THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: What will new school bring to Pac-12? Hopefully more than laughs

Let’s call this a blind date. 

It’s hard to imagine near-strangers deciding to hook up permanently in college athletics, but hey … that’s the new world we’re living in. 

Not so long ago, the notion that Texas State — not Texas, or Texas Tech, or Texas A&M — might be a conference partner with Washington State and Gonzaga would make you laugh. 

So, here we go. 

Ha, ha, ha. 

As of Monday, the Zags and Wazzu are, indeed, brethren with Texas State (the Bobcats, just so you can impress friends) in the new Pac-12. 

This might sound a bit overly dramatic, but Texas State’s acceptance of the Pac-12 invitation officially maintains the existence of a conference more than a century old. 

You know the story of the 10 schools who bailed for money and prestige (did we mention money) in bigger Power-4 conferences. 

They scurried away like raccoons caught in the light, some like Stanford and Cal bolting for the ACC on the opposite coast — just to say they wouldn’t lower their academic resumes in the athletic department. 

What a bunch of guff. 

MEANTIME, nobody paid any attention to the Lost Pair. 

Oregon State and Wazzu were left at the side of the road without so much as a can of gas. 

Well, the Fleeing 10 weren’t giggling and counting cash very long, as the self-proclaimed Pac-2 sued them for control of the conference name and assets — which was more than a dinner tab, I promise you. 

The Beavers and Cougs promised to rebuild the Pac-12, and now they’ve done it. 

When Texas Sate officially said adios to the Sun Belt and joined the “Bill Walton Conference of Champions,” the new Pac-12 had locked up the NCAA minimum eight football-playing members — plus Gonzaga for basketball — and it was time to rock and roll. 

This all fits in nicely with a media rights package headlined by CBS and announced last week. 

Maybe this is a shade rude to the very welcome newcomers, but who is Texas State? 

And how did they become so important to a conference in that is scattered in time zones west of them? 

If we’re being honest here, the new world Pac-12 probably would rather have grabbed UNLV, but the administrators in Vegas perhaps have stared at the bright lights too long. 

Instead of respecting the solid base of schools in the Pac-12 and jumping aboard, the Rebel bosses instead signed on with the gasping Mountain West — no doubt hoping promises of windfall cash promised by the MW would all come true. 

UNLV’s odd decision left the Pac-12 looking for another dance partner. 

There was flirting with Memphis, either for full membership or football only, and conversations with others. 

Texas State, though, has relatively new athletics programs that are well-funded, growing, and possesses plenty of bedrock funding to keep the upswing moving. 

Frankly, it’s an impressive program. 

THE ONE thing you’ve got to get straight with the Bobcats now in the Pac-12 is their home. 

Specifically, how to pronounce it. 

The school is in San Marcos, which is on the highway between Austin and San Antonio. 

The obvious temptation is call the place “San Mar-COS,” the way it’s spelled. 

Not so fast, pardner. 

The correct pronunciation is “San Marcus,”  with no emphasis on any syllable. Just plain old San Marcus. 

Getting that right will make you a hit with the locals. 

Meanwhile, the Bobcats might provide some tough nights and days for their new Pac-12 relations. 

The football stadium was renovated in 2012, and it’s just about perfect for the level that was targeted. 

Just over a year ago, the university scored a 15-year, $23 million deal with the Universal Federal Credit Union that involved naming rights for the 30,000-seat football stadium. 

Are we supposed to call it “UFCU Stadium”? 

Surely not. 

In any event, Texas State boasts booming academics, gorgeous facilities (many are new) and a desire to become a special university. 

The decision, like with so many other schools, is help being known through sports, so Pac-12 rivals shouldn’t expect the Bobcats to roll over and have their tummies tickled. 

Texas State upgraded to the FBS in 2012, and now — under coach G.J. Kinne — has posted back-to-back 8-5 seasons in the Sun Belt. 

The Bobcats have also qualified for bowl games the past two seasons. 

The programs are growing. 

So, what will these outliers from the heart of Texas offer the Pac-12? 

We’ll find out soon. 

Email: [email protected] 

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens. 

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”