Move to appropriate section if this is not where it should be. I know how stuff like this can be controversial of where it's posted.

Collegiate Consulting accuses Colorado-Mesa of making up their WAC invite in tweet.

"Who from the WAC actually invited you @coloradomesau, - since this is news to WAC - if you don't want to be DI, don't be DI, don't make up invitations, that were not extended."

The consulting firm has worked with Dixie State, Cal Baptist, Grand Canyon, Tarelton State, CS Los Angeles, and Metro State on their WAC feasibility studies and potential/official WAC moves. They have worked with UTRGV, Seattle U, UMKC, Utah Valley, CS-Bakersfield in past on other studies.

It appears Jeff Hurd's daughter or some type of relative, Shannon Hurd, works at the firm as well when looking at website

Very odd tweet, but I do find it interesting in the CMU article, it mentions how multiple RMAC schools have been invited by the WAC. Collegiate Consulting has worked with almost every WAC member directly this past decade and two recent RMAC invitees, but not CMU

LINK TO TWEET

I have no idea how to embed a picture in here, and screenshot is too large to attach.

Received a quick reply from Richard Wright at Collegiate Consulting when emailing them directly for clarification.

Quote:– thanks for the note. There is nothing that I can add to it, other than we do know that they (Colorado Mesa) was NOT issued an invitation to join the conference by the WAC; but at this time, that is all I can really add or comment on this.

Maybe they didn't want to seem left behind by Metro State?

Strange on why a school do that unless they want to move up themselves. Colorado Mesa is spending a lot of money for their 20 plus sports at the D2 level while other schools in the RMAC got nothing.

Now, we got confirmation that CSU-Los Angeles were approached.

Dixie State, Metro State, Tarleton State and CSU-L. A.

CSU-L.A. were an all sports Big West member until the early 1970s. They would be moving back up.

I am surprise that the WAC would ignore Colorado Mesa since the town they are in and around the area actually growing just like St. George. They would not have troubles attracting people since Metro State would have Air Force, Denver, Colorado, Colorado State and Northern Colorado in the Denver area.

(02-18-2019 11:14 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  Strange on why a school do that unless they want to move up themselves. Colorado Mesa is spending a lot of money for their 20 plus sports at the D2 level while other schools in the RMAC got nothing.

Now, we got confirmation that CSU-Los Angeles were approached.

Dixie State, Metro State, Tarleton State and CSU-L. A.

CSU-L.A. were an all sports Big West member until the early 1970s. They would be moving back up.

I am surprise that the WAC would ignore Colorado Mesa since the town they are in and around the area actually growing just like St. George. They would not have troubles attracting people since Metro State would have Air Force, Denver, Colorado, Colorado State and Northern Colorado in the Denver area.

How do they compare to Pueblo, Western State, and School of Mines? After Metro State, the rest would be for pursuit of WAC football, which Dixie State had as a condition of them moving up. Western State apparently got an $80mil donation but Gunnison is absolutely desolate

CS-Los Angeles completed their feasibility study of the WAC and is still deciding as far as I know. Tarelton State said they'd have a decision by end of 2018, but still nothing. Metro State still waiting. West Texas A&M announced plans for multi-million dollar remodels to both their basketball and football stadiums on February 12th. And Augustana football is important to keep an eye on too

(02-18-2019 11:34 AM)SeattleVandals Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 11:14 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  Strange on why a school do that unless they want to move up themselves. Colorado Mesa is spending a lot of money for their 20 plus sports at the D2 level while other schools in the RMAC got nothing.

Now, we got confirmation that CSU-Los Angeles were approached.

Dixie State, Metro State, Tarleton State and CSU-L. A.

CSU-L.A. were an all sports Big West member until the early 1970s. They would be moving back up.

I am surprise that the WAC would ignore Colorado Mesa since the town they are in and around the area actually growing just like St. George. They would not have troubles attracting people since Metro State would have Air Force, Denver, Colorado, Colorado State and Northern Colorado in the Denver area.

