It's Official: Texas A&M Headed To SEC

For those Aggie fans looking for some good news after yesterday's rough loss, this is it folks.

The Presidents and Chancellors of the Southeastern Conference have unanimously accepted Texas A&M to join their conference, becoming effective on July 1, 2012. That means that the Aggies will be playing in college football's most prestigious conference next fall.

"On behalf of our presidents, chancellors, athletics directors, students and fans, I welcome Texas A&M University to the SEC family," said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. "Texas A&M is a nationally-prominent institution on and off the field and a great fit for the SEC tradition of excellence—athletically, academically and culturally."

The addition of Texas A&M brings the SEC to a total of 13 schools, and the Aggies are the conference's first new member since Arkansas and South Carolina joined in 1991.

"The Southeastern Conference Presidents and Chancellors are pleased to welcome Texas A&M University to the SEC family," said Dr. Bernie Machen, chair of the SEC Presidents and Chancellors and president of the University of Florida. "The addition of Texas A&M University as the SEC's 13th member gives our league a prestigious academic institution with a strong athletic tradition and a culture similar to our current institutions."

While I must say that there will certainly be growing pains for the Aggies on the football field, I think this move will greatly benefit them in the future. It can only improve recruiting, and one now begins to wonder what will happen to the Longhorns and the remaining parts of the Big 12.

Texas A&M is making a big step in joining the SEC, but you can't fault them for looking out for themselves after Texas figuratively "shunned" the rest of the conference with the creation of the Longhorn Network.

Stay tuned, there's more news to come.