American Athletic Conference Explained

American Athletic Conference
American Athletic Conference
Founded: (de jure)
(de facto) [1]
Association:NCAA
Division:Division I
Subdivision:FBS
Teams:13 (full) + 6 (affiliate)
Sports:21
Mens:9
Womens:12
Formerly:Big East (1979–2013)
Headquarters:Irving, Texas
Commissioner:Tim Pernetti (since 2024)
Color:
  1. 041E41;
Font Color:
  1. FFFFFF
Map:File:AACmap2024.png
Map Size:275

The American Athletic Conference (AAC), also known as The American, is a collegiate athletic conference in The United States of America featuring 13 full member universities and six affiliate member universities that compete in The National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I, with its football teams competing in The Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Member universities represent a range of private and public research universities of various enrollment sizes located primarily in urban metropolitan areas in the Northeastern, Midwestern, and Southern regions of the United States.[2] [3]

The American's legal predecessor, the original Big East Conference, was considered one of the six collegiate power conferences of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) era in college football, and The American inherited that status in the BCS's final season.[4] With the advent of the College Football Playoff in 2014, The American became a "Group of Five" conference, which shares one automatic spot in the New Year's Six bowl games.[5] [6]

The league is the product of substantial turmoil in The Old Big East during The 2010–14 conference realignment period. It is one of two conferences to emerge from the all-sports Big East in 2013. While the other successor, which does not sponsor football, purchased The Big East Conference name, The American inherited The Old Big East's structure and is that conferece's legal successor.[7] However, both conferences claim 1979 as their founding date, and the same history up to 2013.[8] [9] The American Athletic Conference is headquartered in Irving, Texas, and led by Commissioner Tim Pernetti, who replaced the retiring Mike Aresco[3] [10] on June 1, 2024.[11] [12]

History

The Big East

See main article: Big East Conference (1979–2013).

The Big East Conference was founded in 1979 as a basketball conference and included the colleges of Providence, St. John's, Georgetown, and Syracuse, which in turn invited Connecticut (UConn), Holy Cross, Rutgers, and Boston College to be members.[13] [14] UConn and Boston College would accept the invitation, while Holy Cross soon thereafter declined the invitation, and Rutgers eventually declined and remained in the Atlantic 10 Conference (then known as the Eastern 8 Conference). Seton Hall was then invited as a replacement and the conference started play with seven members.[14]

Villanova and Pittsburgh joined shortly thereafter under the leadership of the first Big East commissioner, Dave Gavitt.[15] [16] [17]

The conference remained largely unchanged until 1991, when it began to sponsor football, adding Miami as a full member, and Rutgers, Temple, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia as football-only members.[18] Rutgers and West Virginia were offered full all-sports membership in 1995, while Virginia Tech waited until 2000 for the same offer. Temple football was kicked out after the 2004 season, but rejoined in 2012 and intended to become a full member in 2013.

The unusual structure of the Big East, with the "football" and "non-football" schools, led to instability in the conference.[19] The waves of defection and replacement brought about by the conference realignments of 2005 and the early 2010s revealed tension between the football-sponsoring and non-football schools that eventually led to the split of the conference in 2013.[20]

Realignment and reorganization

The conference was reorganized following the tumultuous period of realignment that hobbled the Big East between 2010 and 2013. The Big East was one of the most severely impacted conferences during the early-2010s conference realignment period. In all, 14 member schools announced their departure for other conferences, and 15 other schools announced plans to join the conference (eight as all-sports members, and four for football only). Three of the latter group later backed out of their plans to join (one for all sports, and the other two for football only).

On December 15, 2012, the Big East's seven remaining non-FBS schools, all Catholic institutions consisting of DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall, and Villanova announced that they voted unanimously to leave the Big East Conference effective June 30, 2015.[21] [22] The "Catholic 7", by leaving, were looking for a more lucrative television deal than the one they would receive by remaining with the football schools.[23] In March 2013, representatives of the Catholic 7 announced they would leave the conference effective June 30, 2013, retaining the Big East name, $10 million, and the right to hold the conference's basketball tournament at Madison Square Garden.[4] [24]

Following the announcement of the departure of the Catholic 7 universities, the remaining ten football-playing members started the process of selecting a new name for the conference and choosing a new site to hold its basketball tournament.[25] [26] Various names were considered, with the "America 12" conference reportedly one of the finalists until rejected by college presidents sensitive of adding a number to the end of the conference name.[27] On April 3, 2013, the conference announced that it had chosen a new name: American Athletic Conference.[2] The conference also revealed that it prefers the nickname "The American" because it was thought "AAC" would cause too much confusion with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).[28]

Louisville and Rutgers spent one season in the newly renamed conference. On July 1, 2014, Louisville joined the ACC[29] and Rutgers joined the Big Ten Conference.[30] On that same day, East Carolina, Tulane, and Tulsa joined The American for all sports, while Sacramento State and San Diego State joined as affiliate members for women's rowing.[31] [32] Navy joined as an affiliate member in football on July 1, 2015.[31]

Addition of Wichita State

For the next several years, The American did not discuss the addition of any new members. However, in March 2017, media reports indicated that the conference was seriously considering adding one or more new members specifically as basketball upgrades. Wichita State, Dayton, and VCU were reportedly considered, with Wichita State being seen as the strongest candidate.[33] By the end of that month, it was reported that talks between the American and Wichita State had advanced to the point that the two sides were discussing a timeline for membership, with the possibility of the Shockers joining as a full but non-football member as early as the 2017–18 school year. The report indicated that a final decision would be made in April.[34] [35] [36] The conference's board of directors voted unanimously on April 7 to add Wichita State effective in July 2017, making the Shockers the league's first full non-football member since the Big East split.[37]

Departure of UConn

On June 21, 2019, a Boston-area sports news website, Digital Sports Desk, revealed that UConn was expected to announce by the end of the month that it would leave the American for the Big East Conference in 2020.[38] The story was picked up by multiple national media outlets the next day. The main issue that reportedly had to be resolved prior to any official announcement was the future of UConn football, as the Big East does not sponsor that sport, and sources indicated that the American had no interest in retaining UConn as a football-only member. Reportedly, American Athletic Conference insiders were not surprised by UConn's prospective move, as that school had been vigorously opposed to that league's most recently announced television deal.[39] [40]

National media believed that should UConn leave the American, the conference's likeliest response would be to bring in two new schools—one for football only and a second in non-football sports, similar to the American's sequential additions of Navy and Wichita State. The most likely prospects for football-only membership were seen as Army (currently an FBS independent, with most of its other sports in the Patriot League), and Air Force (currently an all-sports member of the Mountain West Conference). Any of several schools could potentially fill the non-football slot, with Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports considering VCU to be "the most logical target there." Thamel dismissed the prospect of the American adding a new all-sports member, saying "there's no obvious candidate who could add value in both basketball and football."[39] [40]

On June 24, 2019, it was reported that the Big East had formally approved an invitation for UConn to join the conference.[41] On June 26, 2019, the UConn Board of Trustees accepted the invitation.[42] On July 26, media reports indicated that UConn and The American had reached a buyout agreement that confirmed UConn's Big East arrival date as July 1, 2020, paying the American a $17 million exit fee.[43]

It was widely reported that UConn was "rejoining" the Big East, given that the Huskies would be reunited with many of the schools against which it played for three decades in the original Big East. Indeed, UConn was the last charter member of the old Big East still playing in The American.

