(08-25-2020 09:19 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote: If the WAC were to restart FBS football, I think the new founding members would be from the Southland, and maybe Summit and Big Sky. If the WAC were to actually develop a stable FBS conference then maybe the WAC could court Texas schools from the Sun Belt and CUSA. But the WAC would need at least four FBS committed schools from the FCS level first plus NMSU and Tarleton State to get things started.
Agree
If I am reading this correctly, as long as the WAC's "golden ticket to FBS" is still valid, it does look like the WAC could reinstate football sponsorship at an FBS level with either no additional or a minimum of current FBS members. At the start, the key would be for enough fully qualified FCS members transitioning to FBS to start the process at the same time. That way, the 60% requirement of FBS home game opponents could be met within the conference competition.
Below is an excerpt from the NCAA's "Frequently Asked Questions" for "Football Bowl Subdivision - Membership Requirements".
Link - NCAA FBS Membership Requirements Q&A
Quote:Q. For purposes of satisfying the FBS scheduling requirements, is it permissible for an
institution to count an opponent that is in the process of reclassifying its football program
to FBS?
A. In determining whether an institution meets the FBS institution scheduling criteria, each
opponent shall be counted as it was classified on September 1 of the academic year
involved; however, it is permissible to count an institution reclassifying its program to the
FBS as a FBS opponent during the year in which the reclassifying institution must comply
with Football Bowl Subdivision scheduling requirements (i.e., year two of the
reclassification process). [Bylaws 20.9.9.2.2 and 20.9.9.2.2.1]
Another requirement deals with grant-in-aid. Just using a "back of the envelope" look, that doesn't appear to be much of an issue. The requirement is either a minimum of 200 grant-in-aid equivalents or a minimum of $4,000,000 in athletically related grants in aid. Using the OPE Equity in Athletics database, here are the athletically related student aid amounts for some current Division I universities mentioned as possibilities. A sampling of Division II universities fell well below $4,000,000, but that is understood. The numbers will increase as Division I scholarship numbers are met.
Link - OPE Equity in Athletics database
Abilene Christian - $8,627,844
Incarnate Word - $10,268,094
Eastern Washington - $4,281,300
Lamar - $6,353,378
Montana - $5,296,775
Montana State - $5,100,246
Northern Arizona - $5,573,307
Sam Houston State - $4,770,982
Stephen F. Austin - $4,295,100
Weber State - $4,402,018