WAC Puts Expansion Talks on Hold

DENVER – WAC commissioner Karl Benson announced today that the WAC will delay any expansion of its membership until July 1, 2012 at the earliest.  This means that for the 2011-12 season, the WAC will operate as an eight-team league that consists of Fresno State, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, New Mexico State, San Jose State and Utah State.
 
“The WAC and its eight member schools remain well positioned for the future,” said Benson.  “Over the past few weeks, the WAC’s Board of Directors and athletics directors have explored several membership options.  We believe it is in the best interest of the WAC to operate as an eight-team league for the 2011-12 season.  We will now take several months to ‘drill down’ on the various membership options before making any decisions that would impact the 2012-13 season.”
 
 “Throughout its history and since its inception in 1962, the WAC has operated very successfully as an 8-team, 9-team and 10-team league.  Each of those models have their advantages and all will be looked at very closely.  Also, a 12-team league that would allow the WAC to split into divisions and conduct a football championship game will be evaluated.”
 
 “The future for the WAC is very bright, and we will continue to provide our student-athletes with the opportunities to compete on both the regional and national stages in all of our sports.”