UCA’s athletic conference, Atlantic Sun, has partnered with the Western Athletic Conference in an attempt to merge and create a 10-member football-only conference.
If plans are successful, the participating schools will form the 11th football bowl subdivision in the country.
UCA has already signed on to join the new conference structure, as well as fellow ASUN members Austin Peay State University, Eastern Kentucky University, and the University of North Alabama alongside WAC members Stephen F. Austin State University, Abilene Christian University, Utah Tech University, Southern Utah University and Tarleton State University.
The goal of the conference is to begin playing in 2024 with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley joining the group in 2025 as its 10th member.
This is not the first time ASUN has partnered with WAC.
The conferences have partnered before in their 2021 and 2022 seasons.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel in a report for espn.com, “Ambiguity looms around the process of becoming an FBS league,” and the reason for the new league is “according to sources, ‘greater certainty in scheduling and recruiting’ and a clear pathway to the highest levels of college football. Also, the schools expect increased revenue through a more lucrative broadcast contract and increased guarantee-game revenue because the games would count toward bowl eligibility if they became an FBS league,” Thamel said.
Director of athletics at UCA, Brad Teague, said the increased revenue will be at no cost to the colleges.
As for changes being made in preparation for the move to FBS, “We do not have plans to upgrade the stadium at this time. We are not allowed to offer more scholarships due to NCAA rules.” Teague said.
It is not confirmed yet whether the ASUN-WAC move to FBS will be successful.
“Our group of 10 football programs is monitoring and assessing the new NCAA policies and therefore, is keeping all options on the table. This could include a move to the FBS,” Teague said.
“For FCS schools to jump to the FBS, there is generally a two-year transition period which would require the board of directors’ approval,” Sports Illustrated’s Mike McDaniel said in an article for si.com.
Oliver Luck, former West Virginia University athletic director, has been named executive director of the new conference.
Luck has worked for the NFL, was general manager Rhein Galaxy of the World League of American Football and was hired as president and CEO of NFL Europe in the past.
Eastern Kentucky President David McFaddin and Tarleton State President James Hurley will serve as co-chairs.
Fans will be updated on the direction of the partnership as more meetings are held with the NCAA Division I board of directors in upcoming months.
“No matter what is decided, UCA will be in an excellent position for its football program and its future,” Teague said.