SB Nation Seattle - WAC Expansion: Seattle University Accepts Invite To The WAChttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2011-06-15T10:15:24-07:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/15522062011-06-15T10:15:24-07:002011-06-15T10:15:24-07:00WAC Expansion: Where Will The Football Schools Come From After Adding Seattle U?
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<p>Although the Western Athletic Conference did need to add members after being raided over the past year or so, inviting Seattle University doesn't quite solve their problems.</p>
<p>They're still looking to add football schools, as Karl Benson was quite clear about during yesterday's media teleconference.</p>
<p>The question, however, is where exactly these football schools will come from.<a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2011/06/14/wac-expansion-seattle-joins-more-schools-to-follow/" target="_blank"> </a></p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2011/06/14/wac-expansion-seattle-joins-more-schools-to-follow/" target="_blank">San Jose Mercury News reporter Jon Wilner</a> provides some insight based on his sources.</p>
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<p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2011/06/14/wac-expansion-seattle-joins-more-schools-to-follow/" target="_blank">WAC expansion: Seattle joins, more schools to follow | College Hotline</a><br>Based on conversations with sources, both before and after Tuesday’s announcement, the league has IDed the following football schools as <i>potential</i> expansion targets:</p>
<p>Louisiana Lafayette, North Texas, Lamar, Sam Houston State, Cal Poly, Sacramento State, Montana and Montana State.</p>
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<p>As Wilner notes - and we've described in this storystream - Montana has already rejected the WAC, which makes that unlikely. But highlights of the rest of this list include Louisiana - Lafayette having a home-and-home with the Big 12's Oklahoma State over the last few years and North Texas having three of their first four games<a target="_blank" href="http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1800&ATCLID=205157700"> <strike>televised</strike> broadcast on ESPN3.com</a>.</p>
<p>But as Wilner also says, these are just potential targets and another process of application, evaluation, and invitation will have to occur before any of that is settled.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-ncaab/2011/6/15/2225297/wac-expansion-where-will-the-football-schools-come-from-after-addingNate P.2011-06-14T16:09:05-07:002011-06-14T16:09:05-07:00WAC Expansion: Seattle University May Be Joining Conference On Borrowed Time
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<p>I hate raining on Seattle University's parade on the day it joins the WAC. After all, the Redhawks have been desperately searching for a conference to join since heading back to the Division 1A level and finally found a place to call home. This comes after the West Coast Conference continued to spurn its overtures, leaving Seattle U in the WAC, a conference now severely weakened by defections.</p>
<p>And because I don't want to rain on Seattle U's parade, I'll let Big Sky commissioner Doug Fullerton do it (via <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/TonyAggieville">Tony Jones</a>)</p>
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<p>Big Sky Commish Doug Fullerton tells the Tribune that the WAC has contacted - and been turned down - by at least six of his schools. Fullerton says he would like to extend invites to Utah State and Idaho....the plot thickens</p>
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<p>Know what's fun? Small conference survivor. The WAC, MWC and now, apparently, the Big Sky are engaged in a giant game of college athletics Darwinism. The fit will survive, the weak will die, and somehow an FCS conference inserted itself into the foray.</p>
<p>We're not going to take Fullerton seriously at this point, but feel the conference wars should be accompanied by fans chanting "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!" as the commissioners brawl on-stage.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-ncaab/2011/6/14/2224213/wac-expansion-seattle-university-big-sky-commissioner-doug-fullertonBrian Floyd2011-06-14T14:52:28-07:002011-06-14T14:52:28-07:00WAC Expansion: Benson Calls Seattle University 'The Best Possible School' For The Conference
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<p>It should come as no surprise that the growth potential for men's basketball was a significant reason for the Western Athletic Conference to invite the Seattle University Redhawks into the fold as its ninth member.</p>
<p>"WAC men's basketball has the potential to be a revenue producer for us and we need to get better at basketball," WAC Commissioner Karl Benson said this afternoon during a media teleconference. "When you look at the demographics of the University of Denver or Seattle University, I don't think there is any reason why they couldn't be the next Gonzaga."</p>
