Thursday, November 18, 2021

PORTLAND, Ore. – Central Washington, Simon Fraser and Western Oregon have accepted invitations to join the Lone Star Conference as affiliate members in football beginning with the 2022 season.

The addition of the GNAC’s programs will make the Lone Star a 10-team conference in football. In the expanded LSC, all teams will play full conference schedules and be eligible for weekly and postseason awards, the league championship and NCAA postseason playoff berths. Teams will have two open weeks in which to schedule non-conference opponents.

“Given recent membership changes in both conferences, this was a logical progression in a unique and important partnership,” said GNAC commissioner Dave Haglund. “On behalf of our members, I want to express appreciation to the leaders in the Lone Star Conference – commissioner Jay Poerner and the league’s presidents and athletic directors -- for recognizing the immense value in building on the fruitful alliance that was formed three years ago.”

The multi-year agreement to align with the Lone Star Conference marks an enhancement to one of the most significant scheduling alliances arranged at any level. With the first phase of the alliance announced in 2019, the collaboration between the GNAC and the LSC resulted in agreements for nearly 60 in-region matchups over four years.

“Every one of the 10 institutions in the expanded LSC will instantly benefit from the scheduling stability provided through this arrangement,” Haglund said. “For current and future student-athletes at CWU, SFU and WOU, this evolution in the relationship delivers in the most critical areas: membership in one of the most renowned football conferences in Division II and the associated benefits that come with it, including robust and meaningful conference schedules, first-ever access to Division II’s postseason automatic qualifying process, and full participation in the LSC awards program.”

Of the Lone Star Conference’s seven full-member institutions that sponsor football, five are based in Texas and two are based in New Mexico.

“We are excited to welcome the Central Washington, Simon Fraser and Western Oregon football programs to the Lone Star Conference. As affiliate members, these three institutions will strengthen our football membership and add to the rich history and already strong competition in our league,” said LSC commissioner Jay Poerner. “We look forward to their continued association with the LSC.”