Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Consider Move to Div. 1-A
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 6:28 pmIn just a few weeks, Western Kentucky should have a good idea of just how feasible a move to Division I-A football will be.
WKU athletics director Wood Selig said Thursday that the school is currently building financial models and timelines to see if going to the NCAA’s highest level will work.
“We should have that complete in about a month or so,†Selig said.
“Before we make any sort of announcement, we want to make sure this is going to work for us.â€
The Hilltoppers currently play at the I-AA level – just a step below I-A – and won that national championship in 2002.
Western currently has major renovations planned for L.T. Smith Stadium, which would make the aging facility adequate for Division I-A.
One other thing the WKU administration will watch closely is the April meeting of the NCAA Division I Management Council. It is expected to do away with the current 15,000 home football attendance requirement for I-A membership.
“We still want to wait and see what happens with that because it’s still not official,†Selig said.
Western averaged just 8,769 fans this past season, so the relaxation of the 15,000 rule would benefit the Toppers – if they choose to make the move up.
Fans, players and coaches alike are anxious to find out if Western is indeed going to leave I-AA.
WKU football coach David Elson said he is asked about I-A all the time when he is recruiting.
“It’s part of the mix,†Elson said. “When (recruits) see the potential facility plans going on and the growth and the fact that we’ve been at the top of I-AA, it’s just a natural question. It’s a factor in kids’ minds. It’s the highest level of college football and everybody has that dream of playing at the highest level.â€
Despite rumors to the contrary, Western will not be joining the Mid-American Conference if it moves up a division.
“The MAC has not made any kind of overture indicating that they would consider us for membership and we haven’t talked to them,†Selig said.
Selig said playing I-A football as an independent is a “recipe for failure,†which leaves only the Sun Belt Conference – where WKU currently plays in all sports except football and men’s soccer.
“The Sun Belt will be our only option if we want to play (football) at the I-A level,†Selig said.
WKU athletics director Wood Selig said Thursday that the school is currently building financial models and timelines to see if going to the NCAA’s highest level will work.
“We should have that complete in about a month or so,†Selig said.
“Before we make any sort of announcement, we want to make sure this is going to work for us.â€
The Hilltoppers currently play at the I-AA level – just a step below I-A – and won that national championship in 2002.
Western currently has major renovations planned for L.T. Smith Stadium, which would make the aging facility adequate for Division I-A.
One other thing the WKU administration will watch closely is the April meeting of the NCAA Division I Management Council. It is expected to do away with the current 15,000 home football attendance requirement for I-A membership.
“We still want to wait and see what happens with that because it’s still not official,†Selig said.
Western averaged just 8,769 fans this past season, so the relaxation of the 15,000 rule would benefit the Toppers – if they choose to make the move up.
Fans, players and coaches alike are anxious to find out if Western is indeed going to leave I-AA.
WKU football coach David Elson said he is asked about I-A all the time when he is recruiting.
“It’s part of the mix,†Elson said. “When (recruits) see the potential facility plans going on and the growth and the fact that we’ve been at the top of I-AA, it’s just a natural question. It’s a factor in kids’ minds. It’s the highest level of college football and everybody has that dream of playing at the highest level.â€
Despite rumors to the contrary, Western will not be joining the Mid-American Conference if it moves up a division.
“The MAC has not made any kind of overture indicating that they would consider us for membership and we haven’t talked to them,†Selig said.
Selig said playing I-A football as an independent is a “recipe for failure,†which leaves only the Sun Belt Conference – where WKU currently plays in all sports except football and men’s soccer.
“The Sun Belt will be our only option if we want to play (football) at the I-A level,†Selig said.