This is all. The PAC 12 has only 2 members this year.
The Pac-12 Conference, formerly known as the Pacific-8 Conference, was founded in 1915 as a collegiate athletic conference. The conference has undergone several changes over the years, including expansions and name changes.
Early Years (1915-1968)
The Pacific-8 Conference was formed in 1915 with six founding members:
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of California, Berkeley
- Stanford University
- University of Oregon
- University of Washington
- University of Oregon State
The conference was initially known as the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) and focused on promoting athletic competition among its member institutions. In the 1920s and 1930s, the conference expanded to include additional members:
- 1928: University of Southern California (USC)
- 1932: University of Idaho
- 1939: University of Utah
Name Change and Expansion (1969-2011)
In 1968, the conference changed its name to the Pacific-8 Conference after adding Arizona State University and University of Arizona to its membership. The conference continued to expand in the following years:
- 1978: Additions of University of Southern California (USC) and University of San Diego State
- 1984: Addition of Arizona State University
- 1996: Addition of University of Colorado
In 2011, the conference underwent a major expansion, adding two new members:
- 2011: Additions of University of Colorado and University of Utah
Current Configuration (2011-Present)
The Pac-12 Conference currently consists of 12 member institutions:
- Arizona State University
- Arizona Wildcats (University of Arizona)
- California Golden Bears (University of California, Berkeley)
- Colorado Buffaloes (University of Colorado)
- Oregon Ducks (University of Oregon)
- Oregon State Beavers (Oregon State University)
- Stanford Cardinal (Stanford University)
- UCLA Bruins (University of California, Los Angeles)
- USC Trojans (University of Southern California)
- Utah Utes (University of Utah)
- Washington Huskies (University of Washington)
- Washington State Cougars (Washington State University)
Recent Developments
In recent years, the Pac-12 Conference has faced challenges related to realignment and budget issues within the conference. In 2020, the conference announced that it would be reducing its staff and budget by approximately 20% due to financial constraints.
The Pac-12 Conference has also faced criticism for its handling of issues such as player safety, concussions, and athlete compensation. In response to these concerns, the conference has implemented measures such as increased medical support for athletes and a review process for concussion protocols.
Notable Achievements
The Pac-12 Conference has a rich history of producing successful athletic programs and notable athletes. Some notable achievements include:
- NCAA championships in football, basketball, baseball, and other sports
- Olympic medals won by Pac-12 athletes
- National Player of the Year awards in various sports
Overall, the Pac-12 Conference has played an important role in shaping collegiate athletics in the western United States and has produced many successful athletes and programs over the years.