“The Sun Belt’s Presidents and Chancellors strongly believe it is in the best interest of the conference to have a core membership of 10 football teams that are geographically located within the ‘footprint’ of the conference” Sun Belt Conference President Dr. Denise Trauth said. “This decision … will reduce travel demands and missed class time for all Sun Belt student-athletes - while also furthering the development of regional rivalries within the conference.”
The nine current football-playing members of the conference - Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, UL Lafayette, UL Monroe, South Alabama, Texas State, and Troy - will be joined by Coastal Carolina in 2017 to complete the 10-team league.