The WAC gets screwed again

[X-band '01]

ESPN - BYU to leave the Mountain West beginning with the 2011-12 season (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5517305)

The expected - BYU will officially become a football independent next season. The deadline was tomorrow for the Cougars to state their intentions, and this season will be their last in the Mountain West. The conference will now officially say adieu to Utah and BYU and say hello to Nevada and Fresno State.

The unexpected - BYU will not join the WAC as anticipated for their other sports, but will instead join the West Coast Conference. That's a big addition for that conference - now you've got Gonzaga, St. Mary's, and now BYU at the top of the conference. It appears likely that the WAC will have to add some I-A and I-AA schools to retain their automatic bid as far as the NCAA basketball tournament goes. As for football, now we'll have to see if they remain I-A or go down to I-AA. The WAC is going to pursue a $5 million exit fee from both Nevada and Fresno State.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Will this have any sort of ripple effect on conferences?

EDIT: Nevermind. Just saw other thread

[waggy]

I read somewhere that the $5 million was contingent on BYU joining the conference, and that if they didn't the contract ended. I think only the lawyers do well.

And the WAC might not be done losing teams yet either. I would think the MWC is going to need a Utah presence, and that can only mean Utah State now...

[X-band '01]

Louisiana Tech is probably another school looking to get out - C-USA is probably their desired destination from a geography standpoint. But as it is, the only schools that will probably remain in 2011-12 will be La Tech, Utah State, New Mexico State, Hawaii, Idaho and San Jose State. The main reason the WAC wants the $5 million exit fee now is because Nevada and Fresno State want to join the MWC effective 2011-12. That's not enough time for the WAC to seek replacements to join the conference and for those schools to give notice to their respective conferences.

[waggy]

Combine the additions of Boise, Nevada & Fresno, with the losses of Utah & BYU, and the Mountain West drops significantly in terms of basketball power.

Colorado & Utah to the PAC 12 could go either way in terms of basketball. No great boost though, if at all.

The WCC definitely gets a boost with BYU, but not enough for it to become the equal of the A10, so I think the A10's position as a conference is only solidified by all this movement. If Saint Louis comes on like I think they might, things could be looking very strong for the A10.

[GuyFawkes38]

BYU is very proud of their bball program (apparently they are one of the NCAAs leaders in attendence). The WCC is a better bball option than the WAC.

[dc_x]

BYU is very proud of their bball program (apparently they are one of the NCAAs leaders in attendence). The WCC is a better bball option than the WAC.

And now with 9 teams the WCC will play a full double round robin 16-game conference schedule. That's ideal for a basketball conference. I wish the A-10 could drop down to 9 teams.