(LAWRENCE, Kan.) — LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - Kansas athletic director Sheahon Zenger said Saturday he was "disappointed" that Oklahoma president David Boren talked about possibly leaving the Big 12.
Zenger spoke at halftime of Kansas' football game and declined to answer questions, saying, "We were disappointed to hear the comments yesterday from Oklahoma. We thought we had nine schools that were committed, strongly committed, to the conference."
Texas A&M's announcement that it is leaving the Big 12 has thrown the rest of the league into turmoil. Boren said other conferences have expressed interest in the Sooners and he expected
to make a decision in three weeks. Zenger refused to answer when asked if the Big 12 could survive without Oklahoma. He said Kansas preferred to maintain a strong Big 12.
Zenger issued the following statement at the halftime of the Kansas-McNeese State game:
“Friday’s news from Oklahoma was disappointing, particularly since we believed we had nine strong commitments to the Big 12 Conference. It is premature to comment further because we really don’t know much more at this time. The University of Kansas continues to believe that the best option for everyone involved is a strong Big 12 Conference with its current membership. But Chancellor (Bernadette) Gray-Little and I are in constant communication and will continue to discuss all of our options and will do what is in the best interest in the University of Kansas.”
