BOISE, Idaho -- It appears the University of Idaho has decided on its future in athletic competition, at least for the time being.
A meeting has been called for Friday in Boise with the only topic of discussion being a proposal to leave the WAC for the Big Sky Conference in all sports other than football.
The board of education web site has the agenda posted, with the subject reading: "Request for authorization for independent scheduling of football games and for the President to explore and accept an invitation to the Big Sky Athletic conference."
With WAC membership dwindling, the conference would only have two football schools remaining following the 2012-2013 year (New Mexico State and Idaho). The timeliness of the decision also impacts future scheduling, as the Vandals will need to round out their slate of opponents for the 2013-2014 season and beyond. WIth no conference affiliation that becomes a larger task.
As for the reason behind going independent as opposed to joining the Big Sky with the remainder of the athletic programs, the proposal states that the department could bring in approximately $1.5 million a year more through game payments from other universities than they would receive as a Big Sky member.
Also, Idaho wants to stay in the mix with respect to the ever-changing landscape of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football "should an opportunity appear with an FBS football conference in the future."
Idaho was an original member of the Big Sky Conference.
