(06-04-2022 07:45 AM)OscarWildeCat Wrote:  Bottom line for UIW- operational budget

Quote:The Southland would certainly offer UIW decreased travel compared to the WAC, but I'm told that isn't the only factor under consideration. Industry sources also told me that UIW would be expected to spend more on operational budget to keep up with their WAC peers (the school has planned facility improvements that are scheduled to happen no matter what conference they affiliate with, I'm told). Some of the 'Texas 4" declined to invite UIW to join the WAC in the first place, after all, over budget-related issues.

Basically, if UIW opts to remain in the Southland it will be because they can’t/aren’t willing to invest in athletics. A future in the Southland would mean they continue to starve basketball and other sports and focus resources on football. A future in the WAC would require UIW to spend enough on other spirts to become competitive.

or, to be more cynical, we'll stay in the wac no matter what level they intend to invest in athletics, because it would be very embarrassing for the president of the administration to explain why they made a move six months ago and then had to reverse it.