sign in sign up
<<
Home , Athletic conference, Eddie Miles, Original Six, Southern Utah University, Southland Conference, Tarleton State Texans

PRESS KIT | EXPANSION 2022

1

CONTENTS

HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE...... 2

WAC DIGITAL NETWORK...... 4

OUR FUTURE BEGINS TODAY...... 6

2022-23 WAC MEMBERS...... 8

WAC MEN’S SPORTS...... 15

WAC WOMEN’S SPORTS...... 16

2022-23 WAC NAMING GUIDE...... 17

SHARE THE EXCITEMENT OF THE WAC WITH YOUR COMMUNITY...... 18

A TIMELINE OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS...... 20

CONTACTS...... 22

1 A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE FIVE GENERATIONS OF SUCCESS CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO ACHIEVEMENT After completing its 58th year of intercollegiate The WAC has experienced tremendous success over the competition, the Western Athletic Conference continues to years. In men’s , the WAC has sent at least evolve and feature some of the nation’s best programs. One two teams to the NCAA in 28 of the past thing that remains unchanged is the persistent nature of 45 seasons. In , the WAC has boasted two WAC’s student-athletes work to the institutions in the WAC to advance their programs and national champions since 2003. In women’s basketball, contend at the top levels of the NCAA. the conference has had at least two teams qualify for the achieve the highest levels of success NCAA Tournament 10 times in 28 seasons, with a record with the academic support of their The WAC provides its student-athletes the chance to travel five teams in 1998. The WAC also sent teams to three BCS to scenic destinations and gain exposure in some of the football bowl games from 2007-10. respective institutions. nation’s most diverse markets and largest metropolitan cities. In addition, the WAC’s student-athletes work to achieve the highest levels of success with the academic support of their respective institutions.

2 HISTORICAL MILESTONES The WAC’s history traces back to July 27, 1962, when Boise State withdrew prior to the 2011-12 . In the original six-team league of Arizona, Arizona State, 2012, the WAC added Denver, Seattle U, UT Arlington, Brigham Young, New Mexico, and Wyoming UTSA and State. In 2013, the WAC added CSU began competition. Bakersfield, State, Grand Canyon, Kansas City, Texas-Pan American and Utah Valley to join Idaho, New The first championship was held in November 1962, when Mexico State and Seattle U. The new institutions replaced Arizona won the men’s cross country title and New Mexico withdrawing members, Denver, Tech, San Jose CHAMPIONSHIPS followed with the first WAC football title. Arizona finished State, Utah State, UT Arlington, UTSA and Texas State. second in the NCAA College World Series and, less than Presently, the WAC crowns team and individual Idaho withdrew from the conference prior to the 2014-15 champions in 19 sports—9 men’s and 10 women’s. three years later, Arizona State claimed the league’s first season. In 2015, Texas-Pan American merged with UT NCAA title when the Sun Devils won the College World Brownsville to form The University of Texas Rio Grande Series trophy. Fresno State was the last WAC school to Valley. California Baptist University became the ninth MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS BASEBALL earn an NCAA team title when it won the College World member of the conference on July 1, 2018. In January of BASKETBALL Series in 2008. 2019 accepted an invitation to join CROSS COUNTRY the conference effective July 1, 2020, replacing exiting Since 1962, several changes have occurred. UTEP and FOOTBALL (2022) member CSU Bakersfield. In November of 2019 Tarleton Colorado State became members in September 1967, while State University accepted an invitation for membership Arizona and Arizona State withdrew on June 30, 1978. SOCCER in the conference effective July 1, 2020, replacing exiting The WAC then added San Diego State (1978), Hawai‘i SWIMMING AND DIVING member Kansas City. (1979) and Air Force (1980). Before 1990, the WAC sponsored championships only in men’s sports. However, a On January 14, 2021, the WAC announced the addition INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD merger with the High Country Athletic Conference formed of Abilene Christian University, , OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD a single conference under one administrative structure, Sam State University, Stephen F. Austin State and the 1990-91 athletic year was the first in which both University and Southern Utah University, effective WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS men and women competed under the WAC name. Fresno July 1, 2022. State was added in 1992, and then in 1996, the women’s BASKETBALL programs from Air Force and Hawai‘i along with six new The WAC has had just six commissioners in its history. CROSS COUNTRY schools (UNLV, Rice, San Jose State, SMU, TCU and Paul Brechler was named the first leader of the conference GOLF Tulsa) came into the WAC. Air Force, Brigham Young, and held the position from 1962-1968. He was followed by SOCCER Colorado State, UNLV, New Mexico, San Diego State, Utah Wiles Hallock (1968-71), Stan Bates (1971-80), Dr. Joe and Wyoming withdrew on June 30, 1999. Nevada (2000), Kearney (1980-94), Karl Benson (1994-2012) and current SWIMMING AND DIVING Boise State (2001) and Louisiana Tech (2001) were added commissioner Jeff Hurd (2012-present). TENNIS while TCU withdrew following the 2000-01 season. In INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD 2005, Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State joined The WAC office has been located in the Denver area since OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD the WAC after Rice, SMU, UTEP and Tulsa withdrew. the conference’s inception with the exception of a two-year stay in Phoenix from 1964-66.

3 WAC DIGITAL NETWORK

The WAC Digital Network (WDN) is the official network of softball, volleyball, the men’s and women’s swimming & the Western Athletic Conference. It encompasses original diving championships, plus select regular season men’s live programming from around the conference. The WDN basketball games air on ESPN+. The deal also includes the is available on both your desktop and mobile/tablet devices, WAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship games as well as for over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including produced by ESPN and airing on their family of networks. Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV. In addition to the more than 600 games and matches aired The WDN also produces several video features each annually on the WDN, all game broadcasts are available week, including “WAC Top Play”, “Road to WAC Vegas”, ‘On Demand’. “WAC All Access Live” “WAC Podcast” and “WAC in the Day” as well as a “Learn-Compete-Inspire” series telling In addition, the WDN produces more than 60 events the stories of WAC student-athletes, coaches exclusively for ESPN. WAC in men’s & and administrators. women’s basketball, baseball, men’s & women’s soccer,

More than 600 games and matches are aired annually on the WDN; all game broadcasts are available ‘On Demand’.

