WAC Expansion Update...June 11, 2011

It has been reported by a San Jose Mercury News Blogger that the WAC will announce expansion plans next Tuesday.  Here is what is reported.

The WAC will expand in at least 2 phases.

For the 2012-13 school year, Seattle will be invited as a non-football school.  This will bring the membership to 7 football members and 9 non-football members.

For the 2013-14 at least 2 and no more than 5 FCS programs will be added.  At a minimum, the WAC will be at 9 football members and 11 non-football members.  The goal may be to get to a membership of 12 for football and 14 for non-football and break into divisions.  The purpose for breaking into divisions will be to save travel expenses.  No specific school were named, and they may not be named on Tuesday as the new members might have political hurdles to overcome.

All perspective new WAC football members will have some upgrade pains.  Let me explain:

Need a stadium expansion

Cal Poly: Needs a stadium expansion and may have to drop one men's sports program or add more women's scholarships to comply with Title IX.

UC Davis: Needs a stadium expansion and may have to drop one men's sports program or add more women's scholarships to comply with Title IX.

Eastern Washington:  Needs to fund a stadium expansion and fund enough sports programs to comply with FBS standards and Title IX.

Do not need a stadium expansion:

Sacramento State: May have to drop one men's sports program to comply with Title IX.  Currently SAC has the easiest path to the WAC and FBS.

Northern Arizona: Will have to add more women's scholarships to comply with Title IX.  Currently offer's 16 sports programs, the minimum for FBS inclusion.

Weber State:  Will have to add at least two more sports programs and ensure compliance with Title IX.  Currently offers 14 sports programs.

Portland State: Will need to add enough sports programs to meet FBS requirements and do so in a manner that is compliant with Title IX.

Montana: Needs to fund two additional women's sports programs to comply with Title IX.

Montana State: Needs to fund one additional women's sports program to comply with Title IX.

Lamar: Needs to fund at least 2 additional sports programs and comply with Title IX.

Sam Houston State: Needs to fund at least one more women's sports team.  Stadium capacity is listed at 14,000, but can hold up to 17,000.  Also, SHSU biggest rivals are Texas State and Stephen F. Austin.

It is still being reported on this website that invitations have been sent to Cal Poly, Montana, Montana State and Portland State, but I have found nothing from an old-school media site confirming this information.