WAC
Commissioner
Karl Benson conducted a teleconference with the media on Thursday,
August 18, to address the departure of Fresno State and Nevada. To
listen to
the entire call, click on one of the two links:
Windows Media
WAV file
A question pertaining to NCAA membership requirements for a conference was asked. Below are those rules:
To be recognized as a Division I conference, a conference must have at least six active Division I member institutions. In addition, to be classified as a Football Bowl Subdivision conference, the conference must have at least eight Football Bowl Subdivision member institutions.
Automatic qualification for the Division I men's basketball championship is dependent on having seven institutions that have been active members of Division I for at least eight years; further, at least six of the institutions must have conducted conference competition together in Division I for the preceding five years. There is a two-year grace period once the conference membership falls below seven members as long as the conference maintains six Division I member institutions.
Automatic qualification for all other Division I championships is dependent on having six institutions that have been active members of Division I for at least eight years; further, at least six of the institutions must have conducted conference competition together in Division I for the preceding two years in the applicable sport. There is a two-year grace period once the conference membership falls below six members as long as conference maintains five Division I member institutions.