Harry Minium broke the news this morning that Middle Tennessee was the first school to accept an offer to join Conference USA. Later in the day, ESPN confirmed the news and then reported that Florida Atlantic would also move to C-USA. The Sun-Sentinel has also confirmed FAU’s move.
Both Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic are current members of the Sun Belt Conference. MTSU has been in the SBC since 2001, while FAU has been a member since 2005.
With East Carolina and Tulane announcing yesterday that they are leaving for the Big East in 2014, Conference USA acted fast to replace them.
The addition of MTSU and FAU will give Conference USA 12 members in 2014 and 14 members in 2015. Here is what the conference will look like over the next few seasons:
2013
East Carolina, Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Marshall, North Texas, Rice, Southern Miss, Tulane, Tulsa, UAB, UTEP, UTSA
2014
Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, North Texas, Rice, Southern Miss, Tulsa, UAB, UTEP, UTSA
2015
Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, North Texas, Old Dominion, Rice, Southern Miss, Tulsa, UAB, UTEP, UTSA
Update (11/29/12): Conference USA has officially announced the addition of Florida Atlantic and Middle Tennessee effective no later than July 1, 2014.
“We are excited to announce these two schools will join Conference USA,” Commissioner Britton Banowsky said. “Besides being tremendous institutions, this is a logical move for us. These schools fit well within our strategic plan to be a major market, two-division conference that is student-athlete and fan friendly. We know they will make great contributions to our bright future.”
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