Friday, August 21, 1998

WAC’s
breakaway 8
moving on

They are to submit formal letters
of withdrawal today

By Andy Katz
Fresno Bee

The leader of the breakaway schools said he's not interested in a last-ditch plan to keep the 16-school Western Athletic Conference intact.

The Fresno Bee has obtained a copy of the proposal -- developed by WAC commissioner Karl Benson from an idea by Fresno State president John Welty -- that calls for two leagues to operate independently in football, men's and women's basketball and volleyball while retaining the possibility of postseason games.

Breakaway schools -- Air Force, Brigham Young, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah and Wyoming -- would operate as one league under the WAC umbrella with remaining schools -- Fresno State, Hawaii, Rice, San Jose State, Southern Methodist, Texas Christian, Tulsa and UTEP -- in another.

It keeps the "lion's share" of television, football bowls or NCAA basketball tournament revenue with the group that earns it, Benson said.

"I've seen it, and at this point it comes too late in the process," Colorado State president Al Yates said. "While it has its merits, it's a bit of a distraction at this point. I haven't heard from any presidents in the departing group that said we should halt the momentum that we have now."

Welty was unavailable for comment.

"I'm disappointed that it appears this isn't going to be fully considered," Benson said. "I certainly understand the timing and the fact that this came late in the game.

"But I do believe it has components that would have addressed nearly all of the issues that led to the decision to break away."

Utah athletic director Chris Hill, head of the transition committee, said there is too much "water under the bridge" to consider keeping the 16 schools together.

"The sides have been drawn," Hill said. "Each of the departing eight markets feels good about our league."

So much so, that Benson told the Star-Bulletin last night that the eight departing schools are sending letters to the remaining eight today that they are officially leaving the league.

"I think I feel anger more than anything else," Benson said. "I believe we could have made this entire thing work if we had been given the chance."

Meanwhile, Holiday Bowl officials reached a tentative four-year agreement with the Pac-10 to have that league's second-place team.

Among the significant details still to be worked out before a deal is finalized is securing an opponent for the Pac-10 team. Bowl officials would like to have the choice between the champion of the WAC -- which will change dramatically next year -- and the third-place team from the Big 12.

With the WAC scheduled to split in half next year, the Holiday Bowl wanted to make sure it could be affiliated with the eight teams that are breaking away. The breakaway eight, considered to be more attractive draws, includes San Diego State.

"One thing that is absolutely certain is that whatever we do, San Diego State will be protected," Holiday Bowl official John Reid told the Associated Press yesterday.

"We will have access to them. They would have to be a deserving team, presumably the conference champion. That would imply it would be the breakaway WAC."

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The Honolulu Star-Bulletin's Paul Arnett contributed to this report.