(06-24-2022 07:58 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 07:09 PM)Todor Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 06:05 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 05:53 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  I’m wondering if anyone has gauged Northern Arizona’s interest. With Southern Utah coming to the WAC, their closest conference mate is Weber State at an over eight hour drive. Northern Colorado and Sacramento State are over 11.

They are closer to Southern Utah (4 hours), Utah Tech (4.5) and have an in-state rival with Grand Canyon (2).

Cal Baptist (6.5), New Mexico St (7) and Utah Valley (7.5) are all closer drives than their nearest BSC rival.

They also aren’t major players in the strength of the BSC. 2 football titles in their history, last outright was 1978. Five MBB titles, three outright and last in 2007 with two NCAA appearances. They kick butt in the cross country and track sports, which the WAC is strong in.

Seems like a good fit for the WAC west to me.

Oh boy…

Well, if Cedar City is now closer to Flagstaff than St George, I guess anything is possible. I doubt he’s ever been to either place, but still.

I just entered each school into Google maps. No, I haven’t traveled each, but that’s generally considered a reliable source.

As for the school, money talks. Yes Big Sky is stable, relatively speaking, but if no one reached out to Southern Utah, would anything have changed? The conversation is worth having.

Yes, it was. For the 37,286th time.

The WAC has reached out to every western school in the last 10 years. As CP put it, they’re not going to leave the Big Sky for the WAC, nor should they. Their administration isn’t going to leave the Big Sky unless some of them go to FBS. Maybe then, and only then, would they CONSIDER joining the WAC.

(06-24-2022 08:10 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  The WAC has reached out to every western school in the last 10 years. As CP put it, they’re not going to leave the Big Sky for the WAC, nor should they. Their administration isn’t going to leave the Big Sky unless some of them go to FBS. Maybe then, and only then, would they CONSIDER joining the WAC.

This is an area I really wish wasn't true, but unfortunately it is. I want the WAC to attract other good Western DI schools. I want the leadership of the WAC to step up and find ways to make it happen. I am not confident it will happen.

I think it would be awesome if it shrunk back down to 6-7 schools with RGV being possibly the only Texas school. It would be back to the footprint of 8-9 years ago, and would provide a much easier path to the NCAA in nearly every sport.

And I know “it’s not sustainable…what if just one school leaves…” All true, but its no more sustainable to add the schools we have when most of them either leave and/or don’t even arrive. The number of options is finite, so I wish it were possible to just tell everyone to go to hell and run it small. These 14 team, 1 bid conferences might not look so appealing.

No, a 7 team conference may not be realistic, but it would feel better than this constant flux and total chaos. I think I just miss the Great West—everyone bound together because they needed each other, and it was just that simple.

(06-24-2022 08:04 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 07:58 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 07:09 PM)Todor Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 06:05 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 05:53 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  I’m wondering if anyone has gauged Northern Arizona’s interest. With Southern Utah coming to the WAC, their closest conference mate is Weber State at an over eight hour drive. Northern Colorado and Sacramento State are over 11.

They are closer to Southern Utah (4 hours), Utah Tech (4.5) and have an in-state rival with Grand Canyon (2).

Cal Baptist (6.5), New Mexico St (7) and Utah Valley (7.5) are all closer drives than their nearest BSC rival.

They also aren’t major players in the strength of the BSC. 2 football titles in their history, last outright was 1978. Five MBB titles, three outright and last in 2007 with two NCAA appearances. They kick butt in the cross country and track sports, which the WAC is strong in.

Seems like a good fit for the WAC west to me.

Oh boy…

Well, if Cedar City is now closer to Flagstaff than St George, I guess anything is possible. I doubt he’s ever been to either place, but still.

I just entered each school into Google maps. No, I haven’t traveled each, but that’s generally considered a reliable source.

As for the school, money talks. Yes Big Sky is stable, relatively speaking, but if no one reached out to Southern Utah, would anything have changed? The conversation is worth having.

Yes, it was. For the 37,286th time.

My bad. Didn't read the terms of service where it mentioned I had to read every post on the board before making a different one. New guy here who has wondered why Northern Arizona would pay more money for less success, but hey, since it's been discussed, I'll keep it to myself and post less on a message board not designed for posting messages.

