SMU student-athletes are anticipating positive results whentheir teams jump from competition in the Western AthleticConference, and form part of Conference USA’s six-team Westdivision.
Many teams on campus are expecting to perform well in the newconference.
SMU’s football program, has high hopes that Conference USAwill help revive the team.
Offensive tackle Darrin Johnson, along with the rest of histeammates, hope that the switch will take SMU to bowl games and achampionship.
“Conference USA will allow us to compete more andhopefully allow us to reach our ultimate goal of being No.1,” Johnson said.
He describes Conference USA as a “positive change”for SMU athletics.
“Once the team starts winning again, our fan base willgrow and come out to support us at our away games” hesaid.
Some athletes also believe that greater school spirit willhopefully blossom from the conference change.
“Having more regional games will let fans travel more withthe team and cheer us on,” sophomore cornerback RolandoHumphrey added.
With more fans on board supporting SMU athletics, rivalries withother schools, such as cross-town rival TCU, will heat upcompetition.
Freshman forward Katie Gross of the women’s basketballteam is especially looking forward to playing TCU twice in oneseason.
“I am excited about C-USA; it’s a bigger conferencewith tougher and better competition,” Gross said.
Gross hopes that greater rivalries and more intense games willattract more fans to the games.
“It would be awesome if we had a crowd come out andsupport us,” said Gross.
Men’s basketball is also anticipating great results fromC-USA. Sophomore Donatas Rackauskas thinks the move to C-USA is a”great idea.”
Rackauskas is especially glad that traveling will significantlydecrease.
“I didn’t mind being in the WAC, but the long travelwas inconvenient and hard on us, especially the eight-hourflights,” Rackauskas said.
Rackauskas predicts success for the basketball team in the newconference. “We can definitely win in the central divisionand have a chance to win the championship, but it will betough.”
SMU athletics, which has been a member of the WAC since 1996,will officially begin competing in C-USA July 1, 2005.
SMU will be joined by fellow WAC members Rice and Tulsa in therealigment.
