Nevada’s football program saw a period of success in the 2000s, winning conference titles and earning bowl berths. However, changes in the conference landscape led the university to leave the WAC for the MWC in 2012. The move was driven by the desire for more exposure and opportunities for the athletic program, which had been under the leadership of Coach Chris Ault. Despite initial struggles in football after the realignment, fundraising efforts and renovations helped Nevada establish itself in the Mountain West Conference with increased revenue.
The departure from the WAC also allowed Nevada to rekindle rivalries with schools like UNLV and participate in the Governor’s Series. While the move led to a decline in conference championships for Nevada’s athletic programs, key figures like Rory Hickok believe that the university’s athletic profile was elevated by the move.
The WAC, on the other hand, experienced a decline in membership following Nevada’s departure, with only nine full-time members remaining and the loss of football as a sport within the conference. Recent waves of realignment in conferences like the Pac 12 and Mountain West have further reshaped the college sports landscape.
Despite the changes, Chris Ault and Cary Groth believe that Nevada’s move to the Mountain West brought stability to the university’s athletic programs and enhanced their competitiveness. With the evolving conference landscape, Nevada remains focused on capitalizing on the opportunities provided by their current conference affiliation.
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