Idaho to the WAC

[89rabbit]

In a story from today's Reno Gazette it looks like Idaho might have the inside track on a WAC invite.  This of course could effect how the Big Sky views both NDSU and SDSU as they are still holding out hope that Idaho will come back to the Big Sky.  They also talked about the direction that UC-Davis might take.


http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html...s&sp7=spor

Lilley favors Idaho on eve of WAC meetings      

Steve Sneddon  

RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL

Idaho’s knocking on the door, and Louisiana Tech isn’t going anywhere as the Western Athletic Conference schools’ presidents prepare for a board of directors meeting at Half Moon Bay, Calif., today and Friday.

Idaho, which plays football in the Sun Belt Conference and is scheduled to become a member in all sports in 2005, will make a presentation as the Vandals seek membership in the WAC.

“I favor admission of Idaho,” said Nevada President John Lilley. “Whether it’s going to happen at that meeting, I don’t know. Idaho fits geographically. It fits in terms of the mission of the university. It is a research and land-grant institution.” . . .

. . .Looking at the long-term, Lilley said UC-Davis, which is moving to Division I and will initially play I-AA football, would be a good addition to the WAC when it begins playing in I-A. . . .

Interesting  :-/

[89rabbit]

Re: Idaho to the WAC

Looks like the Big Sky's dream of getting Idaho back is all but over.

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar.../br/br08p.html

Idaho joins Western Athletic Conference

Advertiser Staff

The Western Athletic Conference Board of Directors voted today to add the University of Idaho as the conference’s ninth team for the 2005-’06 season, according to people involved in the process.
The Vandals.  .  . will join two other newcomers, New Mexico State and Utah State, in joining the WAC on July 1, 2005.

The three replace Rice, Southern Methodist, Texas-El Paso and Tulsa, who will join Conference USA on that date.

The board’s action came at the conclusion of the three-day annual meeting at Half Moon Bay, Calif.

An official announcement is expected soon.

I wonder if Doug Fullerton (Big Sky Commissioner) is re-thinking his stance on NDSU and SDSU ???

Go State!  

[89rabbit]

Re: Idaho to the WAC

Another story about Idaho:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/scorec...ticleID=103310

Idaho to join Western Athletic Conference

Moscow, ID (Sports Network) - The University of Idaho accepted an invitation Friday to become an all-sports member of the Western Athletic Conference.

The Vandals will compete for one more season in the Sun Belt Conference before becoming a full member of a western conference for the first time since the Big West Conference dropped football following the 2000 season. . . .

"This is an historic day for Vandal athletics," said Rob Spear, Idaho's director of athletics. "We would like to thank the presidents of the Western Athletic Conference for extending the invitation, which we enthusiastically accept."

Karl Benson, commissioner of the WAC, said the decision of the eight voting members -- the schools that will comprise the league in 2005 -- was unanimous.

"The WAC is very excited about Idaho's membership," said Benson. "They bring great enthusiasm. They bring excitement to the WAC. They'll bring great value to the WAC."

[89rabbit]

Re: Idaho to the WAC

WYOBISONMAN has posed the question, how will Idaho to the WAC effect the Dakota States and the Big Sky. Here are the links to the Montana and Montana State boards. Interesting reading.

Montana State:

http://www.bobcatnation.com/bobcatbo...opic.php?t=306

Montana:

http://www.egriz.com/GrizBoard/viewtopic.php?t=4325

Go State!