Following the Big Ten Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors unanimous vote to  admit the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California to the Big Ten Conference effective August 2, 2024, MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., and Athletic Director Alan Haller released the following statements: 

Michigan State University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D.

“We are very excited to add two outstanding schools to the Big Ten Conference, not only creating a more competitive atmosphere for our student athletes but also increasing MSU’s exposure nationwide. Both USC and UCLA are excellent competitors, which we welcome, and they share our value of creating a strong student athlete experience. Even more, they are also leading academic institutions, members of the Association of American Universities, with robust research prowess. They make our conference stronger in multiple ways. I support this expansion of the conference and the benefits it will bring to MSU.”

Michigan State Vice President/Director of Athletics Alan Haller:

“We are excited to welcome UCLA and USC to the Big Ten Conference. College athletics is changing, and bold action is required. This move further strengthens the Big Ten and Michigan State, and will benefit our student-athletes with additional opportunities and exposure. Michigan State is a national brand and has a strong base of alumni and fans in California, specifically in the Los Angeles area. We look forward to competing against these two premier institutions.”