American Athletic Conference
This marks a big step in the changeover from the Big East, which many teams from The American were part of until the split of the Big East created two separate conferences. The new Big East, which is comprised of just basketball schools (Villanova, Marquette, DePaul, Butler, Creighton, Xavier, Providence, etc.) varies from The American, which still has football.
Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The American Athletic Conference has a new look to go with its new name.
The conference formerly known as the Big East released its logo on Thursday.
“It’s a very important step in the rebranding of our conference and the reinvention of the American Athletic Conference,” Commissioner Mike Aresco said during a conference call.
The big block blue A with a red star at its center is part of the rebranding of the new conference, which will begin competition this fall.
“It’s a bold symbol and an elegant design,” Aresco said.
The American will consist of Rutgers, Louisville, South Florida, Connecticut, Cincinnati, Temple, Central Florida, Memphis, Houston and SMU next year.
Rutgers and Louisville will leave after the 2013 season and Tulane, Tulsa and East Carolina will move in in 2014. Navy is set to become the 12th member in 2015.
Aresco said there are no more plans in the works for future expansion and he’s hopeful no more major conference realignment is on the horizon.
“It does appear that there is a period of stability now,” he said.
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The American Athletic Conference will participate in the NCAA Division I in athletic competitions; for football, it will be part of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
University of Central Florida
University of Cincinnati
University of Connecticut
East Carolina University
University of Houston
University of Louisville
University of Memphis
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Southern Methodist University
University of South Florida
Temple University
Tulane University
University of Tulsa
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Video: American Athletic Conference’s development
Mike Aresco commissioner of the AAC
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June 4, 2013
Athletics