Independence Day

Well it's official! BYU is leaving the MWC as of June 2011. While I wish things had worked out with the WAC I am still happy for the Cougars. I think tomorrow we will hear a lot about their upcoming schedule which is rumored to have ND, maybe Texas Tech and Clemson. It will be interesting to see how the future schedules work out without a football conference to lean on. We have games scheduled for Texas, Oregon State, Boise State, Hawaii and Utah State for the next several years so that should help. If on top of that we can get an annual late November game with Notre Dame I would be thrilled. Sounds like BYU and ND have already been talking about it. I also desperately hope this means the Utah game will continue yearly.

I am really glad this is happening. Even with TCU, Utah and BYU being as good as they have been the MWC was going nowhere. Add to that the underhanded dealings of Commish Thompson and his outright lies to the press and I am glad to no longer be a part of the conference. I hope we can help elevate the Basketball play of the WCC. After Gonzaga the WCC doesn't have much. St Mary's has show well lately and hopefully they continue to be good. The good news is that ESPN is going to help BYU schedule several preseason basketball games each year. In fact ESPN has been a big partner in all of this. It should be noted that on Monday ESPN ran an article saying what a good match the WCC and BYU would be. Obviously softening up the ground since the WCC ADs had already voted in favor of BYU earlier that day.

The one thing that still leaves me sad is the uncertain fate of USU. They are the team that has acted best in all this tumult and they are getting the shortest end of the stick. Who knows what will happen to them or what the fates of the MWC and WAC are. I will say this, if TCU leaves, the MWC is over. Good riddance.

Some links:

BYU's Official Tuesday Press Release
WCC Press Release
Watch the press conference live at BYUTV Wed Sep 1st Noon Mountain time!
ESPN's Story that broke the news!
Bronco's Reaction as heard on BYU.KSL.COM

Rise and Shout the Cougars are OUT!!!!