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Full Version: The WAC's Next Move
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(02-09-2018 09:39 AM)DavidSt Wrote: [ -> ]My pick would be Tarleton State could be announced in late April or early May as the next member of the WAC. That would allow them to be eligible for D2 post season. If they are announced today? They would lose the spot. There are several D2 conferences that do not allow schools who announced leaving the conference to participate in the conference post season and all that like several D1 conferences do.

Over the past couple of decades Tarleton has had one of the top D-2 basketball programs in terms of both winning and fan support, so from that perspective I think they would be a good add for the WAC.

However I can’t see it happening unless the conference finds a way to sponsor FCS football. Tarleton just broke ground on a $26.4 million stadium renovation project and once it’s done they’re the ideal candidate to round out the Southland’s membership (currently 11 for football and 13 for Olympic sports). For the WAC to be appealing to Tarleton or any of the top Lone Star schools it has to offer a home for their football programs.
(02-03-2018 12:38 PM)dancingNMSUaggie Wrote: [ -> ]Having Olympic sports in the WAC and football only in the Southland makes absolutely no sense. The WAC needs to invite a school Azusa Pacific and they could stick their football in the Pioneer League football only conference with San Diego. That makes more sense.

If APU is ready and willing to make that move I agree it’s a no-brainer for the WAC. That’s far simpler than sponsoring a new FCS league and adding multiple Lone Star move-ups to populate it.

The appeal of the Texas strategy is that it would remove doubts about the WAC’s future viability. There’s safety in numbers. But selling and executing the strategy would be very challenging.
When considering schools that could join the WAC for Olympic sports and the Pioneer League for football, don’t forget Dixie State. Compared to APU they have a stronger basketball program, with a bigger arena (5,000 seats versus 3,500 seats) and triple the fan base (2,660 average attendance last season versus 865). And they’re expanding their football stadium to seat 10,000 (the same size as APU’s) which would allow them to consider a move up to FCS.

Also Dixie State had a good rivalry going with GCU in the PacWest that would carry over nicely to the WAC. And finally, St. George is a rapidly-growing city that isn’t hard to travel to; the new airport there has daily direct jet flights to and from Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Denver and Los Angeles.
(02-10-2018 03:56 PM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote: [ -> ]
(02-09-2018 09:39 AM)DavidSt Wrote: [ -> ]My pick would be Tarleton State could be announced in late April or early May as the next member of the WAC. That would allow them to be eligible for D2 post season. If they are announced today? They would lose the spot. There are several D2 conferences that do not allow schools who announced leaving the conference to participate in the conference post season and all that like several D1 conferences do.

Over the past couple of decades Tarleton has had one of the top D-2 basketball programs in terms of both winning and fan support, so from that perspective I think they would be a good add for the WAC.

However I can’t see it happening unless the conference finds a way to sponsor FCS football. Tarleton just broke ground on a $26.4 million stadium renovation project and once it’s done they’re the ideal candidate to round out the Southland’s membership (currently 11 for football and 13 for Olympic sports). For the WAC to be appealing to Tarleton or any of the top Lone Star schools it has to offer a home for their football programs.


Tarleton State would be a travel partner. Remember, UTRGV is in the WAC. If UTRGV, GCU and Utah Valley start football? Then get some more schools like maybe grab to two Big West California schools as football only and Southern Utah as a full member? You would have 7 football members.
GCU has repeatedly shut down any rumors of any interest in starting football. I wish they would consider starting a program; it’d be a lot of fun! However, they went all in for soccer instead.
(02-10-2018 07:52 PM)Raider_Lope Wrote: [ -> ]GCU has repeatedly shut down any rumors of any interest in starting football. I wish they would consider starting a program; it’d be a lot of fun! However, they went all in for soccer instead.

I am not a GCU fan, but I would fully support a GCU D II or FCS football team. Might as well be the spark that revitalizes the WAC as a football conference.
The WAC or WCC should attempt to become a western version of the Pioneer League. San Diego (WCC) already has a team. Getting the three private schools in the WAC - Seattle, Cal Baptist, and Grand Canyon to start programs allows for a decent core. At that point it really doesn’t matter who the other two are, although I would suspect it would be Utah Valley and another school joining from Division II.
Just to throw in a new tidbit. A poster on another board claims that the WAC is pushing the idea that Tarleton State could join the conference, and park their football as an affiliate in the Southland. Also that the WAC official brought up Dixie State as well, although in what capacity is unknown.


