Aggies to officially join SEC in 2012

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KXAN) - Texas A&M released the news Sunday that the Aggies will join the Southeastern Conference, effective July 1, 2012.

The release on the Aggie Athletics website said, "The Southeastern Conference Presidents and Chancellors, acting unanimously, announced today that Texas A&M University will join the Southeastern Conference effective July 1, 2012, with competition to begin in all sports for the 2012-13 academic year."

It also quotes A&M President R. Bowen Loftin, who said, "The Southeastern Conference provides Texas A&M the national visibility that our great university and our student-athletes deserve."

The Big 12 Conference released a statement from Interim Commissioner Chuck Neinas. It read, "I am personally saddened to see Texas A&M depart from the Big 12, and wish I had the opportunity to visit the campus to sit down and talk with their administration," Neinas said. "We will continue to work diligently in securing the long-term stability of the Big 12. Now that the status of Texas A&M has officially been determined, the membership can focus on the desired course for the Conference moving forward. Although no timeline has been established, an expeditious pursuit is anticipated."

Texas A&M will be the 13th SEC team.