June 30, 2004
For Immediate Release
STATEMENT FROM SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER TOM BURNETT ON MEMBERSHIP WITHDRAWAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE:

"The Southland Conference has received written notification from the University of Louisiana at Monroe detailing its intent to withdraw from the Conference effective June 30, 2006. Due to its continued efforts to compete at the NCAA Division I-A level in football, and changing NCAA legislation regarding I-A conferences, the university has informed this office that it will pursue an invitation of full membership with the Sun Belt Conference.

"We appreciate the timely notice from President Cofer, who handles this and all issues with a great sense of professionalism and the highest integrity. We also thank Louisiana-Monroe for its loyal membership in the Southland Conference since 1982, and proudly recognize the mutual successes of the institution and the Conference during this period. We are dedicated to making the transition of league membership over the next two years the best possible experience for all parties, especially ULM's student-athletes. We wish the university the best and hope the athletic program continues to find competitive success.

"In its over forty years of existence, the Southland Conference has
experienced many membership changes and has always maintained its status as one of the nation's most competitive and successful leagues. We certainly expect that to continue."

It look like ULM is going to be in the Sun Belt full time. What's next WKU football to join the Sun Belt.

David Krysakowski Wrote:It look like ULM is going to be in the Sun Belt full time. What's next WKU football to join the Sun Belt.

Can we stop talking about WKU joining the Belt for football!!! Just give them time. We are set for where the Sun Belt should be in the next 4-5 years when the next round of realignment will happen. Till then, quit it with WKU football joining the Belt.

Also would you please quit using the WKU icon, as you are not a true fan of WKU or the Sun Belt Conference.

Why can't we just ban this asshat???

Now that Louisiana at Monroe is going to join the Sun Belt full time, who should join the Southland Conference? Texas at Pan American, Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Why don't you go to a Southland Conference messageboard and ask them who should join next, because not too many Sun Belt fans care what happens. Also if you do go over to a Southland Conference messageboard, do everyone a favor and just stay there.

TAMU-CC and UTPA are already Associate members for Men's Tennis, neither have football.

nm

WKU Topper Jeff Wrote:I guess WKU could go to the southland conference since we don't play 1-A football. Doesn't seem like many SBC schools would miss us.
:rolleyes:

not true.

SwampHound Wrote:

WKU Topper Jeff Wrote:I guess WKU could go to the southland conference since we don't play 1-A football.  Doesn't seem like many SBC schools would miss us.
:rolleyes:

not true.

Agree; WKU belongs in the SBC. I am a football fan and care little about BB, but that does not mean this stAte fan wants WKU to leave the SBC.