Ohio State Football Alumni and Big Ten Network Announcer, Joshua Perry has been involved in the Big Ten Conference for several years, both on and off the field. I got the chance to personally ask Perry about his thoughts regarding the addition of USC and UCLA will mean for the Big Ten’s future.

   Perry has seen major change in the conference since his first year as a Buckeye in 2012.

  “…The biggest area of progress I’ve seen is player engagement and development,” Perry said. “The conference also offers internships to current and former student athletes so they can build valuable and relevant work skills.”

   In terms of athletics, the Big Ten has established itself as a prominent and extremely competitive Power Five NCAA Division One conference. This high-level of play stretches across many different sports, with the most attention on football and basketball. The Big Ten has had several top 25 appearances in the College Football AP Poll. Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois have all held a spot, or currently hold a spot in the top 25 throughout the duration of the season.

   Future Big Ten teams, USC and UCLA have also peaked at no. 4 and no. 9 on the AP Poll.

   “The additions of USC and UCLA will instantly increase the competition level and prestige of the conference, both athletically and academically,” Perry said. 

   Perry told me he is hopeful the conference will be able to expand in terms of global success from an athletic standpoint. 

   “…Non revenue programs and Olympic sports will benefit just as much or more, as both of those institutions have a strong history of success in sports outside of football and basketball,” Perry said. 

   The Big Ten Network will have the chance to air more games that will likely draw in more eyes across the country, whether it be established rivalries or simply high-caliber matchups between two teams. The geographic expansion will allow a coastal range of Big Ten Network viewers, and therefore give the network more opportunities to be creative. 

   “It will also give the network a chance to do more story telling with original programs and the brand will now be seen from coast to coast,” Perry said. 

   Overall, the addition of USC and UCLA is predicted to heighten the competition, prestige, and national attention to the Big Ten Conference and Network. With recent announcements to expand and change several other Power Five Conferences within the NCAA, collegiate sports look to further evolve and push the envelope in terms of what they are able to accomplish. Especially since many aspects of college athletics were once a dream, but are now a reality.