From Deseret News archives:
Word is, Aggies headed for WAC
Informed of a Wednesday report by 1320 KFNZ operations manager Jeff Rickard that Utah State University will be asked to join the WAC today, USU president Dr. Kermit L. Hall said Wednesday evening the school had not yet received an invite.
"I have no official invitation," Hall said.
Hall did say, however, the WAC is holding a press conference this afternoon.
Late Wednesday the WAC office would not confirm nor deny the report that the announcement would be made today.
Utah State athletic director Rance Pugmire was unavailable for comment.
Rickard also reported New Mexico State would also be invited today to join the WAC.
"I think it was unanimous that we (WAC athletic directors) all felt they would be two real good addition to the WAC because of their programs and geography reasons," UTEP athletic director Bob Stull told the El Paso Times. "When we went through the selection process those two by far were the best picks."
The quick additions come somewhat as a surprise after WAC commissioner Karl Benson said Monday he would take one to two months to make a decision.
Over the weekend, Southern Methodist, Tulsa and Rice said they were leaving the WAC to join Conference-USA, opening the door for at least one school to join the seven-team league. Benson said the conference could expand to as many as 12.
Utah State was in the mix to possibly join the WAC in 2000 as was New Mexico State, so both schools are familiar to the WAC. Benson also mentioned North Texas, Arkansas State, Louisiana Monroe, Louisiana Lafayette, and Idaho — all of the Sun Belt Conference — as possible replacements.
Utah State was a Div. I-A independent for two seasons before joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2002. This year was the first year of competition.
"We have considerable respect for the WAC and the Sun Belt," Hall said.
E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com
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