-
1 of 10
-
2 of 10
-
3 of 10
-
4 of 10
-
5 of 10
-
6 of 10
-
7 of 10
-
8 of 10
-
9 of 10
-
10 of 10
WAC tp add New Mexico State and Utah State
Archive
Comments
Story
The Western Athletic Conference announced that invitations for
membership have been issued to and accepted by New Mexico State
University and Utah State University to join the conference
effective July 1, 2005.
The announcement was made by the chair of the WAC Board of
Directors and University of Texas at El Paso President Dr. Diana
Natalicio and WAC Commissioner Karl Benson after the Board
unanimously voted to issue the invitations earlier this
morning.
“The Board of Directors is extremely dedicated to the
long-term stability and growth of the Western Athletic Conference.
These two exceptional universities will support the WAC in its
goals to excel in all aspects of collegiate athletics,” said
Natalicio.
“Both New Mexico State and Utah State have outstanding
athletic programs and facilities that will add to the foundation of
the WAC. The current teams and fans in the WAC are already familiar
with these new additions as these schools already have developed
rivalries within the conference,” Benson said.
New Mexico State, currently a member of the Sun Belt conference,
has an enrollment of 16,158 and is located in Las Cruces, N.M. The
Aggies play their home football games in the 30,343-seat Aggie
Memorial Stadium and their home basketball games in the 13,071-seat
Pan American Center.
Utah State is a member of the Big West Conference in most sports
except football where it competes in the Sun Belt Conference. The
Aggies have an enrollment of 21,490. Romney Stadium seats 30,257
for football and the Smith Spectrum seats 10,270 for basketball.
Last year, the men’s basketball team advanced to the NCAA
Tournament after putting together a 24-9 season.
Benson added that based on the possibility of more membership
changes in other conferences, the WAC will continue to explore the
possibility of adding additional members to the league.
Bronco Sports