Interesting, but on the surface this seems to make no sense. The Southland would be the dream destination for TSU, and if they could move football there, why not all sports, and bypass the WAC entirely. Also, if Dixie State has any vague inclination of moving up, they are certainly keeping quiet about it. They do have a nice following in Division 2 , and are expanding their stadium, so if they could put together the cash, they could easily make the move. However, at least up until now, they haven't seemed to show any desire to do so.

Some who read this will think I am pushing Tarleton St. to the WAC since I mention them so much. The real reason is it is hard to find any information on any WAC movement. Info for Tarleton is the only thing that has become available. The WAC are holding their cards close to their vests.
The Southland can’t afford too many Division II moveups - the last expansion cost them Oral Roberts. This might be a way to even up the football membership without having another mouth to feed.

If the WAC can shed everyone west of Las Cruces, getting a 12th school playing football also allows the Southland to split. New Mexico State and UTRGV hold down the 7 and 8 spots as non-FCS members of the WAC. New Orleans and Corpus Christi do the same for the Southland. Of course this implies Utah Valley, Seattle, Grand Canyon, and Cal Baptist have places to go.

WAC - Houston Baptist, Incarnate Word, Stephen F. Austin, Tarleton State, San Houston State, Abilene Christian, Texas-Rio Grande Valley*, New Mexico State*
SLC - Central Arkansas, Lamar, Nicholls State, Southeastern Louisiana, Northwestern State, McNeese State, New Orleans*, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi*

This also puts the Southland in better position to pick up Little Rock and Texas-Arlington should they ever leave the Sun Belt.

Even without that, this could be a way to get the WAC moving towards sponsoring FCS football. The Big Sky needs WAC football more than the Southland, but Tarleton would be an easy trip as a non-conference opponent once the WAC is up and running.
I'd like to see Dixie State move up. Rival and geographical partner for UVU, St. George is a growing city with no sports in town, and they have decent facilities.
(02-23-2018 12:32 AM)AuzGrams Wrote: [ -> ]I'd like to see Dixie State move up. Rival and geographical partner for UVU, St. George is a growing city with no sports in town, and they have decent facilities.

GCU also has some history w/Dixie, from old Pac West days. Greatest sports moment I've seen live was Braylen Pickrel catching and draining a 3pt bucket off an inbound pass at the buzzer to beat Dixie St & catapult Lopes into the D2 tourney!
(02-23-2018 01:44 AM)gleadley Wrote: [ -> ]
(02-23-2018 12:32 AM)AuzGrams Wrote: [ -> ]I'd like to see Dixie State move up. Rival and geographical partner for UVU, St. George is a growing city with no sports in town, and they have decent facilities.

GCU also has some history w/Dixie, from old Pac West days. Greatest sports moment I've seen live was Braylen Pickrel catching and draining a 3pt bucket off an inbound pass at the buzzer to beat Dixie St & catapult Lopes into the D2 tourney!
I was there too! That was a great day!
WAC brethren who do not know what we are talking about can click here or here to relive the moment with GCU fans.
(02-22-2018 09:18 PM)Columbia Blue Wrote: [ -> ]Just to throw in a new tidbit. A poster on another board claims that the WAC is pushing the idea that Tarleton State could join the conference, and park their football as an affiliate in the Southland. Also that the WAC official brought up Dixie State as well, although in what capacity is unknown.


Interesting, but on the surface this seems to make no sense. The Southland would be the dream destination for TSU, and if they could move football there, why not all sports, and bypass the WAC entirely. Also, if Dixie State has any vague inclination of moving up, they are certainly keeping quiet about it. They do have a nice following in Division 2 , and are expanding their stadium, so if they could put together the cash, they could easily make the move. However, at least up until now, they haven't seemed to show any desire to do so.

Some who read this will think I am pushing Tarleton St. to the WAC since I mention them so much. The real reason is it is hard to find any information on any WAC movement. Info for Tarleton is the only thing that has become available. The WAC are holding their cards close to their vests.

