If The Truth Be Known

[JF.Oshust]

Once again there have been complaints that the Mountain West Conference will hold its men's basketball tourney in Las Vegas, home of the UNLV "Running Rebels." Apparently Las Vegas seems to have an ongoing hold on that event regardless of any of the other member schools that could host the annual hoop-de-doo. Attention to all those who feel that as an amateur sports organization, the Mountain West should consider a fair distributuiion of its major event to other worthy members. As one who was involved in major sports facility and event management for over forty years, allow me to clarify what such conferences, however limited or large, use as their mantra of decision making; "Show me the cash." Having hosted an NCAA "Final Four" for both men and women and a number of the preliminary competition s leading up the the grand finale of "March Madness", believe me, the score sheet strongly resembles a profit and loss statement. But, with the rising cost of athletic programs, who should we blame?