From TSN:
WAC targets Montana, four others
Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - The Western Athletic Conference is targeting five potential new members to fill two open spots for the 2012-13 school year, commissioner Karl Benson said Wednesday.
Benson said the candidates are Montana, Texas-San Antonio, Texas State, Seattle University and the University of Denver. The WAC will be losing Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada to the Mountain West Conference.
Speaking on a conference call from the WAC Council meetings, Benson said invitations may be handed out in the next 30 to 60 days.
Changes in conference alignment have been driven by football. Texas-San Antonio and Texas State have plans to move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision, while Montana has yet to decide on such a move from the Football Championship Subdivision. Denver and Seattle do not have football programs.
"Our first goal and our highest priority is to ensure that we have a minimum of eight football-playing schools for the 2012 season," Benson said on the conference call.
All candidates but Montana gave a presentation to the WAC Council. Benson said Montana had a different dialogue with the committee because its administration is still deciding on the university's future football status. The Grizzlies, a two-time national champion who have lost in the last two FCS title games, play in the Big Sky Conference.
Boise State will leave the WAC before the 2011-12 school year. Fresno State and Nevada hope to leave at the same time, although the WAC wants them to remain in the conference through the 2011-12 school year.
The WAC's remaining members will be Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State and Utah State.
WAC targets Montana, four others
Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - The Western Athletic Conference is targeting five potential new members to fill two open spots for the 2012-13 school year, commissioner Karl Benson said Wednesday.
Benson said the candidates are Montana, Texas-San Antonio, Texas State, Seattle University and the University of Denver. The WAC will be losing Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada to the Mountain West Conference.
Speaking on a conference call from the WAC Council meetings, Benson said invitations may be handed out in the next 30 to 60 days.
Changes in conference alignment have been driven by football. Texas-San Antonio and Texas State have plans to move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision, while Montana has yet to decide on such a move from the Football Championship Subdivision. Denver and Seattle do not have football programs.
"Our first goal and our highest priority is to ensure that we have a minimum of eight football-playing schools for the 2012 season," Benson said on the conference call.
All candidates but Montana gave a presentation to the WAC Council. Benson said Montana had a different dialogue with the committee because its administration is still deciding on the university's future football status. The Grizzlies, a two-time national champion who have lost in the last two FCS title games, play in the Big Sky Conference.
Boise State will leave the WAC before the 2011-12 school year. Fresno State and Nevada hope to leave at the same time, although the WAC wants them to remain in the conference through the 2011-12 school year.
The WAC's remaining members will be Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State and Utah State.
