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Report: Sam Houston to Leave Southland Conference, Join WAC

The official announcement is expected to be made on January 14

Credit: SHSU

It appears Sam Houston's days in the Southland Conference are numbered.

Yahoo! Sports' Pete Thamel reported the Bearkats and six other schools are expected to join the Western Athletic Conference in 2022.

KAGS was able to confirm an announcement about the move is expected to be made on January 14.

Sources: The WAC plans to announce on Jan. 14 at NRG Stadium in Houston the formation of its FCS league, which starts play in football in 2022. The initial 7 WAC members: Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin. Southern Utah, Tarleton State and Dixie State. 1/2
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 6, 2021

The WAC is expected to add two more schools in the coming months. There’s a mix of DII and current FCS institutions being vetted by commissioner Jeff Hurd. The long-term goal of the league is to elevate the WAC back to FBS football later this decade. 2/3
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 6, 2021

The league should also have a strong basketball presence, as current member New Mexico State is a basketball power, Stephen F. Austin a consistent NCAA Tournament team and there’ll be star power with Bryce Drew at Grand Canyon and Billy Gillispie at Tarleton State.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 6, 2021

The WAC currently has nine schools, and Sam Houston would be the second biggest in terms of student population.

The nine schools include California Baptist University Riverside, Chicago State, Dixie State, Grand Canyon, New Mexico State, Seattle University, Tarleton State, Utah Valley University & UTRGV.