April 27, 2006

Fresno, Calif. -

WWC School Info

Eight Intercollegiate institutions have announced the formation of the Western Wrestling Conference (WWC). The NCAA Division I wrestling-only alliance will begin competition in the 2006-07 season.

The new conference will encompass most of what has comprised the Western NCAA Regional, as four of the five teams from that contest are involved in the WWC, including Fresno State, Air Force, Wyoming and Northern Iowa. The other four programs are currently in transition to the Division I level, and have been previously participating as independents. Northern Colorado, North Dakota State and South Dakota State are eligible for the NCAA Championships in beginning in 2006-07, while Utah Valley State will be eligible in 2009-10.

As league members are spread out over seven states and three time zones, schools will only be required to compete against five league schools in dual meets to be eligible for the regular season conference championship. Schools will be encouraged to schedule as many conference schools as possible.

While the 2007 NCAA West Regional will still serve as the NCAA qualifying tournament for participating schools next season, but the goal of the league is to have the conference tournament replace the West Regional as the NCAA qualifier for the schools, which would begin in 2007-08.

"I think this really brings more credibility to the programs involved, for both the Western Region schools as well as the new ones," said Fresno State head coach Shawn Charles. "It should really help us on a yearly basis with qualifying more wrestlers to the NCAA Championships."

The WWC will recognize student-athletes on both a weekly and full-season basis, something that is not done with the Western Region as is stands now. Individual awards will include Wrestler of the Week; All-Conference teams; an Academic All-Conference team; and Wrestler, Newcomer, and Coach of the Year awards. The league will also crown a team champion following the conclusion of the regular season conference competition and the postseason tournament.

The governance of the Western Wrestling Conference will remain primarily with the member institutions. Scheduling of contests, assignment of officials and certain media relations functions will remain with the institutions as well.

Colonel William Walker of the United States Air Force Academy will serve as the Conference Commissioner, while Colin McDonough of Northern Iowa will serve as the WWC Media Relations Director.

"This is a very important alliance between quality institutions," Walker said. "We think that it will strengthen our programs and provide a better experience for our student- athletes."