From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers
Despite new initiatives by the Sun Belt Conference, the University of Denver will "take a hard look" but does not expect to add five teams to meet the conference's standard.
As part of a comprehensive performance standard initiative release by the Sun Belt this week, conference officials want each member school to "sponsor a minimum of 15 sports in which the conference offers a championship."
The request gives DU and the University of New Orleans five years to reach that standard. DU currently has 10 sports that meet that standard.
DU assistant athletic director Ron Grahame views the Sun Belt's 15-sport initiative as an "expectation" and not a future bylaw that would force the Pioneers out of the New Orleans-based conference.
The full list of objectives was passed 13-0 in a vote by all 13 member schools. Grahame said the Pioneers, who continue to look at other conference opportunities, are capable of meeting all of them but aren't concerned about the ones that they don't.
"It's fair to say that we're a partner, and a good partner, in the Sun Belt, and we'd make a hard look at meeting that (15-sport) expectation," Grahame said. "But we're not going to go out and add five sports in the next year. We'll take the next couple years and, I would expect over time, that we would identify sports that would get us to that minimum."
The Sun Belt is emphasizing full participation and improvement in men's and women's basketball, football, baseball, softball, volleyball and women's soccer. Grahame said DU would consider adding baseball and softball, but not football.
The most poignant new initiative focuses on men's basketball. Based on overall RPI, the Sun Belt was 20th nationally last season.
Besides improving its RPI, the Sun Belt is asking all members to increase average attendance up to 50 percent of seating capacity and season-ticket sales 25 percent of capacity. The Sun Belt also wants all games to be played against Division I teams.
DU hopes to carve its conference niche in men's basketball. The Pioneers' strong hockey, gymnastics and skiing programs are not affiliated with the Sun Belt.
"By hiring (men's basketball coach) Joe Scott and putting the emphasis on basketball, we're going to raise the level of play, and that's the best way to raise attendance," Grahame said. "With Coach Scott and what were trying to do, meeting the initiatives, we think, is going to be a natural process."
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