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http://www.idahostatesman.com/1256/story/159304.html

BSU president's long-term goal is a spot in the Mountain West, but it won't happen soon
By Chadd Cripe - ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Boise State president Bob Kustra's interest in joining the Mountain West Conference has not wavered. That's still his long-term vision for the Broncos.
The Mountain West, however, isn't providing much reason for optimism.

The league's board of directors has not discussed expansion since adding TCU in January 2004, Mountain West spokesman Javan Hedlund said. Kustra had lobbied for that spot.

Kustra sent letters to each of the nine Mountain West presidents last season and only one — the BYU president — responded.

The other Mountain West members are Wyoming, Utah, Colorado State, Air Force, San Diego State, UNLV and New Mexico.

"Let's see how this season goes," Kustra said this week, "and it may be time to raise it again."

The Mountain West and WAC are fierce rivals — with the Mountain West owning a slightly better national image and a stronger bottom half of the league.

The WAC was 7-5 against the Mountain West last year, but the Mountain West leads this year's series 3-0.

The WAC gets more national TV exposure through its deal with ESPN, but the Mountain West gets more money through its deal with CSTV.

Today's game at Bronco Stadium — featuring Wyoming of the Mountain West and Boise State of the WAC — is the latest interconference duel. BSU is 11-0 against Mountain West members since joining Division I-A in 1996.

"I'll straight up tell you I think our league isbetter than theirs top to bottom," Wyoming coach Joe Glenn said, "and we have a chance to prove it."

The WAC's biggest weakness might be its lack of stability. Membership has changed three times since eight teams left the WAC to form the Mountain West in 1999. The last changes came in 2005, when four left and three joined.

And Boise State is not the only WAC school with Mountain West dreams.

"My job is to create enough value in the WAC that, if given an opportunity by any of our schools to change conferences, they would conclude the WAC is just as valuable if not more valuable than the other conference," WAC commissioner Karl Benson said.

Here's what Kustra said about the Mountain West and the WAC in an interview this week with the Statesman:

Q: You have been outspoken in the past about wanting to join the Mountain West. Where do you stand today?

A: "Frankly, in the last six months or so, it's been quiet. … I think the Mountain West has been in this holding pattern at nine since they picked up TCU, and they always said they'd be willing to talk about going to 10 or 12, but I've heard nothing."

Q: Is that still where you want to be long term?

A: "Yeah. I think intermountain competition among the schools that are not only like us, but are easy to travel to and from, makes a lot of sense. Certainly I would entertain an offer or a discussion of that. As I've said many times since I've been talking about this in my four years here, the WAC is a good conference for Boise State. Its only drawback as far as I'm concerned is travel and the difficulty of reaching across the nation to play your competitors. And if we could hook up with the Mountain West, which has excellent competition, which has considerable academic quality, it would be a good match for us."

Q: You said in 2004 you would keep the Mountain West updated on Boise State's progress. Have you done that?

A: "Sometime earlier this year or late last year I sent a letter to each of the presidents as an update, telling them about the stadium expansion, how our teams were doing, about our academic progress. I received one letter back, from the president of Brigham Young University. I certainly took that to mean this was not the No. 1 issue that Mountain West presidents were addressing.

"We will keep them apprised of our efforts. ... We're good enough and we're proud enough of who we are that I don't think we ever should look to anyone viewing us from afar that we're down on bended knee. Boise State doesn't have to do that. If we go to the Mountain West, I want to go because I got a phone call or two from prominent presidents, not because I'm groveling to get in."

Q: What was the BYU response?

A: "He was very cordial and welcoming. Dr. Cecil Samuelson and I have corresponded more than once over the years. He's a great guy. … His letter said, ‘Hey, we're always interested in exploring this.' But it was pretty clear he was not representing the conference."

Q: Are you surprised, with what Boise State has accomplished, you have not been invited?

A: "They simply have not really sat down to make the decision it's time for us to move to a larger number. Once they do that, I would be shocked if we didn't get one of the first calls, if not the first call, to join. ... They told me they'd be good and ready after they gave the TCU experiment a couple years. That's why I sent the letter out."

Q: Are the struggles by the lower part of the WAC a concern?

A: "Definitely. … How WAC teams have performed in preseason play (this year) is something that concerns me. We have to be cognizant of it and work hard both in and out of the conference to improve ourselves. Some of us clearly have a lot more heavy lifting to do than others, but I think they can get there. The schools we're talking about certainly have made some investments, which I think will pay off."

Q: Would losing the relationship with ESPN if you moved to the Mountain West concern you?