<p>Yet among the reasons that Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson listed for inviting Seattle University into the fold as a non-football member, one that might stand out as mildly ironic for Seattle basketball fans is KeyArena.</p>
<p>The arena that was at the center of the Seattle Sonics' departure from the city was mentioned repeatedly as a reason that the Seattle U. Redhawks were an attractive candidate to add to the conference.</p>
<p>"Seattle is a great sports market and without the NBA being in Seattle we think that the WAC has an opportunity to have some interest in college basketball," said WAC commissioner Karl Benson in a media teleconference today.</p>
<p>Seattle University's move to KeyArena for men's basketball was one of the first things Benson mentioned among the qualities that made the conference's newest addition attractive and he even mentioned the possibility of their new addition providing a new location for the conference's tournament.</p>
<p>"KeyArena is a NBA facility," Benson said. "Again, as we look for future sites for the WAC tournament, we will give strong consideration to Seattle."</p>
<p>Of course, KeyArena was not the lone reason or even a clearly most significant reason - the invite comes after an assessment of what Seattle University offers as a whole.</p>
<p>"Seattle U had the academic characteristics, athletic characteristics, and media market and so we selected Seattle University," Benson said.</p>
<p>Other reasons Benson mentioned for the addition of Seattle University:</p>
<ul>
<li>Seattle University's commitment to improving their sports programs.<br><br>
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<li>High-profile coaching hires in men's (former University of Washington assistant Cameron Dollar) and women's basketball (former University of Arizona coach Joan Bonvicini).<br><br>"KeyArena, Cameron Dollar," Benson said. "I think that in the last two years Seattle U has shown their commitment to Division I (athletics).<br><br>
</li>
<li>Seattle is not only a top-15 media market, but also a new market for the WAC in a city without the NBA to compete for attention, as Benson noted. <br><br>
</li>
<li>Seattle U's multi-million dollar soccer facility, which has already garnered plenty of attention as being one of <a target="_blank" href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-sounders/2011/3/4/2030595/mls-colorado-rapids-practice-seattle-u">the top soccer complexes in the nation</a> and hosted a practice for the Colorado Rapids of the MLS.<br><br>"It wouldn't surprise me if the WAC women's soccer championship was held in Seattle," Benson said.<br><br><br>
</li>
<li>The timing was right after Seattle U was left out of the first round of additions. <br><br>"When the University of Hawaii made their departure from the WAC in December that put us in a different environment," Benson said. "That has allowed Seattle U. to emerge as the best possible school for us."</li>
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<p>Although the above qualities are what secured an invite for Seattle U., Benson was also clear that the Redhawks were not necessarily competing against possible football schools, having pursued them as well this past January. They also did not rule out the possibility of inviting a second school with Seattle U to bring the conference's membership to 10, with both Utah Valley University and California State Bakersfield being considered but not ultimately being invited.</p>
<p>But ultimately, Seattle U stood out as the clear choice for the current membership of the WAC, although Benson said they would not reveal the actual vote count.</p>
<p>"I think Seattle U. the clear consensus school that brings the most for the WAC to go to," Benson said.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-ncaab/2011/6/14/2223985/wac-expansion-seattle-university-the-best-possible-school-for-theNate P.2011-06-14T14:07:27-07:002011-06-14T14:07:27-07:00WAC Expansion: Seattle University To Join Conference In July 2012
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<p>In a media teleconference today at 1 p.m. Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson announced the addition of the Seattle University Redhawks, bringing the conference's membership to nine.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.wacsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10100&ATCLID=205159664" target="_blank">WAC Announces Addition of Seattle - WACSports.com—Official Web Site of the Western Athletic Conference</a><br>The Western Athletic Conference today announced that an invitation for membership has been issued to and accepted by Seattle University to join the conference effective July 1, 2012. The announcement comes following the conclusion of the Board of Directors meeting in which the Presidents of both the current schools and the previously announced incoming schools for 2012 met to address several issues important to the present and future of the WAC.</p>
