Here is the full text of Lt. Gen. Mike Gould’s statement, which was just released by Air Force’s sports information staff:
“The Air Force Academy will remain in the Mountain West Conference, where we have been since 1998-99 when we were a co-founding member of the conference. I made this decision based on what’s best for our cadet-athletes and the institution as a whole. This decision was made based on things like regional rivalries (like just playing our 50th football game against Colorado State Univ.), loyalties to the conference, travel time for our cadet athletes and fans, school time missed, and travel costs. I feel the Academy is a key and pivotal member of the Mountain West, and think we can do a lot to help this conference continue its tradition of excellence. We of course continue to watch the changes happening not only in the Mountain West, but within NCAA sports around the country. As for now, ‘We’re ALL IN’ the Mountain West Conference.”
Thank you General Gould.
I never thought I would think that the Air Force would want to stay on a sinking ship. Where will Conference USA and the Mountain West be if the BE and Big 12 expand further? Air Force will be in the cold. I hope you do not come to regret this decision.
The correct and right decision. Go Falcons and Go MWC!
Vinnie, the sinking ship is the Big Least. They’ve lost more schools than the MWC over the last decade and are desperately trying to keep their BCS autobid (they won’t). The MWC is a model of stability compared to that geographic abortion (San Diego in the East?).
The MWC could add Utah St. and San Jose St. tomorrow and be just fine. The Big Least will have a hard time holding on to Rutgers and UConn once the ACC and B1G come calling.
I don’t know, Joe, I would like to agree with you, because I like the geographical rivalries as mentioned by General Gould, but I have to go along with the notion of the MWC as a sinkng ship. Perhaps better days are on the horizon (the general may know than we do on that) but I thought all along that the opportunity to jump to the Big East (some other AQ conference) comes down the road very infrequently for Air Force, and you have to grab the golden ring when you can.
Glad to hear AFA is staying in the MWC. Geographically and competitively the conference makes sense for Air Force. Under Troy Calhoun’s leadership the Falcons should remain a viable contender in the conference, continue to post winning records and earn their fair share of bowl invitations.
Right now the merged MWC/CUSA is at 17 members. Not exactly a sinking ship.
Falconman, Good points except I do not think that the Big East is the “golden ring”. That conference is tarnished and the gold is falling off.
Don’t know all of the details, but should Navy eventually join the Big East could affect recruiting for AFA significantly.
It might look like a financial loser at first glance, but the reconstituted Big East won’t stay intact for more than a couple years.
LOL!
Lt. Gen. Gould: “AS FOR NOW, we’re all in the MWC”!
That is until Navy joins the Big East in 2014/15!
Navy is on record stating they will enthusiastically join the BE once existing contracts and scheduling commitments are completed.
AFA has been most loyal to the MWC but has earned and now deserves the opportunity to compete in a much more competitive and prosperous conference!
Great decision. It’s easy to feel like you’re losing out when everybody is switching conferences, but AF made the right choice. It’s not all about winning a national championship…it would be nice, but not the ultimate goal.
[...] Force’s decision to stay put is far more perplexing. Here’s their reasoning, straight from the horse’s mouth: “The Air Force Academy will remain in the Mountain West Conference, where we have been since [...]