MOBILE, Ala. — Three Sun Belt Conference schools — North Texas, Florida Atlantic and Florida International — are in discussions with the new Mountain West/Conference USA alliance about possible membership, it was reported this week, as the Sun Belt considers its own expansion.
Nearly every member of the Western Athletic Conference has also been reported to be in talks with the alliance.
Possible Sun Belt Additions
Brett McMurphy of CBS Sports reported that UNC Charlotte and Texas-San Antonio could join the Sun Belt as soon as the 2013-14 season. No decision has been announced.
Other schools mentioned in connection with Sun Belt expansion include Louisiana Tech, Appalachian State, Texas State, Texas-Arlington, Lamar, Georgia Southern and Georgia State. Louisiana Tech has indicated some interest in the Sun Belt but may also be pursuing the Mountain West/C-USA group.
Where Candidates Stand
Georgia Southern, a Football Championship Subdivision program, has studied a move to the Football Bowl Subdivision. Its feasibility review indicated the school could make the move on the athletic side but found significant financial risk, with alumni and boosters less supportive of the idea than the student body.
Russell Wright of Collegiate Consulting has said Georgia State could be ready to move up to the FBS level, citing its finances and its Atlanta location and saying the market drives such a move more than on-field results. Georgia State’s enrollment is similar to that of North Texas and Florida International, and about $16 million of the $22 million in annual athletics revenue the school receives comes from students.
Appalachian State has decided to explore a move to FBS after a recently completed feasibility report produced positive results. The Mountaineers won three consecutive FCS national titles, the last in 2007, a season that included a win at then-No. 5 Michigan. Appalachian State has also drawn interest from the Mountain West/C-USA group.
UNC Charlotte, which has reached the Final Four in basketball and has previously been a member of both the Sun Belt and Conference USA, will begin playing football in 2013.
Lamar, which recently returned to football, completed a home-and-home series with South Alabama last season and has pursued a move to the FBS level. Texas State, Texas-San Antonio and Texas-Arlington could also choose to remain in the WAC.
The expansion discussion comes as Karl Benson, formerly commissioner of the WAC, takes over as commissioner of the Sun Belt.
Ladd-Peebles Stadium Upgrades
South Alabama athletics director Dr. Joel Erdmann said the university is working on an arrangement to provide a video screen for replays at Ladd-Peebles Stadium this season. He did not say whether the screen would replace an existing scoreboard or be a portable unit.
Erdmann also said South Alabama is working to add speakers at the stadium. The east stands currently have no speakers, so the west-side speakers are turned up to be heard across the stadium.
