It took more than 40 years, but the Big Ten Conference has added another member to its ranks.
The presidents of the universities that make up the conference agreed Monday to make Penn State University the 11th member of the Big Ten.The Nittany Lions are the first addition to the Midwest-based conference since Michigan State joined in 1949.
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany indicated the conference would change its name in the next 60 days, but did not elaborate. He said new names have been "tossed around."
The Big Ten university presidents, known as the Council of Ten, agreed informally last December to add Penn State, but made it official after meeting here during their annual summer review of conference business.
Illinois president Stan Ikenberry, the council chairman, said at a news conference at the University of Iowa that at least seven of the presidents voted in favor of adding Penn State to the conference. He declined to break down the voting and said there was no "arm twisting."
"You find as chairman of the Council of Ten you don't touch the arms," Ikenberry said.
Delany said the earliest Penn State could start league competition in major revenue sports such as football and basketball would be 1995. However, because of scheduling contracts, other Penn State teams may be able to participate in Big Ten championships as early as 1991-92 if they notify the Big Ten office 12 months in advance, he said.