Kats take part in WAC football media day

THE WOODLANDS – Everyone was all smiles as players, coaches and media members took part in the first Western Athletic Conference football media day in close to a decade at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Wednesday.

The league is bringing back football after the sport was dropped following the 2012 season due to conference realignment. With the addition of Sam Houston, Lamar, Abilene Christian and Stephen F. Austin, the WAC will be competing in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in 2021.

"At first, our main concern (about joining the WAC for the 2021 season) was finding teams to play," Sam Houston head coach K.C. Keeler said. "I told Bobby Williams, our athletic director, that long term it is a great move for us because it could be one of the best FCS conferences in the country, but right now it would be a challenge to navigate our schedule and find people who will play us."

Since the WAC does not have enough teams to compete for an automatic qualification into the 2021 FCS playoffs, the league has agreed to a football scheduling alliance with the ASUN Conference. The Bearkats, Cardinals, Wildcats and Lumberjacks will compete for the automatic playoff spot with Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State.

The WAC's other two football programs — Tarleton and Dixie State — will play a joint schedule with the rest of the league but will not be eligible for the group's AQ as they will be in their second year of NCAA reclassification to Division I.

"When they brought in the Atlantic Sun teams, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State and Central Arkansas, just like that the schedule had three really good teams," Keeler said. "With the addition of those teams, we all of the sudden have one of the best schedules in the country."

While the Sam Houston players are familiar with several of their opponents heading into the season, they are looking forward to fresh competition. The Bearkats have never faced Eastern Kentucky or Dixie State and have only played Jacksonville State a handful of times.

SHSU has a 16-game history with Tarleton but have not played the Texans since 2004.

"It's exciting playing some teams we already play, but we are looking forward to some other good competition," quarterback Eric Schmid said. "It will be exciting to visit new places, face new defenses and play against new people."

Kats take part in WAC football media day

Players Mentioned

Eric Schmid

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