DENVER - Today the Western Athletic Conference officially welcomes Abilene Christian University, Lamar University, Sam Houston State University and Stephen F. Austin State University as members of the conference.
"It's fitting that we start our 60th year as a conference with the addition of the four highly-successful institutions, both athletically and academically," said WAC Commissioner Jeff Hurd. "On behalf of the conference, it's my great pleasure to welcome Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin to the WAC."
The four institutions officially announced their intentions to join the conference on Jan. 14 in Houston and soon after, it was announced that group colloquially known as the "Texas Four," would join the conference on July 1, 2021. Southern Utah University, who was the fifth institution involved in the festivities in January, will officially join the WAC on July 1, 2022.
All four institutions join the conference from the Southland Conference, where they accounted for seven of nine regular season titles and eight of 18 tournament titles this season. Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston and Abilene Christian also accounted for the top three spots in the Southland Commissioner's Cup, which was won by SFA.
The WAC also reintroduces football to its portfolio this fall, with six teams competing at the Football Championship Subdivision level. In addition to the four new institutions, Dixie State and Tarleton will also compete on the gridiron.
About Western Athletic Conference
The WAC was formed in 1962 and is comprised of 13 member institutions – Abilene Christian University; California Baptist University; Chicago State University; Dixie State University; Grand Canyon University; Lamar University; New Mexico State University; Sam Houston State University; Seattle University; Stephen F. Austin State University; Tarleton State University; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; and Utah Valley University. Southern Utah University will join the league on July 1, 2022. The WAC crowns team and individual champions in 20 sports – 10 men's and 10 women's championships. The WAC office is in the Denver metropolitan area.
