WAC tries to keep Hawaii

HONOLULU (AP) - The Western Athletic Conference is trying to lure North Texas while clinging onto hopes of keeping its longest-running member, Hawaii, from bolting to the Mountain West Conference.

WAC Commissioner Karl Benson held a teleconference Monday in an effort to quash questions about the viability of the beleaguered conference that's reeling from the departure of its top football programs.

Powerhouse Boise State is leaving next year while Fresno State, Nevada and Hawaii plan to leave in 2012.

Benson says the WAC is prepared to move forward and do whatever it takes to continue operations.

He spoke with North Texas on Monday about joining the WAC, but his main concern is keeping Hawaii.

Hawaii recently announced that it was close to joining the Mountain West for football.