The Western Athletic Conference’s Board of Directors made several decisions during its June meeting, including electing the league’s Executive Committee for the 2014-15 academic year, which will once again involve Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg, S.J.
Fr. Sundborg, the Chair of the Executive Committee for the past two years, will remain on the league’s top committee for the third straight year. Utah Valley University President Matthew Holland was elected Chair, while University of Missouri-Kansas City Chancellor Leo Morton was elected as Vice Chair.
The WAC Board of Directors also approved several recommendations from the WAC Council. Of note to Redhawk fans, the board gave final approval for Seattle University to host both the WAC Women’s Soccer Tournament and WAC Men’s Soccer Tournament at Championship Field in 2014. The WAC Women’s Soccer Tournament is scheduled to take place Nov. 6-9, followed by the WAC Men’s Soccer Tournament Nov. 13-16, with the winner of each tournament earning the league’s automatic bid to the respective NCAA Tournament.
Also, the WAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments will return to Las Vegas, Nev., for the fifth consecutive year. The tournaments will be played March 11-14 in the Orleans Arena. Among other items, the board also approved an increase in the cross country championship travel squad from seven to nine, the implementation of WAC Championship student-athlete recognition receptions, and enhanced funding for the WAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
On July 1, 2014, Seattle University begins its third year of full membership in the Western Athletic Conference, with 19 Redhawk sports competing in the league. Women's rowing was instituted as Seattle U's 20th sport before the 2012-13 season and competes as a Division I independent.