4 5 OUR FUTURE BEGINS TODAY

The WAC always sets the bar high through excellence on and off the field. Our conference has continually worked to inspire the student-athletes of today to become the leaders of tomorrow. With the additions of Abilene Christian University, Lamar University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University and Southern Utah University and the strong group of institutions already making up the conference, the WAC is positioned to become one of the top conferences in the nation. After 50 years with some of the top college football in the nation, the WAC is excited to bring back the sport following a 10-year hiatus. With seven Pro Football Hall of Famers and 43 first-round picks who have worn the WAC patch, the league expects to see football numbers climb once again with some of the top FCS programs in the country joining the conference. The WAC has a strong reputation and history of raising the bar for our student-athletes. Looking toward our future, we expect continued greatness from ourselves, our partners, universities, and our rising student-athletes.

6 5

WEST SOUTHWEST

1 CALIFORNIA BAPTIST 1 ABILENE CHRISTIAN 7 2 DIXIE STATE 2 LAMAR 6 3 GRAND CANYON 2 3 SAM HOUSTON

4 NM STATE 4 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN

5 SEATTLE U 1 5 TARLETON

6 SOUTHERN UTAH 3 6 UT 4 7 UTAH VALLEY 1 5 4 3 2

6 7 2022-23 WAC MEMBERS ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY LOCATION: ABILENE, TEXAS MASCOT: WILDCATS LOCATION: RIVERSIDE, CALIF. MASCOT: LANCERS FOUNDED: 1906 ENROLLMENT: 5,293 FOUNDED: 1950 ENROLLMENT: 11,045 JOINING WAC: 2022 JOINED WAC: 2018

ACADEMICS ACADEMICS Abilene Christian University enrolls more than 5,200 students each year from 46 nations. Founded in 1906, it is one Founded in 1950 by the California Southern Baptist Convention, California Baptist University (CBU) is one of the top of the largest private universities in the Southwest and the highest-ranking school in Texas in a 2020 U.S. News & private Christian colleges and universities in Southern California, being named the U.S. News & World Report Best World Report benchmark focused on student success. It is widely known as one of the most innovative universities in Regional University in 2017. CBU offers degrees at the associate, bachelor›s, master›s and doctoral levels, including the nation. ACU attracts many top students through its Honors College, its internationally recognized engineering and more than 80 majors with more than 150 major concentrations and more than 50 minors for more than 11,000 students. physics department, and the Body and Soul program for future health professionals. Business, journalism, theology, CBU believes each person has been created for a purpose and strives to help students understand and engage this purpose teacher education, speech/language pathology, nursing, engineering and interior design programs are nationally and by providing a Christ-centered educational experience that integrates academics with spiritual and social development internationally accredited. Undergraduates enjoy 79 baccalaureate majors and 164 areas of study, and study abroad opportunities. Graduates are challenged to become individuals whose skills, integrity and sense of purpose glorify God and research opportunities alongside their professors, such as in ACU’s pioneering NEXT (Nuclear Energy eXperimental and distinguish them in the workplace and in the world. Testing) Lab. A branch campus in Addison, Texas, is the home of the university’s online graduate and undergraduate professional degree programs. Its students learn leadership skills through various service-learning opportunities around ATHLETICS the world. Graduates of ACU are in high demand by employers and graduate programs because they gain knowledge and California Baptist University athletics became a fully-fledged National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2013-14, and experience in their studies, and they apply Christian values to their everyday decisions. began its transition to I in 2018-19 after five successful seasons in Division II. The Lancers have won three Western Athletic Conference championships in their first two seasons (two women’s cross country, baseball) and logged ATHLETICS a total of 11 top-three conference finishes. CBU capped off its D-II campaign by winning the Learfield Directors’ Cup in The remarkable success of Wildcat athletics through the years is a tribute to the student-athletes, the coaches and the 2018 after a pair of top-four finishes the previous two years. In six years as an NCAA member (2013-14 to 2018-19), the tradition of winning permeating the program. No intercollegiate athletics program in the state of Texas – at any level – Lancers reaped a total of 383 All-American honors, qualified 70 percent of its eligible teams (68 of 96) for the NCAA can claim as many national championships as ACU, which has won 64 team titles since 1952. Of them, 57 have come at postseason. CBU captured seven individual national championships at the D-II level in the NCAA, with four coming in the NCAA Division II level, the fifth-most NCAA national championships in history behind only UCLA, Stanford, USC swimming and three more in wrestling. Over the years, CBU has won 74 conference championships and 40 national titles. and NCAA Division III swimming powerhouse Kenyon College. ACU fields teams in 17 sports. The men’s and women’s Once a standout member of the Pacific West (PacWest) and Golden State Athletic Conferences (GSAC), the Lancers basketball teams both played in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Its internationally recognized track and field program are now affiliated with three conferences, with most programs in the Western Athletic Conference. CBU made the move has produced world-record holders, 39 Olympians and was named the Texas Sports Dynasty of the Century by Texas from the GSAC to the PacWest in 2011-12 and won the conference’s Commissioner’s Cup in six of seven seasons. The Monthly magazine in 1999. Forty-two NFL players have worn the Purple and White. Wildcat graduates are also among Lancers became the first school to win three Cups in 2015, and ended their run in the conference with an unprecedented the nation’s best in the coaching profession. Abilene Christian student-athletes have been awarded 33 prestigious NCAA five-straight years. CBU’s water polo teams also compete in the Golden Coast Conference (women) and Western Water Postgraduate Scholarships, the fifth-highest total among all universities and colleges in the state, behind only Texas, Polo Association (men). Trinity, Rice and SMU. Fifty-six also have been voted and/or named Academic All-America on 84 occasions, with 15 of them earning recognition multiple years.

8 DIXIE STATE UNIVERSITY LOCATION: ST. GEORGE, UTAH MASCOT: TRAILBLAZERS LOCATION: PHOENIX MASCOT: LOPES FOUNDED: 1911 ENROLLMENT: 11,193 FOUNDED: 1949 ENROLLMENT: 22,000 JOINED WAC: 2020 JOINED WAC: 2013

