Long, Hot Summer Days Take a Toll
Forgive us for the limited content recently. It is Summer time and we are taking full advantage of it.
Smoking a pork shoulder, hauling my travel trailer 500 miles, and playing seven softball games over a 12-hour period.
Yep, that is what my weekend consisted of. The good news is that my old man slowpitch softball team didn’t waste the weekend. Instead, we brought home the hardware of the 50th anniversary of the Goosetown Softball Tournament. It may even be the last one they hold. It was a 70-30 chance it will be run next year, according to the longtime tourney director.
So, that is what the Summer has consisted of thus far. That, and 100-degree plus temperatures. Those in Texas can also attest to crazy temperatures and crazy weather. Hopefully everyone is safe.
With that being said, I apologize for the lack of content over the past few months. Technically, there hasn’t been a ton to write about. Yes, I could have written something about SFA and UTRGV leaving. But, the pain of seeing good friends, long-time acquaintances, and such leaving the league that I have covered religiously for nearly a decade hurts. So, instead of taking out my frustration in a rant, I decided to just take it out on the diamond.
I am going to miss SFA and UTRGV. The relationships that were developed, being received with open arms when visiting both Nacogdoches and Edinburg, meeting followers who shared their appreciating for the coverage, and so much more will be missed. Hopefully both schools can find great success in their new league. Well, for SFA, their return to their former league.

As I tried to think about what to write this Wednesday morning, I couldn’t really come up with much.
So, let me start by addressing our paid subscribers.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your support of the content, the brand, and the work we put in to cover this great league. It is our pleasure to bring you news, analysis, and so much more regarding men’s and women’s basketball in the Western Athletic Conference. And your show of support helps us continue to do what we do best.
To our free subscribers, that appreciation is replicated. Your show of support, and trust in what we bring to the table covering this league is such a boost to the work we put in. Thank you for sticking with us.
To all of our followers, thank you…for the interactions, for helping correct us in the case of inaccurate information, and for all the support, even the criticism at times. We love it all. So, keep it coming.
Now that we got all the Kumbaya stuff out of the way, it is time to get back to what we do best. Writing about basketball.
It is July 17, 2024. That means we are about three and a half months from tipping off the 2024-25 season.
The GCU men are looking for their second straight regular season crown, and third straight WAC Tournament crown. Bryce Drew has four starters back now that WAC Player of the Year Tyon Grant-Foster is back. Ray Harrison, Collin Moore, and Duke Brennan are back. The Lopes may be even better than their 30-win season in 2023-24.

Seattle U lost Cam Tyson, Alex Schumacher and Emeka Udenyi. But, Chris Victor has added some nice pieces to a team looking to win the WAC in its final year in the league.
KT Turner has loaded up the Mavericks in his second year at UT Arlington. ACU head coach Brette Tanner and his staff added some size and athleticism. Todd Phillips has made a bit of a splash as Utah Valley has added some experienced guards to a Wolverine squad depleted by age and the transfer portal.
CBU will be in the mix again with some nice additions.
Rob Jeter has had a nice offseason heading into his second season at SUU. There hasn’t been a ton of noise out of St. George, but you best believe Jon Judkins and his staff are putting in the work to be competitive in the WAC in the first year out of the transition phase. Same with Tarleton. Billy Gillispie is back as is Freddy Hicks.
On the women’s side, things seem to be a bit more open. Defending champ CBU has to replace WAC Player of the Year Chloe Webb. But, Jarrod Olson is simply a winner so expect the Lancers to be right back in the mix in 2024-25.

Shereka Wright at UT Arlington has had another nice offseason.
GCU will be in the mix. ACU returns Bella Earle and Peyton Hull.
Utah Tech could be dangerous depending on if a pair of twin sisters can stay healthy. Skyler Young is putting together a good mix of talent for Seattle U.
Tracy Mason got some good news in Daylani Ballena and Sam Johnston returning for another run at SUU.
And Dan Nielson has talent in Orem, as well as a lot of youth that got some good minutes in 2023-24.
Let’s not count out Bill Brock who led the Tarleton women to their first-ever WAC Tournament win in his first season as head coach in Stephenville.
9 teams remain. Seven will be left for 2025-26. So, let’s enjoy this season, and what could be another special season around the WAC.
We will be providing team previews beginning the first week of August. Once again, we will have Straight Outta WAC After Hours live on YouTube.
And we love to hear your feedback. Also, we will be doing a Monday Mailbag each week heading into the season. So, if you have any questions, send them our way and we will get you covered.
Again, we appreciate all the support. And look forward to ramping up the content now that we are midway through July.