Tuesday, September 21, 1999

Decision day
for WAC near

TCU and SMU might know
as early as Thursday if they'll
be staying in the WAC or leaving

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

The fates of Texas Christian and Southern Methodist may be answered as early as Thursday after the Conference USA presidents discuss possible expansion plans during a teleconference call.

Although the presidents aren't scheduled to meet in person until Oct. 11, it's believed a decision will be reached as to whether TCU and SMU will be extended invitations to join Conference USA by the 2001 season.

Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson met with Conference USA counterpart Mike Slive last night in Indianapolis to discuss the future.

At this point, TCU and SMU leaving the league appears to be losing some steam. Three weeks ago, it was a dead certainty. Now, it's possible it's less than 50-50 that either school will leave the WAC.

"The uncertainty and the speculation doesn't help anyone," Benson said during yesterday's weekly teleconference call. "We need to be able to go more than a month at a time without some type of membership crisis that we're confronted with.

"But certainly it has everyone throughout the league somewhat anxious. Obviously, there's a lot of off-the-record talk between athletic directors and presidents about all the what-ifs. That's not the way to do business. You're better off to know what your alternatives are and go forward, rather than wasting a lot of time wondering what might happen."

At this point, it seems TCU is more likely to depart than SMU. The Horned Frogs appear ready to pay the $1-million entry fee to join Conference USA. SMU might not be prepared to pay that.

Rice athletic director Bobby May told the Associated Press yesterday that he wishes all the speculation would end and the WAC could settle in to becoming a viable league.

"Uncertainty is not good for anyone, so I think it is important for everyone to bring this latest chapter to a close," May said. "I think we need to react in a positive way that will make people want to stay.

"If something like (TCU and SMU leaving) happened, we would need to react as quickly as we could and certainly look at expansion ourselves."

As many as nine teams are being considered as possible replacements, including Big West schools Boise State, Idaho, New Mexico State, Utah State, North Texas and Arkansas State.

Benson would like to take the league up to 12 teams, regardless of what TCU and SMU do. Nevada will join the league next year.