Added stability

The American took a number of steps to stabilize the conference after the departure of UConn. The first move was the addition of Old Dominion University as an affiliate member in women's lacrosse for the 2020–21 season. Old Dominion was previously added to The American for women's rowing beginning in the 2018–19 season.[44]

The American moved their headquarters from Providence, Rhode Island to Irving, Texas. This was a planned move, to better centralize the conference offices with the member schools. Irving is in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, which is also home to the headquarters of the Big 12 Conference, College Football Playoff, and the National Football Foundation.[45] The conference also moved the men's basketball tournament to the region, to be played at the new Dickies Arena until 2022.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, some member schools have eliminated sports due to budget constraints. The University of Cincinnati eliminated its men's soccer program[46] while East Carolina University canceled men and women's swimming and diving teams and tennis teams.[47] Women's rowing member San Diego State University dropped that sport effective with the end of the 2020–21 season.[48]

Big 12 raid and subsequent invitations to the conference

See main article: 2021–2024 NCAA conference realignment. In late July 2021, founding Big 12 members Oklahoma and Texas jointly announced that they planned to leave the conference no later than 2025, and formally requested an invitation from the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Shortly thereafter, The American became a peripheral player in this saga when the Big 12 sent a cease and desist letter to current broadcast partner ESPN, charging the network with conspiring to damage the league by luring Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC, and also alleging that the network encouraged an unnamed conference to raid the Big 12 to pave the way for an earlier departure by Oklahoma and Texas. A later media report identified that other conference as The American. ESPN issued an official denial of the Big 12 charges, and officials from The American declined to comment.[49] [50]

On September 3, Sports Illustrated reported that the Big 12 Conference was on the verge of inviting four schools— including American Athletic Conference members Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF.[51] [52] Later that month, all three schools received and accepted membership offers on the date of the presidents' meeting, with the official announcement stating only that they would join the Big 12 no later than 2024–25.[53] On June 10, 2022, The American and the three departing schools announced a buyout agreement had been reached, confirming those schools' 2023 departure date.[54] At the time, it was possible that Cincinnati and UCF could remain in the conference as affiliate members for women's lacrosse and men's soccer, respectively, as the Big 12 does not sponsor those sports, though no formal announcement was made. UCF would later accept an offer of men's soccer membership from the Sun Belt Conference effective in 2023, aligning its men's soccer program with that of West Virginia, the only pre-2023 Big 12 member sponsoring men's soccer. Cincinnati would remain in The American as a women's lacrosse affiliate,[55] but left after the 2024 season when the Big 12 added that sport.[56]

Subsequent moves

In late September 2021, several national media outlets reported that Mountain West Conference (MW) members Air Force and Colorado State had approached The American regarding a possible move to that league.[57] However, on October 1, the MW announced that its current membership would remain intact for the foreseeable future, removing its 12 football members (including football-only member Hawaiʻi) from the list of potential new members for The American. For its part, The American officially denied extending invitations to the two Colorado schools.[58]

Later that month on October 18, 2021, Yahoo Sports reported that The American was preparing to receive applications from six of the 14 members of Conference USACharlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA. This would make The American a 14-full-member conference.[59] The next day, ESPN reported that all six schools had submitted applications, and that each would receive a formal letter by the end of that week (October 22) detailing the terms of conference expansion.[60] All six schools were accepted on October 21,[61] and the conference confirmed their 2023 entry date on June 16, 2022.[62]

Expansion in men's soccer and women's swimming & diving

A series of further realignment moves centering on the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) led to The American's men's soccer league expanding earlier than planned. This sequence began in November 2021 when James Madison announced its departure from the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA; since renamed the Coastal Athletic Association) to join the SBC in 2023.[63] The CAA responded by invoking a provision of its bylaws to ban JMU from further conference championship events. The SBC responded by pushing JMU's entry forward to 2022.[64]

Soon after this, the other three CUSA members set to move to the SBC in 2023 (Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss, with Marshall and ODU sponsoring men's soccer) announced that they would instead leave in 2022. Following a brief legal dispute, CUSA and the three schools reached a settlement that allowed those schools to join the SBC in 2022.[65] With three men's soccer schools now joining in 2022 instead of 2023, the SBC announced it would reinstate men's soccer at that time. The new full members were joined by three full SBC members and three new associate members. Coastal Carolina played the 2021 season in CUSA. The other two full SBC members, Georgia Southern and Georgia State, played in the MAC. The new associates were Kentucky and South Carolina, which had been single-sport CUSA members since 2005; and West Virginia, which had previously announced that it would move men's soccer from the Mid-American Conference to CUSA in 2022.[66] [67]

CUSA was then left with only four men's soccer programs for 2022 (Charlotte, FIU, Florida Atlantic, and UAB), with all but FIU set to become full American members in 2023. The American accordingly brought all four schools in as new men's soccer members for 2022, with FIU remaining an affiliate after the others fully joined The American.[68]

Similar changes came to women's swimming & diving, again due in part to SBC expansion. Of the schools leaving CUSA for the SBC in 2022, Marshall and Old Dominion sponsor that sport, and incoming American members Florida Atlantic, North Texas, and Rice also sponsor the sport (although Rice fields swimmers only, with no divers). The American brought the aforementioned future full members, plus FIU, into its women's swimming & diving league. As with men's soccer, FIU remained a women's swimming & diving affiliate after the other schools fully joined The American.[68]

Departure of SMU

On September 1, 2023, SMU accepted an invitation to join the Atlantic Coast Conference for the 2024–25 season.[69] With this the American was now down one team.

Army enlists

On October 25, 2023, Army announced it would be joining the conference as a football-only member beginning in 2024, joining fellow service academy Navy. The annual Army–Navy Game, typically played at the conclusion of the regular season, will continue to be played annually as a non-conference game and will not count towards conference standings. However, it is possible for the two teams to meet a second time in a season in the American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game, should they finish as the top two teams in the conference.[70]

Membership timeline

ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20Period = from:2013 till:2027TimeAxis = orientation:horizontalPlotArea = right:20 left:0 bottom:50 top:5 #> to display a count on left side of graph, use "left:20" to suppress the count, use "left:20"<#Colors = id:barcolor value:rgb(0.99,0.7,0.7) id:line value:black id:bg value:white id:Full value:rgb(0.742,0.727,0.852) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports id:FullxF value:rgb(0.551,0.824,0.777) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports except for football id:AffilF value:rgb(0.98,0.5,0.445) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member for football only id:AffilOS value:rgb(0.5,0.6,0.824) # Use this color to denote a team that is an affiliate member for only one sport which is not football id:OtherC0 value:rgb(0.988,0.703,0.383) # Use this color to denote a team that has moved in another conference id:OtherC1 value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) # Use this color to denote a team that has moved in another conference when the other color has already been used

