Chancellor Boschini addresses athletic conference changes

Fort Worth, TX

6/17/2010

Dear TCU Friend,

What at first glance appeared to be a seismic shift in athletic conference realignment has resulted in a few schools moving to conferences that better accommodate their respective institutions. While these moves are far from what was earlier predicted, it is important to note that over the past weeks TCU engaged in strategic conversation and activity to ensure the best possible opportunities for TCU in light of potentially larger conference changes. That activity included:

Mountain West Conference meetings

Because we remain a proud member of the MWC, we initiated significant discussions with Conference Commissioner Craig Thompson about ensuring the strength of this conference. Shortly after those discussions, the schools of the MWC voted to add Boise State.

Presidents, Chancellors and Athletic Directors discussions

We held numerous conversations with the presidents, chancellors and athletic directors at various institutions, reminding them that TCU is a strong athletic competitor with championships in numerous sports, new facilities and coaches that are receiving national recognition for their coaching abilities.

Legislature outreach

Although a scheduled hearing of the House Higher Education Committee was postponed as a result of the minimal conference changes, we continue visiting the State Capitol and speaking to those who have TCU’s best interests at heart, sharing TCU’s successes in athletics and academics.

There is no doubt that TCU’s athletic future is bright:

• TCU and Florida are the only two schools nationally this season to play in a BCS game in football, reach the College World Series in baseball and win a national championship in another sport
• TCU set a single-season school record by winning six conference championships (baseball, women’s basketball, football, men’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis) in addition to its national title in rifle
• Fifteen of TCU’s 20 sports were represented in NCAA postseason play this season by either teams or individuals. Eleven teams were nationally ranked
• We have built new athletic facilities and recently announced that we will raise funds for renovation to our stadium
• In ticket attendance, we set single-season TCU records in the following sports: football, baseball, soccer and volleyball

TCU will once again run ads in targeted markets to congratulate our baseball team on such a wonderful season as well as on their first trip to the College World Series. Look for ads this Friday in the following publications:

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Dallas Morning News
Austin American Statesman
Houston Chronicle
Los Angeles Times
Chicago Tribune
USA Today
Omaha World Herald (Saturday)

Thanks again for your support and for all you do for TCU.

Sincerely,
Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr.