The Big 12 is changing.

For most, this is not new information. Most people know who is leaving (Missouri and Texas A&M), who is arriving (TCU and West Virginia) and how those changes will affect the larger sports at Iowa State, such as football and basketball.

But what most people do not know is how these changes are going to affect non-revenue sports. The sports that are often hidden from the spotlight are going to be changed in varying ways.

Take softball, for example.

Last season, the Big 12 had 10 teams since Colorado and Kansas State do not have softball programs. This year, following the departure of Colorado and Nebraska from all sports, the conference found itself down to nine teams.

After this season, Missouri and Texas A&M — both of which are considered softball powerhouses — will be leaving to reduce the Big 12 to seven teams.

“They are two really good schools,” said ISU junior Tori Torrescano. “The Big 12 is so competitive in softball that I don’t think [lack of competition] will be an issue. Our Big 12 schedule’s hard every year. So many good teams, so many good schools.”

Coming into the Big 12 are Texas Christian University and West Virginia, neither of which have softball programs.

It is rumored that TCU may be adding a softball program starting next season, but as of right now it’s just that: a rumor.

“TCU is looking at maybe adding some additional sports down the road,” said TCU Media Relations Director Mark Cohen. “Several sports are possibilities as to which ones would be added, but nothing is etched in stone right now.”

In just two years, Big 12 softball has gone from 10 teams down to seven, losing three perennial powers in the process.

How do these changes affect Iowa State?

The Cyclones are not known for having a winning tradition when it comes to softball. Since the 1994-95 season, they have not finished above .500 and can consistently be found near the bottom of the conference in offense, defense and pitching.

The Cyclones are currently 10-22, 0-6 in the Big 12 this season, which is last in the conference.

The departure of traditionally winning programs Missouri (28-5, 7-2 Big 12) and Texas A&M (25-10, 5-2 Big 12) will certainly reduce the difficulty of the Big 12 schedule for Iowa State. That is six less games the Cyclones will have to play against a regularly dominant opponent.

“It’s good and bad,” Torrescano said of the conference changes. “It’s always nice, really good competition. It’s part of the reason why I came here, was to play the best.”

The departures will also open the door for Texas (31-2, 5-0 Big 12) and Oklahoma (30-4, 6-1) to exercise their dominance of the conference even further since their toughest competition is no longer an issue.

Scheduling as a whole is sure to change next year, as well. The fact that neither TCU nor West Virginia have softball programs will likely shorten the conference schedule for Big 12 teams.

“Since we’re not adding other teams, it’s just less games for us,” said ISU sophomore Sara Davison. “It’ll just give us more time to focus on other teams.”

Travel should not change too much for the Cyclones, at least in terms of conference play. Missouri and Texas A&M are gone, but travel to Texas and the rest of the Midwest will obviously continue.

Given that West Virginia does not have a softball program, the Cyclones will not have to make any trips into the mountains out east in the foreseeable future.