DateFormat = yyyyAlignBars = justify

PlotData = width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s

bar:1 color:Full from:2013 till:2014 text:Louisville (2013–14) bar:1 shift:(30) color:OtherC1 from:2014 till:end text:ACC

bar:2 color:Full from:2013 till:2014 text:Rutgers (2013–14) bar:2 shift:(30) color:OtherC1 from:2014 till:end text:Big Ten

bar:3 color:Full from:2013 till:2020 text:Connecticut (2013–20) bar:3 color:OtherC1 from:2020 till:2021 text:Big East / bar:3 shift:(-20) color:OtherC1 from:2021 till:end text:FBS Independents

bar:4 color:Full from:2013 till:2023 text:Cincinnati (2013–23) bar:4 color:AffilOS from:2023 till:2024 text:Big 12 (w. lacrosse, 2023–24) bar:4 color:OtherC1 from:2024 till:end text:

bar:5 Color:Full from:2013 till:2023 text:Houston (2013–23) bar:5 color:OtherC1 from:2023 till:end text:Big 12

bar:6 color:Full from:2013 till:2023 text:UCF (2013–23) bar:6 color:OtherC1 from:2023 till:end text:Big 12

bar:7 Color:Full from:2013 till:end text:SMU (2013–24) bar:7 color:OtherC1 from:2024 till:end text:ACC

bar:8 Color:Full from:2013 till:end text:Memphis (2013–present)

bar:9 color:Full from:2013 till:end text:South Florida (2013–present)

bar:10 color:Full from:2013 till:end text:Temple (2013–present)

bar:11 color:Full from:2014 till:end text:ECU (2014–present) bar:11 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:2014 text:CUSA

bar:12 color:Full from:2014 till:end text:Tulane (2014–present) bar:12 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:2014 text:CUSA

bar:13 color:Full from:2014 till:end text:Tulsa (2014–present) bar:13 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:2014 text:CUSA

bar:21 color:AffilF from:2015 till:end text:Navy (2015–present) bar:21 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:2015 text:FBS Independents

bar:20 color:FullxF from:2017 till:end text:Wichita State (2017–present) bar:20 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:2017 text:MVC

bar:14 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: bar:14 color:AffilOS from:2022 till:2023 text:Charlotte (M. soccer, 2022-23; Full, 2023-present) bar:14 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:2022 text:CUSA

bar:15 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: bar:15 color:AffilOS from:2022 till:2023 text:Florida Atlantic (M. soccer, 2022-23; W. swim & dive, 2022-23; Full, 2023-present) bar:15 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:2022 text:CUSA

bar:16 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: bar:16 color:AffilOS from:2022 till:2023 text:North Texas (W. swim & dive, 2022-23; Full, 2023-present) bar:16 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:2022 text:CUSA

bar:17 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: bar:17 color:AffilOS from:2022 till:2023 text:Rice (W. swim & dive, 2022-23; Full, 2023-present) bar:17 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:2022 text:CUSA

bar:18 color:Full from:2023 till:end text: bar:18 color:AffilOS from:2022 till:2023 text:UAB (M. soccer, 2022-23; Full, 2023-present) bar:18 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:2022 text:CUSA

bar:19 color:Full from:2023 till:end text:UTSA (2023-present) bar:19 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:2023 text:CUSA

bar:22 color:AffilF from:2024 till:end text:Army (2024–present) bar:22 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:2024 text:FBS Independents

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:1 start:2013TextData = fontsize:M textcolor:black pos:(0,30) tabs:(500-center) text:^"American Athletic Conference Membership History"

Member universities

The conference currently has 13 full member institutions – and six affiliate members – in 13 states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Wichita State is the only full member that does not sponsor football.

Current full members

Institution Location Founded Joined Type Enrollment Endowment
(millions)
Nickname Colors
University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, Alabama19692023Public21,923[71] $1,002[72] Blazers
East Carolina UniversityGreenville, North Carolina1907201428,028[73] $280[74] Pirates
Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, Florida1961[75] 202330,171[76] $267Owls
Memphis, Tennessee1912201321,458[77] $341Tigers
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, North Carolina1946[78] 202330,146[79] $31649ers
University of North TexasDenton, Texas1890[80] 46,940[81] $294Mean Green
Rice UniversityHouston, Texas1912[82] Private7,124[83] $7,240Owls
Tampa, Florida19562013Public50,830[84] $638Bulls
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania18842013State related37,365[85] $839Owls
University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, Texas1969[86] 2023Public34,734[87] $287[88] Roadrunners
Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, Louisiana18342014Private14,472[89] $2,108Green Wave
Tulsa, Oklahoma18943,769[90] $1,260Golden Hurricane
Wichita, Kansas18952017Public15,778[91] $331Shockers
Notes:

Affiliate members

InstitutionLocationFoundedJoinedTypeEnrollmentNicknameColorsAAC
sport(s)
Primary
conference
Florida International UniversityWestchester, Florida19652022Public58,064[92] PanthersCUSA
James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, Virginia190821,496DukesSun Belt

(Army)
West Point, New York18022024Federal
(Military)
4,294 Black KnightsFootballPatriot

(Navy)
Annapolis, Maryland18452015Federal
(Military)
4,400MidshipmenFootballPatriot
Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, Virginia19302020Public24,375MonarchsSun Belt
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, Tennessee18732018Private12,686CommodoresSEC
Notes:

Former full members

Seven full members have left the conference.

InstitutionLocationFoundedJoinedLeftTypeNicknameColorsCurrent
conference
Southern Methodist UniversityUniversity Park, Texas191120132024PrivateMustangsACC
Orlando, Florida19632023PublicKnightsBig 12
Cincinnati, Ohio1819Bearcats
Houston, Texas1927Cougars
Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, New Jersey17662014Scarlet KnightsBig Ten
Louisville, Kentucky1798CardinalsACC
Storrs, Connecticut18812020HuskiesBig East
FBS Independent (football)

Former affiliate members

Six affiliate members have left the conference. Five other schools were affiliate members for one year before becoming full conference members.

