Denver, CO (Sports Network) - The Western Athletic Conference announced on Thursday the inclusion of the University of Missouri-Kansas City for all sports, effective on July 1.
"We are extremely pleased with the addition of UMKC to the WAC family," said WAC interim commissioner Jeff Hurd. "It not only solidifies our membership for the 2013-14 season, but also gives us a strong core of institutions that will help the WAC reestablish itself as a top Division I conference."
UMKC currently runs 16 varsity programs: men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and womens golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field, and volleyball -- all of which compete in the Summit League.
"We are excited about this new era in UMKC Athletics," director of athletics Tim Hall said. "We look forward to competing alongside the institutions in the WAC and providing a great experience for our student-athletes."
The Kangaroos will become the ninth member of the reconstituted grouping, alongside California State-Bakersfield, Chicago State, Grand Canyon University, University of Idaho, New Mexico State University, Seattle University, the University of Texas-Pan American and Utah Valley University.
