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Show THE HERALD, Provo, Utah. Football Section, Wednesday, August 26, 1992 ii t: i j j ,f-- , J U'V t , i.; i j "( 0 i 1 '. i iy J i ... i - 1 I" - Despite problems, officials say Big Sky is solid - The Big BOISE, Idaho (AP) is rocked Conference by being Sky forces beyond its control such as a weak economy, new NCAA rules and a push for gender equality in collegiate sports. But administrators are bullish on the eight-tealeague, which they say is prepared for the future . Nobody envisions serious cutbacks at the schools; expansion is a possibility, though the Big Sky declined this summer to invite a pair of California schools. The Big Sky lost one of its Nevada strongest members this summer when the Reno school joined the Big West Conference. The move put a hole in the league's football program, but it made basketball scheduling easier without the Wolf Pack. Former Boise State president John Keiser spoke to the Big West about his school joining, but was rebuffed by the state Board of Education. "This is a pretty sound conference with good leadership," Mon tana State athletic director Doug Fullerton said Two of the Big Sky's charter members, Montana and Montana State, are in a state that held a special session of the Legislature this summer because of a huge deficit. There have been rumors in Utah of serious cutbacks at Weber State, possibly including dropping football. Coach Dave Arslanian denies any such thing. immune." It will sponsor m NCAA An now." proposal at the NCAA convention next year revis-in- g the Division I requirements so schools could sponsor either seven men's and seven women's sports, or six men's and eight women's. Stephenson still dreams of a or even league with inroads into California. But economics again play a part. A Big Sky committee visited Cal and Cal this year, but declined to invite them in. One problem is the schools' inadequate facilities and the other is the state's economy. "I don't believe there is any interest in moving to Division II," Stephenson said. "There is a commitment to Division I throughout the conference." Beginning in 1993, schools that want to be Division I, and thus share in the billion-dollCBS basketball pool, must have at least seven women's sports and seven men's sports. The Big Sky has championships in six men's and women's sports. A proposal to add men's and women's golf has been tabled until next spring, but that is the cheapest sport schools could add. Soccer is another possibility. Schools will have to tit more funding for women into their budgets. "Gender equity has to be adar Fullerton dressed," said. "There's going to be some interesting things and the Big Sky is not "Higher education funding direction and most also is possible some members of where they are going of that will be financial-oriente- Or some people that are currently playing above us will may retrench. "The financial pressures are real and they may reshape a lot of things," Fullerton said. "People come back to us." rate, he expects the Big to remain. At-an- in the league could change in the Sky The Daily Herate If you have questions regarding your Daily Herald delivery, please call a subscription servicer repre3 sentative at during the times listed below. Subscription Service Department State-Northrid- to sion II. It a 375-510- Delivery Deadline 5:30 P.M. Daily 7;00 A.M. Sunday Daily 8 A.M. to 7 P.M. A.M. A.M. Saturday 8 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. Sunday 5 tell Tbank You Your paper should bo delivered by the lime Hated above in the state of California is not a good prospect," Stephenson said. The state had a $14.5 billion deficit last year, though that has improved to $11 billion. Schools such as Northridge. Sacramento and Southern Utah, which are currently Division II in football, but who are moving up. are logical possibilities for the Big Sky. Other ones are struggling schools like Cal or Pacific. Where will the Big Sky be in five years? "If you could tell me what the state of the economy would be in five years. I could give you a realistic prediction." Stephenson said. "If things don't change dramatically for the better, you'll sec a similar conference that you see I A State-Fullert- Mongolian Delectable Salad Bar Mandarin Cuisine Bar-B-Q- ( Svvl uf 11; ue y 1 y. Hard economic times are a fact of life, even at Boise State, which will bus to the Montana State and Eastern Washington football games this fall, rather than charter a plane, partly to save monwell-fund- 265 West 1230 North, Suite E, Provo i Hrs: Fri. 11 a.m. 10:30 p.m. am. 9:30 p.m. Sat. 12 Noon 10:30 p.m. 11 177 V I I EttA. jJvJJ'f Complete Insurance Protection ey. student-athlete- ig.'MW.i.W m i&m rife W &i&nmm w.vc- at ways to control costs reducing opportunities for s or cutting back programs." So far. no league member has proposed serious reductions such as reducing football scholarships or going to need-base- d ones. The Big Sky studied the possibility of to moving from Division s. Division II in the But there was no sentiment to move down after a study was released. Fullerton and Montana athletic-directo- r Bill Moos said last summer all options should be studied, including dropping down to Divi- - r mid-1980- Sept. 5, at Near Mealco St., 7 p.m. Spt. 12, SOUTHERN UTAH, t:M p.m. at Idaho, 120S p.m. Sept. Spl. M. MONTANA ST. : p.m. Oct. 3. at Eamm WaaNngton, 12:05 p.m. Oct. 10. MONTANA p.m. (homecoming). Oct. 17. Bona St.. :0S p.m. Oct. 24. IDAHO ST., :0S p.m. Oct. 31. at Navada, Noon Nov. 7. at Northam Annna, l:0i p.m. Nov. 14. By Nov. 21. McNEESE St., 1:05 p.m. Lajme Bowen 138S W. 1600 N. Orem 226-SAV- E See Us For All Your Insurance Needs And Let Us Save You Honey ! Bowen-Leavi- tt WE SUPPORT BYU AND HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS Protecting your assets is important. You owe it to yourself and your family to have the coverage necessary to cover any losses that may occur. 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