How do they compare to Pueblo, Western State, and School of Mines? After Metro State, the rest would be for pursuit of WAC football, which Dixie State had as a condition of them moving up. Western State apparently got an $80mil donation but Gunnison is absolutely desolate

CS-Los Angeles completed their feasibility study of the WAC and is still deciding as far as I know. Tarelton State said they'd have a decision by end of 2018, but still nothing. Metro State still waiting. West Texas A&M announced plans for multi-million dollar remodels to both their basketball and football stadiums on February 12th. And Augustana football is important to keep an eye on too

Colorado Mesa did spent a lot of money upgrading their facilities and adding sports. They are way ahead of the rest of RMAC and somewhat ahead of Dixie State. Pueblo and Mines are in the same spot as Metro State. They are in the Denver area. Pueblo may have a better shot than Colo.-Colo. Springs, Mines, Regis, Colorado Christian and Metro State. Colorado Mesa and Western both seem to have some deep pocket donors. I saw nothing in recent years yet for Metro State upgraded their facilities. Mesa and Pueblo were the top favorites to go D1 next in the state.

Guys, Gunnison, CO is really isolated. Western St in Colorado is a school most famous for skiing and not much else. My aunt used to teach there. The vast majority of students went there to ski at Crested Butte (great skiing by the way). It is extremley isolated, hard to get to, albeit very very pretty. The airport runway is almost the size of the town.




At least Grand Junction is on a major highway, and is growing. The accusations against Colorado Mesa remind me of a story of a HS recruit who faked his signing with California a few years ago. Unless they are angling for a Big Sky invite instead of a WAC one.

(02-18-2019 12:17 PM)RobtheAggie Wrote:  Guys, Gunnison, CO is really isolated. Western St in Colorado is a school most famous for skiing and not much else. My aunt used to teach there. The vast majority of students went there to ski at Crested Butte (great skiing by the way). It is extremley isolated, hard to get to, albeit very very pretty. The airport is almost the size of the town.


At least Grand Junction is on a major highway, and is growing. The accusations against Colorado Mesa remind me of a story of a HS recruit who faked this signing with California a few years ago. Unless they are angling for a Big Sky invite instead of a WAC one.

Love me Crested Butte, my aunt used to work there and we would go ski when I was a kid. But yes, Gunnison is a town of 5,000 middle of nowhere. Football is the only hope they have to being D1 if that's what they want

(02-18-2019 12:34 PM)SeattleVandals Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 12:17 PM)RobtheAggie Wrote:  Guys, Gunnison, CO is really isolated. Western St in Colorado is a school most famous for skiing and not much else. My aunt used to teach there. The vast majority of students went there to ski at Crested Butte (great skiing by the way). It is extremley isolated, hard to get to, albeit very very pretty. The airport is almost the size of the town.


At least Grand Junction is on a major highway, and is growing. The accusations against Colorado Mesa remind me of a story of a HS recruit who faked this signing with California a few years ago. Unless they are angling for a Big Sky invite instead of a WAC one.

Love me Crested Butte, my aunt used to work there and we would go ski when I was a kid. But yes, Gunnison is a town of 5,000 middle of nowhere. Football is the only hope they have to being D1 if that's what they want

Gunnison made it into a movie a few years ago. AVP: Requiem
Even though the setting was Gunnison, Colorado, the movie was actually filmed in British Columbia. Would have been better if they filmed in Gunnison which would have helped the community.

Same thing happened to Revenge of the Nerds. The setting and the actors attending college was Adams State (another RMAC school) but was filmed on campus of University of Arizona.

Both areas would be pretty to film movies at. I just do not see either one getting to D1 anytime soon, even the Gunnison area is growing in population as well, but not as fast as Grand Junction.

(02-18-2019 11:14 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  Strange on why a school do that unless they want to move up themselves. Colorado Mesa is spending a lot of money for their 20 plus sports at the D2 level while other schools in the RMAC got nothing.

Now, we got confirmation that CSU-Los Angeles were approached.

Dixie State, Metro State, Tarleton State and CSU-L. A.

CSU-L.A. were an all sports Big West member until the early 1970s. They would be moving back up.

