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Show Thursday, Oct. 142012 StateSManSpOrtS Page 9 To D AY'S The improving WAC So far this season, I would like to fop Schwartz say I have ' Be With received 411> good reacYou tion for my columns. Good amounts of the local clientele think I put a good spin on the viewpoint of our fan base. However, there does happen to be a few who aren't pleased with the way things are run in this office. Often times I am labeled as a "homer" or a biased fan because I commonly put together pieces overtly supporting local sports teams with a tone that generally belongs during the climactic points of sports films or any films starring Tommy Lee Jones. Well, for those naysayers, I have refreshing news for you: This isn't completely one of those columns. How is that possible, you ask? Simple — it's because it isn't entirely about Utah State football. It is also about the conference which said school encompasses. If you have been taking a close look or two, you would notice that the Western Athletic Conference has experienced a bit of makeover over the years, some for the good and others for the incredibly inconvenient: Some so inconvenient, there are chances football is beginning its long-contemplated swansong after a barrage of realignments and astute program exoduses. It doesn't sound fun, does it? The interesting fact behind it all is that a once lowly football conference on the near verge of giving up the one sport that could potentially matter in collegiate life more than any other facet in school — including school itself — just doesn't seem to be giving up. It all makes sense from the viewpoint of an Aggie. The football season began with a team that had every ounce of promise and potential to make some serious noise in the college football Steve Schwartzman world — and in one way or another, they have. After dealing with consistent in-state rivals and conference bullies, many fans were relieved for the Aggies to finally reach conference play and coast their way to easy success, a conference title and a bowl game outside of the Intermountain West. Not so fast. Don't look now, but somehow the planets have aligned to teach fans a recognizably abnormal lesson — the WAC is no cupcake after all. Sure, USU comes into conference play with a small handful of teams that, all things considered, should be no problem to chalk up a successful outing, but not before facing off with three teams who have every means to make life just as miserable as they can enjoyable for the Aggies. We understand what this means for USU, but it is just as vital to note what this means for the WAC. Suddenly, a conference ready to bolt and make room as a strictly basketball conference has seen some teams stick it to the bigger guys. Suddenly, these farm-country institutions have gained their own form of swagger, breaking polls, making headlines and giving more preeminent teams a scare. No longer are we just "Boise State and those other schools," but a class group of teams who, if given time, can make some serious noise. So maybe it's no Southeastern Conference dominance, but for us, it's huge. For us, it's bigger than football. It's the "Revenge of the Nerds." It's rising in hope that the old-timey heroes can be overtaken by us little guys, and whether it comes to an end soon or not, it's got us excited. 1/istY- Cacne 1/alley's origifia( costaiine shoi6 ANSW ERS LLC •Costumes • Theatrical Makeup •Hats, Wigs, Accessories • Mon-Sat 11-7 *753-2724 MEM= MUM MOM MUM =DM OMMO MOMUM MEMMOMOMM OMMOMMO DUMDUM OMMOMEM MOM =MOM MOOD MUMMDO MOMDMOMM OMMO MOM MOM MMEEMEMM =MEMO MOMOD DEMME MUM MOMMOMM MEMO° =HMO= MUMMOMMMO MMOMM MEMO DUOD EMMUM MOM DMME MEMO wwwfantasylanddesign.com • 2530 North 300 East, Logan Hey guys... Score big when you say you helped design it just for her using out innovative custom design software. 0 0 0 0-0---n ./W - Steve Schwartzman is a senior studying communication studies. He has had just about every job in sports writing, including blogs, analysis, statistics and fantasy football tips, but he especially loves making bold picks. Got any comments? Let him know: steve. schwartzman@aggiemaiLusu.edu . S. E. Needham jewelers since 1896 Where Utah Gets Engaged! 141 North Main • www.seneedham.com • 435-752-7149 r ik °I;'\\c autumri.) VOW64' USU CHORAL ENSEMBLES UTAH STATE DOUBLES PARTNERS Jaci West and McKenzie Davis, seen above in a match last spring, will compete in the ITA regionals this week without former head coach Christian Wright, who was terminated earlier this week. Statesman file photo TENNIS: USU looks for new coach *From page 8 taught anyone from Logan that he recruited." Marchant said Aggie players and their parents are "outraged" over the termination. "What it is over is ridiculous, not really a violation," Marchant said. "Pretty much every college coach in the nation does it. A stupid little thing." Wright confirmed allegations that he had been terminated for giving such tennis lessons, but denied further comment. Watts, who has been in contact with the Wright family since she transferred schools before her junior season at Utah State, said she heard the news Monday from Wright's wife. "All through my years playing for Utah State and my older sister's years, Christian never did anything remotely unethical," Watts said. "He was nothing but a positive influence for the program and the players." The coaching change comes in the midst of one of their most successful fall seasons in recent history. Senior Sven Poslusny is 3-0 in tournament play for the men, while sophomore McKenzie Davis is ranked 18th in singles and 10th in doubles with senior partner Jaci West for the women in the Intermountain Tennis Association Mountain Region. Marchant will take the women's team to play Wednesday at the ITA Mountain Region Championships in Las Vegas, Nev., through Saturday to end the fall season. Bouton will travel Salt Lake City, Utah, with the men's team to compete in the University of Utah Intercollegiates tournament Thursday through Sunday before the ITA Mountain Region Championships on Oct. 17-21. Collegiate play for both the men's and women's teams will resume in January. - m.hop@aggiemaiLusu.edu Twitter: @legendarymhops I TODAY I october 11, 2012 7:30Pm I performance hall usu campus usu students FREE $10 general admission, $8 seniors & youth, $5 usu faculty & staff arts.usu.edu 435.797.8022 CCA Box Office Chase Fine Arts Center COLLEGE of theART UtahStateUnive rsit RM 1 3 9 - B I |