InstitutionLocationFoundedJoinedLeftNicknameColorsAAC
sport
Primary
conference
Conference
in former
AAC sport
Cincinnati, Ohio181920232024BearcatsBig 12
Gainesville, Florida18532018GatorsSECBig 12
Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, Florida196120222023Owls
Women's swimming & diving
American
Charlotte, North Carolina194649ers
Denton, Texas1890Mean Green
Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, Virginia193020202024MonarchsSun BeltBig 12
Rice UniversityHouston, Texas191220222023OwlsAmerican
Sacramento, California194720152024HornetsBig SkyIndependent
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, California189720152021AztecsMountain WestDiscontinued
Birmingham, Alabama196920222023BlazersAmerican
Villanova UniversityVillanova, Pennsylvania184220132015WildcatsBig EastCAA
Notes:

Sports

The American currently sponsors championship competition in 10 men's and 11 women's NCAA sanctioned sports. James Madison, Old Dominion, and Vanderbilt are affiliate members for women's lacrosse.[93] [94] [95]

Under NCAA rules reflecting the large number of male scholarship participants in football and attempting to address gender equity concerns (see also Title IX), each member institution is required to provide more women's varsity sports than men's.[96]

Sport width=60 Men's Women's
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming & Diving
Tennis
Track and Field (Indoor)
Track and Field (Outdoor)
Volleyball

Men's sponsored sports by school

School Baseball Basketball Cross
Country
Football Golf Soccer Tennis Track & Field
(Indoor)
Track & Field
(Outdoor)
Total
Charlotte 9
East Carolina 7
Florida Atlantic 7
Memphis 9
North Texas 6
Rice 8
South Florida 9
Temple 6
Tulane 6
Tulsa 7
UAB 6
UTSA 8
Wichita State 7
Affiliate members
Army1
FIU1
Navy1
Totals10131212+2117+11191095+3

Men's varsity sports not sponsored by The American which are played by conference schools:

School Sport Conference
Florida Atlantic Swimming & Diving ASUN
Memphis Rifle GARC
Temple RowingIndependent

Women's sponsored sports by school

School Basketball Cross
Country
Golf Lacrosse Soccer Softball Swimming
& Diving
Tennis Track & Field
(Indoor)
Track & Field
(Outdoor)
Volleyball Total
Charlotte 10
East Carolina 11
Florida Atlantic 10
Memphis 9
North Texas 10
Rice 8
South Florida 9
Temple 9
Tulane 8
Tulsa 10
UAB 9
UTSA 9
Wichita State 8
Affiliate members
FIU 1
James Madison 1
Old Dominion 2
Vanderbilt 1
Totals1313114+311105+113131313119+4

Women's varsity sports not sponsored by The American which are played by conference schools:

School Sport(s) Conference(s)
Florida Atlantic Beach volleyball CUSA
Memphis RifleGARC
South FloridaSailingSAISA
Beach volleyball (beginning in 2025–26)TBD
TempleFencingNIWFA
Field hockeyBig East
GymnasticsEAGL
RowingIndependent (joining MAC in 2025–26)
TulaneBeach volleyballCUSA
BowlingCUSA
TulsaRowingBig 12
UABBeach volleyballCUSA
BowlingMEAC
RifleSoCon
Wichita StateBowling CUSA[97]

Conference champions

See main article: List of American Athletic Conference champions. Shared titles (ex: 2014 football, 2020 men's basketball) are counted as a full title for each co-champion.

Accurate as of June 14, 2023.

UCF†2013–202346Baseball: 1 (1 regular season, 0 tournament)
Women's basketball: 2 (1 regular season, 1 tournament)
Football: 4
Women's golf: 3
Women's rowing: 5
Men's soccer: 4 (3 regular season, 1 tournament)
Women's soccer: 5 (4 regular season, 1 tournament)
Softball: 6 (3 regular season, 3 tournament)
Men's tennis: 1
Women's tennis: 2
Women's track & field: 5 (3 indoor, 2 outdoor)
Volleyball: 8 (5 regular season, 3 tournament)
16:
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Women's cross country
Football
Men's golf
Women's golf
Women's rowing
Men's soccer
Women's soccer
Softball
Men's tennis
Women's tennis
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
Houston†2013–202341Baseball: 5 (3 regular season, 2 tournament)
Men's basketball: 6 (4 regular season, 2 tournament)
Football: 1
Men's golf: 1
Women's golf: 3
Women's swimming & diving: 7
Men's track & field: 13 (7 indoor, 6 outdoor)
Women's track & field: 4 (2 indoor, 2 outdoor)
Volleyball: 1 (1 regular season, 0 tournament)
17:
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Football
Men's golf
Women's golf
Women's soccer
Softball
Women's swimming and diving
Women's tennis
Men's indoor track and field
Men's outdoor track and field
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
SMU2013–202430Men's basketball: 4 (2 regular season, 2 tournament)
Women's cross country: 2
Men's golf: 2
Women's golf: 1
Women's rowing: 3
Men's soccer: 5 (2 regular season, 3 tournament)
Men's swimming & diving: 3
Women's swimming & diving: 2
Men's tennis: 2
Women's tennis: 1
Women's track & field: 3 (1 indoor, 2 outdoor)
Volleyball: 2 (2 regular season, 0 tournament)
16:
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Women's cross country
Football
Men's golf
Women's golf
Women's rowing
Men's soccer
Women's soccer
Men's swimming and diving
Women's swimming and diving
Men's tennis
Women's tennis
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
Tulsa2014–present28Men's basketball: 1 (1 regular season, 0 tournament)
Men's cross country: 9
Women's cross country: 6
Men's soccer: 5 (1 regular season, 4 tournament)
Softball: 4 (1 regular season, 3 tournament)
Women's tennis: 3
17:
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Football
Men's golf (until 2015–16)
Women's golf
Women's rowing
Men's soccer
Women's soccer
Softball
Men's tennis
Women's tennis
Men's indoor track and field
Men's outdoor track and field
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
South Florida2013–present27Baseball: 1 (0 regular season, 1 tournament)
Women's basketball: 3 (2 regular season, 1 tournament)
Men's golf: 5
Men's soccer: 2 (1 regular season, 1 tournament)
Women's soccer: 6 (3 regular season, 3 tournament)
Softball: 3 (3 regular season, 0 tournament)
Men's tennis: 5
Women's tennis: 2
18:
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Football
Men's golf
Women's golf
Men's soccer
Women's soccer
Softball
Men's tennis
Women's tennis
Men's indoor track and field
Men's outdoor track and field
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
UConn†2013–202026Baseball: 1 (0 regular season, 1 tournament)
Men's basketball: 1 (0 regular season, 1 tournament)
Women's basketball: 14 (7 regular season, 7 tournament)
Women's cross country: 1
Men's soccer: 1 (1 regular season, 0 tournament)
Women's soccer: 4 (2 regular season, 2 tournament)
Men's track & field: 2 (1 indoor, 1 outdoor)
Women's track & field: 2 (2 indoor, 0 outdoor)
21:
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Football
Men's golf
Women's lacrosse (beginning in 2018–19)
Women's rowing
Men's soccer
Women's soccer
Softball
Men's swimming and diving
Women's swimming and diving
Men's tennis
Women's tennis
Men's indoor track and field
Men's outdoor track and field
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
Cincinnati†2013–202317Baseball: 1 (0 regular season, 1 tournament)
Men's basketball: 5 (3 regular season, 2 tournament)
Football: 3
Women's soccer: 1 (0 regular season, 1 tournament)
Men's swimming & diving: 2
Men's track & field: 1 (1 indoor, 0 outdoor)
Women's track & field: 3 (1 indoor, 2 outdoor)
Volleyball: 1 (1 regular season, 0 tournament)
18:
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Football
Men's golf
Women's golf
Women's lacrosse (beginning in 2018–19)
Men's soccer (until 2019–20)
Women's soccer
Men's swimming and diving
Women's swimming and diving
Women's tennis
Men's indoor track and field
Men's outdoor track and field
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
East Carolina2014–present13Baseball: 8 (5 regular season, 3 tournament)
Women's basketball: 1 (0 regular season, 1 tournament)
Men's swimming & diving: 4
18:
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Football
Men's golf
Women's golf
Women's lacrosse (beginning in 2018–19)
Women's soccer
Softball
Men's swimming and diving (until 2019–20)
Women's swimming and diving (on hiatus in 2020–21)
Men's tennis (until 2019–20)
Women's tennis (on hiatus in 2020–21)
Men's indoor track and field
Men's outdoor track and field
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
Louisville†2013–20149*Baseball: 1 (1 regular season, 0 tournament)
Men's basketball: 2 (1 regular season, 1 tournament), vacated
Men's cross country: 1
Women's golf: 1
Women's rowing: 1
Men's soccer: 1 (1 regular season, 0 tournament)
Softball: 1 (0 regular season, 1 tournament)
Men's swimming & diving: 1
Women's swimming & diving: 1
Volleyball: 1 (1 regular season, 0 tournament)
21:
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Football
Men's golf
Women's golf
Women's rowing
Men's soccer
Women's soccer
Softball
Men's swimming and diving
Women's swimming and diving
Men's tennis
Women's tennis
Men's indoor track and field
Men's outdoor track and field
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
Memphis2013–present9Men's basketball: 1 (0 regular season, 1 tournament)
Football: 2
Men's golf: 1
Women's soccer: 4 (1 regular season, 3 tournament)
Women's tennis: 1
18:
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Football
Men's golf
Women's golf
Men's soccer
Women's soccer
Softball
Men's tennis
Women's tennis
Men's indoor track and field
Men's outdoor track and field
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
Wichita State2017–present9Men's basketball: 1 (1 regular season, 0 tournament)
Women's cross country: 1
Softball: 3 (2 regular season, 1 tournament)
Men's track & field: 2 (0 indoor, 2 outdoor)
Women's track & field: 1 (0 indoor, 1 outdoor)
Volleyball: 1 (1 regular season, 0 tournament)
15:
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Men's golf
Women's golf
Softball
Men's tennis
Women's tennis
Men's indoor track and field
Men's outdoor track and field
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
Florida‡2018–present7Women's lacrosse: 7 (3 regular season, 4 tournament)1:
Women's lacrosse
Tulane2014–present6Baseball: 3 (1 regular season, 2 tournament)
Football: 1
Women's golf: 1
Men's tennis: 1
14:
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Football
Women's golf
Women's swimming and diving
Men's tennis
Women's tennis
Men's outdoor track and field
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
Charlotte2023–present5Softball: 2 (1 regular season, 1 tournament)
Women's Track and Field: 1
Men's Soccer: 1
Men's tennis: 1
18:
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Football
Women's golf
Men's golf
Men's soccer
Women's Soccer
Women's Lacrosse
Men's tennis
Women's tennis
Men's outdoor track and field
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Softball
Volleyball
FIU‡2022–present2Men's soccer: 2 (1 regular season, 1 tournament)2:
Men's soccer
Women's swimming and diving
Temple2013–present2Men's basketball: 1 (1 regular season, 0 tournament)
Football: 1
15:
Baseball (until 2013–14)
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Football
Men's golf
Women's lacrosse (beginning in 2018–19)
Women's rowing
Men's soccer
Women's soccer
Softball (until 2013–14)
Men's tennis
Women's tennis
Men's indoor track and field (until 2013–14)
Men's outdoor track and field (until 2013–14)
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
James Madison‡2022–present1Women's lacrosse: 1 (1 regular season, 0 tournament)1:
Women's lacrosse
Navy‡2015–present01:
Football
Old Dominion‡2018–present02:
Women's lacrosse
Women's rowing (beginning in 2020–21)
Sacramento State‡2015–present01:
Women's rowing
Vanderbilt‡2018–present01:
Women's lacrosse
Rutgers†2013–2014019:
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Football
Men's golf
Women's golf
Women's rowing
Men's soccer
Women's soccer
Softball
Women's swimming and diving
Women's tennis
Men's indoor track and field
Men's outdoor track and field
Women's indoor track and field
Women's outdoor track and field
Volleyball
San Diego State†‡2015–202101:
Women's rowing
Villanova†‡2013–201501
Women's rowing

