Western Kentucky University head football coach Jack Harbaugh talks Monday during a press conference announcing that WKU is seeking to join the Gateway Conference in Division 1-AA football. Photo by Joe Imel

Western Kentucky University weighed its options and has decided to look elsewhere for a conference home for the Hilltoppers football team. During a press conference Monday, Western President Gary Ransdell announced the Hilltoppers would be leaving the Ohio Valley Conference following the 2000 football season. The OVC has informed us that full membership in that conference will be required to participate in the sport of football and has extended Western an invitation to apply to join the league under those terms, Ransdell said. However, the university is pleased with its membership in the Sun Belt Conference and is optimistic about the future of its athletic programs as a member of that league. Western, a full member of the Sun Belt Conference, rejoined the Ohio Valley Conference in 1999 after being an Independent 1-AA football member. Western also participates in the Missouri Valley Conference in mens soccer. Western Athletics Director Wood Selig received a call at 5 p.m. on June 2 with news of the OVCs Board of Presidents decision. There isnt much good news that comes to you at 5 p.m. on a Friday afternoon, Selig said. Commissioner (Dan) Beebe said he was delaying the call, but that out of the blue, the OVC presidents wanted us to compete in all OVC sports not just football. Learning this, we formed a committee to review the situation and came to a unanimous decision. Ransdell made his statement after a meeting of the committee consisting of Selig, Ransdell, head football coach Jack Harbaugh, former coach Jimmy Feix, head mens basketball coach Dennis Felton, former Western president John Minton and Ron Sowell of the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation. As a result, Western will decline the OVCs offer and will cease to be a football member of that conference at the end of the 2000 season, Ransdell said. We have opened dialogue with officials of the Gateway Football Conference and have found a mutual interest in Western football joining that league. Western still will compete in the OVC this fall with a chance to claim the OVC title and automatic playoff berth that comes with it, but from there the future is not certain. We have accepted an invitation to attend the Gateways annual meeting in St. Louis on June 20 to further explore the option of joining the Gateway Football Conference, Ransdell said. Western is committed to playing 1-AA football at the highest level possible, and membership in the Gateway 1-AA footballs most successful league would certainly be a major step in that direction. Hilltopper football coach Jack Harbaugh expressed his support for the decision. I am not a graduate of Western Kentucky or a Kentucky native, but I have come to love this place and university, Harbaugh said. There is a tremendous pride and respect for this program and I pledge you my support to continue this as we move on.