Which board did they post it on and who is the poster?
Some who read this will think I am pushing Tarleton St. to the WAC since I mention them so much. The real reason is it is hard to find any information on any WAC movement. Info for Tarleton is the only thing that has become available. The WAC are holding their cards close to their vests.
[/quote]
A simple explanation would be that there is no WAC movement plans.
http://www.d2messageboard.com/showthread...48&page=15

A simple explanation would be that there is no WAC movement plan.

Could be. And as long as nothing else changes, the WAC will be fine. But with the uncertainty surrounding Chi. State, and possibly UMKC, the WAC officials would be foolish not to at least test the waters to see who might be interested should it come to that.
(02-24-2018 04:06 AM)Columbia Blue Wrote: [ -> ]http://www.d2messageboard.com/showthread...48&page=15

A simple explanation would be that there is no WAC movement plan.

Could be. And as long as nothing else changes, the WAC will be fine. But with the uncertainty surrounding Chi. State, and possibly UMKC, the WAC officials would be foolish not to at least test the waters to see who might be interested should it come to that.

Note to Blue, I am commenting to your provided link.

I love how people say they have an insiders perspective, when 99.99% of the time it is BS!
(02-24-2018 12:14 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote: [ -> ]
(02-24-2018 04:06 AM)Columbia Blue Wrote: [ -> ]http://www.d2messageboard.com/showthread...48&page=15

A simple explanation would be that there is no WAC movement plan.

Could be. And as long as nothing else changes, the WAC will be fine. But with the uncertainty surrounding Chi. State, and possibly UMKC, the WAC officials would be foolish not to at least test the waters to see who might be interested should it come to that.

Note to Blue, I am commenting to your provided link.

I love how people say they have an insiders perspective, when 99.99% of the time it is BS!

Agreed that it is hard to take "insider information" too seriously, without a dose of healthy skepticism. It could be legit....or not.

Elsewhere it will be interesting to see if the MVC makes any moves when the presidents meet during their tournament next week. Any additions could start the musical chairs going again as the conferences affected realign.
UT-Tyler Applied To Join D2

UT-Tyler is applying to join D2 from D3 to join the Lone Star conference this year. It is also reported that they would be adding football. They already have a competitive marching band.

The only reason they talked about joining D2 last year was in case someone leaves the Lone Star Conference. That means that Tarleton State is getting a D1 invite this year. Southland Conference did no campus visits. The WAC did. As it is, I do not think the Southland wants to add anymore Texas or Louisiana schools right now. They are looking at schools like Delta State, Arkansas Tech or Central Oklahoma as the 12th football member and 14 all sports. UCA is on an island by themselves right now.

As for the talks when they added California Baptist? They added them just in case they lose either Chicago State or UMKC to another conference. This was before the shocker that Bakersfield State walked out on them. They do need to add a school now, and Tarleton State is ready to go D1. This could give UTRGV a travel partner as well. WAC could grow their footprint from California to Texas if they lose the northern schools of Seattle, UMKC and Chicago State. Lone Star Conference is at 20 members now and with UT-Tyler to join the ranks makes them at 21. WAC could be the logical place to take some Lone Star schools, RMAC, GNAC and the California schools.
(02-25-2018 04:36 PM)DavidSt Wrote: [ -> ]UT-Tyler Applied To Join D2

UT-Tyler is applying to join D2 from D3 to join the Lone Star conference this year. It is also reported that they would be adding football. They already have a competitive marching band.

The only reason they talked about joining D2 last year was in case someone leaves the Lone Star Conference. That means that Tarleton State is getting a D1 invite this year. Southland Conference did no campus visits. The WAC did. As it is, I do not think the Southland wants to add anymore Texas or Louisiana schools right now. They are looking at schools like Delta State, Arkansas Tech or Central Oklahoma as the 12th football member and 14 all sports. UCA is on an island by themselves right now.

As for the talks when they added California Baptist? They added them just in case they lose either Chicago State or UMKC to another conference. This was before the shocker that Bakersfield State walked out on them. They do need to add a school now, and Tarleton State is ready to go D1. This could give UTRGV a travel partner as well. WAC could grow their footprint from California to Texas if they lose the northern schools of Seattle, UMKC and Chicago State. Lone Star Conference is at 20 members now and with UT-Tyler to join the ranks makes them at 21. WAC could be the logical place to take some Lone Star schools, RMAC, GNAC and the California schools.
Seems like a stretch to make some of these assumptions based on the article provided. Especially the assumption that Tarleton is getting a DI invite.
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