Irving, Texas ? Bob Bowlsby was apprehensive when he first met with a group of Big 12 school presidents about becoming the league commissioner.

Like many other people, Bowlsby had an image of the Big 12 as being unstable after losing four schools over a two-year period. He says he found a group committed to each other and it put him at ease.

On Friday, the Stanford athletic director was formally introduced as the Big 12’s new commissioner. He will take over his new role in mid-June.

“I am especially pleased we have chosen one of the country’s most respected athletics directors to lead us,” Kansas athletic director Sheahon Zenger said. “Bob Bowlsby has a solid vision and tremendous leadership qualities. This is a great day for the Big 12. There are a lot of good things happening in this conference, and he is the right person to lead us as we begin a new era of competitive and academic excellence.”

Bowlsby says he’s encouraged and impressed with the stability and mutual commitment of the league’s 10 teams going into next season. That includes the additions of TCU and West Virginia when Texas A&M and Missouri leave for the SEC on July 1.