure I have a strong personal feeling on whether we should be 10, 12 or some other number yet."

Schulz indicated the league's expansion committee would remain active as the Big 12 ponders its next move. Cultural fit has been the priority when assessing expansion candidates, he said.

"I think we want to continue to find schools that we think will culturally fit within the Midwest," Schulz said. "That doesn't mean you can't grab schools from the east or the west, but I think they have to be universities that we feel fit with the other schools in our region, both athletically and academically."

TCU certainly fits the profile. The Horned Frogs have become a football power, winning the Rose Bowl last season, and their baseball team is a perennial contender for the College World Series. Located in Fort Worth, TCU also presents manageable travel for non-revenue sports.

TCU was set to join the Big East next season.

"They certainly have very competitive athletic programs," Schulz said. "They fit well within our conference footprint. For non-revenue sports, our fan base, travel into the Dallas-Fort Worth, it's very convenient."