Big Ten looking at AAU-type schools

Associated Press

Few sports fans even know what it is, yet it could hold the key to Big Ten expansion.

The Association of American Universities is a a nonprofit, invitation-only collection of public and private research universities. Because all 11 current Big Ten schools are AAU members, many believe any universities asked to join an expanded Big Ten would likely be among the AAU’s 63 member institutions.

Many of the schools most often mentioned as expansion candidates — Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Georgia Tech — are AAU members.

“I think that’s a priority for us, to make sure if we expand [to] get teams that are AAU schools,” Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said.

No one disputes that the Big Ten, which is in the process of an 18-month study of expansion, would undoubtedly seek like-minded new members if it does elect to grow.

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany acknowledged that membership in the AAU would be “very important” for prospective new conference members.