Hawai'i Joins Big West Conference

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/genrel/121010aaa.html

The University of Hawaii accepted an invitation to compete as a member of the Big West Conference in all sports, with the exception of football, after the Big West Board of Directors voted the school in on Thursday.


The addition of UH to the Big West plus the shift of the conference's showcase basketball tournament to the Honda Center in Anaheim, signify two major steps forward for the league.


"As a university, we are excited that Hawaii is joining the Big West Conference," said UCSB Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mark W. Massari. "Adding a strong brand like Hawaii is just good marketing. Along with the basketball tournament moving to the Honda Center in March, this is another big step in the right direction for the conference." 

The Rainbow Warriors and Rainbow Wahine programs are expected to begin competing in the Big West in 2012-13.