University of Idaho athletics is making a big move – closer to home.

The Vandals, denied twice previously by the Western Athletic Conference, accepted an all-sports membership to the WAC on Friday. WAC Board of Directors voted unanimously at their meetings at Half Moon Bay, Calif., to invite the Vandals, who will begin WAC competition in 2005. Idaho will fill a WAC vacancy created when Texas-El Paso moves to Conference USA in 2005.

The Vandals will rejoin arch-rival Boise State in the WAC, along with former Big West and/or Sun Belt foes Nevada, Utah State and New Mexico State. Other WAC members in 2005 are San Jose State, Fresno State, Louisiana Tech and Hawaii.

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