Headlines: Oakland's Move to the Horizon League

On Tuesday, March 7, the Oakland University Board of Trustees accepted an invitation from the Horizon League to join the conference. The Golden Grizzlies will join the conference offically on July 1 and all 18 of Oakland's athletic teams will compete in the Horizon League beginning in the fall.

Listed below are links to stories on Oakland's move to the Horizon League.

From the Oakland Press
Board approves Oakland University's move to Horizon League
The day Oakland fans have long awaited came to fruition Tuesday, as the school’s Board of Trustees swiftly and unanimously gave approval for its athletic programs to join the Horizon League almost immediately.

The Board asked few questions of Oakland director of athletics Tracy Huth's proposed 2013-14 budget, which includes the move, official July 1, except to ponder: "Is there any downside?"

“It just almost made too much sense,” Huth said. “There was excitement, but we also had to verify that this was the best thing for us.”

Oakland University's future the subject of Horizon League conference
A day after its decision-makers cleared the way for Oakland University to move its athletics to the Horizon League, Oakland men’s basketball coach Greg Kampe was at a loss for words, momentarily.

“You can’t put into words what this means for Oakland University,” he said.

From The Detroit Free Press
Greg Kampe sees better schedule, competition on Horizon for Oakland

Last winter Oakland University basketball coach Greg Kampe spent most of his Thursdays and Saturdays coaching Summit League basketball games.

The nights in between? Spent checking out the future competition.

From The Detroit New
Oakland coach Greg Kampe says it's time to 'step up'

Now that Oakland University has joined the Horizon League, effective July 1, basketball coach Greg Kampe challenged the student body Wednesday, saying it’s time for them to do their part in helping to create a rivalry with longtime league member Detroit.

"It's up to the Oakland nation to step up," Kampe said.

From CBS Eye on College Basketball Blog
Oakland officially joins the Horizon League, effective July 1
Oakland is leaving the Summit League and joining the Horizon League, the school announced on Tuesday.

The move will take place on July 1.

From Northwest Indiana Times
Oakland accepts invitation to Horizon League
The newest member of the Horizon League is an old Valparaiso rival.

Oakland is the right fit for Horizon League
Months of speculation and rumors were finally put to rest this week when Oakland officially accepted a bid to join the Horizon League.

From the Post-Tribune
New chapter of VU-Oakland rivalry on Horizon
Each of the last three seasons has produced a dramatic men’s basketball game between Valparaiso and Oakland.

Beginning in 2013-14, the former Mid-Continent Conference rivals once again will meet at least twice a season, as the Grizzlies will join the Horizon League from the Summit League, it was officially announced on Tuesday.

From the Tribune Chronicle
YSU excited about Oakland joining HL
The Horizon League is finally back to nine teams.

Oakland's move to the league, which was long speculated, was made official Tuesday.

From the Youngstown Vindicator
Oakland joining Horizon League
The long-rumored marriage between Oakland (Mich.) University and the Horizon League became official on Tuesday.

“I don’t think it surprises anyone, and part of the reason it doesn’t surprise anyone is they’re the right fit,” said Youngstown State athletic director Ron Strollo. “They’re the right fit geographically, and when you look at the list of teams they sponsor, it’s very similar to the rest of our conference.”

From the Cleveland Plain-Dealer
Oakland University joining the Horizon League, and Cleveland State Vikings are happy about it
As expected, the Horizon League announced today that it will add Oakland University, pushing the membership up to nine and locking in a 16-game basketball schedule for all, including Cleveland State.

From the Dayton Daily News
It’s official: Oakland joins Horizon League
The long-rumored move of Oakland University to the Horizon League became official Tuesday.

The Golden Grizzlies will officially join the league July 1, the Horizon League announced, and will compete in all the conference’s sports, except men’s tennis.

From the Chicago Tribune
Oakland upbeat after joining Horizon League
Citing increased exposure, a schedule with proximity to home and a higher level of competition, Oakland athletic director Tracy Huth said the program’s membership to the Horizon League is one it can hardly wait to begin.

“Let’s just get right into,” he said Wednesday as the school was formally introduced as the league’s newest member. “We’re ready. Let’s have some fun.”

From the Green Bay Press-Gazette
Oakland joins the Horizon League

Oakland University has wanted in the Horizon League for years, but nearby University of Detroit had previously used its veto power to block the Golden Grizzlies.