(06-24-2022 09:03 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 08:04 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 07:58 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 07:09 PM)Todor Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 06:05 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  Oh boy…

Well, if Cedar City is now closer to Flagstaff than St George, I guess anything is possible. I doubt he’s ever been to either place, but still.

I just entered each school into Google maps. No, I haven’t traveled each, but that’s generally considered a reliable source.

As for the school, money talks. Yes Big Sky is stable, relatively speaking, but if no one reached out to Southern Utah, would anything have changed? The conversation is worth having.

Yes, it was. For the 37,286th time.

My bad. Didn't read the terms of service where it mentioned I had to read every post on the board before making a different one. New guy here who has wondered why Northern Arizona would pay more money for less success, but hey, since it's been discussed, I'll keep it to myself and post less on a message board not designed for posting messages.

Don’t let them bother you.

We had an over 200 page thread about WAC expansion covering every school out west plus some and was discussed ad nauseam. Everybody said no which is why we were stuck with UIW.

Looking forward to visiting your arena when Tarleton comes to town.

At this point, a Lone Star Conference bloc-moveup is the WAC's best, and perhaps only hope. WT, Angelo, UTPB, MSU-Texas, A&M Kingsville all have the wherewithal. If Tarleton and SFA bounce, this option becomes moot. WAC Commish will need those schools to help sell it.

Like NAU ever calculated their budget based on drive times? Pffft.

Though I’m an advocate of seeing if Colorado State or UNM want to upgrade to FCS.

(PS- the joke would have far better suited San Jose State except for… eh, are we sure the world didn’t simply hallucinate 2020?)

(06-24-2022 09:30 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  At this point, a Lone Star Conference bloc-moveup is the WAC's best, and perhaps only hope. WT, Angelo, UTPB, MSU-Texas, A&M Kingsville all have the wherewithal. If Tarleton and SFA bounce, this option becomes moot. WAC Commish will need those schools to help sell it.

I know that this may seem to be the more doable route, but we really need more Western DI institutions. Time for the WAC leadership to step it up.

(06-24-2022 09:30 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  At this point, a Lone Star Conference bloc-moveup is the WAC's best, and perhaps only hope. WT, Angelo, UTPB, MSU-Texas, A&M Kingsville all have the wherewithal. If Tarleton and SFA bounce, this option becomes moot. WAC Commish will need those schools to help sell it.

That's not going to happen. Midwestern is too small. Texas A & I is broke and Daddy Warbucks Sharp still butt hurt over merger so he will block them every step of the way. Angelo State has the resources but not the desire. WT is the best option but current fossil President is not interested. UTPB has the athletic facilities of a 4A High School.

Colorado Mesa is the best option in the RMAC but they have already declined. CSU Pueblo doesn't have the resources nor does the Mines.

Head scratcher why the WAC cannot attract Northern Colorado. Its not like they are tearing up in their current conference.

WAC statement: https://wacsports.com/general/2021-22/re...atementuiw

(06-24-2022 10:20 PM)Outsider Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 09:30 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  At this point, a Lone Star Conference bloc-moveup is the WAC's best, and perhaps only hope. WT, Angelo, UTPB, MSU-Texas, A&M Kingsville all have the wherewithal. If Tarleton and SFA bounce, this option becomes moot. WAC Commish will need those schools to help sell it.

I know that this may seem to be the more doable route, but we really need more Western DI institutions. Time for the WAC leadership to step it up.

Football, man. WAC needs FOOTBALL schools. Outside of the BSC, Western FCS schools are virtually non-existent. Western D2 moveup options, even worse. In fact, the only two remaining D2's West of CO are now in the LSC. It's looking like D2 moveups or bust for the WAC, and the LSC has the cream of the crop.

(06-24-2022 04:59 PM)OscarWildeCat Wrote:  I don’t want to go all DavidST here, but realistically the WAC Commish needs to be on the phones gauging interest muy pronto, and as much as I hate to admit it that includes calls to some D2 schools or, better yet, some D1 schools looking to add football.

No need to rush, that's how we ended up with UIW in the first place.

WACSUN agreement gives us football stability for as long as each conference needs it.

Let Texas/OU dust settle and aim to find an extra school or two that plays football afterwards.