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<p>However, as a non-football member, one of the major topics of discussion during the teleconference was the fact that the conference still stands at only seven football members, which is less than ideal.</p>
<p>"The addition of Seattle U. is a very positive first step, but not a last step," Benson said during the press conference.</p>
<p>Benson also noted during the teleconference that Utah Valley State and California State University - Bakersfield applied but did not receive an invite.</p>
<p>A replay of the teleconference will be available at WACSports.com while the Seattle University press conference starting at 2 p.m. PST will be available at GoSeattleU.com with an audio and video stream, according to a WAC representative.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-ncaab/2011/6/14/2224005/wac-expansion-seattle-university-to-join-conference-in-july-2012Nate P.2011-06-14T12:54:27-07:002011-06-14T12:54:27-07:00WAC Expansion: Seattle University Confirms Press Conference About Invite
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<p>After a morning full of chatter that the Seattle University Redhawks would be invited to join the Western Athletic Conference, a press release this lunch hour all but confirms the big news for the program entering its third academic year in NCAA Division I athletics.</p>
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<p>Seattle University will be hosting a press conference to make a major announcement regarding the future of the Seattle U athletics department.</p>
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<p>Seattle Times reporter Bob Condotta <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/bcondotta/status/80720502993334272">tweeted soon after the press release </a>that sources tell the Times that indeed the "major announcement" is about their response to the WAC invite, which they are expected to accept.</p>
<p>Condotta has also elaborated on the invite at the Seattle Times website.</p>
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<p><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seattleuniversity/2015316570_seattleu15.html" target="_blank">Seattle University | Seattle U. receives invitation to join WAC, according to sources | Seattle Times Newspaper</a><br>The Salt Lake Tribune and BobcatReport.com each reported Tuesday morning that Seattle U. had been extended an invitation during the conference's Board of Director meetings, taking place this week in Park City, Utah.</p>
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https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-ncaab/2011/6/14/2223871/wac-expansion-seattle-university-press-conference-announcementNate P.2011-06-14T11:47:52-07:002011-06-14T11:47:52-07:00WAC Expansion: Seattle University To Hold Press Conference In Response To Invite
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<p align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/bobcatreport/status/80692201755123713"><img alt="Picture_103_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/637035/Picture_103_medium.png"></a></p>
<p>Bobcat Report has been tweeting this morning that Seattle University to the WAC is a done deal.</p>
<p>Last season, the Redhawks men's basketball team - the primary focus as a "revenue sport" - was 1-4 against the WAC, defeating Idaho on December 11. That, in case you're wondering, is one win better than their 0-4 record against the WCC.</p>
<p>But of course, in order to survive, the WAC will need to add football schools as well. San Jose Mercury News reporter Jon Wilner suggests they might take<a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2011/06/09/wac-football-expansion-vote-to-come-tuesday/" target="_blank"> a two-phase approach</a> to that.</p>
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<p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2011/06/09/wac-football-expansion-vote-to-come-tuesday/" target="_blank">WAC football: Expansion vote to come Tuesday(?) | College Hotline</a><br>Phase One (according to sources): Invite Seattle next week to join for the 2012-13 school year.</p>
<p>Phase Two: Invite multiple schools, including those that play football, next June (for 2013-14).</p>
<p>The delay would allow prospective football members to resolve the massive financial and/or political issues that come with jumping from FCS to FBS.</p>
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https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-ncaab/2011/6/14/2223674/wac-expansion-seattle-university-inviteNate P.2011-06-14T09:00:31-07:002011-06-14T09:00:31-07:00WAC Expansion: Commissioner Karl Benson Could Announce Seattle U. Invitation Today
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<p>After the Western Athletic Conference board of directors meeting in Park City, Utah concludes today, <font face="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><font face="Arial">Commissioner Karl Benson will hold a media conference during which he could announce an invitation for the Seattle University Redhawks to the conference, as reported on Sunday by Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.</font></span></font></p>
