DENVER, Colo. – In the spring meeting of the Western Athletic Conference Board, the WAC approved reclassifying institutions to participate in all conference championships as early as this fall.
Following a letter to the NCAA last month that supported Tarleton State University and Utah Tech University in petitioning for access to the WAC’s automatic qualification for national championships, the WAC board strengthened its commitment to those institutions by including them in all future championships.
“It was important for our Board of Directors to show Tarleton and Utah Tech that the conference is committed to their cause,” said WAC Commissioner Brian Thornton. “The inclusion of the Texans and Trailblazers in all championships not only strengthens our league as a whole but provides a large group of student-athletes with a proper end-of-season experience.”
This approval grants rights only for sports to compete in postseason conference play, not national postseason. However, the WAC has expressed support of both Tarleton and Utah Tech to the NCAA to allow participation. A decision on that waiver has not been made.
In addition to the approval of conference championship participation, the board also approved a strategic plan for men’s and women’s basketball that implements innovative scheduling, both in and out of conference play, as well as an 18-game conference schedule with the goal of enhancing NCAA resumes for postseason selection. The board also approved expanding both conference tournaments to 12 teams in Las Vegas, Nevada. Opening round games will be played on March 6 and 7 at Michelob ULTRA Arena with the tournament moving to Orleans Arena on March 8 through March 11.
The meeting concluded with the vote of a new Executive Committee. After serving as the Chair for the last year, Tarleton President Dr. James Hurley will remain on the committee as Past Chair. Utah Valley University President Dr. Astrid Tuminez will serve as Chair of the Executive Committee, while California Baptist University President Dr. Ron Ellis was elected as Vice Chair.
To see the full WAC release of the meeting, visit WACsports.com.
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