I am surprise that the WAC would ignore Colorado Mesa since the town they are in and around the area actually growing just like St. George. They would not have troubles attracting people since Metro State would have Air Force, Denver, Colorado, Colorado State and Northern Colorado in the Denver area.

St. George and GJ have nothing in common. Absolutely nothing.

(02-18-2019 12:17 PM)RobtheAggie Wrote:  Guys, Gunnison, CO is really isolated. Western St in Colorado is a school most famous for skiing and not much else. My aunt used to teach there. The vast majority of students went there to ski at Crested Butte (great skiing by the way). It is extremley isolated, hard to get to, albeit very very pretty. The airport runway is almost the size of the town.




At least Grand Junction is on a major highway, and is growing. The accusations against Colorado Mesa remind me of a story of a HS recruit who faked his signing with California a few years ago. Unless they are angling for a Big Sky invite instead of a WAC one.

The town is dirt poor. The school has upwards of 40% of their students on free or reduced lunch. Most locals have 3-4 months a year to make a living, once winter hits the area dies. It is miserable cold, isolated and dead from November to Memorial Day.

Western is a party school. It draws a lot of rich kids from the Front Range, Chicago and other large cities who want to party and ski. The Freshman retention rate is by far the lowest in the state. We lived in the area for almost a decade. I used to drive down to Western from Crested Butte and work in a shared office. No way in hell that school is going D1. It is a dump.

Dixie State Athletic Director Jason Boothe liked the tweet by College Consulting. The drama is getting spicy!!

(02-18-2019 05:24 PM)SeattleVandals Wrote:  Dixie State Athletic Director Jason Boothe liked the tweet by College Consulting. The drama is getting spicy!!

Good way to start up a heated rivalry for the WAC. Dixie State VS Colorado Mesa could be fun to watched in the future.

(02-18-2019 08:51 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 05:24 PM)SeattleVandals Wrote:  Dixie State Athletic Director Jason Boothe liked the tweet by College Consulting. The drama is getting spicy!!

Good way to start up a heated rivalry for the WAC. Dixie State VS Colorado Mesa could be fun to watched in the future.

It is just my opinion, but I don't think the WAC is interested in any D2 school that has limited accessibility (no major airport within 75 miles, no major highways running through it) and is located in a community under 100K; unless otherwise a suburb of a larger metropolitan area. The WAC's growth model is not the Big Sky. It is more so a western, more sparse, version of the Big East or Atlantic 10.

Ideally, the WAC would like to adds schools located near places such as Denver, Portland, San Francisco, San Diego, Dallas, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, etc.

Although Dixie State is a little off the beaten track located in St George, Utah, their addition will pay dividends once they're eligible for the WAC tournament (St. George is located less than two hours away from Las Vegas). Dixie State's biggest strength is they have been perennially one the of the top drawing basketball attendance in division 2.

(02-18-2019 09:47 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 08:51 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 05:24 PM)SeattleVandals Wrote:  Dixie State Athletic Director Jason Boothe liked the tweet by College Consulting. The drama is getting spicy!!

Good way to start up a heated rivalry for the WAC. Dixie State VS Colorado Mesa could be fun to watched in the future.

It is just my opinion, but I don't think the WAC is interested in any D2 school that has limited accessibility (no major airport within 75 miles, no major highways running through it) and is located in a community under 100K; unless otherwise a suburb of a larger metropolitan area. The WAC's growth model is not the Big Sky. It is more so a western, more sparse, version of the Big East or Atlantic 10.

Ideally, the WAC would like to adds schools located near places such as Denver, Portland, San Francisco, San Diego, Dallas, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, etc.

Although Dixie State is a little off the beaten track located in St George, Utah, their addition will pay dividends once they're eligible for the WAC tournament (St. George is located less than two hours away from Las Vegas).

If Colorado-Mesa was invited, or even looked at, it was strictly for starting WAC football. Zero chance they'd get an invite for their basketball alone.