(06-24-2022 05:53 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  I’m wondering if anyone has gauged Northern Arizona’s interest. With Southern Utah coming to the WAC, their closest conference mate is Weber State at an over eight hour drive. Northern Colorado and Sacramento State are over 11.

They are closer to Southern Utah (4 hours), Utah Tech (4.5) and have an in-state rival with Grand Canyon (2).

Cal Baptist (6.5), New Mexico St (7) and Utah Valley (7.5) are all closer drives than their nearest BSC rival.

They also aren’t major players in the strength of the BSC. 2 football titles in their history, last outright was 1978. Five MBB titles, three outright and last in 2007 with two NCAA appearances. They kick butt in the cross country and track sports, which the WAC is strong in.

Seems like a good fit for the WAC west to me.

Is this guy seriously looking at potential candidates based on drive times? Have you ever been out west?

(06-24-2022 10:37 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 10:20 PM)Outsider Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 09:30 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  At this point, a Lone Star Conference bloc-moveup is the WAC's best, and perhaps only hope. WT, Angelo, UTPB, MSU-Texas, A&M Kingsville all have the wherewithal. If Tarleton and SFA bounce, this option becomes moot. WAC Commish will need those schools to help sell it.

I know that this may seem to be the more doable route, but we really need more Western DI institutions. Time for the WAC leadership to step it up.

Football, man. WAC needs FOOTBALL schools. Outside of the BSC, Western FCS schools are virtually non-existent. Western D2 moveup options, even worse. In fact, the only two remaining D2's West of CO are now in the LSC. It's looking like D2 moveups or bust for the WAC, and the LSC has the cream of the crop.

Yep. If the WAC is serious about becoming a FB conference then this is the only way forward.

(06-25-2022 05:58 AM)SDHornet Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 10:37 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 10:20 PM)Outsider Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 09:30 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  At this point, a Lone Star Conference bloc-moveup is the WAC's best, and perhaps only hope. WT, Angelo, UTPB, MSU-Texas, A&M Kingsville all have the wherewithal. If Tarleton and SFA bounce, this option becomes moot. WAC Commish will need those schools to help sell it.

I know that this may seem to be the more doable route, but we really need more Western DI institutions. Time for the WAC leadership to step it up.

Football, man. WAC needs FOOTBALL schools. Outside of the BSC, Western FCS schools are virtually non-existent. Western D2 moveup options, even worse. In fact, the only two remaining D2's West of CO are now in the LSC. It's looking like D2 moveups or bust for the WAC, and the LSC has the cream of the crop.

Yep. If the WAC is serious about becoming a FB conference then this is the only way forward.

Few, if any of the FCS schools in Texas are serious members at this point, so we may as well give up the failed plan. UT and SUU will just have to find a place for football on their own. There is no future of fcs football in the WAC. I have doubts about RGV moving forward as planned, and if they do, it will most likely not remain in the WAC very long.

Adding more schools from the dregs of D2 in order to attempt FCS football is a stupid idea. All it does is saddle the league with more move ups who aren’t ready, have no money, and drag the league down in every other sport just to serve as a placeholder for one sport. It’s terrible strategy. No decent basketball school wants every add to be vetted only on a football basis. It isn’t feasible or logical and doesn’t serve anyones needs well.

If it’s d2 move ups or bust, we better just bust now before we get in any deeper into the quicksand.

(06-25-2022 06:16 AM)Todor Wrote:  

(06-25-2022 05:58 AM)SDHornet Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 10:37 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 10:20 PM)Outsider Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 09:30 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  At this point, a Lone Star Conference bloc-moveup is the WAC's best, and perhaps only hope. WT, Angelo, UTPB, MSU-Texas, A&M Kingsville all have the wherewithal. If Tarleton and SFA bounce, this option becomes moot. WAC Commish will need those schools to help sell it.

I know that this may seem to be the more doable route, but we really need more Western DI institutions. Time for the WAC leadership to step it up.

Football, man. WAC needs FOOTBALL schools. Outside of the BSC, Western FCS schools are virtually non-existent. Western D2 moveup options, even worse. In fact, the only two remaining D2's West of CO are now in the LSC. It's looking like D2 moveups or bust for the WAC, and the LSC has the cream of the crop.

Yep. If the WAC is serious about becoming a FB conference then this is the only way forward.

