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San Diego State’s return to the Mountain West Conference came with mixed blessings for the University of Hawaii on Wednesday.
UH athletic director Ben Jay said he had, “two reactions: Great to have San Diego State back in the Mountain West Conference. It gives us a strong 12-member football conference and possibly now, two six-team divisions and a championship football game. However, would have liked to see them stay in the Big West Conference for the other sports.”
The Aztecs, who had been scheduled to play football in the Big East in 2013 and place most of their other sports in the Big West, will now compete only in the MWC after backing out on the Big East.
The Aztecs are contracted to pay a $1.5 million exit fee to the Big West. They will not have to pay the fee to the Big East since there was an escape provision in the agreement if Boise State departed first.
With the return of Boise State, which also ditched the Big East, the MWC will have 12 members for the 2013 season. San Jose State and Utah State had previously been booked to replace Boise State and San Diego State.
The MWC had given San Diego State until the end of the month to make a decision under terms of the deal that brought Boise State back.
MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE
2013 MWC members
>> Air Force
>> Boise State
>> Colorado State
>> Fresno State
>> Hawaii (football only)
>> Nevada
>> Nevada-Las Vegas
>> New Mexico
>> San Diego State
>> San Jose State
>> Utah State
>> Wyoming
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Next up for the MWC will be redrawing its 2013 football schedule. The schedule, which had been configured for a 10-member league was “torn up” last month, commissioner Craig Thompson said Wednesday. Thompson said it could be as late as April before the conference schedule is released. Jay said the conference is “early in discussion” on how the two six-team divisions will be filled.
Teams will still play eight conference games, four home and four away.
With 12 teams, the conference could hold a championship game although that has yet to be announced.
Asked if he had a comment on San Diego State’s move, UH men’s basketball coach Gib Arnold said, “No, talk to me when the (2013-14) season starts. You know, they could be back in and out two or three times. We could have North Carolina in the Big West by the time next season starts.”
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Star-Advertiser staff writer Brian McInnis contributed to this report.
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