WAC admits Idaho
into leagueThe conference brings its total
number of members to nine
The final domino tipped yesterday, and in most places it's a footnote, if that. One of the biggest ongoing sports business stories of the past 18 months came to closure rather quietly -- unless you were in Half Moon Bay, Calif., or Moscow, Idaho, or one of the eight other towns with schools that will be Western Athletic Conference members in 2005-06.
College athletic conference re-alignment began early last year with whispers the powerful ACC was courting football powerhouse Miami.
It turned out to be true, and started a chain reaction that ended up affecting six leagues and more than 60 schools. It finally came to conclusion yesterday with the middling WAC taking in Idaho, a borderline Division I program with ambition and a $9.5-million annual budget that needs to grow to match it.
The WAC played a pretty good game of Eight Might Be Enough (like the Mountain West did before it) prior to the league's presidents meeting at a California resort. In the end, the presidents and chancellors, including Hawaii's Peter Englert, were impressed enough to vote the Vandals in unanimously.
"Yes, it was done in one vote," said Englert, dismissing the idea of a fabricated united front.
The voting was done by the holdover WAC schools (UH, Fresno State, San Jose State, Louisiana Tech, Boise State and Nevada) and the other 2005 newcomers, New Mexico State and Utah State. The on-their-way-out schools, Texas-El Paso, Rice, Southern Methodist and Tulsa, were excused.
"I didn't hear a 'yes,' " WAC commissioner Karl Benson said mirthfully during the media teleconference following the vote.
The joke is that Idaho has basically stalked the WAC since 2000 when Boise State and Louisiana Tech were admitted, but not Idaho. In Moscow, it's as if they've won the lottery.
They said "yes" before they were asked.
"This is a historic day for Vandal athletics," Spear said.
Idaho is in the Sun Belt in football and the Big West in the rest of its sports. It's a logistical headache, and Idaho in the Sun Belt makes as much sense as, well, Louisiana Tech in the WAC. Now the Vandals can renew old I-AA rivalries with Boise State and Nevada.
"Being split between two conferences is not a good long-term solution," Spear said. "This will certainly enhance our recruiting. It's not that attractive to Northwest kids to go on the road and play at Arkansas State."
Spear said it costs less to travel to Hawaii than to some Sun Belt schools.
"We did a thorough analysis and found it is cheaper to travel in the WAC by far. We'll save $175,000 in travel alone," Spear said. "It's cheaper to go to Hawaii than Arkansas State or Troy State. With those schools you have a combination of air and land travel."
Benson said Idaho must pay the same fee as recent entries. That is believed to be $600,000, which can be paid in installments. The commissioner added that Idaho comes in as a full member, enjoying all benefits right away, including shares of TV money from the NCAA basketball tournament -- one of the most important financial spoils of conference membership.
Spear said the Vandals bring good teams in minor sports, including a women's volleyball squad that made it to the NCAA Tournament and lost to Hawaii in the first round. He also said if the Idaho football team that went 3-9 last year can improve enough to be bowl eligible, it will be a boon for the WAC, especially if Boise State continues its excellence. Idaho could draw a crowd to the Humanitarian Bowl and allow the Broncos to venture to a more prestigious (and profitable) postseason game.
The conference party line is that adding a ninth school was important for football scheduling considerations.
"I'm just happy we've got our four-and-four (home and road games)," UH athletic director Herman Frazier said.
But now basketball scheduling becomes problematic with the odd number.
A ninth school is also an insurance policy. There has been talk of San Jose State leaving Division I, or football altogether. Also, the geographical catastrophe that is Louisiana Tech can be dealt with now without going below eight.
But that's for the next round of dominoes.
Two UH games on ESPN: Hawaii's football games at Texas-El Paso and Boise State this fall will be televised by ESPN, and both games are expected to be moved from Saturday to Friday at the network's request.
The UTEP game is now Nov. 15, and the Boise State game Nov. 29.
It is unlikely any UH home games will have their dates changed. Frazier has stated he will not move games to Fridays because of inconvenience to fans.