Iowa State is one of the most well-known universities in the United States. It is a public land-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa and was established in 1858. It is one of the top-ranked universities in the United States, and is known for its academics, research, and athletics. Iowa State is also a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a conference of twelve universities that compete in NCAA Division I athletics. But is Iowa State part of the Big 12?
The History of Iowa State and the Big 12
Iowa State was founded in 1858 and became a member of the Big 12 Conference in 1996. Prior to joining the Big 12, Iowa State had been a member of the Big Eight Conference from 1907 until 1996. The Big Eight Conference was a conference of eight universities in the Midwest that competed in NCAA Division I athletics. In 1996, the Big Eight Conference merged with four schools from the Southwest Conference to form the Big 12. Iowa State was one of the four schools to join the Big 12 from the Big Eight.
Iowa State’s Athletics in the Big 12
Since joining the Big 12 in 1996, Iowa State’s athletics program has seen a lot of success. The Cyclones have won over 30 Big 12 Championships in various sports, including football, basketball, and track and field. The football team has won seven Big 12 Championships and has competed in six bowl games. The men’s basketball team has won six Big 12 Championships and has made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four appearance in 2000.
The Cyclones have also had success in other sports. The men’s cross-country team has won six Big 12 Championships and the women’s cross-country team has won two. The men’s track and field team has won four Big 12 Championships and the women’s team has won three. The baseball team has also won four Big 12 Championships.
Academics at Iowa State
As member of the Big 12 Conference, Iowa State is also known for its academics. The university is ranked among the top 100 universities in the United States and is a member of the Association of American Universities, which is an organization of the top research universities in North America. Iowa State offers over 100 undergraduate majors and nearly 200 graduate programs.
The university is also known for its research. Iowa State has a strong focus on research and is home to several research centers, including the National Center for Animal Health, the National Center for Food Safety and Technology, and the National Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability.
Conclusion
To answer the question, yes, Iowa State is part of the Big 12 Conference. The university joined the conference in 1996 when it merged with the Big Eight Conference and has since seen a lot of success in athletics and academics. The Cyclones have won over 30 Big 12 Championships and the university is ranked among the top 100 universities in the United States. Iowa State has also had success in research and is home to several research centers.