Posted on: Sunday, April 18, 2004

UTEP could get offer from C-USA

Advertiser Staff

The University of Texas-El Paso, the senior member of the Western Athletic Conference, has emerged as the favorite to be offered an invitation to join Conference USA.

An athletic official familiar with C-USA discussions said, "UTEP makes the most sense for what they want now." The Orlando Sentinel has reported that "C-USA athletic directors have recommended UTEP" to their presidents.

But Houston athletic director Dave Maggard told The Advertiser, "I think it is still a bit early to say. More work has to be done in a number of areas — some of which no one can discuss publicly."

UTEP joined the WAC in 1967 and, since the breakup of the 16-team conference in 1998, has been the senior member. Hawai'i, which is second in seniority, joined in 1979.

Speculation has been growing in El Paso that the Miners might be prepared to accept an invitation, if offered. C-USA presidents are scheduled to meet before the end of the month.

But Herman Frazier, Hawai'i athletic director, said, "I have not heard that they (the Miners) are going anywhere."

C-USA is looking for a 12th member for the 2005-06 season when Rice, Southern Methodist and Tulsa also come aboard to replace Cincinnati, DePaul, Louisville, Marquette and South Florida who are going to the Big East and UNC-Charlotte and Saint Louis, who are going to the Atlantic 10.

Another WAC member, Louisiana Tech, had been the early favorite for a C-USA invitation. But none was forthcoming after Tuesday's meeting of conference athletic directors. C-USA also showed interest in Temple, but the Owls preferred Atlantic-10 membership in basketball.

UTEP is attractive to C-USA because of its location in Texas and its so-called "40-10" (40,000 attendance in football, 10,000 in men's basketball) potential.