SWC Tries to Keep Arkansas From Going

A Southwest Conference committee met Wednesday to discuss expanding the league and revising schedules so that every conference member might not have to play each other in all sports.

The action is an attempt to keep charter member Arkansas from leaving, as well as considering the overall future of the conference.

Frank Broyles, Arkansas athletic director, has said the Razorbacks are considering severing their 76-year association with the SWC to join the Southeastern Conference. There also is speculation that conference powers Texas and Texas A&M; might also be lured away by the SEC. In addition, Texas Christian, a private school that joined the SWC in 1923, wants Texas and Texas A&M; to declare its intentions so it can plot its own future.

A Texas Tech official said the Red Raiders could join the Big Eight Conference or the Western Athletic Conference.

Some reports said that Big Eight power Oklahoma, a charter SWC member which left in 1920, might be a logical choice to replace Arkansas. Another suggestion that surfaced at the College Football Assn. meeting in Dallas earlier this month was the formation of a Big Southwest Conference, combining the SWC and the Big Eight.