Who will the WAC go after if Fresno State and Nevada leave?

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

Montana?

I'm willing to bet that in order for them to take Montana, they'll have to take Montana St. too.

[Pony_Fan]

Hawaii is kind of stuck in a crappy deal now. They are freaking out over there

Manoa wrote:
All the confusion and infighting is over. The way is clear-- it's one choice and one last battle-- join the Mountain West or it's over. One more team-- us.

[StallionsModelT]

No way in hell MWC adds Hawaii. They're only option now is trying to patch together the WAC or go indy.

[ponytailgater]

What would it take and when would a team like texas st. get a shot at moving up? Any info on their avg. attendance? They have the student body size.

[DaStang]

I went to TxState (formally known as Southwest Texas State University) for undergrad and keep up with their board. From the comments made by the WAC Commissioner it sounds like TxState is in the top 2 or 3 of the list to join the WAC. I would love to see UT-SA and TxState bring them the Texas markets. North Texas has made it very clear on more than one occasion that it will not join the WAC. But who really knows? Chip perhaps?

[DaStang]

What would it take and when would a team like texas st. get a shot at moving up? Any info on their avg. attendance? They have the student body size.

Not very good at all, but getting better. I went to school there back in 2005 when they lost in the semi-finals of the I-AA playoffs to Northern Iowa, and I think even then it was maxed at about 15k. Average for last year was right around 12k-13k. But they are upgrading the stadium to seat up to 35k I believe. Here is a picture......... http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.athletics.txstate.edu/thedrive/Images/TxSt-BobcatStadium-Masterplan.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.athletics.txstate.edu/thedrive/ourprogress.htm&usg=__PjI_I_Nc3S7ILgqq4sGd2cQ5TDM=&h=452&w=700&sz=103&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=6Ts3C616eSELaM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=209&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtx%2Bstate%2Bstadium%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1003%26bih%3D541%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=131&vpy=80&dur=921&hovh=180&hovw=280&tx=102&ty=80&ei=cTxtTIHeBsP98AaQkJ34Cg&oei=cTxtTIHeBsP98AaQkJ34Cg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

[HB Pony Dad]

Grief...

[Dooby]

In the late 70's and early 80's, there more than 20 independents. One wonders if they might all go independent, but the complete absence of TV money might not make that possible.

[Green Mean]

Why the hell would UNT and UT-San Antonio not accept bids to the WAC? I mean really is staying in the Sun Belt a better option? I would think UNT would be doing cartwheels at the chance to be in the WAC. The real lynchpin here is what do the remaining WAC teams try to do? They could try to backfill with teams like UNT, UT-San Antonio, Portland State, etc. What about Eastern Washington? They're a traditionally strong Div1AA program. What about Northern Arizona? Maybe this is the new look WAC?

Hawaii
San Jose State
Utah State
Portland State
La Tech
New Mexico State
Northern Arizona
North Texas
UT-San Antonio
Idaho

LOL. What a travel and logistical nightmare!

A WAC without Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada does nothing for NT at this point. You can say that without any of those schools they may be lower rated than the belt overall. I have always been in favor of joining the WAC but after losing all of its key members the WAC would be a disaster for NT and right now LA Tech is craping bricks. I am not a big fan of the belt but if UNT can't get into CUSA or MWC then the best option is the Belt after the WAC collapse.

[MustangStealth]

In the late 70's and early 80's, there more than 20 independents. One wonders if they might all go independent, but the complete absence of TV money might not make that possible.

There also used to be better bowl opportunities for independents.

[Nacho]

the wac is basically toast.

[SMU 86]

the wac is basically toast.

It does not look good for them.

[smupony94]

SALT LAKE CITY -- The commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference says the remaining members aren't likely to make it easy on Fresno State and Nevada when the two schools leave for the Mountain West.

Karl Benson says the Bulldogs and Wolf Pack are going to have to pay up on a departure fee and possibly stay in the WAC until 2012 because they didn't meet a deadline to get out of the league earlier.

Benson believes both schools owe $5 million buyout penalties, whether the agreements were signed or orally agreed upon.

And don't expect any favors.

Benson says Fresno State and Nevada acted selfishly when they accepted invitations to join the Mountain West. That basically dissolved an agreement the WAC had to bring BYU back to the league in every sport but football.

BYU would play football as an independent.

Benson says the WAC door is still open for BYU if the Cougars want to rework the arrangement.

Benson said the WAC will look at schools in Division I-A and I-AA conferences. Among the schools that have been reported as possibilities are Montana, UC-Davis and Cal-Poly.

Information from ESPN reporter Joe Schad and The Associated Press was used in this report.

[lwjr]

Utah State is currently a WAC member. UNT and UT-San Antonio would be likely possibilities if they wanted to expand into Texas.


BTW, I think CUSA would be wise to keep an eye on UT-San Antonio. A city of 1.5M with an untapped media market might be a nice addition to the conference.

San Antonio might be a city of 1.5M but half the population does not make minimum wage.

[smupony94]

Utah State is currently a WAC member. UNT and UT-San Antonio would be likely possibilities if they wanted to expand into Texas.


BTW, I think CUSA would be wise to keep an eye on UT-San Antonio. A city of 1.5M with an untapped media market might be a nice addition to the conference.

San Antonio might be a city of 1.5M but half the population does not make minimum wage.

It is a sports fanatic town. Will get an initial boost from being the new team but will have to win quick to keep momentum going.