Think they would be a good fit for that conference..
Utah State invited to join Sun Belt Conference
By Associated Press, 10/17/2002 04:35
LOGAN, Utah (AP) Utah State has received a much-desired invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference.
Aggies sports information director Mike Strauss confirmed the invitation late Wednesday, but no details were disclosed pending a news conference Friday. It was not known whether Utah State will play only football in the Sun Belt.
''Obviously, it's something the university has been looking for,'' Strauss said. ''I think people will be very excited.''
The football program has struggled as an independent since the Big West dropped the sport after the 2000 season. At that time, the football team was offered a spot in the Sun Belt, but the university, under then-president George Emert, turned it down.
Athletic director Rance Pugmire and new president Kermit Hall asked the Sun Belt to consider inviting the Aggies again.
Their efforts got a boost when new rules were adopted requiring conferences to have eight football teams to qualify for Division I-A. The Sun Belt has seven football members: Arkansas State, New Mexico State, Louisiana-Monroe, North Texas, Louisiana-Lafayette, Middle Tennessee and Idaho.
Utah State invited to join Sun Belt Conference
By Associated Press, 10/17/2002 04:35
LOGAN, Utah (AP) Utah State has received a much-desired invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference.
Aggies sports information director Mike Strauss confirmed the invitation late Wednesday, but no details were disclosed pending a news conference Friday. It was not known whether Utah State will play only football in the Sun Belt.
''Obviously, it's something the university has been looking for,'' Strauss said. ''I think people will be very excited.''
The football program has struggled as an independent since the Big West dropped the sport after the 2000 season. At that time, the football team was offered a spot in the Sun Belt, but the university, under then-president George Emert, turned it down.
Athletic director Rance Pugmire and new president Kermit Hall asked the Sun Belt to consider inviting the Aggies again.
Their efforts got a boost when new rules were adopted requiring conferences to have eight football teams to qualify for Division I-A. The Sun Belt has seven football members: Arkansas State, New Mexico State, Louisiana-Monroe, North Texas, Louisiana-Lafayette, Middle Tennessee and Idaho.
