Why Would MWC Want UTEP?

[StallionsModelT]

I just can't wrap my mind around an invite going to UTEP. I mean really. UTEP?! So their solution to losing the entire Utah TV market and two of the most respected programs in their conference is to add Fresno State, Nevada, UTEP, and Houston? Talk about underwhelming. If I'm the MWC I simply stay put with adding Fresno and Nevada. Its obvious that the realignment occurring now is simply posturing for the next round of realignment in a few years. Adding Houston and UTEP does NOTHING to elevate the standing of the conference in light of two of the top three programs having bolted for greener pastures.

[SMU21TCU10]

I just can't wrap my mind around an invite going to UTEP. I mean really. UTEP?! So their solution to losing the entire Utah TV market and two of the most respected programs in their conference is to add Fresno State, Nevada, UTEP, and Houston? Talk about underwhelming. If I'm the MWC I simply stay put with adding Fresno and Nevada. Its obvious that the realignment occurring now is simply posturing for the next round of realignment in a few years. Adding Houston and UTEP does NOTHING to elevate the standing of the conference in light of two of the top three programs having bolted for greener pastures.

Who else other than Utah did they lose?

[ponyinNC]

think he's referring to BYU, even though they haven't technically left...yet

[SMU 86]

I guess because UTEP and New Mexico kind of creates a rivalry.

[WorldStang]

To answer your question.. direct answer from UTEP that I found.. some valid points.. some not so valid. I report.. you decide
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Let's not discount the fact that for 32 years (1967-1999) the Miners were in the WAC with BYU, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado State. The WAC's basketball history was built on a nice rivalry between UTEP and BYU during the 1980's and early 1990's. UTEP is a natural geographic rival for New Mexico.

Full stadiums look good on television.

2. Attendance & Market Support

Take a look at the following chart comparing attendance figures at UTEP and the candidates identified by the MW-Connection.

Football/Basketball Attendance Figures for 2009 & 5 Year Average (From NCAA)

School Football 2009 Att. 5 Year Avg. Basketball 2009 5 Year Avg.
Boise State 32,782 31,192 4,044 4,263
Fresno State 33,578 37,118 8,969 10,621
Nevada 17,500 17,086 6,953 7,924
Houston 25,242 20,935 3,814 4,326
Tulsa 22,502 23,107 5,783 5,752
SMU 21,348 18,078 2,835 2,806
UTEP 29,010 38,843 8,675 9,125


I included basketball attendance to show a broader point. Whenever expansion talk happens, Houston and SMU will instantly be mentioned because they are in huge media markets. What difference does it make if you are in the nation's 5th or 10th largest media market if nobody in those markets cares to see you live or on TV in college athletics two marquee sports? Houston has over 30,000 students at their campus yet they average under 21,000 fans at football games over 5 years. SMU get's 2,800 a game in basketball. There are good high school programs in Dallas that could get more fans than that. Really.

Over the last five years (I used 5 years because the NCAA site only has team by team attendance through 2004), UTEP has averaged more football fans per game than all of the other teams mentioned. Fresno State is right there. Boise packs their stadium, and I'm sure if they added more seats they'd be full too. The other schools simply have atrocious local support. Houston had their most successful season in 20 years, and had a home game with Texas Tech on their schedule, yet they still averaged 4,000 less fans a game than UTEP who probably had their most disappointing season under Mike Price in 2009. SMU has a beautiful campus and has lots of tradition. But, in a year where they made a bowl game, they averaged under 22k fans a home game. Doesn't Odessa Permian beat that at Ratliff?

UTEP, even in bad seasons, has incredible city wide support that dwarfs the love Houston, SMU, and Tulsa get in their respective cities. When Coach Price has UTEP winning, the Miners will easily average over 40,000 per game on the gridiron and sellouts are common (52,000). In basketball, most El Paso fans still don't know where or what "Marshall" is but there are still over 9,000 at the Don per home game. Even in years where Houston and SMU made huge strides in football, their local support doesn't come near UTEP's. Imagine when they have down years. And, they will.

Houston and Dallas are professional sports towns. And when locals take the time to follow college sports, they follow the Big 12. That's the honest truth. TCU was a point or two away from the BCS National Championship Game and they had all of one sellout in Ft. Worth this year. Why so bad? Even TCU's Cancellor blames their attendance woes on "conference affiliation." If Dallas doesn't support a MWC team that's as good as TCU, how will they treat SMU?

[Dooby]

UTEP is in the 98th largest TV market.

If you look at UTEP's recent football history, it isn't impressive. They haven't been to a bowl in 4 years. I love this stat: Over the past 10 years, they have averaged just one more win a year than SMU, while SMU had an 0-fer and two one win seasons. No one disputes that SMU has been wandering the wilderness. At least, SMU can argue that it has turned things around and made a commitment. What the hell has UTEP been doing? Price is fired if he doesn't win this year.

Bowl wins last 20 years: SMU-1; UTEP-0.

[Cardinal Puff]

They want to own the least populated time zone.

[ALEX LIFESON]

They travel well too, something our fans need to improve on. Pony Up!

[f4shionablecha0s]

They travel well too, something our fans need to improve on. Pony Up!

It's hard when the majority of our alumni base actually... you know, has a job and stuff...

[RGV Pony]

They travel well too, something our fans need to improve on. Pony Up!

It's hard when the majority of our alumni base actually... you know, has a job and stuff...

most football games are on the weekend

[03Mustang]

They travel well too, something our fans need to improve on. Pony Up!

It's hard when the majority of our alumni base actually... you know, has a job and stuff...

Quite possibly the worst excuse for poor attendance I've ever heard/seen.

[Cardinal Puff]

We may think they travel well, but I believe they have a large alumni group in D-FW that shows up for our games

[westexSMU]

I think BYU and then probably TCU are history in the MWC. TCU will leave if BYU goes. Therefore I think the MWC is just going back to its Western roots taking Fresno St. and Nevada. UTEP will join them if offered. That makes sense. Houston, SMU etc. (Texas Teams) will say no IF TCU does leave.

[stc9]

I can understand your point about people supporting UTEP and going to the games; however, you are forgetting an important point. There is nothing else to spend your entertainment $$$s on in El Paso. Yes it is a nice little city, but what else is there to do in El Paso? The Metroplex has four professional sports teams and 2 Division I Universities. Going to the games is one of their few entertainment outlets.

SMU's crowds are going to grow. As the team keeps winning it will rebuild the fan base around the city. Fans who don't have a connection to the University outside of the football program. That takes a little time. When that happens we will be really attractive to big conferences. Until then, all we can offer is TV market potential.

[stc9]

I think BYU and then probably TCU are history in the MWC. TCU will leave if BYU goes. Therefore I think the MWC is just going back to its Western roots taking Fresno St. and Nevada. UTEP will join them if offered. That makes sense. Houston, SMU etc. (Texas Teams) will say no IF TCU does leave.

I don't think TCU will leave the MWC. Unless they are going to join the Big XII to replace departing members it doesn't make sense. The MWC is a lot closer to AQ Status than Conference USA. I don't see them jumping into the WAC with BYU. I think TCU will stay right where it is and have a wait and see attitude.

BYU is jumping ship because it wants it own Global TV Station. BYU Athletics will act as a lead in for their religious programming. They are attempting to be the UHF version of ND.