BYU to go independent; USU future in doubt
Brigham Young University is planning to leave the Mountain West Conference (MWC) to become an independent in football and a member of the West Coast Conference (WCC) in all other sports. This according to the Salt Lake Tribune, which reported on Tuesday afternoon that BYU had made its intentions known to the MWC schools’ presidents. BYU will continue to play as a member of the MWC for the 2010-11 academic year, with the transition to independent status in football becoming effective June 30, 2011.
A press conference announcing the decision has been scheduled for today at 12 p.m. at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. It comes after a two and a half week period in which the school mulled its options following an earlier announcement that it would join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in all sports except football. In response to the news, Fresno State and Nevada chose to leave the WAC and join the MWC, while Utah State turned down an invitation to the MWC with the presumption that the WAC would stabilize with BYU joining the conference.
But the WAC, facing a future with only six member teams, no longer appeared to be an attractive conference for BYU’s non-football sports, prompting the school to consider moving its other teams to the WCC. Prior to reconsidering its decision to move its teams to the WAC, BYU had worked out a plan to play several WAC schools each year in football, including Utah State.
BYU will become the fourth NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team to become Independent, joining Notre Dame, Navy and Army. The school, which is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is hoping that the move increases its exposure, but will face challenges in filling out future schedules.
BYU’s move away from the MWC is a blow to both the MWC and the WAC, and a win for the WCC, which improves its basketball profile with the addition. The move could be the final deathblow to the WAC, which will operate with only six members during the 2012 season. Utah State will also likely suffer from BYU’s declaration of football independence, and could be left without a conference if the WAC dissolves in the near future.
As for that future, it will likely be addressed today at 2 pm, when WAC commissioner Karl Benson holds a teleconference to address media members in wake of BYU’s decision not to join the WAC. Among the many questions that he’ll have to address is how he plans to keep the conference together, and what schools the WAC could target for its own expansion.
– adamnettina@gmail.com