June 2, 2009
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -
The MWC Board of Directors concluded its annual spring meeting yesterday at the Inverness Hotel and Conference Center in Denver, during which it took action on a number of items integral to the business of the Mountain West Conference and to national issues in intercollegiate athletics. Among the key topics addressed by the Board, which is comprised of the Presidents from the nine Conference member institutions, were the following:
- Reviewed in detail the MWC's ongoing efforts to accomplish change in the current Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system, including the elements of the previously-submitted BCS Reform Proposal and other strategic initiatives.
- Considered the work of the MWC Basketball Championships Future Site Subcommittee and had a broad discussion with members of the MWC Joint Council regarding options, including the concept of rotating the basketball championships annually among multiple sites and the potential of awarding the championships to a neutral site. The Board also reviewed revenue implications and data compiled from extensive fan research. After further deliberation, a majority of the Board voted to award the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas the 2011-13 Mountain West Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships.
- Established a Basketball Working Group to explore ways to further improve the men's and women's basketball enterprises in the Mountain West Conference. Agreed the Board would identify the areas of focus for the Working Group, including, but not limited to, scheduling and RPI, improving league perception and future basketball championships site locations.
- Discussed the cost-containment initiatives being pursued by the MWC Joint Council in the context of the current economic climate and the challenges being faced by all collegiate institutions. Corresponding to actions being taken on their respective campuses, the Board voted to approve a reduced budget for the Mountain West Conference office and operations.
- Unanimously agreed to require each Mountain West institution to implement a text-messaging system in their football and men's basketball venues, with other facilities/events included at their discretion. The Board adopted the plan in order to provide fans a vehicle to request assistance with unruly fans or other concerns, and to further efforts aimed at improving the atmosphere in the league's competition environments.
- Recognized what was an outstanding 10th Anniversary year for the Mountain West Conference, marked by numerous accomplishments on and off the field - including a record revenue distribution to member institutions. Also reviewed an extensive list of achievements over the remarkable 10-year history of the MWC.
- Confirmed Michael Young, University of Utah President, as the chair of the Board of Directors for the 2009-10 academic year. President Young, along with Lieutenant General (Select) Mike Gould, the incoming United States Air Force Academy Superintendent; University of Wyoming President Tom Buchanan, the preceding year's chair; and University of New Mexico President David Schmidly, MWC representative to the NCAA Board of Directors, will comprise the MWC Board of Directors Executive Committee.
