GNAC teams join LSC as affiliate football members

Richardson, Texas — Central Washington University, Simon Fraser University and Western Oregon University will join the Lone Star Conference as affiliate members in football, the league announced Thursday.

The decision to invite CWU, SFU and WOU was reached this fall with the teams beginning LSC play in 2022.

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

“We look forward to their continued association with the LSC.”

The multi-year agreement specifies that the teams are eligible to compete for the LSC team championship and earn weekly and postseason awards. They are also entitled to representation as voting members of the football coaches’ advisory group.

With the addition of the three programs, the LSC will have 10 football teams competing in 2022.

In 2021, the three Great Northwest Athletic Conference teams played six games against LSC teams via a scheduling alliance between the two leagues.

Central Washington, located in Ellensburg, went 8-2 this season and claimed the 2021 GNAC title with a 4-0 league record. CWU was selected for the 2021 NCAA Division II football championship field.

Simon Fraser, located in Burnaby, B.C., went 1-7 this fall and is the only NCAA Division II member based in Canada.

Western Oregon, located in Monmouth, finished the campaign with a record of 4-6. In 2019, the Wolves earned a share of the conference title for the first time in program history.