*- Does not include vacated championships

†- No longer a member of the AAC

‡- Affiliate member

[98]

NCAA national championships

See also: List of NCAA schools with the most NCAA Division I championships and List of NCAA schools with the most Division I national championships.

No current American Conference member has won an NCAA team championship while a member of the conference. The only school to have won a fully recognized NCAA title while in The American, UConn, left for the Big East Conference in 2020. Several members have won national titles before joining The American. Another former member, SMU, won the 2023 equestrian title the year before it left for the ACC, but that sport does not yet have full NCAA recognition. Equestrian is recognized by the NCAA as part of its Emerging Sports for Women program, but championships are organized by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) instead of the NCAA.

Excluded from these lists are all national championships earned outside the scope of NCAA competition, including Division I FBS football titles, Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association titles, women's AIAW titles, NCEA titles, retroactive Helms Athletic Foundation titles, and ITA tennis titles.

Team championships won by current members

width=180Schoolwidth=45Totalwidth=45Menwidth=45Womenwidth=45Co-edwidth=100Nicknamewidth=300Most successful sport (Titles)
University of North Texas4400Mean GreenMen's golf (4)
Temple University3120OwlsWomen's lacrosse (2)
1010BullsWomen's swimming (1)
Tulane University1100Green WaveMen's tennis (1)
1010Golden HurricaneWomen's golf (1)
Wichita State University1100ShockersBaseball (1)
East Carolina University0000PiratesN/A
Florida Atlantic University0000OwlsN/A
Rice University1100OwlsBaseball (1)
University of Alabama at Birmingham0000BlazersN/A
0000TigersN/A
University of North Carolina at Charlotte000049ersN/A
University of Texas at San Antonio0000RoadrunnersN/A
Total343040
[99]

Team championships won as American Athletic Conference members

Includes all titles won while a member of The American, whether or not the conference sponsored that sport at the time.

width=180Schoolwidth=45Totalwidth=45Menwidth=45Womenwidth=45Co-edwidth=100Nicknamewidth=300Most successful sport (Titles)
(UConn)7160HuskiesWomen's basketball, field hockey (3 each)
Total7160

Individual and relay championships by current members

SchoolTotalMenWomenCo-edNicknameMost successful sport (Titles)
University of South Florida219102BullsWomen's swimming (10)
Temple University171700OwlsMen's gymnastics (13)
Tulane University141400Green WaveMen's tennis (10)
University of Memphis6501TigersMen's outdoor track & field (3)
East Carolina University4400PiratesMen's swimming (4)
Wichita State University3300ShockersMen's outdoor track & field (2)
University of Tulsa2110Golden HurricaneWomen's golf (1), Men's indoor track & field (1)
Total256182713

Football

See also: Bowl Championship Series and College Football Playoff.

