The WAC's breakaway eight schools believe they have found the man that can help carry their new conference to national prominence.
Craig Thompson, who has served eight years as the commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference, has been named commissioner of the soon-to-be-named league, ending a two-month search.BYU president Merrill Bateman hailed the selection of Thompson as "a milestone that will let business of the new conference move forward at a much more rapid pace. We are truly on our way."
Bateman said Thompson, who currently serves on the NCAA basketball committee, is highly respected in intercollegiate sports circles.
As for the league's name, it appears the conference is going coastal. The schools have reached a consensus, said Colorado State president Albert Yates, president and treasurer of the league, adding "a few details must be resolved before an announcement is made."
BYU vice president Fred Skousen, a member of the transition team, said Mountain Coastal Conference, or a variation therof, could be unveiled as the name. An announcement could come this weekend.
Thompson is no stranger to WAC schools. He was a finalist for the WAC commisioner's post in 1994 when Karl Benson was hired.
Candidates that interviewed for the commissioner's position for the new league in recent weeks included Big Ten commissioner Kevin Wieberg, who recently took the Big 12 commissioner's job; Turner Sports vice president Dave Maggard; Orange Bowl executive director Keith Tribble; and Crimson Tide sports marketing director Wright Waters.
While serving as commissioner of the American South Conference, prior to joining the Sun Belt Conference, Thompson was instrumental in helping that league land a cable television contract with ESPN.
Under Thompson's leadership, the Sun Belt Conference added a pair of new schools, Florida International and Denver University. Other Sun Belt Conference schools include Louisiana Tech, Arkansas State and the University of New Orleans. The Sun Belt Conference is based in Metairie, La., a suburb of New Orleans.
"He has tremendous contacts in the NCAA," said Sun Belt assistant commissioner Tom Burnett of Thompson. "He knows everybody in college athletics." Burnett also said that despite the fact the Sun Belt does not sponsor football, Thompson has key contacts in that sport as well.
"He's very marketing-oriented," Burnett added. "He has unlimited enthusiasm. He's going to bring that to that new league."
Yates said he was pleased with the process that culminated in the selection of Thompson.
"The presidents of the new conference were very gratified to see such a high level of interest in the position through applications and nominations, and we are even more pleased to be able to bring in a person of integrity and character like Craig Thompson," Yates said.
"Craig's high level of experience and his outstanding reputation will help our new conference attain the national stature and recognition it deserves," he continued. " look forward to his leadership both in this new conference and in intercollegiate athletics nationally."
Although Thompson's appointment officially starts Jan. 1, 1999, Yates expects him to become immediately involved in choosing the site of league headquarters, which has been narrowed down to Colorado Springs and Las Vegas.
Other duties he will be expected to tend to include negotiating television contracts for football and basketball and securing guaranteed bowl berths.
"I'm excited to be involved in the beginnings of such a great organization," Thompson said. "This is a tremendous opportunity because of the level of quality of the institutions involved, both academically and athletically. Also, the bonds between these great institutions, and the natural rivalries, makes this new conference is so appealing."
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Additional Information
The Thompson File
Family: Wife, Carla, and two children, Ted and Emma.
Education: Graduated from University of Minnesota with a degree in journalism.
Career Highlights: Commissioner, Sun Belt Conference (1991-1998); Commissioner, American South Conference (1987-1991); Director of Communications, Metro Conference (1983-1987); Director of Public Relations and Promotions, Kansas City Kings (1980-1983); Assistant Sports Information Director, Kansas State University (1978-1980).
Administrative Highlights: NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee (1995-present); NCAA Basketball Officiating Committee (1994-1997); NCAA Council (1989-1992).