The Big Ten gets a 13th member

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Big Ten Conference hasn't had just 10 schools in more than 20 years. The University of Maryland announced Monday it will be joining and become the 13th member in the conference.

"Maryland, I don't think, has an especially strong football program but their basketball program could be pretty decent. I think as a whole, it's good for the conference to expand," said Purdue student Blake Whetherton.

But with more than 600 miles separating West Lafayette from College Park, Maryland, some student athletes aren't so excited.

"I think we're just going to have to take more time off of school which might be hard for people who are traveling and have to compete against them," said Tracy Glaser.

The Terrapins will be joining the Big Ten on July 1, 2014. Purdue Associate Athletics Director Tom Schott said Maryland will compete in all sports during the 2014-2015 academic year.

"Maryland has a tremendous athletics history and they're also a very strong academic school and those two things fit perfectly for the Big Ten," Schott said.

What also is a perfect fit for the conference? The money.  Schott said with the Terps joining the Big Ten, television revenue will increase for the conference.

"It will certainly help the attractiveness of not only the Big Ten Network, but also all the other Big Ten Conference television partners, being that there are many eyeballs in the Maryland area, Washington D.C., and Baltimore," Schott said.

Money has been an issue for the Maryland athletics program.  Seven teams including men's tennis and cross country were dropped this summer because of financial problems.  

"Maryland just cut their swimming and diving program so it won't really affect us there but I know their basketball program is pretty good so it might be up to par with us," said Purdue swimmer, Ellesse Lunde.

Only time will tell if Maryland is up to par with the Big Ten or, now, 13.

Several reports are saying that Rutgers will join the Big Ten conference Tuesday. Tom Schott declined to comment on that topic but did say he may be seeing News 18 again Tuesday.