WAC, ASUN announce renewed football partnership

DENVER - After partnering in 2021 to provide an automatic qualification to the FCS Football Playoffs, the Western Athletic Conference and Atlantic Sun Conference have announced plans to continue and expand the partnership in 2022 and beyond. The new version of the alliance will feature Abilene Christian, SFA, Southern Utah and eventually Tarleton and Utah Tech (formerly Dixie State) from the WAC as well as Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Kennesaw State, North Alabama and Austin Peay from the ASUN. 
 
"During this transformational time of the NCAA, the WAC applauds the creative and adaptive leadership our member institutions exhibit. This strategic partnership has established a guide stone for strength and stability in the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics," WAC Commissioner Brian Thornton said. "Our goal remains to become one of the premier FCS conferences in the country and partnering with the ASUN now and in the future allows us to continue to move towards that target at record speed."
 
In addition to the partnership providing one of the leagues' member institutions an automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs, the partnership will provide for other opportunities to strengthen both leagues, now and in the future. Through this strategic and intentional alignment, the WAC and ASUN will be able to provide opportunities to play crossover games against similar institutions and build resumes that will position its programs for at-large selections for years to come. 
 
"The ASUN and the WAC made history this past year with the creation of a new automatic qualifier through a collaborative partnership," ASUN Commissioner Ted Gumbart said. "Extending it to ensure the AQ opportunity we created is available to all the partners that helped build it makes great sense. The WAC has outstanding football, and we look forward to extending our partnership."
 
Sam Houston won the inaugural WAC/ASUN Challenge to earn the group's AQ with a 6-0 record and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs. In addition, WAC member Stephen F. Austin earned an at-large selection, and the WAC also adds 2021 Southland Conference champion Incarnate Word to the mix in 2022. New ASUN member Kennesaw State earned an automatic selection as champions of the Big South Conference. Having four institutions that played in last year's postseason ranks the partnership among the elite amond all FCS conferences across the country. 
 
Additionally, through their respective memberships, the WAC and ASUN are positioned in many of the country's most emerging markets. Representation now spans Texas, Utah, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama and Kentucky. Through this alignment, fans across most of the southern and southwestern United States will have the opportunity to enjoy dynamic, high-level college football. 
 
The WAC and ASUN are currently engaged in formalizing the process by which the AQ will be awarded. More information will be released when available.