By Jeff Kolpack, The Forum
The conference room in the upper level of the Fargodome had more than one meaning Thursday night. Representatives from seven Division I wrestling schools agreed they would like a league up and running this season.
The next step appears to be in the hands of the athletic administrators from North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Utah Valley State, Northern Iowa, Wyoming, Fresno State, Eastern Illinois and Air Force Academy. EIU and Air Force were not present at the meeting.
“They’ve done their homework, “NDSU athletic director Gene Taylor said. “They’re ready to move forward.”
Major decisions – such as the conference name – may be finalized in the next two months, Taylor said.
“Right now, we’ll have a dual meet champion of some sort, “Northern Colorado head coach Jack Maughan said.
It’s possible the first year may not include all nine schools because of matters like scheduling commitments. But Maughan said all nine will be involved in accolades like all-conference teams and all-academic teams.
As for a name, the group decided on the last two words.
“It will be something, something Wrestling Conference, “Maughan said.
Northern Iowa, Air Force Wyoming, Fresno and Air Force are Division I independents whose main gateway to the Division I Wrestling Championships is the West Region, which has 22 individual automatic qualifiers. NDSU, SDSU, UNC and Utah Valley are in the midst of a reclassification to Division I.
If all nine get together, it’s uncertain how many NCAA qualifiers the new affiliation would be granted, which was a subject of discussion Thursday. The five wrestling members of the Big 12 Conference, which has 36 qualifiers, have approached the new league about a possible super-regional concept.
NDSU, SDSU and UNC will be tournament eligible in 2006-07. Utah Valley, which is making the Division I leap from junior college, still has four more years of reclassification.
“It’s still awhile, “said Utah Valley head coach Cody Sanderson. “But for me, any situation like this is good.”
Taylor likened the wrestling discussions to the Great West Football Conference, which took only about a year to get going.
“Every time you meet, you get more done, “he said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter
Jeff Kolpack at (701) 241-5546
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