Utah's move to Pac-10 questionable

The recent announcement of the University of Utah's invitation to join the Pac-10 conference has left many here in Utah either pounding their chests or scratching their heads.

Beyond the torrent of gushing platitudes unleashed by commissioner Larry Scott, Chris Hill and local media at the Utah-Pac-10 invitation love-fest on June 17 lies the murky matter of why Utah was selected. Believers accept the conventional wisdom that Utah is a natural fit for the Pac-10, citing a much-publicized record of academic excellence and remarkable athletic achievement. Closer analysis, however, reveals another narrative — one somewhat less flattering.

Though many factors influence "academic excellence," US News' "Best Colleges and Universities for 2010" issue ranks Utah 126th out of 133 Tier 1 schools. All Pac-10 schools except Oregon State University finished ahead of Utah. Clearly, Utah's general "standard of academic excellence" claim isn't shared by this publication.

So, what about the student athlete? How would Utah athletes "represent" in the Pac-10? The MWC's 2009 and 2010 Academic All-Mountain West Conference list of qualifying athletes recognizes the following: BYU, 216; New Mexico, 166; UNLV, 131; Utah, 124; Wyoming, 124; TCU, 108; Air Force, 100; Colorado State, 97; and San Diego State, 76. Surprisingly, rather than leading the conference, as others have suggested, Utah ranks tied with Wyoming for 4th in the lowly Mountain West.

Scott and Hill continue to assure all who will listen that inclusion in the Pac-10 conference is recognition of Utah's superior athletic achievement in all sports. Utah's spectacular success in football during the 2004 and 2008 seasons coupled with its championship-caliber women's gymnastics program create an impression that would support such statements. However, saying it doesn't necessarily make it so.

Since the 1993-94 school year, the NACDA has awarded the Sears Trophy/Director's Cup to the institution totaling the highest number of points accumulated over a school year. Points are awarded for athletic accomplishments and include 10 women's and 10 men's sports at the Division 1 level. Perhaps no better standard exists in American collegiate sports for determining the overall success (excellence) of a university's athletic program.