WAC lining up new members.
Interesting article. WAC still leary of the Mtn West
Commissioner says WAC has new members lined up
By Dan McCarney
Published: 08:22 p.m., Friday, January 14, 2011
Page 1 of 1
A day after the NCAA passed legislation that preserves the Western Athletic Conference's immediate future, commissioner Karl Benson said Friday he has identified multiple universities that are interested in joining the league.
"There are schools that have indicated they are ready to accept invitations," Benson said after meeting with the athletic directors of the WAC's new eight-team lineup, including UTSA's Lynn Hickey and Texas State's Larry Teis, for about four hours.
Benson said additions could be announced as early as April 1.
While declining to name any football schools, Benson did say Seattle University, California State-Bakersfield and Utah Valley will be assessed as non-football members.
"We started the process today of evaluating a pool of potential candidates," he said. "That's all I can tell you. I don't think staying at eight (members) is one of our preferred options. Our preference is to get to 10, maybe even 12."
Multiple sources, one of which attended Friday's meeting, told the Express-News recently the list of football candidates includes, but is not necessarily limited to, Louisiana-Lafayette, Lamar, Sam Houston State, California-Davis, Portland State and Cal Poly.
The sources also said the WAC could make fresh runs at Montana and North Texas, both of which turned down invitations last November. If Montana were to be approached again, one of the sources said, Montana State would likely be considered as well.
Beginning in 2012, the WAC will comprise newcomers UTSA, Texas State, Denver (non-basketball) and holdovers Utah State, Louisiana Tech, Idaho, New Mexico State and San Jose State.
The imminent departures of Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada and Hawaii had threatened to violate the NCAA's continuity requirement for automatic tournament berths.
But that rule was replaced Thursday with new legislation that bases qualification on membership - seven teams for men's and women's basketball, and six for other sports.
Eight teams are required to be recognized as a Football Bowl Subdivision conference. The WAC currently has only seven, but individual members will still be able to qualify for bowls and the Bowl Championship Series.
"Even though we were expecting it, it's nice to be able to officially announce it and go forward," Benson said. "It allows us to put aside any doubt that was out there. It also allows us to assure future members that were questioning what our NCAA status was going to be."
The legislation also clarified the transition period from the Football Championship Series to the Football Bowl Series. Texas State will be a bowl-eligible, FBS member by 2013, and followed by UTSA in 2014.
Despite the new rules, Benson acknowledged that losing more members is still a concern.
He said the WAC will keep a close eye on a Jan. 24 meeting of the Mountain West Conference, at which the league is expected to decide whether to remain at 10 members or expand to 12.
If the league chooses to expand, Utah State would likely be a strong candidate. The league could also pry a team loose from Conference USA, long considered a possible destination for Louisiana Tech.
"Unfortunately, we're kind of held at bay until the Mountain West makes their decision," Benson said. "Obviously there are WAC schools that might be on the list. It's something we have to recognize as a possibility. We are certainly hoping there isn't any further deletion."
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