ACADEMICS ACADEMICS Dixie State University is a premier open-enrollment teaching institution that offers a great value with more than 200 Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 and is Arizona’s premier private Christian university. GCU is regionally academic programs at one of the lowest tuition costs in the Western . The University was built upon a accredited and offers more than 230 degree programs for both traditional undergraduate students and working rich pioneering tradition of sacrifice, determination, and generosity that is still embraced by the campus community professionals. The university’s curriculum emphasizes interaction with classmates, both in-person and online, and today. With the motto “active learning. active life.” Dixie State provides personalized and engaged learning experiences individual attention from instructors. As a Christian university, GCU also encourages students to find their purpose in under the direction of skilled and devoted faculty and staff and is on the forefront of technology, health education, Christ, with an emphasis on applying Christian values and ethics to the workplace. GCU’s quality academic programs, and entrepreneurship and incorporates cutting-edge learning practices across all disciplines. Consequently, students offered through its nine colleges, prepare students to become global citizens, critical thinkers, effective communicators graduate prepared for rewarding careers and enriched lives. Outside of the classroom, students become involved in the and responsible leaders by providing an academically challenging, values-based curriculum from the context of our community and are shaped through civic engagement and service learning and enjoy the unparalleled opportunities for Christian heritage. an active life that accompany DSU’s location, which is set in a beautiful, world-renowned destination. ATHLETICS ATHLETICS The Grand Canyon University Athletics Department is dedicated to using intercollegiate sport as a platform in developing Dixie State University is beginning its transition to NCAA Division I status in 2020-21, and is in its first season as a good Christian role models and in embodying the highest standards of excellence in the overall development of their member of the Western Athletic Conference. DSU has been a member of the NCAA since the 2006-07 season after student-athletes. The department is integrated within the University Community and inclusive of all students in the several decades as a NJCAA national power and competed at the Division II level. The Trailblazers just completed their promotion of the personal growth of their student-athletes. Men and women are prepared to be student-athletes second season as full members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (football since 2016) in 2019-20. During distinguished by integrity, academic and athletic excellence, and Christian conduct. Student-athletes, coaches and staff its two seasons in the RMAC, Dixie State claimed RMAC regular season championships in women’s volleyball (2018) are expected to emulate Christ in all aspects of their lives including their academic and athletic endeavors. GCU won the and men’s basketball (2019-20), along with the 2019 women’s tennis and softball postseason tournament crowns. In Learfield Sports Directors Cup in back-to-back years (2011-12 and 2012-13) as the top performing school in Division II. addition, 184 total student-athletes earned all-RMAC academic honors overall, including 25 first team selections. Prior As members of the NAIA, the Lopes won a combined seven national championships, four coming in baseball and three to its move to the RMAC, Dixie State enjoyed a successful 11-year run in the Pacific West Conference. During its time in basketball. The Lopes have won the WAC Commissioner’s Cup in each of their first two years of postseason eligibility. in the PacWest, Dixie State won 20 conference team championships (men’s basketball – 8, baseball – 4, softball – 4, men’s golf – 3, men’s soccer – 1, women’s soccer – 1, volleyball – 1), had 545 student-athletes earn academic all- conference honors (from 2013-18), and won four PacWest Community Engagement Awards. Since DSU became eligible for postseason play in 2009, the Trailblazers made 63 NCAA Division II Regional championship appearances and won five regional championships, including three in softball in 2009, 2014 and 2015 (national runner-up), one in men’s golf (2019) and one in women’s soccer (2019 – Elite 8 appearance). DSU has also had 29 student-athletes earn Division II All-America honors, while 23 more student-athletes collected Academic All-America recognition. In the classroom, Dixie State student-athletes posted an NCAA-era record high 3.2647 cumulative grade- average among its 15 varsity sports for the 2019 fall semester. That cumulative GPA eclipsed the previous semester record of 3.1808 set in spring of 2019, and marked the fifth-straight semester and 10th semester in the last 13 overall that Trailblazer student-athletes combined to earn at least a 3.00 GPA.

9 LAMAR UNIVERSITY NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY LOCATION: BEAUMONT, TEXAS MASCOT: CARDINALS LOCATION: LAS CRUCES, N.M. MASCOT: AGGIES FOUNDED: 1923 ENROLLMENT: 16,604 FOUNDED: 1888 ENROLLMENT: 14,289 JOINING WAC: 2022 JOINED WAC: 2005

UNIVERSITY ACADEMICS With over 16,000 students, Lamar University is a research institution serving Southeast Texas and beyond with more The oldest public institution of higher education in the state founded in 1888, New Mexico State University is New than 100 programs of study leading to bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. LU is a member of the Texas State Mexico’s land-grant institution, a comprehensive research institution of higher education dedicated to teaching, research, University System and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The and service at the undergraduate and graduate levels. NM State is a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving 300-acre campus located 90 miles east of Houston and 25 miles west of Louisiana, is recognized for the quality of institution and is home to the very first Honors College in New Mexico. NM State is routinely recognized by Forbes its core curriculum, diversity of its student body and low student-to-faculty ratio, which is 19:1. In addition to its five magazine as one of America’s Top Colleges and as a top-tier university in U.S. News & World Report›s Best Colleges academic colleges, LU offers students the opportunity to study in the Reaud Honors College, in numerous locations rankings. NM State offers more than 175 degree programs, including 27 doctoral degrees, 56 master’s degrees, and across the world through faculty-led study abroad programs and in co-op work programs. Your moment is here. Your 11 graduate certificates. The university has $110 million in research expenditures, with core research strength areas in moment is now at Lamar University. agricultural and life sciences, computer science and computer and electrical engineering, space science and aerospace, and sustainability—including energy, environment and water. Outreach efforts at NM State help to extend our expertise ATHLETICS in research teaching, and the development of our resources with communities throughout New Mexico and the world. NM Lamar University (LU) has gone through several name changes from its transition from a junior college to its current State Extension provides the people of New Mexico with practical, research-based knowledge and programs to improve status as an NCAA Division I institution. The history of the athletics program dates all the way back to the 1923 football their quality of life. season, and it currently supports 17 men’s and women’s varsity sports (baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor and ATHLETICS outdoor track and field, women’s soccer, softball and volleyball). The Cardinals have a rich tradition of success across In 2019-20, New Mexico State captured four Western Athletic Conference regular-season or tournament titles across all 17 sports which has seen athletes and teams succeed on a national level annually, including a football program which three sports while sending one team to NCAA postseason play. On the baseball diamond, Nick Gonzalez concluded his advanced to the NCAA FCS in just its ninth season after announcing its return. Several hall of fame coaches Aggie career to cement his place as one of the greatest players to ever play for NM State. The product of Vail, Ariz., helped put LU on the map with names that include (men’s basketball), Pat Foster (men’s basketball), Jim collected an impressive array of accolades including the title of Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Year as well Gilligan (baseball) and Vernon Glass (football) just to name a few. as a spot on the CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team. On June 10, Gonzales was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the seventh pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, making him the highest draft pick in the history of the program. The Aggies’ men’s basketball program continued their domination of the WAC by laying claim to their third consecutive regular season crown. NM State posted an impressive 25-6 record and the Aggies became the first team in the history of the league to go a perfect 16-0 through regular season league games and the third team in WAC history to not drop a regular season conference game. In women’s indoor track & field, the Aggies made history as third-year head coach Doug Reynolds led the team to its first-ever WAC regular season title. The Aggies captured the top spot on the podium in nine of the 17 events and freshman Essence Brown was named the WAC Indoor Track & Field Freshman of the Year. For his efforts, Reynolds claimed Coach of the Year honors from both the WAC and the USTFCCCA for the Mountain Region. Led by WAC Player of the Year Megan Hart, the NM State volleyball team reeled off 19 consecutive wins throughout the season and posted a perfect 16-0 record in WAC play. After not dropping a set in the WAC Tournament, the Aggies qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the 11th time in the Jordan coaching era. The Aggies were outstanding in the classroom as well, with all 16 men’s and women’s teams› cumulative grade point averages combined at or above a 3.00 for 26 of the last 30 semesters. Scholar student-athlete representation was higher than 50-percent of the student- athlete population, and all 16 teams averaged a 3.00 cumulative GPA combined for the 30th consecutive semester, 15 years in a row.