If Cal State LA is even thinking about DI, they need to go the Big West route. The WAC doesn't need to nurse another Cal State school along so they can join the BW after a few years. The BW is the weaker conference so let them hand hold and sponsor their own new members

All I need to know about CSU LA is their home attendance of around 200 for home games last year. Pathetic. The admins may want D1, but apparently no one else cares at all about their sports.

This CMU news certainly is amusing.

Oklahoma City U is another interesting possible add to the WAC. Former D1 member, long outgrown the NAIA. We!l funded sports and facilities now. Nice private school, in a big metro area like lots of WAC schools, law school, good reputation. I think they may be interested now because they used to be in a nice little rough NAIA conference that was very local. Now a lot of defections to D2 has left them in a much weaker and more spread out conference. OCU is now very out of place

(02-18-2019 10:54 PM)Todor Wrote:  If Cal State LA is even thinking about DI, they need to go the Big West route. The WAC doesn't need to nurse another Cal State school along so they can join the BW after a few years. The BW is the weaker conference so let them hand hold and sponsor their own new members

All I need to know about CSU LA is their home attendance of around 200 for home games last year. Pathetic. The admins may want D1, but apparently no one else cares at all about their sports.

This CMU news certainly is amusing.

Oklahoma City U is another interesting possible add to the WAC. Former D1 member, long outgrown the NAIA. We!l funded sports and facilities now. Nice private school, in a big metro area like lots of WAC schools, law school, good reputation. I think they may be interested now because they used to be in a nice little rough NAIA conference that was very local. Now a lot of defections to D2 has left them in a much weaker and more spread out conference. OCU is now very out of place

The Big West tries to keep a balance between the California State programs and the University of California programs. Cal State Bakersfield was only able to get into the BWC because the BWC wanted UC San Diego as a member. That is why Cal State Bakersfield is stuck in the WAC waiting two years for UC San Diego to make their D1 transition to the BWC.

(02-18-2019 11:45 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 10:54 PM)Todor Wrote:  If Cal State LA is even thinking about DI, they need to go the Big West route. The WAC doesn't need to nurse another Cal State school along so they can join the BW after a few years. The BW is the weaker conference so let them hand hold and sponsor their own new members

All I need to know about CSU LA is their home attendance of around 200 for home games last year. Pathetic. The admins may want D1, but apparently no one else cares at all about their sports.

This CMU news certainly is amusing.

Oklahoma City U is another interesting possible add to the WAC. Former D1 member, long outgrown the NAIA. We!l funded sports and facilities now. Nice private school, in a big metro area like lots of WAC schools, law school, good reputation. I think they may be interested now because they used to be in a nice little rough NAIA conference that was very local. Now a lot of defections to D2 has left them in a much weaker and more spread out conference. OCU is now very out of place

The Big West tries to keep a balance between the California State programs and the University of California programs. Cal State Bakersfield was only able to get into the BWC because the BWC wanted UC San Diego as a member. That is why Cal State Bakersfield is stuck in the WAC waiting two years for UC San Diego to make their D1 transition to the BWC.

I've heard that. But I still hope the WAC never takes any California public schools unless they actually want us as a long term destination. Their balance is their problem. However, I understand why we needed Bakersfield at the time.

(02-18-2019 11:59 PM)Todor Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 11:45 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 10:54 PM)Todor Wrote:  If Cal State LA is even thinking about DI, they need to go the Big West route. The WAC doesn't need to nurse another Cal State school along so they can join the BW after a few years. The BW is the weaker conference so let them hand hold and sponsor their own new members

All I need to know about CSU LA is their home attendance of around 200 for home games last year. Pathetic. The admins may want D1, but apparently no one else cares at all about their sports.

This CMU news certainly is amusing.

Oklahoma City U is another interesting possible add to the WAC. Former D1 member, long outgrown the NAIA. We!l funded sports and facilities now. Nice private school, in a big metro area like lots of WAC schools, law school, good reputation. I think they may be interested now because they used to be in a nice little rough NAIA conference that was very local. Now a lot of defections to D2 has left them in a much weaker and more spread out conference. OCU is now very out of place

The Big West tries to keep a balance between the California State programs and the University of California programs. Cal State Bakersfield was only able to get into the BWC because the BWC wanted UC San Diego as a member. That is why Cal State Bakersfield is stuck in the WAC waiting two years for UC San Diego to make their D1 transition to the BWC.

