15 Schools Contacted By Sun Belt Commissioner For Expansion
The Las Cruces Sun-Times reported that 15 schools have been contacted by the Sun belt about potential expansion. Reportedly, the 15 schools received emails from Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson about possible membership.
The schools reportedly contacted are Appalachian State (FCS Southern Conference), Delaware (FCS Colonial Athletic Association), Georgia Southern (FCS Southern Conference), Idaho (FBS WAC), Illinois State (FCS ), Jacksonville State (FCS Ohio Valley Conference), James Madison (FCS Colonial Athletic Association), Lamar (FCS Southland Conference), Liberty (FCS Big South Conference), Missouri State (FCS Missouri Valley Conference), New Mexico State (FBS WAC), Richmond (FCS Colonial Athletic Conference), Sam Houston State (FCS Southland Conference), Towson (FCS Colonial Athletic Association) and Tennessee-Chattanooga (FCS Southern Conference).
The Sun Belt Conference currently is set to lose four schools this summer which will leave the conference with 10 members, but only eight football schools. Two likely members that could join from the FCS ranks are Appalachian State and Georgia Southern. They both have a rich history in FCS play.
Two possible existing FBS members in Idaho and New Mexico State are looking for homes this coming football season since the WAC all but dissolved after the 2012 football season.
This could an interesting set of meetings during the basketball tournament in Hot Springs, Arkansas coming up soon.
Comments
4 Responses to “15 Schools Contacted By Sun Belt Commissioner For Expansion”
Interesting. The sun belt should pick up 4 more to get 12 football programs for a championship game.
Of the FCS programs listed, I definitely look at southern programs in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas and Missouri
Definitely. I thought they should have been more aggressive in seeking schools to join last year to get to 12. I would definitely prefer regional teams, but I understand why they are considering NMSU and Idaho.
UT-Chattanooga and Georgia Southern could fit well. The trip to Lamar in 2010 was very nice and I feel they could fit in well, plus a strong presence in Texas is good for the league.
Sun Belt is geographically in a good position to get both Texas and Florida, two of the top three football states. Why isn’t there a Florida school listed?
At least 12 if not 14 football members. the Sun Belt will be poached again is my bet. plan for 14 and expect 12?
Bethune-Cookman University, Florida A&M, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University and Stetson University are all Division I programs. But are they interested in moving up to FBS? I don’t know.
Of those, I could see Florida A&M or Stetson possibly interested making the jump.