Got a few minutes after Wednesday's WAC teleconference to talk 1-on-1 with WAC Commissioner Karl Benson. Here is what Benson had to say (color-coded for easier reading):
Q: In the next six months, the football season will have been completed and basketball would be entering its conference tournaments. What would you want to see out of potential candidates in the FCS such as Cal Poly, Texas State, Texas-San Antonio in those two sports to be able to present themselves as a viable option?
A: Obviously success is a factor. We want to make sure that any teams coming into the WAC are ready from a competitive standpoint to compete in the WAC and make the postseason. Those are things we definitely want to take into consideration.
Q: When you expand, would you be looking to add two teams from the same state for built-in travel partners, such as Cal Poly and San Jose State or Texas State and Texas-San Antonio or is it not important to have an in-state package deal?
A: Geography would be a strong consideration. With Louisiana Tech and Hawaii under the WAC umbrella, both California and Texas would be strong locations for the WAC to expand.
Q: What can you do to promote a stronger staying power for those remaining teams — especially Louisiana Tech and Hawaii — that you didn't for Boise State and BYU?
A: It's important this coming year to have success in football and men's basketball. We would like it to be attractive to existing members and potential members, not only in the FCS but FBS.
Q: With that said, how did the WAC go from a potential BCS conference to one that is marginally worse in football than the Sun Belt in such a short period of time?
A: It happened due to a few selfish acts from several of our universities, but now it's critical that six of our remaining schools have success in the upcoming seasons to make us stronger.
Q: Today, Texas State announced it would be continuing expansion to its football stadium beginning at the end of the 2011 season. The Bobcats are going to add 13,500 seats to bump the capacity to 30,000. Does that make Texas State a better option now and what would make the school and even better option for the WAC?
A: The plan that Texas State has in place to enhance its football stadium and overall athletic program will make them look much stronger when we get down to evaluating schools that can help the WAC grow in the future.
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