The Aztecs were set to join the Big East this summer, but decided to remain in the Mountain West Conference. Boise State made the same decision last month.
“San Diego State University is pleased to be continuing as a full member of the Mountain West Conference,” said SDSU President Dr. Elliot Hirshman. “We are excited about the opportunities our partnership provides for the development of the Conference and San Diego State University’s athletic programs.”
“As a charter member of the Mountain West, San Diego State has decades of history and tremendous competitive rivalries with our member institutions,” said Commissioner Craig Thompson. “With today’s announcement, SDSU’s membership continues uninterrupted and helps the Mountain West maintain a solid foundation going forward. The Aztecs remain a perfect fit geographically and provide the Conference with a highly-competitive athletics program that includes a Top 25 men’s basketball team, a 2012 MW tri-champion in football and several other league championship programs.”
With San Diego State and Boise State remaining in the MWC, the conference will have 12 teams for the 2013 season: Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State, and Wyoming.
12 teams also means that the MWC can split into two divisions and stage a championship game, which would likely be held at a campus site.
“I think that’s the plan,” MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said last month.
Football Schedules