#Uab conference realignment full

The American Athletic Conference ( AAC), also known as the American, is an American collegiate athletic conference, featuring 14 member universities and five affiliate member universities that compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I, with its football teams competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

#Uab conference realignment full

States with full members (blue) and affiliate members (red) July 1, 2013 10 years ago ( ) ( de facto) UAB offers 18 NCAA programs: women’s basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, rifle, soccer, softball, tennis, track and volleyball (indoor and beach) and men’s baseball, basketball, football, golf, rifle, soccer and tennis.May 31, 1979 44 years ago ( ) ( de jure)

“Now we look forward to forging new memories with perennial basketball power Wichita State, former UAB rivals Memphis and Tulane, tradition-rich service academy Navy, and the many other well-known and respected institutions of The American.” “We are grateful for more than 25 years with Conference USA and thank conference officials and member institutions for the great memories,” Watts said. Watts says leaving Conference USA – where UAB has been a charter member since 1995 – is somewhat bittersweet. “We look forward to the continued ascension of UAB Athletics and watching the strategic investments by made by UAB and its supporters come to life under President Watts and AD Ingram’s leadership.” “The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees and I are proud and excited to have experienced the extraordinary growth of community support and excitement around Blazer Athletics in recent years,” St. John says he appreciates the thoughtful approach UAB leadership is taking to support this strategic move. We will need continued campus and community support to compete at the highest levels.” “Along with the System Office and Board of Trustees, we also thank the UAB Athletics Foundation and many other supporters inside and outside of UAB whose vital contributions made this possible. John and our System and Board leadership as we have worked to make this a reality,” Watts said. “Mark and I are grateful for the guidance of Chancellor St. John, the University of Alabama System Office, the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees and other key leaders. Watts says the UAB leadership team considered this opportunity thoughtfully and deliberately with the expertise and unwavering support of Chancellor Finis St. “UAB and Birmingham are on the rise, and UAB Athletics continues to build momentum with great leadership, coaches, facilities and unprecedented community support.” “We strive for excellence in every area of our mission and are excited to enhance our ability to compete at a high level and win championships,” Watts said. Watts says joining The American is a strategic investment in the institution’s commitment to excellence.

“Competing in The American will reunite us with rivals like Memphis and Tulane, increase our exposure, raise the profile of the institution and enhance competitive opportunities for our student athletes and coaches,” Ingram said. UAB Director of Athletics Mark Ingram says joining The American will have significant benefits for UAB Athletics and the institution. On behalf of all American Athletic Conference member institutions, I welcome the Blazer family to a bright future.” “We were proud to extend an invitation to President Ray Watts and Athletic Director Mark Ingram and are excited about the institutional support from the University of Alabama System Office and Board of Trustees. “UAB is a strong addition to the American Athletic Conference,” Aresco said. The American Commissioner Michael Aresco says UAB was desirable for many reasons, including that it is a vibrant and growing world-class comprehensive research university and academic medical center that boasts a Department of Athletics with competitive programs, marquee coaches, state-of-the-art facilities, a passionate fan base, and a desirable media market not yet touched by The American. 21, 2021, The American announced that Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice and Texas San Antonio will join UAB as new members in The American and compete against current members East Carolina, Memphis, Navy, South Florida, Southern Methodist, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa and Wichita State. The University of Alabama at Birmingham will join the American Athletic Conference, as momentum and success continue to build across UAB and in the Department of Athletics.