I’ve always thought that Univ Colorado - Colorado Springs would be a good school for the WAC. They are different from most d2 schools in that that have an exceptionally strong engineering program (due to connections with Hewlett Packard and local defense industry contractors), were identified by the state regents as “The Growth Campus” of the CU system, have seen strong increases in enrollment (currently about 12,500) and construction of many new buildings in recent years. In other words, they are an ambitious institution. For many schools, going to d1 athletics is part of a strategy to elevate the profile of the university. Going d1 would distinguish them from the other state schools in d2 (Pueblo, Mesa, Adams, Ft. Lewis, etc.).

Do they have the money? Based on visits to Colorado Springs, I’d say they could find some in a metro area of 700,000. They are a non-football school (which fits the WAC). They recently built good fields. Their gym is small (but.. UMKC..?) They have 14 teams (6 men / 8 women), meeting d1 requirements. Their mix of sports fits the WAC. They finished #35 in the Learfield Cup standings last year out of 268 d2 schools (and are currently #12). Colorado Springs might be a crowded marketplace with the Air Force Academy and Colorado College d1 hockey. But the reason schools go d1 is based on elevating the institution not making money on ticket sales. And I think UC-CS could elevate the status of the WAC more than Colo Mesa or Pueblo State. I mean, UCCS is the home of "The National Institute for Science, Space and Security Centers". How cool is that?

I’m not saying today or tomorrow. But it seems UCCS is an ambitious school. And that’s what it takes to move up to d1.