So what will this new “megaconference” be named?
The Big 12? The Big Southwest? The Great Southwest? At this point, on the day the Big Eight formally welcomed Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor and Texas Tech to join the Big Eight, Bob Frederick has no clue.
“I have no idea at this point and I suspect of all the things we have to do this will be one of the last and the easiest,” said Frederick on Friday night, after returning from several days at the Winter Olympics in Norway.
There are immediate items on the agenda, the most important landing a TV contract for the new league.
“I think we’ll try to address that as quickly as we can. I suspect in the next couple weeks we’ll get it resolved,” Frederick said.
He was thrilled both Texas and Texas Tech joined Baylor and A&M in accepting the Big Eight’s offer on Friday.
“The tough part was waiting to get a definite answer because it was an all or nothing deal,” Frederick said. “If all four didn’t agree, we didn’t do it. The word today that Texas and Texas Tech were in was relieving.”
Frederick likes the makeup of the expanded Big Eight.
“I’m pleased because I think it’s going to be a stronger conference. I think it gives us the opportunity to be a financially stronger conference because we expanded into some significant market places. These are four good academic schools, so I think it’s a plus for everybody,” Frederick said.
“I think it makes us competitive with the rest of the conferences because our money will be similar (in TV deals),” he added. “I think our overall strength in sports will be comparable.
As far as some specific issues go. He’s not sure whether the conference will be split into two divisions with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State joining the four former SWC schools.
“That would be my guess if I’d guess an outcome, but it’s my personal opinion only,” Frederick said. “It’s something we’ve not talked about, but that would make sense.”
As far as the league sponsoring a title game between winners of two possible divisions, that’s possible too.
“We’ve never talked about it at this point other than its possible effect on a TV contract, but I think it’s down the line in our discussions,” Frederick said.
And what about scheduling. Will the schools play each other in football and basketball EVERY year?
“I think I would say in certainty in football we won’t. We want to have some nonconference games,” Frederick said. “We’ve got to sit and talk. This doesn’t take effect until the 1996-97 school year, so we have some time. In the interim we also may work out some things, putting some things together in the coming two years.”
On a personal note, Frederick said he enjoyed his stay in Norway. He was an invited guest of CBS.
“I saw a lot,” Frederick reported. “On Sunday, I saw ice dancing. On Monday I saw freestyle skiing and two hockey games.
“On Tuesday, I saw the 120 meter ski jump. and then another hockey game. On Wednesday, I saw Bonnie Blair win the gold in speed skating. On Wednesday night I saw (Nancy) Kerrigan skate, which was exciting.”
Another thrill?
“I happened by coincidence to be seated with Gen. (Norman) Schwartzkoff when the national anthem was played. Needless to say, that was a thrill.”
