theMWC.com
The college football landscape is changing . . . . again. The MWC has had several moves already this year when they lost Utah to the Pac 10 and with the arrival of Boise State. Tonight, however, another move was made as the MWC welcomes two new members. In a press released Wednesday night, the conference made the announcement.
Aug. 18, 2010
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -
The Mountain West Conference announced tonight that California State University, Fresno and the University of Nevada, Reno have accepted invitations to join the MWC.
“Fresno State is honored to accept the invitation to join the Mountain West Conference,” said Fresno State President John Welty. “We look forward to competition against some universities we have not faced previously and to renewing rivalries with San Diego State, Colorado State and several other schools that we enjoyed previously.”
“We have had a great experience in the WAC. We have appreciated the strong competition and the wonderful colleagues” said Nevada President Milt Glick. “The offer to join the Mountain West Conference is an opportunity we cannot turn down. The Mountain West is a strong conference and this will enhance our natural rivalry with UNLV and continue our rivalry with Boise State. We believe joining this conference is in the best, long-term interests of our fans and program, and also view this invitation as acknowledgement of our work to build a strong, competitive program.”
“The Air Force Academy is pleased to hear that Fresno State and Nevada have accepted our invitation to join the Mountain West Conference,” said Lt. General Mike Gould, Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy and Chair of the MWC Board of Directors. “Both of these schools are great additions to the academic and athletic excellence of the Conference, and we look forward to working with them both on and off the field.”
“The addition of Fresno State and Nevada further enhances the Mountain West Conference,” said Commissioner Craig Thompson. “Our Board of Directors has continued to be diligent and aggressive in executing our strategy for positioning the MWC in the national landscape. We are excited to welcome these two institutions into the Mountain West. Both fit geographically and create new Conference rivalries.”
The Mountain West Conference was founded with eight members in 1998. TCU joined the Conference in 2005 and Boise State University accepted an invitation to the league on June 11, 2010.
This will leave the conference with 11 teams. Conferences must have 12 teams before they can host a championship game (and earn more money). The speculation will now begin with who the 12th member might be. Tom Dinehart has already speculated Houston (@TomDienhart).
