Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and there’s certainly been a lot of smoke surrounding the Lamar University athletic department as of late.
I’m referring to the rumors regarding Lamar’s potential move from the Southland Conference to the Western Athletic Conference. All signs point to Lamar being one of four Southland schools on the WAC’s shortlist, including Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin and Abilene Christian.
Lamar athletic director Marco Born addressed the rumors this past week in statement that said a whole lot of nothing. The athletic directors at Sam Houston, SFA and Abilene Christian have all made similar statements to various media outlets.
Assuming the WAC is indeed interested in poaching Lamar from the Southland, decision makers at the school have a consequential one on their hands. Let’s look at what I think are best and worse cases scenarios of what could be coming in the next few weeks.
Lamar stays, others leave
The worst possible case for Lamar would be to get left in the Southland while the other three Texas schools leave. This would put the Cardinals in a conference without two of its most recognizable names in Sam Houston and SFA. The Abilene Christian loss wouldn’t concern me as much, but I would be worried about losing Central Arkansas, too. The Bears are also reportedly weighing their options of leaving the Southland.
Let’s say UCA does leave for another conference. It’s a devastating loss on the football side, as would be Sam Houston.
In this scenario, Lamar competes in a football league with Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese, Incarnate Word, Northwestern State and Houston Baptist, as well as whoever else the Southland might try to add.
No thanks. Other than keeping the rivalry with McNeese, there aren’t many positives there. Basketball wouldn’t be as bad as football, but this option isn’t great on the court, either.
Lamar leaves, others stay
I don’t love this scenario, either, although it’s probably the least likely to actually happen. Lamar goes to the WAC, which without the other Texas schools would put Lamar in a bad situation travel wise.
I’m not sure there’s really any chance this scenario happens, so I’ll just move on.
Everyone stays
It’s not the flashy thing to do, but I think this is the best possible outcome for Lamar, and the other Texas schools as well. The Cardinals continue to play rivals like McNeese and Sam Houston, while competing in a strong Southland football conference that has a chance to send three teams to the FCS playoffs each and every year.
Travel stays the same, which in theory would help Lamar during the tight times of the pandemic. I don’t know exactly what the travel would be in the WAC, but I can’t imagine its a better deal on that end — even with the other Texas schools forming a potential division.
I think basketball is probably a wash whether Lamar stays or goes, as long as the Cardinals are joined by the other Southland schools in either decision.
Everyone goes
This is a strong option, too, and is my prediction for what actually ends up happening. Born seems like an athletic director looking to make a splash, and this would be just that. I get similar feeling about Ryan Ivey at SFA.
While I think the WAC ends up being an FCS conference, a jump to the FBS is not out of the question. That possibility is something Lamar has considered before, and is likely enticing to all of the Texas schools in question.
Lamar, SFA, Sam Houston, Abilene Christian, Tarleton State and UT Rio Grande Valley (no football) would likely make up a division in the WAC eventually. That’s not a terrible spot to be in by any means, but I’m not sure it makes Lamar better than it would be in the Southland.
Whatever ends up happening, I think the Texas schools need to get on the same page. It’s in everyone’s best interest that all four schools make the same decision.
mfaye@beaumontenterprise.com
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