September 19, 2023
Dear Cougar Nation,
As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics and conference
realignment, I would like to provide a brief update regarding our search for an appropriate
landing spot for Cougar Athletics. I have had several people ask different questions since my
last update — so let me provide some information that may be helpful.
What conference will Cougar Athletics play in next year?
This has yet to be determined. We are evaluating several options that will depend on a number
of factors, including the resolution of pending litigation around the governance of the Pac‑12
Board of Directors. We are also continuing to engage in fact-finding conversations with the
Mountain West Conference and will discuss a variety of different partnership opportunities and
options with them.
Why did Washington State University and Oregon State
University take legal action against the Pac‑12 Conference?
As the two remaining members of the Pac‑12 Conference, Washington State University and
Oregon State University have filed a legal action to confirm that they are the sole remaining
board members of the conference’s governing body, consistent with the conference constitution
and bylaws and how the conference has handled past notices of departure by other Pac‑12 schools.
What do WSU and OSU hope to achieve with their legal action?
Acting to preserve options for the Pac‑12 and protect the conference’s resources is not
only our responsibility as the sole remaining members of the Pac‑12 Conference but it also
strengthens our ability to support the well‑being of our student-athletes, our local
communities, and our states. There is no definitive timeline for our litigation, but we
can expect that it will be several weeks or months before we have clear answers on contested
issues.
What role do faculty play in our decision-making process?
We are proud to be working in close partnership with faculty on several projects related
to Cougar Athletics. To date, members of the faculty senate play an integral role on both our
athletics budget oversight committee and our athletic advisory committee. Their guidance, and
the feedback we’ve received from faculty throughout this process, has been instrumental in
evaluating institutional priorities and ensuring we are making decisions that are beneficial
for everyone. I am continually grateful for their advocacy and commitment to shared governance.
What will be the financial impact on academic budgets
within Washington State University due to the change in conference affiliation?
Presently, I do not expect there to be any direct impacts on academic budgets due to a
change in conference affiliation. However, there will certainly be significant changes in
our athletics budget since we will not receive the same level of media-rights funding in the
future as we received from the Pac‑12 Conference previously. Any potential reductions as a
result of this change in media-rights funding will be reflected in the athletics operating
budget in FY2025.
There is still considerable debate nationally on the role that conference affiliation plays
in enrollment and prospective student decisions. It will be important to remind new incoming
students that they will still have the opportunity to attend Cougar athletic events as part
of the overall student experience on the WSU Pullman campus regardless of where we land next
year.
What is the status of the athletics deficit due to
operating fund shortfalls accumulated over the past decade?
This accumulated deficit is covered by university reserves and as such is not money owed
to anyone outside of Washington State University. Because of reporting requirements and state
regulations that prohibit the use of state funds for intercollegiate athletics, we must
maintain sufficient non‑tuition reserve funds to internally cover this deficit balance.
Are you in contact with Oregon State University regarding
our conference affiliation?
We are in regular and ongoing contact with our counterparts at Oregon State on many
different levels. We are working together on our legal strategy, financial planning, and
conference affiliation options moving forward.
What will the impact be on the local Pullman community
with a change in conference affiliation?
We will still have Cougar Football playing home games at GESA Field as we have for decades,
still have exciting men’s and women’s basketball at Beasley Coliseum, still have large home
crowds for volleyball and soccer, and will enjoy spring weekend crowds for Cougar Baseball.
While our conference opponents will be different from the ones we’ve faced over the last
100 years, we still expect to have faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members, and
friends continue to spend weekends in Pullman shopping locally, staying in hotels, eating at
local restaurants, and making a positive impact on the economy in Whitman County.
Student-athletes, coaches, and fans will continue to travel to Pullman for competitions.
And I am confident that our loyal Cougar fans will show up to support our Cougar student-athletes
regardless of opponent and location — as they have for years.
How can I keep current on what is happening with the
Pac‑12 and WSU?
We have placed all of our communications surrounding these issues on the Office of the President’s website.
We will continue to keep the Cougar community informed as we have new and additional
information.
What can I do to help?
I will continue to remind everyone that we need to be patient and ensure that we look at all
of our options moving forward. Our conference affiliation is an important decision and one that we
want to make carefully.
As we consider our options, I would ask the Cougar community to continue to support and attend
Cougar Athletics events. We’ve already seen capacity crowds at football, soccer, and volleyball and
we are barely a month into the semester. Thank you to Cougs everywhere who have raised the flag and
shown up for Washington State University. Our student-athletes feel your support, both in Pullman
and on the road, and it makes a difference in the way they carry themselves, perform, and execute
at the highest level.
I am grateful for the support of the Cougar community throughout this process and will
continue to provide you with periodic updates on our future conference home.
If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to send me a note via email. I will
attempt to provide an answer if possible.
Thank you and, as always, Go Cougs,
Kirk
Kirk H. Schulz
System President
Washington State University
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