October 15, 2003

C-USA Expansion includes SMU, Rice, Tulsa

Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky has been authorized by the league's presidents to issue formal invitations for C-USA membership. SMU President Gerald Turner has had several discussion with Banowsky and other C-USA officials and have a formal meeting scheduled for later in the week. An invitation for SMU to join C-USA is expected as early as today.

SMU is obligated to compete in the WAC through the 2004-05 academic year. WAC rules require departing members to give one-year's notice prior to Sept. 1. Departing schools forfeit their share of WAC revenues, estimated at $500,000-$700,000, in their final year of competition.

C-USA officials have been meeting for months to create a conference realignment action plan that addresses the expected departure of four schools to the Big East. The Big East is expected to announce the addition of C-USA members Cincinnati, DePaul, Louisville and Marquette on Nov. 4.

"Our plan is flexible enough that whether we lose two or four it wouldn't alter our thinking," Tulane president Scott Cowen said. "I believe we will have a stronger and even better C-USA when we finish up the conference realignment. I'm very excited about where we're headed in C-USA."

Cowen said C-USA's presidents approved a plan to reconfigure the league during a meeting Tuesday in Chicago. SMU has talked with C-USA about expansion, and speculation is high that the school could be invited, along with fellow WAC members Rice and Tulsa.

If C-USA loses those schools, Central Florida and Marshall could be added to re-form the conference as a 12-school, all-sports league with two divisions.

SMU officials have stated repeatedly that their goal was to be in a regional alignment that would reduce travel and enhance rivalries. The 10-member WAC stretches from Hawaii to Ruston, La.

C-USA members TCU, Houston and Tulane could be paired with SMU, Rice and Tulsa to form a six-team division.