Iowa State University
2-2-96

Contact:
Martin Jischke, President, Iowa State University, 515-294-2042

BIG 12 CEOs NAME DALLAS AS SITE
FOR CONFERENCE HEADQUARTERS

AMES, Iowa -- The chief executive officers of the Big 12 Conference member universities have named Dallas, Texas, as the site for the headquarters of the new conference. The decision was announced today (Feb. 2) by Martin Jischke, president of Iowa State University and president of the Big 12 CEOs, following a conference call involving the Big 12 CEOs and Big 12 Commissioner Steve Hatchell.

Six cities submitted bids for the headquarters. Others were Kansas City, Mo.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Lubbock, Texas; Omaha, Neb.; and Oklahoma City, Okla. Four -- Colorado Springs, Omaha, Dallas and Kansas City -- were invited to make presentations to the Big 12 CEOs at their Dec. 1 meeting, and two -- Dallas and Kansas City -- emerged as finalists.

Jischke said the CEOs considered several factors in reaching their decision, including financial incentives, airport accessibility and potential for corporate sponsorship and media coverage.

"The number and quality of the bids we received reflect the strong interest in the development of this new conference, which we believe will be the premier intercollegiate athletic conference in the nation," Jischke said.

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