UNT can build new, local rivalries in Conference USA

by Ryne Gannoe of North Texas Daily, Kyle Harty of North Texas Daily

North Texas and UTSA will join Rice and the University of Texas-El Paso in C-USA, bringing the total of Texas athletics programs in the conference to four.

DENTON — The Mean Green nation is moving. UNT Athletics will join Conference USA officially on July 1, 2013, leaving behind the Sun Belt Conference for good.

UNT has been a member of the Sun Belt, which includes no other Texas universities, since 2001. UNT now has the opportunity to build new, local rivalries.

“This is validation that the progress we have made in our athletic programs in conjunction with our university’s academic reputation has made us a suitable for high standards of Conference USA,” Athletic Director Rick Villarreal said in a press release. “Conference USA provides a great partnership with several schools in our geographic proximity and will help all of us create outstanding regional rivalries.”

Also joining Conference USA are Florida International, Louisiana Tech, University of Texas San Antonio, University of North Carolina Charlotte, and, most recently, Old Dominion.

The influx of new members is the result of four C-USA schools – University of Houston, Southern Methodist, University of Central Florida, and University of Memphis – leaving for the Big East.

Because of the possibility of further conference shakeup, including the potential for additional teams, divisions in the conference have yet to be established.

During a press conference announcing the move, UNT President V. Lane Rawlins said it was a move forward for Mean Green Athletics.

“I simply think this is the next stage for the University of North Texas,” Rawlins said.

He said that it was a big plus for fans to be able to travel with the team to closer away games and would help bring more visitors to North Texas games.

North Texas and UTSA will join Rice and the University of Texas-El Paso in C-USA, bringing the total of Texas athletics programs in the conference to four.

Louisiana Tech and Tulsa are also within a five-hour drive of Denton.

Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky outlined why UNT fits in Conference USA.

“Our plan is one that focuses on large universities in growing markets and North Texas fits the bill perfectly,” Banowsky said at UNT’s press conference. “It also focuses on universities and athletic programs that have athletic excellence in their history, and have great coaches and a lot of promise. The athletic-competitive piece is definitely the case at this university.”