By Nate Sanchez

Sports Editor

Last year, it was announced that CSUB would depart from independent play and enter the Western Athletic Conference as a full member. Today, it has become official.

Today, the WAC has welcomed six new members, including CSUB and rival Utah Valley University. The others to enter the WAC are: Chicago State University, Grand Canyon University, University of Missouri-Kansas City and University of Texas-Pan American.Since CSUB went into Division I play six years ago, it has stayed an independent, only occasionally playing conference teams as a part-time competitor in the WAC. Last year, the Runners proved effective against conference-level talent, with the baseball team winning 37 games en route to winning the WAC regular season championship.With a full entry into a conference, CSUB athletics will undoubtedly get the exposure it needs in order to acquire the recruits necessary to keep it at the top.