Iowa State Football Declines Bowl Game Invitation Amid Coaching Change

Iowa State University (ISU), officially Iowa State University of Science and Technology, is a public land-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa. Founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, it became one of the first land-grant institutions under the Morrill Act of 1862. Renamed in 1959 to reflect its expanded focus, ISU has grown into Iowa’s second-largest university, currently enrolling over 36,000 students across eight colleges, including Agriculture and Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, Design, and Veterinary Medicine[1]. ISU is renowned for integrating liberal arts education with cutting-edge research and technology, fostering innovation through significant inventions such as the first binary computer (the ABC), the round hay baler, and Maytag blue cheese. It offers more than 100 undergraduate majors and over 200 graduate fields, emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship[1][2]. A key strength is its entrepreneurship program, which recently ranked No. 9 nationally by The Princeton Review, reflecting a robust culture of innovation and business creation. The university supports aspiring entrepreneurs through the Pappajohn Center, offering hands-on programs like the CyBIZ Lab for student consulting and a summer accelerator program for startups. ISU also ranks among the top public universities for entrepreneurship and is recognized on Fast Company and Inc.’s 2025 Ignition Schools list for its impact on business and society[3]. The university continues to expand its enrollment and academic offerings, maintaining a strong job placement rate through practical, technology-driven coursework and close industry ties. ISU’s Student Innovation Center and strategic initiatives foster creativity and research, including projects on affordable prosthetics using 3D printing[2][4][6]. Overall, Iowa State University stands as a leading institution for business and technology education, combining a rich historical legacy with forward-looking research and entrepreneurial excellence.

The Big 12 Conference is a major collegiate athletic organization in the United States, primarily focused on NCAA Division I sports. Established in 1994 and beginning play in 1996, the Big 12 was formed by merging four Texas schools from the Southwest Conference with the Big Eight Conference, creating a powerful league known for its competitive athletics and strong regional identity[1][3][4]. The conference operates across 16 universities spanning 10 states and four time zones, including recent additions such as Brigham Young University, University of Central Florida, University of Cincinnati, and University of Houston in 2023, as well as Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah in 2024[1][3]. The Big 12 sponsors 25 sports across fall, winter, and spring seasons, with men's sports including football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, and track and field, and women's sports encompassing basketball, volleyball, softball, lacrosse, and equestrian among others. It conducts postseason championships in 24 of these sports, supporting a broad athletic ecosystem[3]. The conference boasts a rich history of success with 91 team NCAA national championships and 775 individual national champions, highlighting its prominence in collegiate athletics[3]. Throughout its history, the Big 12 has seen significant membership changes, with schools like Colorado and Nebraska leaving in the early 2010s, and Missouri and Texas A&M departing for the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which remains a key competitor. Despite these shifts, the Big 12 has maintained its brand and competitiveness, adapting strategically under leadership such as current commissioner Brett Yormark, who has emphasized marketing innovation and brand building since 2022[1][3]. Notably, the conference's geographic footprint and membership have evolved to balance tradition and expansion, positioning the Big 12 as an influential player in college sports business and media rights. Its headquarters in Irving, Texas, serves as a hub for coordinating operations, media partnerships, and championship event

## Overview Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn State, is a major public research university and Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution. It is renowned for its comprehensive mission of teaching, research, and public service, aiming to “improve the lives of the people of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching, research, and service”[5]. Penn State’s main campus is located in University Park, with 19 branch campuses across the state, a medical school in Hershey, a law school in Dickinson, and additional specialized institutions[5]. The university offers a broad range of degrees—associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional—as well as continuing education programs[5]. ## History Founded in 1855 as the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State’s origins reflect its commitment to practical education[1][2]. The institution was established with a 200-acre land donation from James Irvin and was initially focused on applying scientific principles to farming[1][3]. It was renamed the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania in 1862 and became the state’s land-grant college following the passage of the Morrill Act in 1863[2][3]. Under the leadership of President George W. Atherton in the 1880s, the curriculum expanded to include engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, and more, aligning with the broader mandate of land-grant institutions[1][2]. The university’s name changed to Pennsylvania State College in 1874 and finally to Pennsylvania State University in 1953[2][3]. ## Key Achievements Penn State has a long tradition of innovation in education and research. It was among the first institutions to integrate cooperative extension and outreach programs in the early 1900s, extending its academic influence statewide[1]. The university’s engineering program quickly became one of the ten largest in the nation[