Texas State to Join Sun Belt Conference

[WKUHilltopper]

Texas State to Join Sun Belt Conference
Updated: 05/02/2012 13:38:38 (ET)
By Sun Belt Conference


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SAN MARCOS, Texas - The Sun Belt Conference announced today that Texas State will join the league on July 1, 2013 and will begin conference competition for the 2013-14 academic year.

"Texas State University has worked very hard to be ready for FBS competition and joining the Sun Belt Conference represents a new opportunity for our future," said Texas State University President Denise M. Trauth. "The Sun Belt's record of competitive success over more than 35 years provides a tradition of excellence that we are happy to join. Our students and alumni will bring a very strong fan base that will welcome these new opportunities. Just as Texas State is the rising star of Texas, we believe that the Sun Belt is also on the rise and we are happy to be a part of its future."

"On behalf of the presidents and chancellors of the Sun Belt Conference, it is my honor to welcome Texas State University as the newest member of our league family," said Sun Belt Conference Executive Committee President and Troy University Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr. "We are not the same conference we were 10 years ago. The Sun Belt is strong athletically as demonstrated by the fact that our bowl record over the last eight years is better than five other BCS conferences. We are stronger academically, as 90 percent of our teams have achieved an Academic Progress Rates of 925 or higher. Texas State is an excellent addition to our strong, growing conference."

Texas State, located in San Marcos between Austin and San Antonio, is home to over 34,000 students and officially opened its doors in 1903. Notably, Texas State is the only university in Texas to have graduated a U.S. president: Lyndon B. Johnson, class of 1930.

The Texas State athletics program currently consists of 16 varsity programs including the football team coached by Dennis Franchione. The Bobcats will begin their first season at the Football Bowl Subdivision level in 2012 and will be eligible to compete for football conference champions and bowl games when they join the Sun Belt in 2013.

"Texas State is a great addition to the Sun Belt Conference as the Bobcat athletic program is destined for success in the Football Bowl Subdivision," said Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson. "The Sun Belt Conference's rise to prominence will continue with Texas State as part of our league."

"We are very excited about becoming a member of the Sun Belt Conference in 2013," said Texas State Director of Athletics Dr. Larry Teis. "We know that our student-athletes will be eager to succeed in the Sun Belt, and we will enter the conference ready to compete. We look forward to building new rivalries with some Sun Belt schools and renewing rivalries with others. The Sun Belt Conference encompasses eight states from Texas to Florida that are rich in college athletic traditions, especially in the sport of FBS football."

Texas State's budget for athletics ranks in the upper half of the current Sun Belt Conference membership, and its undergraduate enrollment ranks near the top of the league's current membership.

Texas State to Join Sun Belt Conference - SunBeltSports.org—Official Web Site of the Sun Belt Conference

[Chris]

Hmm, I can't tell if this is a good addition or not? What do you think?

[WKUHilltopper]

Hmm, I can't tell if this is a good addition or not? What do you think?

Probably decent addition. North Texas may be going to the CUSA, so this may be as a result of that. Besides, Texas State has good attendance for their football games--typically. They're finishing a new stadium. Basketball--I'm not so sure about.

With the addition of Georgia State and now Texas State. I'm thinking the SBC adds a couple of more schools.

With the practical demise of the WAC, I'm almost afraid we'll get stuck with New Mexico State and Idaho--at least for football.

[Chris]

Who's the teams with the black helmet and the capital "A"? Also, the blue helmet with the number 10 on it?

[Carl]

Any takers for tornado alley?

[WKUHilltopper]

Who's the teams with the black helmet and the capital "A"? Also, the blue helmet with the number 10 on it?

It is speculation that Appalachian State University (out of North Carolina) will be a member of the SBC--along with Ga. Southern(the blue one with just the number). UNT and FIU is officially going to the CUSA.

[WKUHilltopper]

Any takers for tornado alley?

LOL. I kinda hope the SBC changes its name to the Conference of Southern America--or CSA for short! We just need South Carolina and Mississippi schools next.

[WKUHilltopper]

Chris--I have to admit, this one surprised me--because they come to us without football. We just got rid of Denver (non-football) to the WAC and U of New Orleans (non-football) downgraded basketball. So I'm not sure what the strategy of having UTA joining is...however, they're supposed to be "exploring" football.

No official announcement from the SBC, but still coming from ESPN.
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Texas Arlington moving, source says
Updated: May 4, 2012, 3:35 PM ET
By Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com


Texas Arlington plans to accept an invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference, pending the approval of the school's board of regents, a source said.

The Mavericks, coming from the Southland Conference, will join Texas State and Georgia State as new members of the Sun Belt, which lost North Texas and Florida International to Conference USA this week.

UT Arlington does not play football, although the school intends to explore building a football program after completing an upgrade of the baseball and softball facilities.

The school opened a $78 million basketball arena this year. New Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson attended the opening of the 7,000-seat College Park Center.

The Mavericks' men's basketball program is 103-82 under coach Scott Cross. They made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2008 and set a school record with 24 wins last season, winning the Southland's regular-season title.

UT Arlington baseball program, which is 27-19 this season, has played in the NCAA tournament four times, most recently in 2006.

Texas Arlington Mavericks moving to Sun Belt, source says - ESPN Dallas