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Sidelines Kalani Simpson |
The WAC could have
done worseIDAHO. Idaho. Well, Idaho isn't so bad. It's a fine school, a beautiful state.
It also, Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson reminded us last week, "has an academic program that is attractive."
Yes, if you're looking for another member to add to the WAC, these days you could do a lot worse -- athletically, geographically and, yes, academically -- than Idaho.
But this all reminds me somehow of the old Richard Pryor movie, "Moving," in which he tries to convince his family how great it would be to move to Idaho.
Idaho.
To which his daughter responds, "I'm not moving to Idaho. No *@#$%^& way." And then she proceeds to deposit a large amount of cash in the "swear jar" in order to fully express her thoughts on the matter.
Yes. Really. This, in spite of the Gem State's renowned outdoor beauty and its fine (now Division I!) academic institutions.
In fact she was so unattracted to, so less than thrilled with Idaho, she even tried to get out of going by threatening to marry Morris Day, who turns in yet another brilliant performance. (Pryor: "Casey, where did you find this man? Is there an %##!@^& convention in town?")
So now here is Benson in the Richard Pryor role, trying to sell us Idaho. OK, I'm buying (and more important, so is the WAC -- unanimously, by the way). It makes sense, in context. In this current reality.
This is where the WAC is today. Idaho. This is the conference Hawaii is in at this moment. Idaho's. This is just the latest step in the Big Westification (Big Skyification? I-AA-ification?) of the WAC.
This is where it's going. This is what it is.
Idaho fits right in.
Yes. Idaho. And no use reaching for that swear jar. This is the WAC, these days.
This isn't the conference Hawaii was in 10 years ago.
These days the WAC checks in just ahead of the Sun Belt (and just behind everyone else) in the pecking order of Division I college football ... and wait, look who's joining the new lineup.
Half the Sun Belt Conference!
But, hey, if you're going to have teams that most of the nation thinks are (or should be) in Division I-AA, at least they should be more conveniently located.
Idaho.
So is this a positive column or a negative one? Is this good or bad? I'm not sure myself. Both.
It's a good move, for this WAC. Nice save, nice catch. Great fit.
In a backhanded compliment kind of way.
Idaho is a good school, nice place. The geography finally works. This could be a nice little league.
The WAC could do worse, and has. The vote was unanimous, which tells you all you need to know.
So how did the movie end? Well, Pryor finally could take no more, had a nervous breakdown freak-out, tied a headband around his head and went kung fu on everyone until "happily ever after."
Come to think of it, that kind of approach might make schools think twice about switching conferences, too.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Kalani Simpson can be reached at ksimpson@starbulletin.com