TCU plays the waiting game
University officials still uncertain about future in C-USA
By Braden Howell and Brent Yarina
Sports Editors

The domino effect caused by recent conference realignment around the country has left TCU uncertain about the future of its athletic affiliation, Chancellor Victor Boschini said Wednesday.

“We won’t know what’s best for TCU until we see what schools around us are doing,” Boschini said.

Boschini said his main goal was to position TCU in the best possible place for its participation needs and desires in athletics.

The cause of the confusion is the shockwave still being felt by the University of Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College deciding to leave the Big East Conference for the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The move leaves the Big East Conference with only five teams and searching for replacements in order to retain its Bowl Championship Series affiliation. According to published reports, the Big East is pursuing Conference USA front-runners University of Louisville, University of Cincinnati, Depaul University and Marquette University.

Kenny Kline, University of Louisville athletic director, said leaving C-USA is not being discussed right now.

“Commenting about what is going to happen with Conference USA is purely speculation,” Kline said. “Nothing has been done at this point. Louisville has not received an invitation from the Big East.”

C-USA officials have prepared for such scenarios by offering invitations to Rice University and the University of Tulsa. As of Wednesday, Rice and Tulsa had accepted invitations to join C-USA. According to a statement from Southern Methodist University given to the Skiff Wednesday, the university and C-USA have been working together to reach an agreement on the terms under which SMU might join C-USA. SMU anticipates having a “formal announcement with Conference USA regarding its membership realignment in the near future,” according to the statement.

Brad Sutton, SMU assistant athletic director of media relations, said university officials have authorized a change in conference membership from its current Western Athletic Conference.

“There’s not a formal invitation that has been extended,” Sutton said. “Our Board of Trustees has simply authorized a change in conference membership if an invitation does occur.”

As schools around TCU begin to change conferences, many are wondering what TCU will do.

Athletics director Eric Hyman said he has considered the options for TCU but at this time has no plans to leave the conference.

“TCU must be fluent in any situation,” Hyman said. “We have to be able to adapt and be flexible with all changes that are going on. We have had meetings with WAC officials but we are committed to Conference USA, and we want to make it a nationally prominent conference.”

Boschini said about 20 different “what if” scenarios were discussed at this month’s meeting of C-USA officials. He said these scenarios included Tulsa, Rice and SMU coming into the conference and the possibility of C-USA splitting into two divisions.

“What happens around us affects what happens to us,” Boschini said.

With so many “what if” scenarios, not even Boschini knows what the aftershock of the conference realignments will be.

“Everything is fluid in athletics,” Boschini said. “I would be afraid to guess.”

Staff reporters Meghan Youker and Matt Potter contributed to this story.