WAC to drop football after 2012 season, commissioner Hurd says
Read more: WAC to drop football after 2012 season, commissioner Hurd says - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_21355122/wac-drop-football-after-2012-season#ixzz247g6nTti
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By Irv Moss
The Denver Post
The Western Athletic Conference is forging ahead in its battle for survival with the realization that it will not be a football conference after a final season of play this year.
Commissioner Jeff Hurd said Monday morning that the emphasis now has turned to finding the number of conference institutions to retain NCAA Division I recognition as a non-football league. The University of Denver joins the WAC for the upcoming seasons as a non-football member.
"I think that sometime in late July it became apparent that it was unlikely we could continue with football," Hurd said. "We looked at every option we could think of. With the geography we have in terms of schools, it presents a challenge."
Hurd noted that challenges remain for the WAC to continue as a non-football conference. It has to add two to three new members for the 2013-14 school year in order to have the necessary seven for NCAA recognition. He said an answer could be coming as early as September.
"If we can't get enough league members, we can't operate as a conference," Hurd said. "We're going to do everything possible to avoid that. There aren't any obvious answers out there."
DU athletic director Peg Bradley-Doppes wasn't available for comment on what DU's future might hold after the upcoming year. The Pioneers are competing in men's and women's basketball, golf and tennis, and women's soccer, gymnastics, volley ball and swimming and diving.
Football had become a losing battle for the WAC in the past few years, as the conference went through upheaval. The WAC previously lost Boise State, Nevada, Fresno State and Hawaii. San Jose State, Utah State, Louisiana Tech and Texas-San Antonio are leaving after the upcoming school year.
Seven schools — Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Texas State, Utah State and the University of Texas at San Antonio — will compete in the WAC's final football season this year.
WAC headquarters are in Englewood.
Read more: WAC to drop football after 2012 season, commissioner Hurd says - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_21355122/wac-drop-football-after-2012-season#ixzz247g0wMwg
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http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_21355122/wac-drop-football-after-2012-season
Read more: WAC to drop football after 2012 season, commissioner Hurd says - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_21355122/wac-drop-football-after-2012-season#ixzz247g6nTti
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse
By Irv Moss
The Denver Post
The Western Athletic Conference is forging ahead in its battle for survival with the realization that it will not be a football conference after a final season of play this year.
Commissioner Jeff Hurd said Monday morning that the emphasis now has turned to finding the number of conference institutions to retain NCAA Division I recognition as a non-football league. The University of Denver joins the WAC for the upcoming seasons as a non-football member.
"I think that sometime in late July it became apparent that it was unlikely we could continue with football," Hurd said. "We looked at every option we could think of. With the geography we have in terms of schools, it presents a challenge."
Hurd noted that challenges remain for the WAC to continue as a non-football conference. It has to add two to three new members for the 2013-14 school year in order to have the necessary seven for NCAA recognition. He said an answer could be coming as early as September.
"If we can't get enough league members, we can't operate as a conference," Hurd said. "We're going to do everything possible to avoid that. There aren't any obvious answers out there."
DU athletic director Peg Bradley-Doppes wasn't available for comment on what DU's future might hold after the upcoming year. The Pioneers are competing in men's and women's basketball, golf and tennis, and women's soccer, gymnastics, volley ball and swimming and diving.
Football had become a losing battle for the WAC in the past few years, as the conference went through upheaval. The WAC previously lost Boise State, Nevada, Fresno State and Hawaii. San Jose State, Utah State, Louisiana Tech and Texas-San Antonio are leaving after the upcoming school year.
Seven schools — Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Texas State, Utah State and the University of Texas at San Antonio — will compete in the WAC's final football season this year.
WAC headquarters are in Englewood.
Read more: WAC to drop football after 2012 season, commissioner Hurd says - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_21355122/wac-drop-football-after-2012-season#ixzz247g0wMwg
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse
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