The conference began football during the 1991–92 season, and it was a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series.[100] Previously, conference opponents operated on a two-year cycle, as a home-and-home series.[101]

The conference previously did not have enough teams to form divisions, but it now does after Navy joined the conference in 2015.[102] When Navy joined in 2015 and the conference's divisions were created, Navy was placed in the West division along with Houston, Memphis, SMU, Tulane, and Tulsa. Teams play eight conference games a season. Since 2015, each team has played the other five teams in its own division, as well as three teams from the other division, operating in a four-year cycle ensuring that each school will play every conference opponent at home and on the road at least once in the four-year cycle.[103] At the end of each regular season, the East division winner and the West division winner, as determined by final conference record, meet in the American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game, played at the home site of one of the division winners.

With the departure of UConn after the 2019 season, the divisions were affected by the reduction to an uneven number of teams. At the time, The American had no plan to add another team to rebalance divisions, so the conference eliminated the divisions. The championship game is now played by the two teams that achieved the best record in regular-season conference play. While The American has had 14 football members since 2023, it has not split into divisions for football.[104]

Like the conference itself, football experienced much transition through its history. In fact it was the main force behind such departures and expansion. In 2003, the BCS announced that it would adjust the automatic bids granted to its six founding conferences based on results from 2004 to 2007. With the addition of Cincinnati, Louisville, and South Florida in 2005, the conference retained its BCS automatic-qualifying status.

At one point, the 2007 South Florida Bulls football team was ranked No. 2 in the BCS rankings, but the team finished No. 21 in the final poll.

The 2009 Cincinnati Bearcats football team finished the regular season undefeated at 12–0, and the team was ranked No. 3 in the final BCS standings, barely missing the opportunity to play for the BCS National Championship. The conference overall was 9–7 (.563) in BCS bowl games, the third highest winning percentage among the AQ conferences.

The 2017 UCF Knights football team, a member of the American, was undefeated, but the team was not invited to the College Football Playoff. The team earned the Group of Five's New Year's Six bowl bid and defeated Auburn in the Peach Bowl. The team claimed a national championship, which was recognized by the Colley Matrix, one of the NCAA-recognized selectors of the national champion in football.

Cincinnati became the first Group of Five team ever to appear in the top four of the CFP rankings at any point of the season, going on to become the only G5 team ever selected for the CFP in its four-team era.

All-time school and conference records

As of the end of the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Conference wins and losses are since the formation of The American, inclusive of championship games.

TeamOverallConferenceBowl
Appearances
The American
Championships
W L T Win %W L Win %
Army727545510010 0
Navy73860057413124 0
Tulsa64753427324723 0
847507150
South Florida1681540345311 0
East Carolina46045412265416 0
North Texas5375343335130
Memphis53353733553615 1
UAB1721872356 0
Tulane56567238354716 1
Temple4946175240499 1
Florida Atlantic1221550355 0
Rice492652324413 0
Charlotte45860261 0

Football champions

See main article: American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game.

The American Championship Game pits the top two teams in the conference standings in a game held following the conclusion of the regular season. The site of the Championship Game is the home stadium of the team with the best overall conference record, with a series of tiebreakers used if needed to determine the host or either of the participants. In its first two seasons, The American awarded its championship to the team(s) with the best overall conference record. The conference split into two six-team divisions for football and first played its championship game in 2015. Through the 2019 season, the championship game involved the winners of each division and was hosted by the division champion with the best conference record. After UConn's 2020 departure, the conference reverted to a single-table format. This format continues even after the expansion to 14 teams in 2023.

Record Ranking
Year Champions Conference Overall AP Coaches Bowl result Head coach
8–0 12–1
  1. 10
  1. 12
George O'Leary
7–1 9–4 N/A N/A George O'Leary
7–1 9–4 N/A N/A Tommy Tuberville
7–1 10–3
  1. 25
  1. 25
Justin Fuente
7–1 13–1
  1. 8
  1. 8
Tom Herman
2016Temple7–110–3
  1. 23
  1. 24
L Military Bowl 26–34 vs. Wake ForestMatt Rhule
2017UCF8–013–0
  1. 6
  1. 7
W Peach Bowl 34–27 vs. AuburnScott Frost
2018UCF8–012–1
  1. 11
  1. 12
L Fiesta Bowl 32–40 vs. LSUJosh Heupel
2019Memphis7–112–2
  1. 17
  1. 17
L Cotton Bowl 39–53 vs. Penn StateMike Norvell
2020Cincinnati6–09–1
  1. 6
  1. 6
L Peach Bowl 21–24 vs. GeorgiaLuke Fickell
2021Cincinnati8–013–1
  1. 4
  1. 4
L Cotton Bowl 6–27 vs. Alabama^Luke Fickell
2022Tulane7–112–2
  1. 9
  1. 9
W Cotton Bowl 46–45 vs. USCWillie Fritz
2023SMU8-011–3
  1. 22
  1. 24
L Fenway Bowl, 14–23 vs. Boston CollegeRhett Lashlee

Rivalries

The American has many rivalries among its member schools, primarily in football. Some rivalries existed before the conference was established or began play in football. Recent conference realignments in 2005, 2013, and the early 2020s ended – or temporarily halted – many rivalries. Before their departure to other conferences, a number of former member schools held longtime rivalries within the conference.

Intra-conference rivalries

Rivalry name Team 1Team 2 Meetings Most Recent MeetingFirst meeting Record Current streak
Army–Navy GameNavy124Army, 17–11 (2023)Navy, 24–0 (1890)62–55–7 (Navy)2 (Army)
Battle for the BonesUAB16Memphis, 45–21 (2023)Memphis, 28–7 (1997)10–6 (UAB)2 (Memphis)-Mayor's CupRiceSMU90SMU, 36–32 (2023)Rice, 127–3 (1916)49–41–1 (SMU)1 (SMU)
Gansz TrophyNavySMU25SMU, 59-14 (2023)SMU, 20–7 (1930)13–12 (Navy)4 (SMU)
Safeway BowlNorth TexasSMU42SMU, 45–21 (2023)SMU, 66–0 (1922)36–6–1 (SMU)5 (SMU) -->

Records as of week 13 2023 Season

Bowl games

Following the 2013 season, the BCS era came to a close and was replaced by the College Football Playoff. Four teams play in two semifinal games, with the winners advancing to the College Football Playoff National Championship.[105] Six bowl games — the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Peach Bowl — will rotate as hosts for the semifinal games, and host major bowls when they do not host semifinal games (access bowls).

With the birth of the College Football Playoff, The American lost its automatic qualifying status for one of the major bowls. Instead, one automatic qualifying spot is reserved for the highest ranked team from the "Group of Five" conferences – The American, Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, and Sun Belt Conference.

Although the pick order usually corresponds to the conference standings, the bowls are not required to make their choices strictly according to the won-lost records; many factors influence bowl selections, especially the likely turnout of the team's fans. Picks are made after any applicable College Football Playoff selections. If a team is selected for one of the access bowls or playoff, the bowl with the No. 2 pick will have the first pick of the remaining teams in the conference.

