Seattle University joins Western Athletic Conference

posted by Jayda Evans: Womens Hoops Blog
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 2:55pm EDT

Jayda Evans covers college and pro women's basketball. While its her first year on the Washington beat, she has covered the Storm since its inception. She'll offer observations, critiques, occasional off-beat tales and answers to select e-mail inquires. Evans also has written a book on the Storm and women's hoops, called "Game On!"

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Seattle University accepted an invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference in time to compete for the 2012-13 season. SU was in the West Coast Conference before dropping its NCAA Division I certification in 1980.

Women's basketball is one of 17 SU sports joining the new conference. The WAC also features Denver (non-football), Utah State, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Texas State, and University of Texas-San Antonio.

"We're just thrilled," said Bonvicini of the opportunity to compete for conference tournaments and the NCAA tournament. "It was something kids wanted to know when being recruited -- what your conference is, can you go to the tournament? It was actually how people negatively recruited us. But now, I think it's going to help build our recruiting base and it's going to provide us with healthy rivalries. More than anything, it's going to align our university with other fine universities."

The Redhawks played Idaho last season, winning 62-43 at home. Seattle U. finished at 8-22 in its second season transitioning back to D-I. SU will play Idaho on the road in January, also reviving its matchup with Washington in November. The Redhawks also plan to play seven-time WCC champion Gonzaga in Spokane, but dates haven't been cemented.

SU, which scheduled 17 homes games next season, will be NCAA postseason-tournament eligible in 2013. The team could qualify to play in the WNIT or WBI in 2012, however, prompting Bonvicini to place a wager at the press conference Tuesday with men's coach Cameron Dollar to see whose team could be the first to advance to postseason play.

"I thrive on pressure," she said later. "The WAC has some very good teams. La Tech won the (regular season) conference. We intend to be a very competitive team to compete for a conference championship right away."

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Seattle University joins Western Athletic Conference

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