April 1, 2009

USC, Rose Bowl, sign with MWC

USC has agreed to join the MWC as a 10th member. According to USC's athletic director Mick Garret "The MWC has had 6 top 25 team in the past 4 years. The PAC 10 has had a total of 10, and we are responsible for 4 of those. We feel that the direction the MWC is headed is the right direction for our program."

Tournament of Roses President Gary J. DiSano said "With the move of USC to the MWC we feel it is in our best interest to realign at this time. USC has been a very successful part of our history and we look forward to a rich rivalry to develop between the MWC and Big 10. We are proud to maintain our West coast vs East coast history and the balance of power in the West coast has shifted."

Asked if further expansion is on the horizon MWC commissioner Craig Thompson stated "We are looking at the possibility of going to 12 teams with a divisional format. Our athletic directors have expressed a desire to avoid the scheduling difficulties associated with an 11 team league. No other team has been invited at this time. As we are now an Automatic Qualifying conference to a BCS bowl we are also repealing our recent proposal."

This is in contrast to reports in the Idaho Statesman that Boise State has been contacted and offered an invite as well. No indications exist as to who a 12th member might be.

Soon to be PAC 10 commissioner Larry Scott states that he has not yet had an opportunity to discuss the impact of this move with the remaining 9 members but indication from California and Stanford suggest they plan to wait and see what develops and make any changes that may be needed at a time they see fit.

Comments:

USC, Rose Bowl, sign with MWC
USC has agreed to join the MWC as a 10th member. According to USC's athletic director Mick Garret "The MWC has had 6 top 25 team in the past 4 years. The PAC 10 has had a total of 10, and we are responsible for 4 of those. We feel that the direction the MWC is headed is the right direction for our program." Tournament of Roses President Gary J. DiSano said "With the move of USC to the MWC we feel it is in our best interest to realign at this time. USC has been a very successful part of our history and we look forward to a rich rivalry to develop between the MWC and Big 10. We are proud to maintain our West coast vs East coast history and the balance of power in the West coast has shifted." Asked if further expansion is on the horizon MWC commissioner Craig Thompson stated "We are looking at the possibility of going to 12 teams with a divisional format. Our athletic directors have expressed a desire to avoid the scheduling difficulties associated with an 11 team league. No other team has been invited at this time. As we are now an Automatic Qualifying conference to a BCS bowl we are also repealing our recent proposal." This is in contrast to reports in the Idaho Statesman that Boise State has been contacted and offered an invite as well. No indications exist as to who a 12th member might be. Soon to be PAC 10 commissioner Larry Scott states that he has not yet had an opportunity to discuss the impact of this move with the remaining 9 members but indication from California and Stanford suggest they plan to wait and see what develops and make any changes that may be needed at a time they see fit.