Karl Benson, longtime commissioner of the Denver-based Western Athletic Conference, was named commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference on Thursday. Benson helped get the University of Denver into the WAC, which the Pioneers will join July 1.
Benson is scheduled to begin working for the Sun Belt in April and join the league full-time on July 1. He believes the WAC has the resolve to continue as an entity in the NCAA’s Division I category, but it also faces a tough challenge to increase its membership in football to more than its present seven teams.
Benson’s departure, coupled with the announced formation of a new league made up of Mountain West and Conference USA teams, could put the WAC in jeopardy. However, Benson said the WAC has strength in presidential institution leadership.
“The gaining of some additional teams for football is the biggest challenge,” Benson said. “Could the conference survive with seven? Yes, but realistically it would be much better with at least eight or nine.”
Benson said a merger between the WAC and Sun Belt was remote at best.
Denver has been a basketball member of the Sun Belt but is shifting to the WAC next season. Benson said DU’s move to the WAC is set as long as the conference exists in the future.
Asked about joining the conference that DU has long been trying to leave, Benson said: “It has created a few chuckles. … As DU comes into the WAC, I’m headed to New Orleans. But DU, during the time they were in the Sun Belt, were very, very loyal to the Sun Belt and provided the University of Denver an opportunity to build its program as they went to Division I. And now as DU leaves the Sun Belt to come to the WAC, they’re getting back into a much better geographical location.”
Benson, 60, who has led the WAC since 1994, said he hopes this is his final job as a conference commissioner.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
