Starr provides perspective in midst of conference realignment talk

With so much at stake in the discussions of conference realignment (rivalries and traditions, economics, the best interests of student-athletes), I’m proud to see that Baylor President Ken Starr is working tirelessly on behalf of Baylor and the Big 12 Conference.

In an opinion piece published in the Waco Tribune-Herald, Bryan/College Station Eagle and Austin American Statesman, Judge Starr reiterated Baylor’s support for the Big 12 and called for all parties involved to sit down and resolve their differences, informed by input from all those with a vested interest — not only alumni, but also the citizens who support the institutions involved.

Then this morning, USA Today ran a second op-ed from Judge Starr in which he called university presidents to be open and transparent in their dealings with conferences and television contracts, asking them to keep in mind the best interests of those who are supposed to be at the heart of a university: the students.

And of course, he continues to work with other Big 12 presidents and engage in conversations with those who can make a significant difference in all this. Other Baylor leaders have also been active behind the scenes, and now some prominent BU alumni are stepping forward as well.

Former Texas Governor Mark White, BBA ’62, JD ’65, echoed Judge Starr in urging the state’s current governor, Rick Perry, to sit down with legislators in “cool reflection” to help the school’s two largest universities work out their differences.

“A&M has a responsibility to taxpayers in this state,” White told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “If you can show me where the state of Texas wins on this deal, I’d like to see it.” In an op-ed for the Houston Chronicle, White added that college football, like oil, timber and cotton, is a natural resource in Texas — one “that must be jealously protected.”

It’s unfortunate that this mess is taking up so many headlines at a time of year when we should be getting excited about what will take place on the field starting in just a couple of weeks. But that, sadly, is a byproduct of the direction some want to steer collegiate athletics today.

Baylor football kicks off two weeks from tomorrow. There may be more we need to do between then and now, but right now, let’s show our support for the university and our student-athletes by planning to fill Floyd Casey Stadium as the Bears take on No. 15 TCU at 7 p.m. on Sept. 2.

Sic ’em, Bears!