10 SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY LOCATION: HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS MASCOT: BEARKATS LOCATION: SEATTLE MASCOT: REDHAWKS FOUNDED: 1879 ENROLLMENT: 20,477 FOUNDED: 1891 ENROLLMENT: 7,291 JOINING WAC: 2022 JOINED WAC: 2012

ACADEMICS ACADEMICS Sam Houston is an NCAA Division I athletic department that sponsors 17 sports and currently competes in the Southland Seattle University, founded in 1891, is a Jesuit Catholic university located on 50 acres in Seattle’s Capitol Hill Conference. SHSU first competed in intercollegiate athletics in 1906 has been a Division I athletic department since neighborhood. More than 7,200 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within eight schools 1987. The Bearkats have won 67 Southland Conference championships during their time in the league and in 2014, the and colleges. Seattle University is consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the West by U.S. News & World department claimed its first NCAA Division I National Championship when the bowling team defeated Nebraska. Bearkat Report and included in The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges guide. In the past 15 years, Seattle University has invested teams have participated in the NCAA postseason championships 35 times while 35 individuals have advanced to the more than $200 million to build and renovate facilities. Thanks to a successful capital campaign, the Lemieux Library NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Finals. Since 2000, the department has enjoyed the bulk of its success, with and McGoldrick Learning Commons was opened in September 2010, vastly improving the student’s access to new 55 league titles while also winning the Southland Conference Commissioners Cup, awarded to the top overall performing technology as a means of enhancing their education. In September 2011, a new fitness center and a new residence athletic department, a league record seven times. During that stretch, the football team has played in the FCS playoffs hall were dedicated, and in May of 2019, Seattle U broke ground on the Center for Science and Innovation – the nine times, advancing to four semifinals and playing for the FCS national championship in 2011 and 2012. The men’s university’s largest-ever capital project. Seattle U prides itself on its commitment to social justice, community service, basketball program has twice played in the NCAA Tournament (2003, 2010) and one NIT (2019). The baseball program and sustainability. has played in eight Regionals and in 2017 was the first Southland Conference school to advance to the Super Regionals. ATHLETICS ATHLETICS Seattle University enjoyed yet another successful campaign in 2019-20 as both men’s and women’s soccer teams claimed Named for Sam Houston, Texas’ greatest hero, Sam Houston State University continually strives to honor its historical WAC regular-season and tournament titles to mark a combined 17 total during the Redhawks’ eight years competing roots through academic excellence that includes exceptional teaching from faculty. For more than 139 years, SHSU has in the conference. The Redhawks added five major WAC award winners, two WAC Coach of the Year recipients, 21 been preparing students for meaningful lives of achievement. Its motto, “The measure of a Life is its Service,” resonates total All-WAC selections and 22 WAC Player of the Week honorees during the 2019-20 campaign. Men’s basketball among its 21,500-plus students and echoes across eight colleges and beyond its Huntsville roots. While embracing its head coach Jim Hayford earned his 400th career victory while senior Morgan Means and junior Terrell Brown both legacy, SHSU also strives to meet the needs of contemporary students, both traditional and online. With a variety of fully surpassed 1,000 career points during the year. Maintaining excellence in both competition and the classroom, Seattle online undergraduate and graduate degrees and numerous certificates and certifications, all of which are taught by on U posted a 988 score in the most recent Academic Progress Report (APR), while 10 programs earned perfect scores of campus professors, SHSU Online has the option you’re looking for to reach your academic, personal, and professional 1,000 for the 2018-19 report. SU also posted a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 94 percent with seven teams tallying goals. SHSU is more than an institution of higher learning; it is also a great employer. For the past eight years, The perfect scores in the metric. Seattle U has advanced to 11 NCAA men’s basketball tournaments, including the title Chronicle of Education has named SHSU a “Great College to Work For.” With over 90 bachelor’s degree programs, game of the 1958 tournament. Famous alumni include , Ed and John O’Brien, Eddie Miles, Tom Workman, more than 60 master’s degree programs and 10 doctoral programs, including the nation’s first PhD in Forensic Science, Clint Richardson, Pat Lesser, Janet Hopps, Orrin Vincent, and Tom Gorman. The men’s soccer team won the 2004 SHSU offers an exceptional college experience. SHSU continually strives to meet the needs of contemporary students, NCAA Division II National Championship, while the swim program boasted two individual national champions in both traditional and online. a three-year span.

