MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic will join Conference USA, leaving the Sun Belt as part of the ever-changing college landscape.
Conference USA announced the addition of its new members Thursday, just two days after Tulane and East Carolina left Conference USA for the Big East.
When the two schools join Conference USA by 2014, the league will consist of 14 schools in 10 states.
Middle Tennessee President Sidney McPhee says the Blue Raiders have won 13 all-sports Sun Belt trophies in 17 years and universities have been in “constant movement” to align themselves. He says their desire is to compete with the best.
Florida Atlantic athletic director Pat Chun calls it a “momentous day.” The move puts the Owls in the league with rival FIU, which joins C-USA in 2013.