Benson covers State of WAC, other issues

BY DARRELL MOODY

Appeal Sports Writer

SALT LAKE CITY " Commissioner Karl Benson gave his yearly "State of the WAC" address at the annual WAC Football Preview Wednesday morning, and as usual covered a myriad of topics.

The commissioner talked about officiating and rules changes, the possibility of a new contract with ESPN, the possible effect of the economy on traveling by college sports teams and the strength of the conference.

Benson re-affirmed his belief that the WAC is the second-most recognizable conference on the West Coast behind the Pac-10. He based that on the football success of Boise State and Hawaii in terms of making it to Bowl Championship Series games the last couple of years, and Fresno State's stunning championship in the College World Series recently.

"The WAC is well-grounded and well established," Benson said.

The commissioner has said he respects the Mountain West, and enjoys when the two conferences hook up on the field.

"The rivalries are good," Benson said.

The conferences play in the New Mexico Bowl in the post-season, and it's possible that could extend to the Roadys Humanitarian Bowl once the Atlantic Coast Conference ends its association with the game after this season. Benson indicated he is talking with a number of conferences regarding the future bowl opening.

In terms of officiating, Benson talked about changes that have taken place since last season ended.

Benson said that Dave Parry, former Big Ten supervisor of officials, has been appointed national supervisor. Benson said the move was made to bring officials and officiating together.

"They (the NCAA) want to create more consistency across the country," Benson said.

A year ago, a crew involving Big 12, Mountain West and the WAC was formed, and that crew stayed together for an entire season. Benson said that a second crew has been formed for this season.

"A lot of people are looking at it," Benson said. "The Pac-10 has elected not to participate. I hope they will (eventually)."

In terms of rules, one of the biggest points of emphasis this year is on helmet-to-helmet contact. Hawaii's Colt Brennan was knocked out of a game against Fresno State last year on a play that probably would have warranted a fine or suspension had it happened in the NFL, according to Benson.

"They are creating rules to avoid serious injuries," Benson said. "For our officials this is their No. 1 priority."

The rules committee also wants to protect defenseless players. Here is a list of what it perceive to be a defenseless player:

- The quarterback moving down the line after handing off or pitching the ball to a teammate.

- The kicker who is in the act of kicking the ball, or who has not had reasonable time to participate further in the play.

- The passer who is in the act of throwing the ball and hasn't had a reasonable amount of time to participate again after releasing the ball.

- The pass receiver whose concentration is on the ball.

- The player who has relaxed after the ball has been whistled dead.

- The player who is obviously out of the play.

Benson also said that the old sideline warning would now be a penalty. The horsecollar tackle which is when the defender grabs the inside back collar of the shoulder pads or jersey to make a tackle will also be a penalty. The penalty will be 15 yards.

Benson pointed out that the WAC and ESPN have not reached an agreement regarding a new television contract as previously reported by a media outlet. The WAC is under an existing contract for two more years.

"We've been in dialogue with them the last several weeks; the last several months," Benson said. "ESPN has given us some great exposure, and we've given them some great programming (games). They have given us an opportunity to showcase the WAC."

Many WAC games are being played on Friday night, and while coaches don't like that because it takes away from high school football, they understand it needs to be done.

"The day of the week has been very successful," Benson said. "It's a very successful window for us. Saturdays are so saturated."

Benson was asked if any football negotiations with ESPN would include televising conference basketball games.

"I can't be specific," Benson said. "We've been hurt by the lack of basketball exposure for our conference teams. Our basketball teams are probably the most underexposed for a top-10 basketball conference in the country."

Exposure is one of the things basketball coaches bring up yearly, saying that more television exposure would help their recruiting efforts.

Benson said that the economic impact Americans are facing could start affecting travel for college athletic teams.

"The WAC, Mountain West and Pac-10 could be forced to schedule more efficiently," Benson said.

Benson pointed out that teams could schedule more games against opponents where they could go by bus instead of by plane.

One of the examples Benson suggested was Cal playing San Jose State in football. In fact, the Spartans and Cal used to play almost every year at Cal.

Nevada has already made a few cutbacks involving its football travel for the 2008 season, according to head coach Chris Ault.

"We're leaving on Friday instead of Thursday when we play Hawaii this year," Ault said. "When we play Fresno State, we're going to bus there and then fly back."