Boise State University accepts invitation to join Mountain West Conference

BSU accepts invite to Mountain West Conference

BOISE, Idaho — Boise State on Friday accepted an invitation to join the Mountain West Conference in 2011 as the two-time Fiesta Bowl winner seeks out a league that’s a better launching pad into lucrative postseason bowl games.

Boise State, currently a Western Athletic Conference member, would become the Mountain West Conference’s 10th member. The move would be effective July 1, 2011.

The announcement is part of a massive conference shuffle nationwide, where leagues like the Pac-10 have lured Colorado and may be trying to attract even more schools.

As Boise State aims to secure a shot at more regular appearances in Bowl Championship Series postseason games worth millions, Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson said his league is boosting its strength by adding a football program that’s captured the nation’s imagination, and prime-time television exposure.

“The MWC continues to strategize regarding potential membership scenarios and bringing Boise State into the Conference is an important part of that evolution,” Thompson said in a statement.

Boise State beat TCU, a Mountain West member, in the Fiesta Bowl in January. It scored an 43-42 overtime upset over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

Boise State president Bob Kustra said the invitation shows Boise State has demonstrated academic and athletic success.

“This move is in the best interests of Boise State’s future, and the university is excited to be part of one of the nation’s most outstanding conferences,” Kustra said.

On Monday, the Mountain West Conference had agreed not to immediately expand the nine-team league, opting instead to watch the shifting landscape as officials from the Big Ten, Pac-10 and Big 12 debated adding schools or reorganizing.

After Colorado agreed Thursday to join the Pac-10, however, Boise State emerged as the prime candidate for a move to the Mountain West.

An advantage for Boise State will be travel time. In the WAC, the team travels to Hawaii and Louisiana.

The Mountain West Conference is more concentrated. Boise State joins the Air Force Academy, Brigham Young, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, TCU, UNLV, Utah and Wyoming.

“Membership in the Mountain West Conference is a milestone moment for the entire Bronco sports program,” said Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier. “The new alignment will help our student-athletes by minimizing distant travel and developing more intermountain competition.”