11 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY LOCATION: NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS MASCOT: LUMBERJACKS/LADYJACKS LOCATION: CEDAR CITY, UTAH MASCOT: THUNDERBIRDS FOUNDED: 1921 ENROLLMENT: 12,620 FOUNDED: 1897 ENROLLMENT: 12,582 JOINING WAC: 2022 JOINING WAC: 2022

ACADEMICS ACADEMICS Stephen F. Austin is a comprehensive institution located in Nacogdoches, Texas which is dedicated to excellence in Established in 1897, Southern Utah University evolved from a teacher training institution to Utah’s designated masters teaching, research, scholarship, creative work and service. Founded in 1923 as a teacher’s college, SFASU now boasts university, offering more than 140 undergraduate programs and 21 graduate and certificate programs. With world- an enrollment of nearly 13,000 students across six colleges with over 120 different majors or areas of study. Though class, project-based learning, unique undergraduate research opportunities, and a personalized learning environment the university is located in the rural college town of Nacogdoches, the vast majority of SFA students come (19:1), students lead projects mentored by professors. True to the University’s core vision, SUU faculty, staff and from , the –Fort Worth metroplex, and other cities throughout Texas. SFA has also served administrators enable students to honor thought in all its finest forms, achieve excellence in their chosen field, and create students from 46 states outside Texas and 42 countries outside the United States. In addition to the main campus positive change in the world. which encompasses 430 acres, the university maintains a 642-acre agricultural research center for beef, poultry, and swine production and an equine center; an observatory for astronomy research, a 2,650-acre experimental forest in ATHLETICS southwestern Nacogdoches County and a 25.3-acre forestry field station on the Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The Arthur Located in the world’s best backyard, Southern Utah University and its Athletic Department are nestled in the heart Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture is nationally recognized, and houses one of only two schools of forestry in the of Cedar City, Utah. Southern Utah is a proud host to 15 Division I athletics programs. As members of the Big Sky State of Texas (and the only forestry college in the timber-producing East Texas region). Conference, the Thunderbirds claimed seven team titles since joining the league in 2012, and a number of individual titles as well. The T-Bird football program claimed Big Sky Championships in both 2015 and 2017, and boasts one of ATHLETICS the best home field advantages in the FCS. Along with conference success, the T-Birds also have plenty of experience The SFA Athletic department competes in NCAA Division I athletics. With over 400 student-athletes competing on the national stage including Bowerman Award winner Cam Levins’ two NCAA National Championship titles on the across 18 varsity sports teams, the ‘Jacks have built a proud reputation for athletic success both regionally and Outdoor Track & Field circuit in 2012. The Thunderbird program is the lone program that doesn’t compete nationally. SFA has amassed 90 conference championships as well as four national championships in its competition in a traditional conference, as they reside in the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference. Southern Utah is one of six history. Men›s NCAA Sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor & outdoor Track & Field. Division I athletic departments in the state of Utah. SUU has been deemed the ‘University of the Parks’ thanks to its Women›s NCAA Sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, indoor & outdoor Track & Field, soccer, softball, close proximity to several outdoor recreational areas and its educational partnership with the National Parks Service. tennis, volleyball. The men›s basketball team reached its first NCAA tournament in 2009 after winning the Southland Conference regular season and tournament beforing losing, 59–44, to Syracuse University. In their second appearance in 2014, they upset Virginia Commonwealth in overtime, 77–75 and in their third appearance in 2016, they upset 3rd seeded West Virginia, 70–56.

12 TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY LOCATION: STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS MASCOT: TEXANS LOCATION: EDINBURG, TEXAS MASCOT: VAQUEROS FOUNDED: 1899 ENROLLMENT: 13,316 FOUNDED: 2015 ENROLLMENT: 32,618 JOINED WAC: 2020 JOINED WAC (AS UTPA): 2013

ACADEMICS ACADEMICS Tarleton was founded in 1899 and became a member of the Texas A&M University System in 1917. With its main campus The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public in Stephenville, an hour southwest of Fort Worth, Tarleton State University offers the value of a Texas A&M University university of the 21st century in Texas. This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational System degree with its own brand of personal attention, individual opportunities, history, tradition and community. opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the Tarleton is a vibrant learning community with nearly 100 undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as a doctorate in region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund. UTRGV has campuses and off-campus research and teaching education, within seven colleges. Tarleton has extended the reach of state-supported, affordable education by expanding sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas online undergraduate and graduate programs and classes in Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS-Bryan and Fort Worth. Recent at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port additions to the Stephenville campus include a state-of-the-art Nursing Building, a $25 million living and learning Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island. Eleven colleges and schools form the academic foundation for UTRGV, residence hall for 500 students, a $54 million engineering building and the Lonn Reisman Athletic Center consisting of including the College of Medicine and Health Affairs, the College of Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of new luxury suites, media spaces and home seating on the west side of Memorial . Tarleton’s research centers Fine Arts, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the College include the renowned Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research and the Southwest Regional Dairy Center. of Education and P-16 Integration, the Honors College, the Graduate College and the University College. The medical school offers students the most technologically advanced resources, including a 15,000-square-foot Smart Hospital ATHLETICS complex. With a multidisciplinary approach to the curriculum and an emphasis on active learning, teamwork, and early Tarleton heads into its first season of NCAA Division I as a member of the WAC in 2020-21. The Texans sponsor patient care, the medical school is an invaluable resource. UTRGV offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate 14 intercollegiate athletic sports (8 women’s, 6 men’s). Tarleton was a member of the and programs and the Rio Grande Valley, with close proximity to the Gulf Coast, provides unparalleled opportunities to study NCAA Division II from 1994-2020 and won 36 LSC championships, nine LSC tournament championships and 14 NCAA in areas ranging from international business and cultural border issues to marine biology and environmental science. regional championships. The Texans also had eight individual national championships in track and field. The Texans With the SpaceX launch site in Brownsville, the region is also an emerging global hub for the aerospace industry. UTRGV featured three National Players of the Year while in NCAA Division II – Kiara Wright (WBB), Hailey Roberts (VB) is the second largest Hispanic-serving institution in the nation, with an emphasis on educating 21st-century leaders and Isabel Jimenez (WGOLF). Its men’s basketball program was a perennial power at the Division II level, winning and professionals who are culturally fluent and have a deep understanding of the perspectives, languages, and values of 20 or more games 15 times under head coach and current Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lonn Reisman. different cultures. They won four NCAA regional championships to advance to the Elite Eight and qualified for the Final Four twice. The men’s basketball team has also had over 30 players play professionally overseas. Tarleton’s women’s golf team won 11 ATHLETICS conference championships and nine regional titles. Tarleton baseball has had 24 players play professionally, including The UTRGV Athletics program maintains the history of athletics from UTPA, Pan American University and Pan former MLB World Series Champion Chad Fox. The Texans have been led by athletic director Lonn Reisman since 1993, American College. Since 1952, the department has won 16 national and 179 conference championships while boasting 69 including all 26 years at the Division II level. All-Americans. The men’s basketball team won the 1963 NAIA National Championship and returned to the title game the following season. In 1980-81, the team knocked off eventual NCAA Champion Indiana before reaching the NIT and falling to eventual champion Tulsa. Eighteen alumni have been selected in the NBA Draft, six of whom went on to play in the NBA, including former NBA Champion, All-Star and Olympic Gold Medalist Luke Jackson, whose number hangs proudly over Sam Williams Court at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. The men’s tennis team won the Big State Conference Championship every year from 1953 through 1965, winning the NAIA National Championships every year from 1961 through 1965 and finishing as finalists in 1959 and 1960. The team also won the doubles championships every year from 1959 through 1963 and in 1965 as well, to go with singles championships every year from 1961 through 1963, along with 1965. The team joined Division I in 1966 and immediately advanced to the NCAA Tournament, finishing in sixth place. The program hosted the NCAA Championships in 1975 and 1976. The baseball team reached the 1971 College World Series after shutting out Texas in back-to-back games and had the No. 1 ranking at the end of the season. The program has been to 13 NCAA Regionals and won its first WAC Championship in 2019. The women’s basketball team reached the WNIT to cap off a 19-14 2015- 16 season, the best in program history, that saw the team break 31 different program records. UTRGV reached the postseason in four of the last five completed seasons. Athletics started women’s soccer in 2014 and welcomed back men’s soccer after an 18-year hiatus in 2015. The UTRGV volleyball and women’s tennis teams made their first NCAA Tournament appearances in 2016 after winning the department’s first WAC Tournament Championships. Volleyball and 13 women’s tennis went on to win the 2018 WAC Championships as well. LOCATION: OREM, UTAH MASCOT: WOLVERINES FOUNDED: 1941 ENROLLMENT: 41,728 JOINED WAC: 2013

