Finally, Missouri has joined the Southeastern Conference.

A process that took several weeks and included multiple meetings of the school's curators, the SEC presidents and the Big 12 board of directors finally concluded Sunday. The SEC, in an unanimous vote of its CEOs, said the Tigers will join the conference effective July 1, 2012 with competition in all sports beginning next school year.

The latest move in a four-month dance of conference realignment leaves the Big 12 with 10 schools and takes the SEC to 14. That will allow the SEC to play with seven-team football divisions next year. It is unclear where Missouri will go. Texas A&M, another former Big 12 member, joined earlier this fall.

"The Presidents and Chancellors of the Southeastern Conference are pleased to welcome the University of Missouri to the SEC," said Dr. Bernie Machen, President of the SEC Presidents and Chancellors and president of the University of Florida. "The University of Missouri is a prestigious academic institution with a strong athletic tradition and a culture similar to our current institutions."

Said Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton in a statement:

"The Southeastern Conference is a highly successful, stable, premier athletic conference that offers exciting opportunities for the University of Missouri. In joining the SEC, MU partners with universities distinguished for their academic programs and their emphasis on student success. The SEC will provide our student-athletes with top flight competition and unparalleled visibility. We came to this decision after careful consideration of the long term best interests of our university. We believe the Southeastern Conference is an outstanding home for the Mizzou Tigers, and we take great pride in our association with this distinguished league."

The Tigers sponsor 20 varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, football (4-5 this season after losing to Baylor on Saturday), golf, swimming and diving, wrestling, indoor and outdoor track and field and cross country. Women's sports include basketball, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field and cross country and volleyball. Missouri participates in every sport sponsored by the SEC except men's tennis and the SEC sponsors every sport the Tigers participate in except wrestling.