Last month, news broke that Arizona State, along with Arizona and Utah, would be leaving the Pac-12 conference to join the Big 12 in 2024, presumably framing the schools and their athletes for increased stability and success.
The move wasn’t a complete surprise, considering USC and UCLA had announced their departure to the Big Ten months earlier. And since then, two more Pac-12 universities announced they will leave for the Big Ten, along with Colorado, joining the pack of schools headed to the Big 12.
Currently, Oregon State, California, Stanford, and Washington State are the only schools remaining in the Pac-12.
This news has no doubt impacted the student-athletes, but it has also affected the fans who have been watching Pac-12 football for decades.
Keith Donohue, who graduated from ASU in 2005, is disappointed to see how the Pac-12 has been almost completely disbanded.
“We’re sad to lose the Pac-12, but you could see the elements of that kind of disintegration when USC and UCLA left,” Donohue said. “We’re excited about the Big 12. I think it’s going to be a great institution. Great football, great basketball, and great sports in general. I’m excited to see the Texas schools and have a great competition.”
Patrick Moroney, an ASU fan, views the situation as a positive for both the players and the fans.
“The Pac-12 was dead,” Moroney said. “So I think it was the right move to go to the Big 12. I’m very excited to join a new conference.”
Moroney also voiced his views on ASU’s leadership.
“I think it is embarrassing to have U of A have to drag us into a new conference because our administration was asleep at the wheel,” Moroney said.
ASU announced a self-imposed bowl ban on August 27, as a result of recruiting violations by former head coach Herm Edwards and his staff. This will perhaps lessen the penalties from the NCAA’s pending investigation on the issue.
Moroney showed his exasperation for the situation by expressing his opinion of ASU’s athletic administration.
“I feel bad for the players. I think it’s complete malpractice from the athletic department and the administration,” Moroney said. “I think their conduct is a joke. They should have done this last year, everyone knew that, so I blame Ray Anderson for it all.”
ASU alumni and football fan Henry Frost conveyed his displeasure that the current ASU football players will be kept from the experience of playing in a bowl game this season.
“You feel for the older players that know they don’t have that opportunity to play in a bowl game, and I’m sure that was very hurtful,” Frost said. “Sometimes you have to pay the price for the sins of others, and that seems to be what’s taking place. It’s unfortunate, but it appears to be a proactive measure by the university to save our future, but you feel for the older players.”
The Sun Devils play host to No. 5 USC Trojans on Saturday in Mountain America Stadium, Tempe, Ariz.
