Marshall University Board of Governors Gives Angel Authority to Sign Membership Agreement with Conference USA

10/24/2003

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University Board of Governors, in a unanimous vote today during a special meeting on campus, authorized President Dan Angel to sign a membership agreement with Conference USA.

The vote took place in the Memorial Student Center's Shawkey Room. The agreement is conditioned upon anticipated conference realignment.

"A move to Conference USA affords Marshall University the opportunity to extend its championship image to a wider market of potential students and supporters," Angel said. "This move places the institution in a competitive mode in many areas and will benefit both athletics and academics."

Marshall has been a member of the Mid-American Conference since 1997 after a 20-year stay (1976-96) in the Southern Conference. The Thundering Herd football team has appeared in all six Mid-American Conference Championship games and in six consecutive bowl games. The squad has also won five MAC Championships and currently owns a five-game winning streak in bowls.

"The Mid-American Conference has been a great league for Marshall," MU Athletic Director Bob Marcum said. "But, we are extremely excited about out proposed membership in Conference USA and the opportunity to develop new rivalries. We anticipate having a formal announcement soon with Conference USA regarding its membership realignment."

If Conference USA realigns as expected, it will be divided into a Western- and Eastern-divisiion format, and each institution will compete in all sports.