I've heard that. But I still hope the WAC never takes any California public schools unless they actually want us as a long term destination. Their balance is their problem. However, I understand why we needed Bakersfield at the time.

If not for Sacramento State's football needs (to remain in the Big Sky) the WAC might have not lost Cal State Bakersfield to the Big West. However, with the additions of UC San Diego and Cal State Bakersfield to the Big West, their membership is will be at 11 schools. Until they fill the slot for the 12th member, the WAC is vulnerable to losing any state funded California school (they might add) to the Big West.

(02-19-2019 04:05 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 11:59 PM)Todor Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 11:45 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 10:54 PM)Todor Wrote:  If Cal State LA is even thinking about DI, they need to go the Big West route. The WAC doesn't need to nurse another Cal State school along so they can join the BW after a few years. The BW is the weaker conference so let them hand hold and sponsor their own new members

All I need to know about CSU LA is their home attendance of around 200 for home games last year. Pathetic. The admins may want D1, but apparently no one else cares at all about their sports.

This CMU news certainly is amusing.

Oklahoma City U is another interesting possible add to the WAC. Former D1 member, long outgrown the NAIA. We!l funded sports and facilities now. Nice private school, in a big metro area like lots of WAC schools, law school, good reputation. I think they may be interested now because they used to be in a nice little rough NAIA conference that was very local. Now a lot of defections to D2 has left them in a much weaker and more spread out conference. OCU is now very out of place

The Big West tries to keep a balance between the California State programs and the University of California programs. Cal State Bakersfield was only able to get into the BWC because the BWC wanted UC San Diego as a member. That is why Cal State Bakersfield is stuck in the WAC waiting two years for UC San Diego to make their D1 transition to the BWC.

I've heard that. But I still hope the WAC never takes any California public schools unless they actually want us as a long term destination. Their balance is their problem. However, I understand why we needed Bakersfield at the time.

If not for Sacramento State's football needs (to remain in the Big Sky) the WAC might have not lost Cal State Bakersfield to the Big West. However, with the additions of UC San Diego and Cal State Bakersfield to the Big West, their membership is will be at 11 schools. Until they fill the slot for the 12th member, the WAC is vulnerable to losing any state funded California school (they might add) to the Big West.

I have no problem with the WAC consulting company talking $hit to Colorado Mesa now in order to save face, but I think it is pretty fair to say that had Colorado Mesa come out and said that they are committing to go D-1, a WAC invite would have been waiting for them.

(02-18-2019 09:47 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 08:51 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(02-18-2019 05:24 PM)SeattleVandals Wrote:  Dixie State Athletic Director Jason Boothe liked the tweet by College Consulting. The drama is getting spicy!!

Good way to start up a heated rivalry for the WAC. Dixie State VS Colorado Mesa could be fun to watched in the future.

It is just my opinion, but I don't think the WAC is interested in any D2 school that has limited accessibility (no major airport within 75 miles, no major highways running through it) and is located in a community under 100K; unless otherwise a suburb of a larger metropolitan area. The WAC's growth model is not the Big Sky. It is more so a western, more sparse, version of the Big East or Atlantic 10.

Ideally, the WAC would like to adds schools located near places such as Denver, Portland, San Francisco, San Diego, Dallas, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, etc.

Although Dixie State is a little off the beaten track located in St George, Utah, their addition will pay dividends once they're eligible for the WAC tournament (St. George is located less than two hours away from Las Vegas). Dixie State's biggest strength is they have been perennially one the of the top drawing basketball attendance in division 2.

Grand Junction's metro is over 100,000. Interstate 70 goes through the city which is down the road from Denver. Grand Junction Regional Airport which is travel.
Allegiant Air
American Eagle
Delta Connection
Denver Air Connection
United Express

So, Delta, American and United Airlines fly to Grand Junction. So, you actually described Western State instead of Colorado Mesa.