This was prompted by a recent discussion on the Wolf Pack board...
Which university would you consider to be the 'flagship' university of the WAC? If any?
I can make a case for three universities, in no particular order-
Hawaii- The Rainbows/Warriors/Wahine are now the university that has been in the WAC the longest.
Boise State- football...enough said. Winners of the 2006 Commish Cup. National recognition.
Nevada- nationally recognized basketball program. Back to back to back to back conference championships and four straight NCAA tourny appearances. Top ten ranking, and a recent sweet sixteen appearance. Winners of the 2007 Commish Cup.
Six Pack Wrote:This was prompted by a recent discussion on the Wolf Pack board...
Which university would you consider to be the 'flagship' university of the WAC? If any?
I can make a case for three universities, in no particular order-
Hawaii- The Rainbows/Warriors/Wahine are now the university that has been in the WAC the longest.
Boise State- football...enough said. Winners of the 2006 Commish Cup. National recognition.
Nevada- nationally recognized basketball program. Back to back to back to back conference championships and four straight NCAA tourny appearances. Top ten ranking, and a recent sweet sixteen appearance. Winners of the 2007 Commish Cup.
Gotta be Hawaii. They have been in the WAC the longest, have a nationally recognized destination, and have the ability to draw major teams at home, and have their own bowl. Just my thoughts.
The NMSU fan was making the argument that, when it comes to basketball, the Raggies were the flagship of the WAC. I don't think that any one school is the "flagship" but in football it's definitely Boise closely followed by Fresno while in basketball it's Nevada followed by USU then NMSU. It's been a while since any other current WAC member has made the NCAA Tourney (was it Hawaii in '02?).
Six Pack Wrote:This was prompted by a recent discussion on the Wolf Pack board...
Which university would you consider to be the 'flagship' university of the WAC? If any?
I can make a case for three universities, in no particular order-
Hawaii- The Rainbows/Warriors/Wahine are now the university that has been in the WAC the longest.
Boise State- football...enough said. Winners of the 2006 Commish Cup. National recognition.
Nevada- nationally recognized basketball program. Back to back to back to back conference championships and four straight NCAA tourny appearances. Top ten ranking, and a recent sweet sixteen appearance. Winners of the 2007 Commish Cup.
You have to put Fresno in that conversation. Budget, facilities, and name brand puts them near the top...if not alone at the top.
The banner carrier for the last few years has been Boise St. Why? Because football drives the bus. If you're asking who I think has the best overall athletic program, I'd have to say Nevada.
BTW, I hate the term flagship.
Easy answer:
1. Fresno State - leads the WAC in attendance and has some of the best facilities (football, basketball, baseball, etc..) Has been the top school when you combine all 5 years of Wac Commissioner Cup Standings.
2. (tie) Boise State - best football program and their fan base is increasing each year.
2. (tie) Hawai'i - long term Wac member that has great national respect.
4. UNR-Nevada - Recent Wac Commissioner Cup Champs but their fan base puts them in this spot. (their fan base needs to grow considering the great strides that have happened over the years)
richcali1 Wrote:1. Fresno State - you combine all 5 years of Wac Commissioner Cup Standings.
True. But if you combine the last five years of the Director's Cup Boise State leads the other WAC schools...by a wide margin.
When I think WAC....I think of:
Boise St
Fresno St
Hawaii
Sorry Nevada...but living in Ark, ppl get you guys confused with UNLV.
That's allright LR...I hear that in Arkansas, people get confused by simple algebra and tying their shoes as well.
I kid...I kid...
Six Pack Wrote:That's allright LR...I hear that in Arkansas, people get confused by simple algebra and tying their shoes as well.
I kid...I kid...
haha, thats ok. In general...no on keeps up with the western conf here (PAC10, MWC, WAC). It's all about the SEC and Big12 (and it sucks for a WAC fan living here). I can tell you this no one can name a MWC team where I'm from...
All kidding aside...I understand how people could get them confused. It makes sense. It doesn't really bother me if people on the right coast get Nevada and UNLV mixed up, because I do the same. Just too many college teams to keep track of. Even some of the 'big' schools I get mixed up. For instance, off the top of my head I couldn't tell you what cities Florida and Florida State are in, and those are two of the biggest names in college football. I think one is Tallahassee, but I couldn't tell you which one. So I can see how people could confuse Nevada and UNLV.
Easy way to remember? UNLV is the red-headed bastard stepchild of the Wolf Pack...
Up until Nevada spanked UW in football and Gonzaga twice in the last 3 years Seattle-ites usually confused Nevada with UNLV. Some still do, but it's gone down from 90% to 40%.