Lancers Eligible For 2021 WAC Basketball Tournament
4/27/2020 12:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
RIVERSIDE --- The Western Athletic Conference Board of Directors voted today to shorten the eligibility period for transitioning institutions to participate in the Hercules Tires WAC Basketball Tournaments presented by TicketSmarter to two years.
With the shortened adjustments for transitioning institutions, California Baptist University will enter the 2020-21 season eligible to compete in the 2021 tournaments at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Dixie State and Tarleton State will be eligible for the 2023 tournaments.
"Lancer Nation can start getting excited about a trip to Vegas next March," said CBU Athletics Director Dr. Micah Parker. "I want to thank the presidents in the WAC for making this decision. We will do whatever we can to bring value and excitement to this fun event."
The previous eligibility was based on the NCAA transition period, which remains at four years and is unaffected by this vote. The WAC joins the Atlantic Sun Conference in being the only NCAA Division I conferences to allow transitioning members to participate in its basketball tournaments.
"We are beyond grateful to the WAC Board of Directors for their decision and leadership today," men's basketball head coach Rick Croy said. "CBU is extremely excited about the opportunity to compete in the WAC Tournament in 2021. It's an honor of the highest order to be a member of such an exceptional conference."
Both the Lancers basketball teams have had success as members of the WAC. The men finished 2020 with a 21-10 overall record and a second-place finish in the WAC at 10-6. The women were the runners-up in the WAC regular-season standings in 2019, with an 18-12 overall and 11-5 conference record. Collectively, the two programs have won a combined 71 games over the last two years -- only NM State has more combined wins among WAC teams in that span.
"It will be a great experience for our players, and we are both excited and thankful for the opportunity to compete at the WAC Tournament," women's basketball head coach Jarrod Olson said.
