COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - BYU President Cecil Samuelson, chair of the Mountain West Conference Board of Directors, announced the addition of Texas Christian University as the ninth member of the Mountain West, beginning with the 2005-06 academic year.

"We are all thrilled that TCU will join the Mountain West Conference," Samuelson said. "There were and are many attractive institutions to the league and TCU is a wonderful fit."

With an enrollment of 8,066, TCU sponsors 19 varsity sports. The Horned Frog football program has a rich 107-year history. This season, TCU appeared in a school-record sixth consecutive bowl game, making it one of 16 Division I-A programs to play in the post-season each of the last six years. In addition, TCU football has finished in the Top 25 three of the last four seasons.

"Since its inception five years ago, the MWC has established a solid foundation and experienced significant success in both the competitive and administrative arenas," stated commissioner Craig Thompson. "The addition of TCU enhances an already successful group of member institutions and adds to the MWC's strength at a time when the structure of Division I-A postseason football is evolving and when the Conference is nearing the end of its current television contract."

"TCU is flattered to have been asked to join the Mountain West Conference." -- Victor Boschini, TCU Chancellor

TCU's addition to the Mountain West renews relationships among the conference's member institutions. It also solidifies the MWC's profile within the state of Texas - where, presently, between 10-13 percent of the football and men's basketball student-athletes in the Conference originate.

"TCU is flattered to have been asked to join the Mountain West," chancellor Victor Boschini said. "We look forward to competing with their members and getting to know the schools in our new league."

The Mountain West Conference began with eight members in 1998, addressing a number of configuration issues, and now moves into its next phase of development as the landscape of intercollegiate athletics continues to shift. In 2005-06, MWC membership will include: The United States Air Force Academy, Brigham Young University, Colorado State University, University of New Mexico, University of Nevada - Las Vegas, San Diego State University, Texas Christian University, University of Utah, University of Wyoming.

Following is a Question & Answer with Commissioner Craig Thompson:

Why did the Mountain West Conference expand?
This represents the next phase in the growth and development of the MWC, as the Conference continues to establish the most prominent position possible in the intercollegiate athletics landscape. The addition of TCU enhances an already successful group of member institutions and adds to the MWC's strength at a time when the structure of Division I-A postseason college football is evolving and when the Conference is nearing the end of its current television contract.

How does the addition of TCU strengthen the Mountain West?
TCU is a fine academic institution that boasts a highly-competitive athletic program and possesses long-standing tradition. TCU's mission and values are also a solid fit with the collective and individual philosophies of the Mountain West Conference and its member institutions. More specifically, TCU's addition will enhance the MWC by:

Explain the MWC's expansion process?
Because it was not reacting to external influences, but rather evaluating opportunities, the MWC was in the enviable position of being able to be deliberate and thorough in its evaluation of whether to expand and, if so, by how many and which institutions. That theme drove the process and any temptation to move quickly was resisted. Recent changes in five Presidents and five Athletics Directors within the MWC extended the process, as every effort was made to involve the appropriate constituents. Various timing issues, such as the bowl season and the holidays, combined to push back the timetable.

When will TCU become a member of the Mountain West?
The Horned Frogs will officially become members of the MWC on July 1, 2005, and begin competition in the conference with the 2005-06 academic year. However, preliminary planning has already begun and now will be accelerated with regard to new schedule formats and other administrative issues. TCU will begin to participate immediately in the MWC governance process and will systematically be transitioned into the Conference infrastructure.