ACADEMICS Utah Valley University is one of a few higher education institutions in the nation that offer an integrated dual-mission model, which combines the prestige of a four-year university with the accessibility of a community college. UVU’s unique model, which focuses on student success, engaged learning, rigorous academic programs, and faculty-mentored research, is transforming higher education by making it more affordable and accessible to students of all backgrounds. There’s a place for you at UVU!

ATHLETICS Utah Valley University enters its eighth season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. The Wolverines wrapped up a successful 2019-20 season with its men’s cross country team winning a WAC championship. The cross country title gives the Wolverines an impressive 16 WAC team titles during UVU’s tenure in the conference. Kevin Lynch won the individual men’s cross country WAC title in 2019 and head coach Scott Houle was named WAC Coach of the Year as the team won its fifth WAC title in the last seven years. UVU track and field’s season was capped off with pole vaulter Larry Still being named an All-American by the USTFCCCA, becoming just the second indoor track & field athlete in UVU history to earn the honor, and the first pole vaulter to do so. The UVU men’s and women’s basketball teams welcomed new head coaches to their respective programs. Former Stanford star and two-time NBA Champion ( Lakers) Mark Madsen had a successful first season with the Wolverines and recently signed one of the best recruiting classes in UVU men’s basketball history. Former UVU assistant coach and BYU assistant coach Dan Nielson took over as the program’s first new head coach in 24 years. Nielson’s team opened WAC play with five straight wins and wrapped up the season with a third-place finish in his debut season. The men’s and women’s soccer teams both placed second during WAC regular season play last season. On the men’s side, UVU’s Blake Frischknecht was named the 2019 WAC Offensive Player of the Year. Wrestling, a sport where UVU competes as a Big 12 affiliate member, had an impressive season with Taylor LaMont finishing third at Senior Nationals to qualify for the Olympic Trials. The program also had three wrestlers qualify for the NCAA National Championships.

14 WAC MEN’S SPORTS

CURRENT MEMBERS

SCHOOL CROSS FOOTBALL SOCCER INDOOR SWIMMING BASKETBALL GOLF TENNIS BASEBALL OUTDOOR COUNTRY TRACK & FIELD & DIVING TRACK & FIELD

CALIFORNIA BAPTIST

DIXIE STATE

GRAND CANYON

NM STATE FBS

SEATTLE UNIVERSITY

TARLETON

UTRGV

UTAH VALLEY

NEW MEMBERS

ABILENE CHRISTIAN

LAMAR

SAM HOUSTON

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN

SOUTHERN UTAH

AFFILIATE MEMBERS

AIR FORCE

HOUSTON BAPTIST

INCARNATE WORD

UNLV

SACRAMENTO STATE

SAN JOSÉ STATE

WYOMING 15 WAC WOMEN’S SPORTS

CURRENT MEMBERS

SCHOOL CROSS SOCCER VOLLEYBALL INDOOR SWIMMING BASKETBALL GOLF TENNIS SOFTBALL OUTDOOR COUNTRY TRACK & FIELD & DIVING TRACK & FIELD

CALIFORNIA BAPTIST

DIXIE STATE

GRAND CANYON

NM STATE

SEATTLE UNIVERSITY

TARLETON

UTRGV

UTAH VALLEY

NEW MEMBERS

ABILENE CHRISTIAN

LAMAR

SAM HOUSTON

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN

SOUTHERN UTAH

AFFILIATE MEMBERS

IDAHO

NORTHERN ARIZONA

NORTHERN COLORADO

16 2022-23 WAC NAMING GUIDE

LOGO FULL UNIVERSITY NAME ALTERNATIVE NAME MASCOT WEBSITE ABBREVIATION

ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY ABILENE CHRISTIAN WILDCATS ACUSPORTS.COM ACU

CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA BAPTIST LANCERS CBULANCERS.COM CBU

DIXIE STATE UNIVERSITY DIXIESTATEATHLETICS.COM DSU

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY GRAND CANYON LOPES GCULOPES.COM GCU

LAMAR UNIVERSITY LU CARDINALS LAMARCARDINALS.COM LU

* NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY NM STATE AGGIES NMSTATESPORTS.COM NM STATE

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS GOBEARKATS.COM SHSU

** SEATTLE UNIVERSITY SEATTLE U REDHAWKS GOSEATTLEU.COM SU

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY STEPHEN F. AUSTIN LUMBERJACKS/LADYJACKS SFAJACKS.COM SFA

SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS SUUTBIRDS.COM SUU

TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY TARLETON TEXANS TARLETONSPORTS.COM TAR

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY UT RIO GRANDE VALLEY VAQUEROS GOUTRGV.COM UTRGV

UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY GOUVU.COM UVU

* NMSU is acceptable where space is limited (e.g., score bugs)

** Use where appropriate

17 SHARE THE EXCITEMENT OF THE WAC WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

HASHTAGS #WACxc #WACten #WACfb #WACsb #WACmsoc #WACotf #WACwsoc #WACbsb #WACvb #WACSAAC #WACitf #WACtion (broadcast/streamed events) #WACsd #WAClearn #WAChoops #WACcompete #WACvegas #WACinspire #WACgolf