Few, if any of the FCS schools in Texas are serious members at this point, so we may as well give up the failed plan. UT and SUU will just have to find a place for football on their own. There is no future of fcs football in the WAC. I have doubts about RGV moving forward as planned, and if they do, it will most likely not remain in the WAC very long.

Adding more schools from the dregs of D2 in order to attempt FCS football is a stupid idea. All it does is saddle the league with more move ups who aren’t ready, have no money, and drag the league down in every other sport just to serve as a placeholder for one sport. It’s terrible strategy. No decent basketball school wants every add to be vetted only on a football basis. It isn’t feasible or logical and doesn’t serve anyones needs well.

If it’s d2 move ups or bust, we better just bust now before we get in any deeper into the quicksand.

SUU made their bed in the WAC, BSC doesn't want them back. Consider them a long term WAC member.

There is validity in your statement regarding the WAC and FB. I think they put their eggs in that basket and are getting burned once again. This is just history repeating itself at a lower level of FB.

Good news is it sounds like most of the lineup of WAC will be in the WAC for the long run. If the SLC adds don't pull a UIW, the WAC will be just fine.

Edit: Also I wonder what happens with baseball scheduling. After all the departures and additions, it would have been an even 6 and 6 in the west and southwest. Now it'll be 6 and 5. I'd sure hate to see travel to Texas back on the table for us western teams.

(06-25-2022 07:10 AM)SDHornet Wrote:  

(06-25-2022 06:16 AM)Todor Wrote:  

(06-25-2022 05:58 AM)SDHornet Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 10:37 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 10:20 PM)Outsider Wrote:  I know that this may seem to be the more doable route, but we really need more Western DI institutions. Time for the WAC leadership to step it up.

Football, man. WAC needs FOOTBALL schools. Outside of the BSC, Western FCS schools are virtually non-existent. Western D2 moveup options, even worse. In fact, the only two remaining D2's West of CO are now in the LSC. It's looking like D2 moveups or bust for the WAC, and the LSC has the cream of the crop.

Yep. If the WAC is serious about becoming a FB conference then this is the only way forward.

Few, if any of the FCS schools in Texas are serious members at this point, so we may as well give up the failed plan. UT and SUU will just have to find a place for football on their own. There is no future of fcs football in the WAC. I have doubts about RGV moving forward as planned, and if they do, it will most likely not remain in the WAC very long.

Adding more schools from the dregs of D2 in order to attempt FCS football is a stupid idea. All it does is saddle the league with more move ups who aren’t ready, have no money, and drag the league down in every other sport just to serve as a placeholder for one sport. It’s terrible strategy. No decent basketball school wants every add to be vetted only on a football basis. It isn’t feasible or logical and doesn’t serve anyones needs well.

If it’s d2 move ups or bust, we better just bust now before we get in any deeper into the quicksand.

SUU made their bed in the WAC, BSC doesn't want them back. Consider them a long term WAC member.

There is validity in your statement regarding the WAC and FB. I think they put their eggs in that basket and are getting burned once again. This is just history repeating itself at a lower level of FB.

Good news is it sounds like most of the lineup of WAC will be in the WAC for the long run. If the SLC adds don't pull a UIW, the WAC will be just fine.

I do consider Southern Utah a long term member. But while they are a member, their football will just have to be their problem, as opposed to the entire conference constantly trying to track down more and more D2 move ups and schools from 1000 miles away to try to get to some magic number for the sake of a sport that very few watch, brings the conference virtually no money and half the conference doesn’t even have.

Right now, the best case scenario would be travel partners of-

Seattle and Utah Valley
Tech and Southern
GCU and Cal Bap
RGV and UTA

And however long Tarleton is still here, put some other team who hasn’t left yet.

The rest can go. But 8 would be a fine number. 10 would just be a waste. Leftovers can go back to the southland. Or not. Just go away from the WAC.

(06-25-2022 07:16 AM)Todor Wrote:  

(06-25-2022 07:10 AM)SDHornet Wrote:  

(06-25-2022 06:16 AM)Todor Wrote:  

(06-25-2022 05:58 AM)SDHornet Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 10:37 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  Football, man. WAC needs FOOTBALL schools. Outside of the BSC, Western FCS schools are virtually non-existent. Western D2 moveup options, even worse. In fact, the only two remaining D2's West of CO are now in the LSC. It's looking like D2 moveups or bust for the WAC, and the LSC has the cream of the crop.

