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NORMAN — The ball was already rolling for OU on its path to the SEC when Joseph Harroz took over as OU’s interim president in May 2019.
A year later, when he was named to the post permanently, momentum was starting to build.
The genesis of the Sooners’ change in conference affiliation — which became official Monday — came nearly a decade ago.
When Texas A&M and Missouri were making the jump to the SEC for the 2022 season, a process began which led OU to the SEC.
“We didn’t necessarily act upon anything but to take a deep dive about ourselves,” Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione said at a news conference Monday alongside Harroz and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “Fast forward and there are conversations that we all know about that take place behind the scenes, not just around us, but other institutions were talking about what the future held for themselves.
“It became apparent we needed to be strong in creating a path for Oklahoma and learned that Texas was thinking the same thing. It became intentional to consider doing something together if the situation were to present itself. That’s where the conversations started.”
More: Mussatto: OU officially joins SEC. Time to adapt to Sooners’ new world.
OU President Joseph Harroz Jr., left, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, center, and OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. pose for a photo after a press conference before a celebration for OU joining the Southeastern Conference in Norman, Okla., Monday, July 1, 2024.
On the SEC’s end, the wheels began to move in October 2015 when Sankey presented the league’s presidents and chancellors an analysis of what the future of collegiate athletics could be.
“We always have to be mindful of what might happen,” Sankey said.
By the spring of 2021, Harroz had a solid grasp on the reality that college athletics was…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/led-oklahomas-move-sec-joe-100758792.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-07-02 10:07:58
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