If using any other hashtag, try to capitalize the first letter in each word e.g., #KnowTheWAC

18 19 A TIMELINE OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM MINOR WINS TO MAJOR VICTORIES, WE’RE PROUD OF THE SUCCESS OF OUR CONFERENCE 1960s 1970s 1980s JULY 27, 1962 – The original JULY 1, 1971 – Stan Bates MAY 1, 1980 – Dr. Joe MAY 9, 1990 – The WAC JANUARY, 1995 – For the NOV. 26-30, 1996 – The WAC MARCH 30, 1998 – The Utah charter for the Western becomes the WAC’s third Kearney is named the fourth and ESPN agree to the first time, three WAC football hosts its first ever volleyball Runnin’ Utes advance to the Athletic Conference is signed commissioner as he replaces commissioner in conference conference’s first contract teams finish the season ranked tournament at the MGM NCAA men’s basketball title by the presidents of the Wiles Hallock. history as he replaces for the telecast of men’s among the nation’s top 25 Grand in Las Vegas. BYU game. Utah leads most of the charter member universities. Stan Bates. basketball games by a DEC. 27, 1971 – The first in both the USA Today/ defeats Hawai’i, 3-2, in the game but bows out in the final Paul Brechler is named the national network. Fiesta Bowl, originated to NOV. 23, 1981 – UTEP CNN Coaches’ Poll and the championship match. five minutes to Kentucky. WAC’s first commissioner. Associated Press Top 25. match the WAC champion captures its seventh men’s JULY 1, 1990 – The WAC DEC. 7, 1996 – BYU and MAY 25, 1998 – Fresno against an at-large team, is NCAA cross country title. NOV. 10, 1962 – Arizona merges with the High Country MAY 9, 1995 – The WAC Wyoming play in the inaugural State’s softball team wins the played in Tempe, Ariz. Athletic Conference to form State wins the first WAC MARCH, 1982 – UTEP brings signs a multi-year contract WAC Football Championship national championship with a Arizona State defeats a single conference for men’s championship as it captures home its seventh men’s NCAA with ESPN for the telecast game at Sam Boyd Stadium 1-0 victory over Arizona. Florida State, 45-38. and women’s athletics. of 22 men’s and two women’s in Las Vegas. BYU wins the the cross country title. indoor track and field title in MAY 27-30, 1998 – UNLV basketball games annually, the game in overtime, 28-25, MARCH, 1974 – UTEP nine years. DEC. 1, 1991 – BYU’s Ty wins the men’s NCAA golf largest such contract in WAC before a record-setting crowd DEC. 19, 1964 – Utah captures its first men’s NCAA Detmer wins the Heisman title. It’s the third national JUNE, 1982 – UTEP wins its history and the first national of 41,238, the largest for becomes the first school indoor track and field title. Trophy, a first for a championship for a WAC team sixth men’s outdoor track and telecast of WAC women’s a team sporting event since the formation of the WAC athlete. during the 1997-98 season. conference to participate in a JUNE, 1975 – UTEP wins its field national championship in basketball. The WAC becomes in Nevada. bowl game as it defeats West first men’s outdoor track and eight years. APRIL 24, 1992 – Utah wins the only conference in the NOV. 28, 1998 – Hawai’i field national championship. JAN. 1, 1997 – The WAC has Virginia, 32-6, in the MAY 1, 1983 – The the women’s NCAA national country with an exclusive and BYU meet in the WAC championship in gymnastics. its second team ever play in Liberty Bowl. JUNE 19, 1976 – Arizona Presidents’ Council approves contract with ESPN for Volleyball Tournament final It is the first-ever women’s a New Year’s Day bowl. BYU wins the College World Series, the concept for a WAC football and basketball and the Wahine win, 15-12, national title in WAC history. defeats Kansas State in the 21-19, 13-15, 16-18, 24-22. JUNE 12, 1965 – Arizona its first national championship Basketball Tournament DEC. 11, 1995 – The WAC’s , 19-15, and sets The 89 points scored State wins its first national in any sport. beginning in 1984. JUNE 10, 1992 – The WAC first website is published. the record for most wins by a baseball championship with a by Hawai’i sets a new JUNE, 1977 – Arizona State DEC. 21, 1984 – BYU earns selects the Delta Center in Division IA school with 14. 2-1 victory over Ohio State. Salt Lake City as the site FEB. 19, 1996 – The MGM NCAA record. wins the men’s outdoor the conference’s first national JUNE 23, 1997 It is the first NCAA title in for its men’s and women’s Grand Garden arena is – The WAC JUNE 8, 1999 – The WAC track and field national football championship with a selected as the site of the WAC history. basketball tournaments. becomes a Bowl Alliance signs a two-year football championship and the College victory over in the inaugural WAC volleyball Commissioner Kearney member beginning with and basketball television World Series title. Holiday Bowl to complete a tournament, to be contested MARCH 20, 1966 – Utah announces his retirement the 1998 season. deal with Fox Sports Net. 13-0 season. Nov. 26-30 in Las Vegas. becomes the first school DEC. 22, 1978 – After a effective July 1, 1994. NOV. 24, 1997 – BYU’s DEC. 25, 1999 – The Hawai’i to reach the NCAA Final seven-year tie to the Fiesta JULY 16, 1987 – The WAC FEB. 26, 1996 AUG. 13, 1992 – The WAC is – The WAC women’s cross country team football team breaks the Four, and Brigham Young Bowl, the WAC begins a new and KUTV of Salt Lake City Council selects Pacific and edges Stanford, 100 to 102, captures the championship affiliation with the Holiday agree to the conference’s first included in the Western Bowl NCAA record with an eight Alliance, which guarantees at Mountain as the names for the to capture the NCAA title. and a half game improvement of the National Invitation Bowl in San Diego. one-million-dollar package newly-created divisions to be It is the first women’s Tournament. for the regional syndication of least one conference team an in wins from the previous appearance in the Aloha and instituted in 1996-97. national championship year with a 23-17 victory men’s basketball games. in school history. JUNE 20, 1969 – Arizona Copper Bowls for the next JULY 1, 1996 – The WAC over Oregon State in State captures its third FEB. 23, 1988 – The WAC two years. becomes the nation’s largest the Oahu Bowl. and the Holiday Bowl reach an national baseball title with a APRIL 20, 1994 NCAA Division I-A conference agreement for the conference – Karl 10-1 victory over Tulsa. Benson is appointed the with 16 members competing champion to host the game in 11 men’s and 10 women’s through the 1992 season. fifth commissioner in SEPT. 1, 1969 – Wiles league history, replacing championship sports. Hallock replaces Paul Dr. Joe Kearney. Brechler as commissioner. JUNE 14, 1994 – The WAC NOV. 24, 1969 – UTEP wins signs a multi-year football its first men’s cross country contract with ESPN and ABC. national championship. 