Foreign Policy: WAC Spans the Globe for All-Conference Choices

A demise of the Western Athletic Conference seems possible if mid-level schools such as Texas-Arlington, Texas-San Antonio and Texas State renege on joining the league. But before the WAC goes on life support, it is time to issue props to the alliance for its history of being a trend setter recruiting impact foreigners.

No coach today is worth his sneaker endorsement deal without a passport and several international contacts. The WAC continued its "foreign aid" tradition this season with two all-conference first-team selections - Nevada forward Olek Czyz (Poland) and Hawaii center Vander Joaquim (Angola).

It's undeniable that more and more teams are looking abroad for important imports to make certain they don't have a trade deficit. Many of their competitors enjoyed a trade surplus in the aftermath of Yugoslavian import Kresimir Cosic bursting on the scene in the early 1970s. Cosic, a center for Brigham Young, became a three-time All-WAC first-team choice from 1970-71 through 1972-73. Brigham Young already had a foreign flavor because forward Kari Liimo (Finland) became an all-league pick in 1966-67 and 1967-68.

The coach of one opposing team called Cosic "the looniest guy with talent ever." Sports Illustrated reported that his "zest for the game was something to behold," explaining that he was "forever clapping hands, raising fists high, laughing, shouting `Opa! Opa! (I'm open, I'm open), jackknifing for layups, dribbling through his legs, passing behind his back, and joyfully firing all manner of shots from improbable positions and angles." Although teammates claimed they were sometimes hurt by Cosic's "circus act," his crowd appeal was unprecedented.

The fast track of major-college recruiting includes a global autobahn - and its precarious, impossibly varied tributaries. By any measure, the foreign legion has revolutionized the sport. The following list depicts how the WAC has benefited more from all-league first- and second-team foreigners than any conference: