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The Pride of West Virginia received some exciting news before the Backyard Brawl. Morgantown, WV - Prior to the Backyard Brawl last night, The Pride of West Virginia received incredible news for 2024. Macy’s announced that the Mountaineer Marching Band has been selected to perform in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. https://twitter.com/westvirginiau/status/1703218785543438462?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw For a university that has been through a plethora of turmoil lately, this is certainly an encouragement achievement for the program! (Photo via West Virginia University)

The Big 12 is reportedly interested in the four remaining Pac-12 schools.   Irving, TX - While the Big 12 has stated that they are “done” with expansion at this time, this has not stopped speculation as to where the conference could go next. Earlier this evening, Jim Williams, a former television producer from Washington D.C., shared that he has received reports that the Big 12 is now interested in adding the four remaining Pac-12 schools. https://twitter.com/JWMediaDC/status/1695605155398348861?s=20 Stanford and Cal have been vetted by the ACC in recent weeks, but have yet to have an answer. Williams claims that Stanford is asking for an answer from the conference this week. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by WVU Athletics) 

Stanford, California, and SMU are reportedly in talks with the ACC, per ESPN. Greensboro, NC - With conference realignment ramping up around the country, the ACC is looking to expand to avoid falling apart. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the conference is looking to expand west with three teams currently being “seriously considered.” https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1694475837037240550?s=20   California, Stanford, and SMU are the schools that are being vetted by a select few ACC presidents this week. A series of meetings are expected to take place to discuss the potential allocation of money, per Thamel. There is no timetable set for a decision. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by WVU Athletics) 

The Pac-12 has hired Oliver Luck in hopes of saving the conference.   Morgantown, WV - According to David Hookstead of Outkick, the Pac-12 Conference has hired former WVU Quarterback and Athletic Director Oliver Luck in an advisory role as a consultant. This move was made in hopes that he can help save the league following conference realignment. https://twitter.com/Outkick/status/1690357467597688833?s=20 The full extent of his position with the Pac-12 is not yet known, per Hookstead. (Photo by WVU Athletics) 

Arizona State Athletic Director Ray Anderson has apologized for his comments on WVU earlier in the week. Tempe, AZ - Earlier this week, Arizona State Athletic Director Ray Anderson made some comments about Morgantown and WVU that were questionable to say the least. When discussing his university’s move to the Big 12, he listed Morgantown by name and proclaimed that he had no interest in making the trip when WVU and the Sun Devils meet in athletics. “I’m not going to Morgantown.” While many did not appreciate the comment, Anderson made it clear that he meant nothing by it, and that he has also called Wren Baker to apologize. In an interview on the Bickley & Marotta podcast through Arizona Sports, Anderson spoke about the comments and his apology to Baker and the Mountaineers. https://twitter.com/azsports/status/1689302303197855744?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw   “Although those comments were said in jest and taken out of context, they were clumsy comments from me that I sincerely regret…” ”So I called Wren on Monday and we had a chance to talk and I explained the context. He graciously accepted my apology and certainly said he’d pass it on to their President Gordon Gee…” Arizona Sports has a full report on this situation on their website. https://twitter.com/azsports/status/1689310664547086336?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw (Photo by WVU Athletics)

WVU President Gordon Gee will step down as university president in 2025, per reports. Morgantown, WV - According to Brian Powell on Twitter, WVU President E. Gordon Gee will step down as university president in 2025. He will take up a role in WVU’s law school as a faculty member. https://twitter.com/bitmapped/status/1688642843022090240?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw Gee recently extended his prior contract which was set to expire in 2024. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by West Virginia University) 

The Big 12 is finished with expansion, per report. Morgantown, WV - Following the additions of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah, many were questioning if the Big 12 would continue to pursue expansion candidates. Today, the conference finally broke silence on their future plans, and it appears that no more schools will be added in the near future. According to Brett McMurphy of Stadium, the Big 12 has “no appetite” to add any of the remaining Pac-12 members or San Diego State. The league’s answer is said to be short and sweet. “We have no interest in doing anything. We’re done.” https://twitter.com/brett_mcmurphy/status/1688657142486646784?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw The Big 12 is currently slated to compete with 16 teams in 2024. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by WVU Athletics)

WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker responds to Arizona State’s Ray Anderson on Twitter. Morgantown, WV - In case you haven’t heard, Arizona State Athletic Director Ray Anderson claimed that he will not make any trips to Morgantown for Big 12 play. He made it clear that he favors regional opponents, and West Virginia just does not fit that description. Earlier today, WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker sent out a tweet that was clearly a response to Anderson. Baker was short and sweet in his message. “There are two kinds of people in the world. People who love West Virginia and people who haven’t been here.” https://twitter.com/wrenbaker/status/1688202025333293056?s=20   Arizona State is set to join the Big 12 in 2024. If the Sun Devils are slated to travel to Morgantown in their inaugural season, one could certainly bet that Mountaineer Nation will be ready for them. (Photo by WVU Athletics)

