June 1, 2003

CARLSBAD, Calif. - The Mountain West Conference Board of Directors meeting began today at The Aviara Four Seasons Resort with a report from the MWC Joint Council and a session with the MWC directors of athletics. The gathering of the presidents from the eight member institutions that comprise the MWC marked the Board's fifth formal meeting since the league's inception in 1999.

The Board of Directors identified the primary topics for the three-day meeting and solicited input on those issues from the athletics directors and joint council executive committee representatives who participated in today's discussions. Tomorrow's agenda includes a session with NCAA President Myles Brand, along with more in-depth discussions concerning the landscape of intercollegiate athletics and the positioning of the Mountain West Conference.

"We have eight schools with a lot of synergy and we enjoy the competiveness that has shown up in our league", said University of Utah President and Board chair Dr. Bernie Machen. "We have a first rate operation in which all of the presidents have great confidence. We think this is a very successful enterprise four years in."