Western Wrestling Conference
| Western Wrestling Conference (WWC) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Established | April 27, 2006 |
| Association | NCAA |
| Division | Division I |
| Members | 6 |
| Sports fielded | Men's wrestling |
| Region | Midwestern United States, Western United States |
| Headquarters | Orem, Utah |
The Western Wrestling Conference (WWC) is an NCAA Division I wrestling-only conference. The conference was formed on April 27, 2006.[1] On October 22, 2006 the conference logo was announced. It was designed by Flint Communications in Fargo, N.D.[2] The conference began competition in the 2006–07 school year as a combining of wrestling squads that formerly competed as independents since their primary conferences did not sponsor the sport. The original members were the United States Air Force Academy, California State University, Fresno (more commonly known as Fresno State), North Dakota State University, the University of Northern Colorado, the University of Northern Iowa, South Dakota State University, Utah Valley University (then Utah Valley State College), and the University of Wyoming.[3]
Fresno State dropped their wrestling program before competing in the conference.[4] In 2015, Fresno State announced the reinstatement of wrestling effective the 2018-19 season and the WWC is one of the conferences the school is likely to join. If the Bulldogs join the WWC, it would join Mountain West teams Air Force and Wyoming.
In 2012, one of the founding schools of the WWC announced it was leaving the conference. The University of Northern Iowa moved to become an associate member of the Mid-American Conference.[5]
Although the conference has the required minimum of six member schools, the NCAA does not recognize the conference, requiring its schools qualify for the national championships through a regional tournament that includes only the six member schools.
Starting in 2016, the WWC and Big XII Conference will compete as one wrestling conference. The decision stems from the Big XII not having automatic qualifiers for 2015 since the conference only had four teams with wrestling programs.[6]
The WWC schools are members of non-wrestling conferences: Mountain West Conference, Big Sky Conference, Western Athletic Conference, and The Summit League.
Members
- Air Force Falcons (2007–present)
- North Dakota State Bison (2007–present)
- Northern Colorado Bears (2007–present)
- South Dakota State Jackrabbits (2007–present)
- Utah Valley Wolverines (2007–present)
- Wyoming Cowboys (2007–present)
Former Members
- Fresno State Bulldogs (never competed, dropped program) - Program reinstated and set to return 2018
- Northern Iowa Panthers (2007–2012) - moved to Mid-American Conference
Membership timeline
Team dual meet champions
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Team tournament champions
The NCAA West Regional also serves as the conference tournament.
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References
- ↑ "North Dakota State Continues Western Wrestling Conference Action At Wyoming This Friday, Air Force on Saturday". North Dakota State University. January 24, 2007. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
- ↑ "Western Wrestling Conference Unveils New Logo". Cedar Falls, Iowa: Utah Valley University. 22 October 2006. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
- ↑ "Falcons Join Newly Formed Western Wrestling Conference". Cedar Falls, Iowa: Air Force. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
- ↑ "Athletics Department Takes Action To Balance Budget And Stabilize Programs". Fresno, California: Fresno State University. June 15, 2006. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
- ↑ "MAC Adds Three Affiliate Members In Wrestling". Cleveland, Ohio: Mid-American Conference. September 19, 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
- ↑ Big 12 wrestling to expand in 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 "Western Wrestling Conference Fact Book" (PDF). WWC. 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ↑ "2014-15 Conference Standings". WWC. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- ↑ "North Dakota State Repeats as NCAA West Regional Champs". WWC. March 8, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
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