WAC likely to expand
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Although no official decision was made yesterday, the Western Athletic Conference is likely to increase its membership by at least one school for the 2005-'06 academic year.
The WAC presidents, who must approve membership changes, are scheduled to meet June 3 to 5, although they could discuss the matter in a teleconference.
"We expect our presidents will finalize something (at the June meeting)," WAC commissioner Karl Benson said.
On July 1, 2005, four schools — Rice, Southern Methodist, Texas-El Paso and Tulsa — will secede from the WAC and join Conference USA. At the same time, New Mexico State and Utah State will join the WAC. The WAC will be left with eight members, including Hawai'i, Boise State, Fresno State, Louisiana Tech, Nevada and San Jose State.
While the WAC could manage with eight members, Benson said, "I think a nine-team model is a better model than an eight-team model."
With nine members, each football team could play a balanced conference schedule of four road games and four home games.
Benson said the WAC athletic directors, meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz, this week, discussed models of eight, nine, 10 and 12 teams.
Last year, Benson pushed for a 12-team league split into two six-team divisions. But that was before the announced departure of Rice, SMU and Tulsa of the Central time zone and UTEP of the Mountain time zone. "At one time, I was a 12-team proponent," Benson said. "At this point, I don't have an opinion."
Idaho, North Texas and Louisiana-Lafayette have been mentioned as expansion candidates. Idaho could serve as Boise State's travel partner. North Texas, which is located 30 miles from Dallas, or Louisiana-Lafayette could pair with Louisiana Tech.
As for a published report that Louisiana Tech is seeking to join the Sun Belt Conference, Benson said, "No, absolutely not. We're expecting Louisiana Tech to continue to be a productive member of the Western Athletic Conference."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
