Western Athletic Conference Commissioner Karl Benson has not been shy about his desire to have a two-division conference. In a July 14 press release announcing the addition of Texas-Arlington to the WAC, Benson said the move puts the conference a step closer to its goal of two, six-team divisions.

Assuming the divisions are divided geographically, because that makes the most sense (though logic and college athletics don’t always mesh) there are multiple scenarios for how the WAC will shape up.

By Josh Brown
Sports Editor

Former Bobcat first baseman Paul Goldschmidt became the first Texas State position player to make it to the major leagues when he made his debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 1. Goldschmidt joins Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Scott Linebrink as the only Bobcats currently in the MLB.

“It’s awesome,” Goldschmidt said. “I loved my time at Texas State and hopefully I can represent them well. I know there are a lot of great players there and who have come through. It’s nice to be able to represent the school.”

A former Bobcat quarterback, Hamilton is now leading the charge for Texas State alums to give back as the school moves to the Western Athletic Conference next year.

“I began to think about how you get those fans and support,” Hamilton said. “It is people like me.

Around 250 alumni, boosters and former players arrived in formal attire to hear speeches from Athletic Director Larry Teis and football Coach Dennis Franchione.

The topics included enrollment, financial growth, the 2011 and 2012 football schedule and the direction of Texas State’s future.

“This school has great vision,” Franchione said. “Anything is possible right now for this school.

The previous record honor roll of 932 athletes was set last spring, but that number was surpassed when the conference announced last week that 953 students made the cut. Texas State led the conference with 19 athletes who had a 4.0 or higher GPA.

Derek Grice, assistant athletic director of Facilities and Game Operations, said he thought of the idea a few years ago, but it is just now coming to fruition.

Texas State football will face Texas Tech in its 2012 home opener, and a slate of new opponents is set to follow, as the Bobcats play their first year in the Western Athletic Conference.

Larry Teis, Texas State’s Athletic Director, said this football schedule is one of the best the school will ever see.

“Our 2012 schedule is probably the best schedule we will have for the next five years for fans,” Teis said. “Everything fell into place for ‘12. For us to have that schedule our first year, fans ought to be excited.”

The Texas State baseball team won its fourth consecutive Southland Conference Tournament Championship May 28, and continued from there to make the 2010 season one of the best in Bobcat history.

Texas State was eliminated from the Austin Regionals, but not before the team won its first NCAA Regional game since 2000, a 3-1 decision against Princeton, and tied the program’s single-season win total with 41.

Texas State is in its last year in the Southland Conference and will move to the Western Athletic Conference next year. Athletic Director Larry Teis recently sat down with The University Star to discuss the upcoming season, and what fans should expect as the team transitions to the WAC. 

Q: What overall grade would you give Texas State athletics for the 2010-11 season?

Texas State is in its last year in the Southland Conference and will move to the Western Athletic Conference next year. Athletic Director Larry Teis recently sat down with The University Star to discuss the upcoming season, and what fans should expect as the team transitions to the WAC. 

Q: What overall grade would you give Texas State athletics for the 2010-11 season?