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<p><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seattleuniversity/2015304510_seattleu13.html" target="_blank">Seattle University could get invite to Western Athletic Conference by Tuesday | Seattle Times Newspaper</a><br>If invited, Seattle U. would be a non-football-playing member and would join for the 2012-13 academic year. That is also the first year that the Seattle U.'s men's basketball team would be eligible for the NCAA tournament.</p>
<p>An invitation, if extended, would likely come on Tuesday and Benson said that "I would expect that it would be immediate acknowledgment" of a decision to accept. Invitations must be extended and accepted by July 1 for schools to join in time for the 2012-13 season.</p>
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<p>Although some Seattle fans might have been hoping for an invitation to the West Coast Conference for Seattle U., the reality is that membership in a conference gives the program a better shot at the NCAA tournament with the opportunity to secure an automatic bid through the conference tournament. And, as Condotta notes, with the opportunity to go to the Big Dance, Seattle U becomes a much more attractive destination for recruits.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-ncaab/2011/6/14/2223388/wac-expansion-commissioner-karl-benson-could-announce-seattle-uNate P.2010-11-23T19:34:40-08:002010-11-23T19:34:40-08:00WAC Expansion: North Texas The Latest To Turn Down The WAC
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<p>There was sort of good news for the WAC yesterday: Despite Hawaii's announcement that it intends to leave, it does have a meeting set up with WAC commissioner Karl Benson later this week.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/50730373-77/benson-hawaii-wac-conference.html.csp">WAC looks to avoid losing Hawaii | The Salt Lake Tribune</a><br>Benson, on Monday afternoon, confirmed that he has extended an offer to Hawaii, urging the school to remain in the WAC as a football-only member, while parking its non-revenue sports in the Big West Conference. Benson is scheduled to meet with Hawaii athletic director Jim Donovan in Las Vegas later this week. He says he will reiterate the offer to Donovan since he hasn’t heard from Hawaii since making the original offer.</p>
<p>Several reports last week indicate Hawaii is in an advanced stage of negotiations with the Mountain West, although a formal invitation has yet to be extended, according to Benson.</p>
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<p>However, that glimmer of hope was offset today by news that North Texas has decided not to consider a move for the WAC.</p>
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<p><a href="http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/23/wac-snubbed-by-north-texas-again/">WAC snubbed by North Texas… again | CollegeFootballTalk</a><br>Following up on Monday night reports that had the Mean Green once again considering an offer from the league, the Denton Chronicle reports that UNFT has once again decided against making the jump from the Sun Belt. Benson had phoned the school earlier in the day to gauge their level of interest in the conference.</p>
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<p>Again, this is not good p.r. for the conference and although it might present an option for a program like Seattle University that remains independent, Evan Pfaff of SBN Denver is now wondering if the University of Denver made a mistake by committing to the struggling conference.</p>
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<p><a href="http://denver.sbnation.com/2010/11/23/1832425/the-wac-might-not-be-around-for-the-university-of-denverpansion-denver-pioneers-hawaii-north-texas">Should the University Of Denver Pioneers Reconsider Moving To The WAC? - Mile High Buzz - SB Nation Denver</a><br>So what's the WAC's solution? Looking at inviting another non-football playing, lower-tiered basketball school in the University of Seattle Redhawks. This simply is not an answer.</p>
<p>If you are a conference trying to make it in this money-driven world, having North Texas and Montana reject you should tell you something. Having your only marquee programs leave should tell you something. Having to resort to inviting schools for the sake of having qualifying numbers should tell you something.</p>
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<p>But again, at this point the question is not only whether Seattle is the answer for the WAC but whether the WAC is the answer for Seattle. Although a conference is necessary, when all around you people are leaving the conference, it might indeed be reason for pause before making your decision.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-ncaab/2010/11/23/1833573/wac-expansion-north-texas-the-latest-to-turn-down-the-wacNate P.