LOGAN — The reaction at Utah State University regarding Boise State's departure from the Western Athletic Conference to the Mountain West Conference was twofold on Friday.
The Aggies wish the Broncos well, but also believe their move doesn't mean doomsday for the WAC.
"Certainly they've been a valuable part of our league and we wish them well," said USU men's hoops coach Stew Morrill, whose team has beaten Boise State six of the last eight times they've played. "But I firmly believe our league will be just fine without Boise State. The WAC has great tradition and we will forge forward."
The loss of Boise State in men's basketball won't have nearly the impact as it will in football — as teams will no longer be relegated to playing for second place on the gridiron. In the last eight seasons, the Broncos are a glossy 62-2 in conference games. They've also won their last 32 home games. They have won seven of the league's last eight outright championships.
Boise State has made a national impact as a football program in recent years, and brought some big BCS money back to the WAC.
Still, the Aggies believe the conference will be fine without the Broncos.
"The WAC is a conference that has great notoriety throughout the country," said USU football coach Gary Andersen, who knows both conferences well after spending 11 seasons at the University of Utah as an assistant coach. "I believe this will remain the case with or without Boise State. Clearly Boise State sees this move as a great opportunity and the Mountain West is gaining a quality university. I look forward to what the future has in store for the WAC."
With Boise State out of the WAC — and many other changes possibly looming in conferences throughout the nation — the Aggies say their conference will survive all the current madness.
"With all the craziness happening with conference realignment, what we have to do is remain solid and know we have a good, strong conference," Morrill said.
But even the Aggies have to admit it doesn't put the WAC in a positive light when it loses a notable member to a rival conference. Athletic director Scott Barnes said he will remain in constant contact with WAC commissioner Karl Benson to monitor what changes are made in BCS conferences and other leagues.
"Although this is an uncertain time, I'm hopeful in our ability to create opportunities out of this perceived setback," Barnes said.
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