MVC to meet Sunday to discuss possible Wichita State exit

Posted on April 6, 2017

 

ISU Athletic Director Larry Lyons. (Photo courtesy: Illinois State University)

 

By Sam Wood

The Wichita State Shockers could accept an invitation from the American Athletic Conference as soon as this weekend.

Missouri Valley Conference administrators will meet Sunday in St. Louis to discuss the next move for the conference that hasn’t seen a departure since Creighton left for the Big East Conference in 2013.

“Based on what we all see out there in the media, it appears that Wichita will probably accept an invitation and move away from the [Missouri Valley] Conference,” Illinois State University Athletic Director Larry Lyons told WJBC’s Sam Wood.

AAC administrators are expected to take a vote this week on whether or not the Shockers will be extended an invitation.

Lyons said he won’t speculate on what school could fill the hole left by a Wichita State departure.

“I think we need to have a conversation with the [Missouri Valley] membership as to what they think is the best thing for this conference moving forward,” he added.

Both Lyons and ISU President Larry Dietz will make the trip to St. Louis on Sunday to weigh-in on the Valley’s next possible move.

“You’d certainly like to see the Redbirds step up and fill some of that void,” Lyons said of the power vacuum that could be left after a Wichita State exit. “Obviously, [men’s] basketball had a great year and the future looks like we’re going to be in pretty good shape.”

 

Sam Wood can be reached at [email protected]

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