“An exciting new era for the Pac-12 Conference begins today,” said Pac-12 Conference commissioner Teresa Gould in a press release. Adding Colorado State, San Diego State, Fresno State and Boise State is an important step toward keeping the Pac-12 Conference alive.

Just when it seemed like conference realignment had faded into the background of college athletics, the Pac-12 changed that on Thursday. The Pac-12 — which for the moment consists of only Washington State and Oregon State — announced Thursday plans to add four schools in an effort to rebuild the conference.