Yep. If the WAC is serious about becoming a FB conference then this is the only way forward.

Few, if any of the FCS schools in Texas are serious members at this point, so we may as well give up the failed plan. UT and SUU will just have to find a place for football on their own. There is no future of fcs football in the WAC. I have doubts about RGV moving forward as planned, and if they do, it will most likely not remain in the WAC very long.

Adding more schools from the dregs of D2 in order to attempt FCS football is a stupid idea. All it does is saddle the league with more move ups who aren’t ready, have no money, and drag the league down in every other sport just to serve as a placeholder for one sport. It’s terrible strategy. No decent basketball school wants every add to be vetted only on a football basis. It isn’t feasible or logical and doesn’t serve anyones needs well.

If it’s d2 move ups or bust, we better just bust now before we get in any deeper into the quicksand.

SUU made their bed in the WAC, BSC doesn't want them back. Consider them a long term WAC member.

There is validity in your statement regarding the WAC and FB. I think they put their eggs in that basket and are getting burned once again. This is just history repeating itself at a lower level of FB.

Good news is it sounds like most of the lineup of WAC will be in the WAC for the long run. If the SLC adds don't pull a UIW, the WAC will be just fine.

I do consider Southern Utah a long term member. But while they are a member, their football will just have to be their problem, as opposed to the entire conference constantly trying to track down more and more D2 move ups and schools from 1000 miles away to try to get to some magic number for the sake of a sport that no one cares about and half the conference doesn’t even have.

Agreed. They should have thought that through when they made the move. It's their problem to deal with, not the WAC's.

(06-25-2022 07:10 AM)SDHornet Wrote:  

(06-25-2022 06:16 AM)Todor Wrote:  

(06-25-2022 05:58 AM)SDHornet Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 10:37 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(06-24-2022 10:20 PM)Outsider Wrote:  I know that this may seem to be the more doable route, but we really need more Western DI institutions. Time for the WAC leadership to step it up.

Football, man. WAC needs FOOTBALL schools. Outside of the BSC, Western FCS schools are virtually non-existent. Western D2 moveup options, even worse. In fact, the only two remaining D2's West of CO are now in the LSC. It's looking like D2 moveups or bust for the WAC, and the LSC has the cream of the crop.

Yep. If the WAC is serious about becoming a FB conference then this is the only way forward.

Few, if any of the FCS schools in Texas are serious members at this point, so we may as well give up the failed plan. UT and SUU will just have to find a place for football on their own. There is no future of fcs football in the WAC. I have doubts about RGV moving forward as planned, and if they do, it will most likely not remain in the WAC very long.

Adding more schools from the dregs of D2 in order to attempt FCS football is a stupid idea. All it does is saddle the league with more move ups who aren’t ready, have no money, and drag the league down in every other sport just to serve as a placeholder for one sport. It’s terrible strategy. No decent basketball school wants every add to be vetted only on a football basis. It isn’t feasible or logical and doesn’t serve anyones needs well.

If it’s d2 move ups or bust, we better just bust now before we get in any deeper into the quicksand.

SUU made their bed in the WAC, BSC doesn't want them back. Consider them a long term WAC member.

There is validity in your statement regarding the WAC and FB. I think they put their eggs in that basket and are getting burned once again. This is just history repeating itself at a lower level of FB.

Good news is it sounds like most of the lineup of WAC will be in the WAC for the long run. If the SLC adds don't pull a UIW, the WAC will be just fine.

Edit: Also I wonder what happens with baseball scheduling. After all the departures and additions, it would have been an even 6 and 6 in the west and southwest. Now it'll be 6 and 5. I'd sure hate to see travel to Texas back on the table for us western teams.

At this point neither SFA nor ACU have any desire to return to the SLC, and neither of us is ready to move to FBS.

As long as the ASUN-WAC alliance holds football is fine, even if Tarleton moves to FBS. The BSC recognizes they have too many members for scheduling purposes. A logical solution for them and the WAC is fir the zbSC to show their Football only schools the door and encourage them to affiliate with the WAC.