Kirby Hocutt: “Texas Tech is a Committed Member of the Big 12 Conference”

Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt addressed the local media today and talked about Texas A&M's pending departure from the Big 12 Conference.

Hocutt reaffirmed Texas Tech's commitment to the Big 12 Conference, "Texas Tech is obviously disappointed about Texas A&M's conditional plan to leave the Big 12 Conference.  Texas Tech remains a committed member to the Big 12 Conference and right now, our efforts and focus is on growth and expansion opportunities."

When asked by 1340 The Fan's Robert Snyder, how many teams does the Big 12 need to remain a legal entity, Hocutt responded, "Well, our commitment, we have got to get back to 10 (teams) immediately. That's our focus right now. My personal opinion is that conference numbers are going to continue to grow. We're going to see larger conferences as we go forward, so I think immediately our initiative is let's get to 10 and then we can have strategic discussion on what's best for the Big 12 Conference going forward."

Hocutt didn't pull any punches though, when discussing the Big 12's current outlook, "We're in a nervous position and our commitment to each other face-to-face is that preservation of the Big 12 Conference is what we all need and what we desire. But at the same time to look at how vulnerable the landscape feels at this given moment. We cannot deny that. So, is it a concern? Yes that's why I think we have to get back to 10 members as soon as we can, so we can solidify that we are together and we'll have a league moving forward."

Texas A&M's departure from the Big 12 is conditional on the Aggies being accepted to another conference.