UNDATED (KTHV) - Middle Tennessee State University and Florida Atlantic University elect to leave Sun Belt Conference for Conference USA.
The following is a statement from Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Karl Benson:
"While I am disappointed that Middle Tennessee State University and Florida Atlantic University have elected to depart the Sun Belt Conference, the SBC is still very well positioned for the future and I remain very optimistic that the momentum that has been created in the past six months will continue to grow. The continuing 10 members of the SBC are committed to excellence and I am confident that the SBC will take advantage of these latest changes in the landscape. As I have stated many times in the past six months, the SBC will be a major player in the future, especially within its geographic footprint.
As for future members, there are several outstanding universities that have indicated interest in joining the SBC. While we have conducted research on these universities in the past six months, we will now focus on identifying the ones that will be the best "fit" for the conference and the ones that will contribute immediately in achieving our goal of being the best of the FBS conferences that currently do not receive automatic qualification into the BCS.
The future is still very BRIGHT for the SBC and I look forward to working with the leadership of the SBC in the coming days, weeks and months to continue the growth and development of this outstanding athletic conference."
Arkansas State University, also a member of the Sun Belt Conference, issued a statement Thursday evening on the matter. Dr. Tim Hudson, chancellor of ASU, and Terry Mohajir, director of athletics, said the following in regards to changes within the Sun Belt Conference:
"Our Intercollegiate Athletics Department is always pursuing more revenue, more television exposure and more resources to field nationally recognized programs. We will consider any opportunities that could help us achieve our goals. Arkansas State is committed to the best interests of our student-athletes."