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The University of Tulsa Joins Conference USA
11/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Tulsa Hurricane
Nov. 4, 2003
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Tulsa, Okla. - The University of Tulsa is one of five school's to have entered into membership agreements with Conference USA beginning with the 2005-06 season, it was announced today by C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky.
Tulsa will join current WAC members SMU and Rice as well as Marshall and Central Florida as the five new members of Conference USA. Marshall has been a full member of the Mid-American Conference, while Central Florida has been associated with the MAC for football only.
"Our decision to join Conference USA is based on what is in the best interest of The University of Tulsa academically, athletically and financially," said Dr. Bob Lawless. "We're excited about this new association for TU athletics. I also want to say that we have enjoyed our years in the Western Athletic Conference and I certainly wish its schools continued success."
On October 17, Dr. Lawless confirmed that The University of Tulsa and Conference USA had been working together to reach agreement on the terms under which Tulsa might join Conference USA. The TU Board of Trustees, acting through its Executive Committee, authorized this proposed change in conference membership on that day.
Conference USA is the fifth league that Tulsa will be a member since the school was founded in 1894. Tulsa has won 35 conference championships in football and nine regular season titles and five tournament championships in men's basketball.
Tulsa has been a member of the Western Athletic Conference since the 1996-97 academic year. Tulsa athletic teams have won 11 conference titles since joining the WAC.
The University will address all questions related to its new conference membership on Wednesday morning. C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky will conduct a conference call with the media at 9:30 a.m. (CT), followed by remarks from President Lawless and Director of Athletics Judy MacLeod.