+American Athletic Conference bowl games[106] YearNameLocationOpposing conference
2020–25Cotton, Peach, Fiesta, or Playoff[107] Arlington, Atlanta, Glendale, or Playoff SiteCFP at-large
2020–25Fenway BowlBoston, MassachusettsACC
2020–25Military BowlAnnapolis, MarylandACC
2020/22/24Hawaii BowlHonolulu, HawaiiMWC
2021/23/25Armed Forces BowlFort Worth, TexasBig 12 or Army
2020–25Cure BowlOrlando, FloridaSun Belt
2020–25Boca Raton BowlBoca Raton, FloridaMAC or CUSA
2020–25Frisco BowlFrisco, TexasCUSA, MAC, Sun Belt or BYU
2020–25Birmingham BowlBirmingham, AlabamaSEC
2020–25Gasparilla BowlTampa, FloridaSEC
2020–25First Responder BowlDallas, TexasTBD
2020–25Myrtle Beach BowlConway, South CarolinaCUSA, MAC or Sun Belt
2020–25New Mexico BowlAlbuquerque, New MexicoTBD

Head football coach compensation

The total pay of head coaches includes university and non-university compensation. This includes base salary, income from contracts, foundation supplements, bonuses and media and radio pay.[108]

Conf.
Rank
UniversityHead coachSalary[109]
1$2,842,000
2University of Texas - San AntonioJeff Traylor$2,550,000
t-3Alex Golesh$2,500,000
t-3Stan Drayton$2,500,000
4$2,355,804
t-5$1,900,000
t-5Kevin Wilson$1,900,000[110]
6$1,600,000
t-7University of Alabama BirminghamTrent Dilfer$1,300,000
t-7University of North TexasEric Morris$1,300,000
8University of North Carolina at CharlotteBiff Poggi$1,000,000
9Rice UniversityMike Bloomgren$926,208
10Florida Atlantic UniversityTom Herman$700,000
Records as of the end of the 2022 season

Conference individual honors

See main article: American Athletic Conference football individual awards. Coaches and media of The American award individual honors at the end of each football season.[111]

Men's basketball

See also: American Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament. In June 2013, it was announced that the inaugural men's basketball tournament would take place at FedExForum in Memphis.[112] FedExForum had previously hosted eight Conference USA basketball tournaments.

Even though the Big East Conference was meant to be a basketball-oriented conference, UConn, a member of The American, won the 2014 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament (the first after the conferences split).

All-time school records by winning percentage

This list goes through the 2022–23 season.

-- NOTE: Final Fours includes all divisions, national championships includes pre-NCAA and AIAW -->
No. Team Records Win Pct. The American
Tournament
Championships
The American
Regular Season
Championships
Final Fours National
Championships
1 1,387–685 1 0 3 0
2 1,978–1,135 0 1 2 1
3 913–536 1 0 0 0
4 1,657–1,245 0 1 2 0
5 1,498–1,225 0 1 0 0
6 904–789 0 0 1 0
7 UTSA611–633 0 0 0 0
8 Tulane1,275–1,356 0 0 0 0
9 North Texas1,264–1,353 0 0 0 0
10 South Florida668–811 0 0 0 0
11 Rice1,178–1,504 0 0 0 0
12 East Carolina714–912 0 0 0 0
13 Florida Atlantic423–617 0 0 1 0

Source[113]

American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball NCAA Bids

This list goes through the 2023–24 season. Only current American Conference members are included. However, this list covers the entire histories of basketball at the listed institutions, not just their American Conference tenures.

Total bidsBids as
AAC member
SchoolLast bidLast R32Last Sweet 16Last Elite 8Last Final 4Last RULast Championship
332Temple201920132001200119581938
28*3Memphis202320222009200820082008
171UAB2024201520041982
161Tulsa2016200320002000
162Wichita State20212017201520132013
110Charlotte20052001197719771977
40Rice197019541942
40North Texas20212021
40UTSA2011
31Florida Atlantic20242023202320232023
30South Florida20122012
30Tulane19951995
20East Carolina1993

Men's basketball champions

Regular Season Tournament
Year Champions Record AP Coaches' Postseason Champions Record AP Coaches' Postseason
2013–14Louisville31–6 (15–3)
  1. 5
  1. 9
Sweet 16Louisville31–6
  1. 5
  1. 9
Sweet 16
Cincinnati27–7 (15–3)
  1. 15
  1. 22
Round of 32
2014–15SMU27–7 (15–3)
  1. 18
NRRound of 64SMU27–7
  1. 18
RVRound of 64
2015–16Temple21–12 (14–4)NRNRRound of 64UConn25–10RVRVRound of 32
2016–17SMU30–4 (17–1)
  1. 11
  1. 23
Round of 64SMU30–4
  1. 11
  1. 23
Round of 64
2017–18Cincinnati30–4 (16–2)
  1. 6
  1. 12
Round of 32Cincinnati30–4
  1. 6
  1. 12
Round of 32
2018–19Houston33–4 (16–2)
  1. 11
  1. 12
Sweet 16Cincinnati28–7
  1. 22
  1. 24
Round of 64
2019–20Cincinnati20–10 (13–5)NRNRCanceledCanceled
Houston23–8 (13–5)
  1. 22
  1. 23
Tulsa21–10 (13–5)NRNR
2020–21Wichita State16–6 (11–2)NRNRFirst 4Houston28–4
  1. 6
  1. 3
Final 4
2021–22Houston32–6 (15–3)
  1. 15
  1. 7
Elite 8Houston32–6
  1. 15
  1. 7
Elite 8
2022–23Houston33–4 (17–1)
  1. 2
  1. 6
Sweet 16Memphis26–9
  1. 24
NRRound of 64

Intra-conference Rivalries

The American has many rivalries among its member schools, some of which existed before the conference was established. Recent conference realignment in 2005 and 2013 ended – or temporarily halted – many rivalries. Before their departure to other conferences, a number of former member schools held longtime rivalries within the conference.

Rivalry Name Team 1 Team 2Meetings Most Recent Meeting First Meeting Record Current Streak
Battle for the BonesMemphisUAB5065–57, Memphis (2019)53–51, Memphis (1984)36–11 (Memphis)2 (Memphis)
Tulsa–Wichita State RivalryWichita State140 81–63, Wichita State (2023) 32–30, Tulsa (1931) 77–63 (Wichita State) 3 (Wichita State)
Results as of the 2022–23 season.

Women's basketball

See also: American Athletic Conference women's basketball tournament. In June 2013, it was announced that the inaugural women's basketball tournament would take place at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.[114] Women's basketball teams have played a total of 20 times in the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship (since 1982), with UConn winning 11 national championships under head coach Geno Auriemma since 1995. Women's national championship tournaments prior to 1982 were run by the AIAW.

