OSU Fans Have Mixed Emotions About Possible Move to Pac-10

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- Stillwater is full of mixed reactions this week as fans wonder if Oklahoma State University Athletics will stay in the Big 12 Conference.

OSU officials said they have not had any official talks with the Pac-10. The university released the following statement Thursday:

"The report circulating about an immediate announcement today concerning Oklahoma State University and conference realignment is without merit. There are no announcements planned by Oklahoma State University. We remain committed to the Big 12 Conference. If there are additional defections we will have to evaluate our options." –Gary Shutt, Director of Communications

Still, fans are talking about what a conference shift could mean.

Erika Curry, who just graduated from OSU, said she's not ready to see the Cowboys leave the Big 12.

"I'm a Big 12 fan. I love it. I think it's going to hurt some of the bigger teams, and I think it's going to shuffle us into another bracket. I don't know if we're right for other conferences. I think we're a Big 12 team. I just love the Big 12," Curry said.

Other fans said they would be happy with the move because it would bring new rivals.

"We have so many rivalries with our conference. Just to join other rivalries and maybe create new ones would I think be a lot of fun," said OSU junior Jason Kuntz.

Warren Cunningham disagrees.

"I'm not big on it. I think if anything we should stay here and we could pick up a couple of new teams maybe Houston or TCU. Compared to the Pac-10, I just think our style of play is different and we would have to change our whole offense," Cunningham said.

Some fans have expressed concerns about how a shift would cause a burden of bigger travel costs and time commitments to attend games. Sports experts said if a super-conference of a Pac-16 becomes a reality, Cowboy fans would really only have to take two major trips a year in conference play. One would be to Arizona and another would be to the West Coast.

All fans are dealing with a level of uncertainty but are preparing for a change.

"I feel like there is always a bit of truth to every rumor so I'm afraid it's going to happen," Curry said.