Monday, June 13, 2011

WAC Expansion Extra...Why the WAC should add...

Reasons for the WAC to add any of the following school.

Why the WAC should add...

Cal Poly has a superb academic reputation.  They have the only football program on the Central Coast of California which has a population of around 3 million.  It would be a great bowl city.  They have a strong sports reputation and have produced hall of fame players and coaches like former TV analyst John Madden.

UC Davis has as good of an academic reputation that you can find in a public university.  They would keep the WAC anchored in the Central Valley of California after Fresno State leaves for the MWC.

Eastern Washington is the defending FCS national champion and have been successful in other sports.  Yes, there are other Universities in Northeastern Washington, but this is the only one that plays football.  The WAC would have the Spokane/Couer d'Alaine market all to themselves.

Sacramento State can make the move with the fewest growing pains.

Northern Arizona would bring a good population/sports program balance to the WAC.  The state has a lot of people and only two other FBS programs to share them with.  Flagstaff is a good destination city with winter sports and the Grand Canyon nearby.  Other university's fans would travel there.

Weber State is only an hour drive from Utah State and Logan.  It would be the ideal travel partner for Utah State, visitors can play on back-to-back nights and stay in the same hotel.  Weber State is strongly supported by the Ogden business community.

Portland State is a strong sports market and is near the corporate headquarter of Nike.  They are an hour and a half drive away from the nearest existing FBS school.  There are some under-utilized sports venues in the Portland area.

Montana is only of the most successful FBS programs of the past ten years, and not just in football.

Montana State is in one of the fastest growing small cities in America and the nearest FBS program outside of the state is a long way away.

Lamar is close to Houston and relatively close the the programs that Could leave the WAC next...Louisiana Tech and UTSA

Sam Houston State is also close to Houston and can get fan support when the game is big.

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