An interesting article from the trib back in Feb
"When it comes to conference realignment, Utah and BYU are the in-state schools most often connected to the discussion.
In fact, sport-talk radio chatter and Internet speculation on the subject has been nonstop since new Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott recently said his league will explore all options in regard to expanded membership.
But what about Southern Utah?
The Thunderbirds, who split time between the little Great West Conference in football and the far-flung Summit League in basketball, need a new home far more urgently than the Utes or Cougars.
While Utah and BYU can continue to prosper in the existing Mountain West Conference – the league appears on track for automatic qualifying status in the BCS – Southern Utah is fighting a hard-to-win battle in its present situation.
But there is a logical solution: membership in the Big Sky Conference.
Athletic director Ken Beazer knows his school is a natural for the Big Sky, although etiquette prevents him from saying so.
That would be like a guy talking about a mistress before his divorce is final.
On the other hand, Big Sky commissioner Doug Fullerton is well-positioned to discuss the subject.
Asked this week how the nine-school Big Sky views expansion, Fullerton said, “It’s an always-type of thing for us. We know where we are in the food chain, so it’s something we need to constantly discuss.”
Asked if Southern Utah would ever be considered, Fullerton said, “Absolutely.”
Now, before you start buying tickets for the annual Weber State-Southern Utah football game, Big Sky expansion is not imminent.
No formal discussions have taken place and presentations have not been sought.
It just makes sense.
Geographically, Southern Utah is a perfect fit.
Academically, SUU is just as qualified for the Big Sky as its newest members – Northern Colorado, Portland State and Sacramento State.
So, suppose Utah goes to the Pac-10 while BYU and/or TCU end up in the Big 12.
Would the Mountain West invade the Western Athletic Conference for replacements – perhaps Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada and/or Utah State?
If so, Fullerton “absolutely believes” the WAC would look toward the Big Sky to replenish its numbers, much like it did not long ago when it added Boise, Idaho and Nevada.
Suppose the WAC convinced Montana and Montana State it was time to move up?
Or suppose the WAC gambled on the potential of larger market schools like Portland State and Sacramento State?
In either case, the Big Sky would need replacements.
Hello, Southern Utah.
Even if change doesn’t rearrange the Mountain West or the WAC, Southern Utah could be attractive to the Big Sky if the league expands to 10 or 12 teams.
Certainly, one barrier has been removed.
Montana president George Dennison is retiring.
For reasons nobody seems to know, Dennison has been adamantly opposed to Southern Utah’s membership in the Big Sky Conference for most of his 20 years on the job.
Perhaps Dennison’s replacement will be more open-minded.
Some would say more logical."
By Steve Luhm, The Salt Lake Tribune