A: "It sure would. ESPN has really carried the WAC into living rooms across the nation. I'd hate to think of losing that. That's the one advantage we have over the Mountain West, because I don't think their TV deal worked out for them very well."

Isn't the MWC a place where has-beens go so one of them can still feel like a champion?

Ahh yes BSU is going to join the same conference that has nmu. Yeah that university that got caught cheating by the NCAA. I'm sure BSU will feel right at home in the MWC.

nmu - the sinking ship of NM.

Spana do you troll every board? I remember you going on about this same thing like on every WAC school's board right after the Fiesta Bowl.

Hey aggiefan83....everything I post is fact. BTW: Didn't you just "troll" the MWC board with your comments on UNM? I am sorry that the truths hurts...but I am just posting the facts, sir. Instead of attacking me....why not go where the source is (ala. Boise St. board) and ask them why they think the way they do.

The reason I post these things instead of keeping it silent and to myself...is because I want the WAC to stay grounded and after the Fiesta Bowl, the ego and head of certain WAC schools(not all of them) swelled and all of a sudden they thought they were legitimate competition for the MWC. All I want is to bring forth a sense of reality. UNM> NMSU and MWC>WAC

By the looks of the article Boise St. has finally realize that. I can also argue Fresno St., Hawaii, and Nevada also agree with that. Heck if for some odd reason we felt that NMSU was worth to be in our shadows....NMSU would also jump ship. All I ask is for you to be honest with yourself.

All that being said....I respect the top-half of the schools in the WAC. I enjoy the talent that Hawaii, Fresno St, and Boise St. bring to the football field.

The WAC is GARBAGE. That's why nobody who matters wants to be there.

If must really distort your perception of reality when someone brings up the fact that the W.A.C. beat the tar out of the Mtn. West Conference in football last season. About the only WAC team that the Mtn. West conference could beat last season was poor Utah State. Other than their THREE wins against Utah State last season the Mtn. Worst went 2-7 against the rest of the WAC. CASE CLOSED.

It would be a good fit for Boise. Just don't let the 'door hitcha where the good lord splitya'.

I think they'll probably be in MWC by the end of this decade.

SpanaBaller Wrote:http://www.idahostatesman.com/1256/story/159304.html

Boise State president Bob Kustra's interest in joining the Mountain West Conference has not wavered. That's still his long-term vision for the Broncos.

...Kustra sent letters to each of the nine Mountain West presidents last season and only one — the BYU president — responded.


...And Boise State is not the only WAC school with Mountain West dreams.

"If we could hook up with the Mountain West, which has excellent competition, which has considerable academic quality, it would be a good match for us."

...Q: Are the struggles by the lower part of the WAC a concern?
A: "Definitely. … How WAC teams have performed in preseason play (this year) is something that concerns me. We have to be cognizant of it and work hard both in and out of the conference to improve ourselves. Some of us clearly have a lot more heavy lifting to do than others...

I wish the MWC Presidents, ADs, Coaches, Donors, Alumni, Students, Newspapers, and Conference Commissioner wanted Boise State in the Mountain West. I really do.

aggnlc Wrote:Ahh yes BSU is going to join the same conference that has nmu. Yeah that university that got caught cheating by the NCAA. I'm sure BSU will feel right at home in the MWC.

Not really sure what this comment is all about. Are you suggesting Boise State got caught cheating or that they get along with cheaters?

kingpotato Wrote:

aggnlc Wrote:Ahh yes BSU is going to join the same conference that has nmu. Yeah that university that got caught cheating by the NCAA. I'm sure BSU will feel right at home in the MWC.

Not really sure what this comment is all about. Are you suggesting Boise State got caught cheating or that they get along with cheaters?

Now that I reread it, it doesn't make much sense to me too . Apologies to the Bronco faithful.

Nevertheless , think twice before jumping into bed with nmu [/align] Bronco faithful.

To all WAC fans:

This is the reason why UTEP left the WAC when it could. We knew Boise, Fresno, Hawaii and Nevada want to join the MWC. Boise is making it public where it wants to be......I'm sure the other 3 think the same....but they're keeping their lips sealed.

Still think UTEP to C-USA was a bad move? We saw the writing in the wall.....

I think the opportunity to be in a conference with schools from Texas played a far larger role in UTEP's decision than what they thought might happen down the road with WAC schools.

UTEPDallas Wrote:To all WAC fans:

This is the reason why UTEP left the WAC when it could. We knew Boise, Fresno, Hawaii and Nevada want to join the MWC. Boise is making it public where it wants to be......I'm sure the other 3 think the same....but they're keeping their lips sealed.