The Big 12 will continue to look for expansion possibilities through the end of 2023, per reports. Morgantown, WV - Earlier this evening, the Big 12 voted to add Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah to the league in 2024. This will bring the total number of conference members to 16 next year. While many think the expansion will stop there, that will not be the case. According to Jamie Plunkett of Horned Frog Blitz (247Sports), the Big 12 will look to add a 17th and 18th conference member by the end of 2023. Two teams that Plunkett mentioned as possible extension candidates were UConn (Independent) and Oregon State (Pac-12). https://twitter.com/frogpreacher/status/1687631934111752192?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw Florida State was also mentioned as a potential candidate, but only if nothing comes of a move to either the Big Ten or SEC. Oregon State, who is one of the four remaining teams in the Pac-12, has formally made their pitch to the Big 12 in hopes of an invitation, per Plunkett. Things are about to get wild in collegiate athletics. The Voice of Motown will bring you updates as they become available. (Photo by WVU Athletics) 

Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah will all join the Big 12 in 2024. Morgantown, WV - After days of speculation, it is being reported that three more Pac-12 school will officially be welcomed to the Big 12 in 2024. According to Brett McMurphy of Stadium, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah will each join the Big 12 in 2024. The news is expected to become official in the next 24 hours pending the Big 12’s approval. https://twitter.com/brett_mcmurphy/status/1687584468716892160?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw The Big 12 will now have at minimum 16 conference members in 2024. There have been no reports as to if the conference will extend anymore invites. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by WVU Athletics)

Utah is expected to be accepted into the Big 12 in the very near future. Salt Lake City, UT - With the Pac-12 crumbling, several conference members are expected to announce their future affiliation within the coming days. Utah, who has been rumored to be reluctant to speak with the Big 12, is now quickly changing tunes. According to Jason Scheer of Wildcat Authority, Utah is expected to be officially accepted into the Big 12 “as soon as tonight.” https://twitter.com/jasonscheer/status/1687568603300904963?s=20 Scheer also states that the official announcement could come within the next 48 hours. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by WVU Athletics)

Two Pac-12 schools are “showing interest” in the Big 12. Tempe, AZ - Conference realignment is far from over, ladies and gentlemen. With Oregon and Washington moving towards the Big Ten, the rest of the Pac-12 will likely dissolve behind them. Two Pac-12 schools are now “showing interest” in the Big 12 Conference, according to Brett McMurphy of Stadium. Arizona State and Utah are now weighing the possibility of an exit to the Big 12, along with Arizona, who is said to have already been accepted into the league. https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1687516551283400707?s=20 Fans should expect a plethora of news regarding the situation within the next several hours. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by Arizona State University)

It appears as if the Big 12 has found their 14th member. Tucson, AZ - After weeks of rumors, the Big 12 Conference appears to have found their 14th member for the 2024 season. According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, the Big 12 has approved Arizona’s application to become a member of the league. https://twitter.com/rossdellenger/status/1687279556695146496?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw Dellenger claims that the only remaining action for this to become a reality will be for Arizona’s Board of Regents to approve the move themselves. An announcement is expected in the very near future. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates.   (Photo by University of Arizona Athletics) 

Arizona to the Big 12 appears to be all but a done deal.   Tuscon, AZ - With conference realignment in full gear, many are anticipating who will make the next move that causes a ripple effect nationwide. It now appears that we have that answer. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Arizona is in “deep discussions” with the Big 12 about joining the conference. https://twitter.com/petethamel/status/1687262837582798848?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw Thamel also added that “some finality” is to be expected very soon as the Arizona Board of Regents has a meeting later tonight. Should the Wildcats make the move, then it is likely that Arizona State will also join the Big 12. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by University of Arizona Athletics)

More schools from the Pac-12 are set to join the Big 12 Conference. Arizona - Following Colorado’s move to the Big 12 Conference, three schools are reportedly ready to make the jump as well. According to Jason Scheer of Wildcat Authority, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah are “likely” to join the Big 12 Conference. https://twitter.com/ChrisKarpman/status/1686883827049005059?s=20 Chris Karpman of Sun Devil Source also reports that Arizona State has “made significant movement” in the direction of leaving the PAC-12 and there have been numerous reports today of Arizona making plans to leave for the Big 12. In addition, Arizona State, Arizona and Utah are considered to be a "package deal", a deal that would likely put the final nail in the coffin of the PAC-12 Conference. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by WVU Athletics)