Print edition: 
COLUMBIA, Mo. —Interim Big 12 commissioner Chuck Neinas said that Missouri did not submit a letter of conditional withdrawal nor did it notify the conference on Monday of its plans to leave.
"The conference encouraged Missouri to stay in the Big 12," Neinas added, referring to a statement to be released by the league concerning a regularly scheduled Big 12 Board of Directors meeting on Monday in Dallas.
When asked whether following its release Neinas could be asked for further guidance, he said: "You could, but I won't give you any."
Moments later, the Big 12 statement was released, saying presidents and chancellors of all 10 schools and TCU, including MU chancellor Brady Deaton, met at an "undisclosed Dallas area location" and reaffirmed a previous action to grant over-the-air and television rights to the conference.
"The Board also discussed a wide range of topics," the statement continued, "including NCAA legislation, the Bowl Championship Series and exploration of a conference-dedicated TV network.
"Additionally, a strong desire for the University of Missouri to maintain its Big 12 affiliation was expressed."
MU athletic director Mike Alden had just returned from Cincinnati, where he attended the introduction of his former assistant Whit Babcock as the Bearcats' new athletic director. Alden said he had not spoken to Deaton, who was anticipated to be flying back to Columbia later Monday night.
Across Internet message boards poured frustration from Missouri fans anticipating the school on Monday would give the Big 12 formal notice of its withdrawal, if not announce its application for membership to the Southeastern Conference.
Some expressed skepticism that the Big 12's statement was truly reflective of what happened when Deaton met with his counterparts. But there was no evidence Monday that Missouri had made any move away from the Big 12, despite the school's Board of Curators authorizing Deaton last Friday in Kansas City to act as he best saw fit regarding the Tigers' conference affiliation.
Meanwhile, in Columbia, Mo., a longtime Missouri supporter wondered over the choice Mizzou has still not publicly made between the Big 12 and the SEC.
"Tiger John" Cleek, like his father before him, "Mizzou Mo" Cleek, has sold appliances and home furnishings in Columbia and mid-Missouri for decades. He has been a Missouri fan all his life.
"Truthfully, I had held out hope that the Big 12 could maintain its stability, just because I've been for 55 years a Missouri fan," Cleek said. "That we could keep our traditional rivals."
But Cleek expressed confidence in Deaton and Alden making the decision that might be necessary to send Mizzou's athletic ship of state into SEC waters.
"Financially we've got to make this thing work," Cleek said. "They're in position to have the information and the knowledge that those of us here don't have.
"It's going to be a very major decision, but when you've seen in the last 16 to 18 months where Oklahoma and Texas both just about left.
"My heart says I'd love to stay in the Big 12. But financially and in terms of long-term stability it looks like the SEC would be a real good opportunity for us."
Over the weekend, many MU boosters said privately that a move to the SEC was a foregone conclusion.
But what ultimately is decided to be the best for the University of Missouri, for now, remains in public limbo.
