Jeff Hurd has worked for the Western Athletic Conference for the past 27 years. Now the interim commissioner is doing his best to keep the beleaguered league alive for a few more.

With just four committed members for the 2013-14 season — Idaho, New Mexico State, Denver and Seattle — it is not an easy task.

The league would need to add at least six football-playing members to join Idaho and New Mexico State and sponsor the sport.

“The options are fairly limited when it comes to football,” Hurd said.

The league also needs at least three more basketball-playing members to meet NCAA requirements. Utah Valley, Cal State Bakersfield and Texas-Pan American have been mentioned as possibilities. Hurd declined to talk about specific schools.

“Some schools have to be convinced that we’re around for the long haul. We have to show we’re viable, have to show we’re sustainable,” Hurd said. “Overcoming the perception we’re not is difficult. It’s one of the obstacles as we move forward.”

Boise State, which is scheduled to move its non-football sports to the WAC in 2013, is among those schools. The Broncos are trying to get into the Big West, which is scheduled to vote on the school’s application before the academic year begins.

“I have to go on the assumption that Boise State will participate in the Big West in other sports as we speak,” Hurd said. “If we’re able to put something together that makes sense in the next 30 days or whatever that time frame is, I would still try to get Boise State to become a part of it.”

Hurd said it is vital that the WAC make its decision in the next 30 days for a number of reasons, including scheduling. The league holds its annual football media days July 26. Departing members San Jose State, Utah State, Louisiana Tech, Texas State and Texas-San Antonio will participate.

Hurd said the league wanted to be further along in its rebuilding process at this point, suggesting the league still has a “significant hill to climb.”

“The drop dead date is whatever the four remaining schools determine it is,” Hurd said. “The commitment to move forward and make this thing work is there, but it’s not going to be there forever.”

The WAC, founded in 1962, just completed its 50th year of competition.

“If it ultimately fails, won’t be because we tried,” Hurd said.

Brian Murphy: 377-6444,Twitter: @MurphsTurph