http://www.conferenceusa.com/genrel/040113aac.html

CUSA Beats our PRESSER

On April Fool's Day no less


April 1, 2013

IRVING, Texas - Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky has announced the league has entered into a membership agreement with Western Kentucky University, effective July 1, 2014.

"We welcome Western Kentucky to Conference USA," Banowsky said. "The tradition of the University and its athletics success is truly remarkable. The men's basketball program has made seven NCAA appearances since 2000, the women's basketball program has advanced to three NCAA Final Fours and football went to a bowl game last season in just its fourth year in the FBS."

Located in Bowling Green, Ky., the school has an enrollment of 21,124 students and sponsors 19 NCAA Division I sports. The Hilltoppers have made 23 appearances in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, including a trip to the 2008 Sweet Sixteen and the 1971 Final Four. Western Kentucky is ranked eighth nationally among NCAA schools for winning percentage. The women's basketball team has made 16 trips to the NCAA Tournament, with 11-straight appearances between 1985-95 and three trips to the NCAA Final Four.

Additionally, football has produced 70 All-Americans at the FCS and FBS levels, transitioning to a bowl eligible FBS member in 2009. WKU volleyball has been to five NCAA Tournaments in the last six years. Baseball has averaged 34 wins in the last five seasons with 17 MLB draft picks over the last four years. The Hilltopper track & field program has won 22 conference championships and produced 22 All-America selections since 2008. (More about Western Kentucky)

The Hilltoppers receive regular coverage in nearby Nashville, Tenn., and Louisville, Ky. Both cities are within 90 miles of campus and rank among the Top 50 television markets in the country at No. 29 and No. 48, respectively. In partnership with the University and WKYU-PBS, WKU Athletics also sponsors the Hilltopper Sports Satellite Network (HSSN) to provide audio and high-definition video from WKU events. HSSN recently purchased a new HD truck, which will help provide outstanding content for the C-USA Digital Network.

Western Kentucky will officially become a member on July 1, 2014. Complete Conference USA membership for the 2014-15 season will also include the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Charlotte), Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University (FIU), Louisiana Tech University, Marshall University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of North Texas, Old Dominion University, Rice University, University of Southern Mississippi, The University of Tulsa, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) and University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).

Well that makes it official.

Congrats to WKU.

Looks like we'll be with the three best friends that anyone could ever have.

(04-01-2013 10:41 AM)AstroCajun Wrote:  


Congrats to WKU.

Looks like we'll be with the three best friends that anyone could ever have.

Congratulations to Hilltoppers. Best Wishes and much success.

Half the Sun Belt is now in the CUSA. We should see some home and home games on the horizon.

No chance this is an Aprils Fools day joke.

Congrats for sure!

Would have thought Tulsa move would have been announced at the same time at least.

Good luck Western Kentucky.

(04-01-2013 11:04 AM)OwlFamily Wrote:  No chance this is an Aprils Fools day joke.

Wow they are really going all out with this April Fool's joke. Setting up the CUSA background, WKU table and everything!

J/k congrats WKU.

(04-01-2013 11:04 AM)OwlFamily Wrote:  No chance this is an Aprils Fools day joke.

The Red WKU logo does not match up well with the CUSA background.

I'm glad from the basketball side of things for sure, but really thought the SBC had some momentum after this year's football season.

FWIW, I hate all of this conference realignment and wish we didn't have to go through this. The rivalries we've developed with all the teams in the Belt have been tremendous and I only wish the best for those that remain.

Well said, sir. Ditto.

(04-01-2013 03:44 PM)galojah Wrote:  Well said, sir. Ditto.

(04-01-2013 04:18 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(04-01-2013 03:44 PM)galojah Wrote:  Well said, sir. Ditto.

The Tapatalk app was telling me it didn't post, but it did. Sorry about that. But, I will say ditto again :)

(04-02-2013 09:47 AM)galojah Wrote:  

(04-01-2013 04:18 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(04-01-2013 03:44 PM)galojah Wrote:  Well said, sir. Ditto.

The Tapatalk app was telling me it didn't post, but it did. Sorry about that. But, I will say ditto again :)

It's always safe to blame GaSo and App State posters.