Conference-USA to lose 3 members earlier than expected as internal conflict over football emerges
By Keith Farner
Published:
Conference-USA is reportedly losing 3 members as realignment across college sports continues, and the schedule for the upcoming football season is uncertain.
Marshall, Southern Miss and Old Dominion have indicated plans to leave the conference by June 30, 2022, as they released a series of similar statements.
Old Dominion said it would not participate in Conference USA during the 2022-23 season. “This decision comes after considering the best interests of the University and the Monarch family, including our 500 student-athletes and hundreds of thousands of alumni and fans.”
Marshall communicated a similar statement as it had previously planned to move its move in 2023, but said it would also move by June 30.
Southern Miss also said its decision comes after considering the best interests of the university and the entire Golden Eagle family, including nearly 350 student-athletes and thousands of fans and supporters.
Those schools along with James Madison as set to be new members in the Sun Belt. James Madison is moving up from the FCS level to join the Sun Belt.
According to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated, it appears that the issue centers on next season’s football schedule, and he reported it this way:
C-USA and its Sun Belt-bound 3 departing schools – Marshall, Southern Miss, ODU – are in a serious fight.
As the three schools announced their June departure, C-USA sent its final 2022 football schedule to members — with the 3 included on the schedules.
The schedule was sent to C-USA schools at 2 pm CT. Almost simultaneously, Marshall, Southern Miss and ODU announced their June departure at that exact moment. Says one C-USA AD: “The schedule says we are supposed to play at USM this fall. What now?”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