Still think UTEP to C-USA was a bad move? We saw the writing in the wall.....

Yep. This is exactly why UTEP left. That's why I hold UTEP in the highest regard.

Times have "changed" though since the last round of moves and Hawaii would "no longer" consider a move to the MWC. It's the Pac-10 or we stay in the WAC...and flourish.

I also think its time for Karl to make contact with SDSU about a move back to a true...western conference and dump the mountain schools. UNLV should be courted as well...along with UC Davis.

The only "stipulation" though should be that the WAC remain a 9-school conference.

Too bad Karl "isn't" the pro-active sort. Definitely time for a change in the Commissioner's office.

All I know is because of the Boise president I am torn on who I want to win tomorrow. CUSA is a good league and good group of schools. I want boise to win because I always cheer for WAC schools OOC but at the same time I want Southern Miss to win to shut the Boise president's mouth. Also if the WAC is ever raided by the MWC someday and the conference falls below 8 members I would want NMSU's backup plan to be CUSA just in case if Boise screws things up by leaving and causing problems for everybody. Really tough decision.

I am happy when there are conference shakeups..Where would Nevada be now if the MWC hadn't splintered away from the WAC..??...Change is not necessarily bad..

If the MWC was to take Boise State in the next few years, wouldn't Sacramento State be in a better position to move up than UC Davis, at least in the short-term? Commissioner Benson should definitely have UC Davis as the next school on his speed dial, for down the road, but a stop-gap might be needed before they are ready to jump again seeing as how they are only now finishing their current transition.

Hawaii / Fresno State
San Jose State / Sacramento State
Nevada / Idaho
Utah State / New Mexico State
Louisiana Tech

... or ...

Hawaii
Fresno State / Nevada
San Jose State / Sacramento State
Idaho / Utah State
New Mexico State / Louisiana Tech

I guess you could look at it as Sacramento State being the stop-gap replacement for Boise State, if they get taken by the MWC, and UC Davis as being the long-term replacement for Louisiana Tech, if they wind up in a more geographically suitable league. The MWC will probably never go to 12 teams because the Gang of Five would not want to lose power so there will always be enough teams to maintain the WAC.

Hawaii
San Jose State / Fresno State
Sacramento State / UC Davis
Nevada / Idaho
Utah State / New Mexico State

It seems logical to me, looking at it from the outside, that this should be the way to go. All my instincts tell me that the Big East will only end up taking one team from CUSA so there will not be any major realignment shockwaves like so many people enjoy predicting. I only foresee a tweak here and a tweak there for several leagues. But only time will tell if I am presciently correct or seriously mistaken on this.

This entire discussion is completely assinine as far as I am concerned. Review the FACTS here folks

1. The Mtn. West has no intention of expanding any time soon.

2. Boise State's school president has made it clear that they (meaning HIM) want to be a part of the Mtn West IF and WHEN they ever decide to expand.

3. BSU's president, Bob Kustra, has stated that he does not intend to be at Boise State for more than five more years.

4. IF the Mtn. West ever does decide to expand (which BTW seems very unlikely to me personally) the decision of whether or not to join the Mtn. West conference for Boise State may very well be decided by the NEXT school president for Boise State.

5. The PRESENT television contract that the imbecilic leadership, aka Craig Thompson, of the Mtn West conference contractually obligated themselves to for the next nine years makes the Mtn. West a VERY unattractive choice at this particular point in time.

6. Boise State is BETTER off remaining in the WAC at this particular point in time. The Mtn. West has very little to offer other than geographical convenience and less travel cost for Boise State.

7. IF and when Boise State ever does get discussed as a POSSIBLE addition to the Mtn. West Boise State would need the support of at least five of the current nine school presidents that currently make up the Mtn West conference. At most right now Boise State MIGHT have the support of THREE of those nine school presidents (Wyoming - BYU - San Diego State).

p.s. Anyone who actually BELIEVES that Sacramento State or UC Davis are viable options for inclusion into the WAC must be on drugs. Those two schools are lightyears away from being even remotely qualified to be members of the WAC. Sorry if that offends but that is simply the TRUTH.

BoiseStateRules Wrote:p.s. Anyone who actually BELIEVES that Sacramento State or UC Davis are viable options for inclusion into the WAC must be on drugs. Those two schools are lightyears away from being even remotely qualified to be members of the WAC. Sorry if that offends but that is simply the TRUTH.

If by Light Years you mean a decade or slightly longer, then yeah, I'm with you.