Editor's note: This is the last in an occasional series examining the BYU football program's move to independence and jump to the West Coast Conference in most other sports. Read the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth installments.
PROVO — When BYU administrators informed softball coach Gordon Eakin that the Cougars' football program was on the verge of going independent, and that most of the other sports were headed to the West Coast Conference, the future of Cougar softball seemed uncertain.
The WCC does not sponsor softball, which meant BYU's team would be homeless for a time. But that homelessness was temporary. In January, it was announced that the Cougars would join the Western Athletic Conference.
Eakin said he is pleased with the way things have been handled so far.
"When (the administration) originally told me, they also assured me that softball would be taken care of and that we were a priority because of the strength of our program," he said. "I trust in the things they tell me, and they've taken great care of us. We're treated very well as a women's softball team at BYU. I was confident that they would fulfill what they said and I think they have."
With seven consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament, and three straight Mountain West Conference championships, Eakin has built a strong program at BYU. In 2010, the Cougars reached the Super Regionals for the first time. He hopes the program continues to thrive as a member of the WAC.
"We're excited to join the WAC next year and take on new horizons and play in new cities," Eakin said. "The WAC has some excellent teams in it. Next year, it will be a very strong league with Fresno State and Nevada and Hawaii. They are all top softball programs. So next year will be an exciting year to be part of the WAC. From there, when Fresno State, Nevada, Hawaii leave, there are some strong softball programs from Texas joining the WAC. We look forward to it. We feel like it's a lateral move with softball. We're just excited to compete wherever they put us and continue to be successful, the way we have been."
BYU's administration worked hard to find new conference affiliations for other sports that the WCC does not sponsor: men's swimming and diving, women's swimming and diving, and men's and women's track.
The swimming and diving programs will join the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, while the track teams will compete in the MPSF during the indoor season in the fall, but will be independent in the spring, earning team and individual qualification for the NCAA Regionals and NCAA Championships.
BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe admitted that the situation is "not ideal" for those sports, softball in particular, but the teams are determined to make the best of the situation.
"The WAC has good teams. Hawaii was in the College World Series last year," Holmoe said about softball. "We'll play them for a little while now as they transition. It's the best thing we could do at this time. We have a really good team and we're going to invest in our softball team because they're really good."
Holmoe added that "track and field and swimming settled on some things. Our people were really good about that."
During the outdoor season, the BYU track team will continue to participate in top national meets like the Mt. Sac Relays and host the Robison Invitational. The only real difference will be the lack of a conference championship meet. The Cougars instead will compete at the Georgia Tech Invitational that week for the opportunity to qualify individual and relay teams for the NCAA Regionals.
"We're very excited about the future of our track and field programs," said BYU Associate Athletic Director Janie Penfield. "We see many positives in this new frontier, which allows us to continue competing at the best meets and against the best competition, ultimately resulting in increased success at the national level."
"This is a very exciting time for our program," said BYU women's track coach Patrick Shane. "The MPSF has very strong track and field programs, and we're looking forward to the challenge of competing with the nation's best at that meet. We're also excited for the chance to compete at the Georgia Tech Invitational, which will be a wonderful opportunity to prepare our athletes for the NCAA Regional Championships. This is definitely a positive move and one that has improved our chances for success at the regional and national levels."
"We've thoroughly enjoyed being part of the MWC, but we're looking forward to this move," said BYU men's track head coach Mark Robison. "As a team, you tend to beat yourself up to be successful at the conference level, but the consequences of that are generally some fatigue and injury going into nationals. Now everything we do will be what's best for us at a national level, which will help us in many respects."
As for swimming and diving, coach Tim Powers is determined to help his athletes compete at the highest level.
"We are looking forward to continuing BYU's strong tradition in swimming and diving by competing against teams in the MPSF," Powers said. "Joining the MPSF will allow us to compete for a league title each year and continue sending swimmers and divers to the NCAA Championship."
BYU already has a long history with the MPSF. The men's volleyball team has finished in the league's top three 14 times in 19 seasons, and the Cougars have won three league tournament titles and three NCAA championships.
"Our men's volleyball program was a charter member of the MSPF back in 1993," Holmoe said. "Being a member of the MPSF has been a great competitive fit for us. Having the BYU swimming and diving programs join the federation was natural."
"We have enjoyed our relationship with BYU for nearly two decades," said MPSF Executive Director Al Beaird. "We are looking forward to BYU's increased level of participation in the Federation."
Is there a chance the WCC could add sports like softball, track and swimming at some point?
"I don't know if it's realistic for the WCC to add softball," Holmoe said.
WCC commissioner Jamie Zaninovich said adding new sports is something the league is exploring.
"There will be ongoing discussions about what we choose to sponsor and why. It's an amalgamation of nine institutions that will make decisions based on what's best for the group."
email: jeffc@desnews.com