re: Texas Politicians now pushing for U of H to Big 12

Baloo is right, this is more about the attempt to elevate UH to the academic status as UT and TAMU. The TX legislature has just approved for UH to become a tier 1 university. UH has had a reputation as "Houston High", but they have actually become very competitive academically and are looking to add increase endowment funds for research and new programs. The new president of UH seems to recognize that most tier 1 schools have big time athletic programs and that the attention that comes from that helps tremendously with fund raising. She is sincere in raising the standards of UH athletics as evidenced by the new stadium and arena plans. The politicians in favor of UH gaining tier 1 status also realize this. It's not all about TV revenue. There is at least a logical argument that UH could benefit the Big 12(10+2) since their new investments in athletics along with the prestige of the Big 12 "could" wake the sleeping giant which is the huge UH alumni base. UH is the 3rd biggest university in Texas but does not currently motivate its fans.