20 A TIMELINE OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS, CONT. A NEW ERA BUILT ON THE SUCCESSES OF OUR PAST 2000s 2010s 2020s DEC. 31, 2000 – Fresno State DEC. 31, 2004 – Boise FEB. 16-17, 2007 – Boise JAN. 4, 2010 – Boise State DEC. 16, 2011 – Hawai‘i All- NOV. 4, 2014 – The WAC JANUARY 14, 2021 – The competes in the inaugural State’s 22-game winning State, Nevada, New Mexico makes its second appearance American Kanani Danielson, Board of Directors approves WAC announces the return Silicon Valley Football Classic streak comes to an end in the State and Utah State win in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl who led her team to a 31-2 the return of the men’s of football at the FCS level, in San Jose. Liberty Bowl. The Broncos men’s basketball games to and beats TCU, 17-10. The record and the regional and women’s basketball beginning in 2022. MARCH 29, 2001 – Tulsa finish the season in the top 15 give the WAC a perfect 4-0 Broncos become the second semifinal of the NCAA tournaments to Las Vegas and team in FBS history to end a wins the men’s basketball for the third consecutive year. record in BracketBusters. Tournament, is selected as the the Orleans Arena in 2016. season 14-0. 2011 Lowe’s Senior CLASS NIT title with a 79-60 victory NOV. 10, 2005 – Fresno State APRIL 28-29, 2007 – A total NOV. 6, 2014 – The Award® over Alabama. defeats Boise State, 27-7, in of 17 WAC football players NOV. 28, 2010 – For the first winner in NCAA WAC Digital Network Division I women’s volleyball. JUNE 20, 2001 – The WAC football, ending the Broncos’ are chosen in the NFL Draft, time since 1997, the WAC has officially launches. WAC-record 31-game the most ever (per school) in three football teams – Boise JAN. 9, 2013 signs a three-year deal with – The WAC DEC. 5, 2014 – Seattle conference winning streak. the seven-round format. State, Nevada and Hawai’i – ESPN for telecasts of football reinstates men’s soccer. CSU U women’s soccer player ranked in the AP top 25. Bakersfield, Grand Canyon and basketball. NOV. 19, 2005 – Fresno State JAN. 1, 2008 – Hawai’i Stephanie Verdoia, a third and Seattle U join affiliates leads top-ranked and two-time becomes the second WAC MAY 30, 2010 – Hawai‘i team All-American, is selected AUG. 7, 2002 – The WAC Air Force, Houston Baptist, defending national champion team to play in a BCS bowl defeats top-seeded Alabama as the 2014 Senior CLASS initiates an innovative and UNLV and San Jose State for USC, 42-41, midway through game in two years, taking on a two-out walk-off homer Award® winner for NCAA creative two-year pilot the 2013 season. project to create an academic the fourth quarter, before on Georgia in the Allstate by Jenna Rodriguez in the Division I women’s soccer. She alliance among its 10 member dropping the game 50-42. Sugar Bowl. bottom of the seventh inning JUNE 11, 2013 – Jeff Hurd is was also named the Capital in the deciding game of the named the sixth commissioner One Academic All-America® institutions. NOV. 24, 2005 – The WAC JUNE 25, 2008 – Fresno NCAA Softball Tuscaloosa in league history. of the Year for Division I streams its first sporting event State wins the national DEC. 31, 2002 – Boise State Super Regional, sending UH to Women’s Soccer. (the opening match of the championship in baseball. The DEC. 16, 2013 – The WAC and Fresno State both win its first-ever Women’s College volleyball tournament) via the Bulldogs beat Georgia in the announces the addition of the JULY 1, 2015 – Texas-Pan their bowl games. World Series. The moment internet using WAC.tv. best-of-three series, winning University of Incarnate Word American and UT Brownsville The Broncos beat Iowa is nominated for “Best Upset” 6-1 in the deciding game. as an affiliate member for merge to form a new State 34-16, in the FEB. 17-18, 2006 – The WAC at the 2010 ESPN men’s soccer. institution, The University of Humanitarian Bowl, while goes 3-1 in BracketBusters SEPT. 3, 2008 – The ESPY Awards. Texas Rio Grande Valley. the Bulldogs defeated Georgia as Nevada, Louisiana Tech WAC announces a contract Tech, 30-21, in the Silicon and Utah State earn men’s extension with ESPN that MARCH 22, 2017 – CSU Valley Football Classic. basketball wins. guarantees more than 300 Bakersfield men’s basketball regular season and 45 becomes the first No. 8 FEB. 22, 2003 – The men’s APRIL 3, 2006 – Louisiana championship events will be seed in National Invitation basketball teams from Fresno Tech men’s basketball player aired on the ESPN networks Tournament history to State, Hawai’i, Louisiana Tech Paul Millsap becomes the first through the spring of 2017. advance to the semifinals and Tulsa compete in ESPN’s in NCAA history to lead the at , inaugural Buster nation in rebounding three DECEMBER, 2008 – For the having won three-straight Saturday event. years in a row. first time in its history, the road games in three different WAC sends more than half JUNE 23, 2003 – Rice wins JAN. 1, 2007 – Boise State time zones to make the first of its football teams (five) to the NCAA title in baseball, becomes the first WAC team NIT semifinal appearance for postseason bowl games. the school’s first team title to play in a BCS bowl game JULY 1, 2014 – The WAC unveils an updated logo along with the the WAC since 2001, when in any sport. and beats Oklahoma in the DEC. 12, 2009 – The Hawai‘i slogan, Learn • Compete • Inspire. Tulsa claimed the title. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, 43-42, women’s volleyball team in overtime. sweeps No. 16 Michigan in the NCAA Tournament Regional Final to advance to its ninth Final Four appearance in school history.

21 PRESS KIT CONTACTS

CHRIS THOMPSON [email protected] 303.962.4206

VICKY EGGLESTON [email protected] 303.962.4207

9250 E. Costilla Ave., Suite 300 Englewood, Colorado 80112 wacsports.com

22

EXPANSION 2022