UConn AD preparing pitch, waiting to hear from Big 12

Published Jul. 22, 2016 4:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

STORRS, Conn. (AP) UConn's athletic director says he's waiting to hear from the Big 12 about its interest level before making any pitch to join the conference.

UConn currently plays most sports as a member of the American Athletic Conference.

But David Benedict, in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press on Friday, acknowledged the school aspires to be a member of the Big 12 or another Power Five league.

Benedict says that of all candidates, UConn is the most similar to the Power Five schools in terms of resources and budget.

He says it also outperforms a lot of Power Five schools on the field, noting this past year it was one of three Division I schools to send its football, baseball and men's and women's basketball teams to the postseason.