All-time school records by winning percentage

This list goes through the 2016–17 season.[115]

-- NOTE: Final Fours includes all divisions, national championships includes pre-NCAA and AIAW -->
No. Team Records Win Pct. The American
Tournament
Championships
The American
Regular Season
Championships
Final Fours National
Championships
1 781–590 0 0 0 0
2 684–534 0 0 0 0
3 806–653–3 0 0 0 0
5 705–600 1 0 0 0
6 687–690 1 1 0 0
7 571–647 0 0 0 0
8 326–544 0 0 0 0

Women's basketball champions

Regular Season Tournament
Year Champions Record AP Coaches' Postseason Champions Record AP Coaches' Postseason
2013–14 40–0 (18–0)
  1. 1
  1. 1
UConn 40–0 (18–0)
  1. 1
  1. 1
NCAA Champion
2014–15 38–1 (18–0)
  1. 1
  1. 1
UConn 38–1 (18–0)
  1. 1
  1. 1
NCAA Champion
2015–16 38–0 (18–0)
  1. 1
  1. 1
UConn 38–0 (18–0)
  1. 1
  1. 1
NCAA Champion
2016–17 36–1 (16–0)
  1. 1
  1. 1
UConn 36–1 (16–0)
  1. 1
  1. 1
Final Four
2017–18 36–1 (16–0)
  1. 1
  1. 1
UConn 36–1 (16–0)
  1. 1
  1. 1
Final Four
2018–19 35–3 (16–0)
  1. 2
  1. 2
UConn 35–3 (16–0)
  1. 2
  1. 3
Final Four
2019–20 28–3 (16–0)
  1. 5
  1. 6
Canceled UConn 28–3 (16–0)
  1. 5
  1. 6
Canceled
2020–21 19–4 (13–2)
  1. 19
  1. 18
South Florida 19–4 (13–2)
  1. 19
  1. 18
Round of 32
2021–22 26–4 (14–1)
  1. 24
  1. 24
UCF 26–4 (14–1)
  1. 24
  1. 24
Round of 32
2022–23 27–7 (15–1) Round of 32East Carolina23–10 (11–5)Round of 64

Facilities

Michie Stadium38,000Football-only member
Jerry Richardson Stadium15,300Dale F. Halton Arena9,105Hayes Stadium3,000
Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium51,000Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum8,000Clark-LeClair Stadium5,000
FAU Stadium29,571Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena3,161FAU Baseball Stadium2,000
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium59,308FedExForum (men)
Elma Roane Fieldhouse (women)
18,119
2,565
FedExPark2,000
Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium34,000Football-only member
DATCU Stadium30,850UNT Coliseum10,032Non-baseball school
Rice Stadium47,000Tudor Fieldhouse5,208Reckling Park7,000
Raymond James Stadium65,908Yuengling Center10,411USF Baseball Stadium3,211
Lincoln Financial Field68,532Liacouras Center
McGonigle Hall (women)
10,206
3,900
Non-baseball school
Yulman Stadium30,000Devlin Fieldhouse4,100Turchin Stadium5,000
Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium30,000Reynolds Center8,355Non-baseball school
Protective Stadium47,100Bartow Arena8,508Regions Field
Young Memorial Field
8,500
1,000
Alamodome36,582Convocation Center4,080Roadrunner Field800
Non-football memberCharles Koch Arena10,506Eck Stadium7,851

Athletic department revenue by school

Total revenue includes ticket sales, contributions and donations, rights and licensing, student fees, school funds and all other sources including TV income, camp income, concessions, and novelties.

Total expenses includes coach and staff salaries, scholarships, buildings and grounds, maintenance, utilities and rental fees, recruiting, team travel, equipment and uniforms, conference dues, and insurance.

The following table shows institutional reporting to the United States Department of Education as shown on the DOE Equity in Athletics website for the 2021–22 academic year.[116]

Institution2021–22 Total Revenue from Athletics2021–22 Total Expenses on Athletics
Temple University$67,128,393$67,128,393
University of South Florida$62,288,596$62,288,596
University of Memphis$56,896,042$56,896,042
East Carolina University$52,643,839$51,812,739
University of Tulsa$47,406,950$47,406,950
University of North Texas$44,477,322$44,222,541
Rice University$42,350,198$42,350,198
University of Alabama at Birmingham$39,515,894$39,515,894
University of Texas at San Antonio$37,604,241$37,604,241
University of North Carolina at Charlotte$35,501,675$33,615,643
Florida Atlantic University$34,737,083$34,737,083
Tulane University$34,183,387$34,183,387
Wichita State University
Non-football member
$26,887,822$24,048,367

Academics

Three of the current full member schools, Rice University, the University of South Florida and Tulane University, are members of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization of 71 leading research universities in the United States and Canada.[117] [118] Seven current members are doctorate-granting universities with "very high research activity," the highest classification given by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Three of these seven schools are leaving for the Big 12 Conference in July 2023; however, four of the schools joining from Conference USA at that time are in this classification.[119] Member schools are also highly ranked nationally and globally by various groups, including U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly, and Times Higher Education.

UniversityLocationAffiliationCarnegieEndowment (millions)[120] USN Nat.[121] WM Nat.[122] AAU Member
Birmingham, AlabamaPublic (UA System)Research (VH)$1,002148307
Boca Raton, FloridaPublic (SUSF)Research (H)$271277192
East Carolina UniversityGreenville, North CarolinaPublic (UNC)Research (H)$164.1217171
Memphis, TennesseePublic (THEC)Research (VH)$200.825837
Charlotte, North CarolinaPublic (UNC System)Research (H)$166.6227388
Denton, TexasPublic (UNT System)Research (VH)$131.7277234
Houston, TexasPrivateResearch (VH)$7,814 [123] 1724
Tampa, FloridaPublic (SUSF)Research (VH)$690.09751
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaPublic (CSHE)Research (VH)$386.8103195
San Antonio, TexasPublic (UT System)Research (VH)$277.0298 [124] 295
Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LouisianaPrivate (non-sectarian)Research (VH)$1,183.941100
Tulsa, OklahomaPrivate (Presbyterian)Research (H)$1,015.5143164
Wichita State UniversityWichita, KansasPublic (KBOR)Research (H)$235.5298

Broadcasting and media rights

In March 2019, the conference announced a $1 billion, 12-year media rights deal with ESPN, under which the majority of AAC content will be aired on ESPN properties. Selected basketball games were sub-licensed to CBS Sports until 2022, and most Army and Navy home football games will take place on CBS Sports until 2027 and 2028, respectively, as both schools had a previous deal with CBS prior to joining The American. Content not aired on linear television will be exclusive to ESPN's subscription package ESPN+, but a larger number of events (including at least 40 football games and 65 men's basketball games per-season, including the conference semi-finals and championship) will air on ABC and ESPN's linear networks than under the previous contract.[125] [126] [127] Over 1,000 conference sporting events are aired on ESPN+ per year, including every baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball game hosted by a conference member (unless that game is being broadcast on one of ESPN's other networks).[128] The conference golf, rowing, swimming and diving, and track and field championships are also aired on ESPN+.

See also

Notes and References

  1. The American is the legal all-sports successor to the Big East Conference (1979–2013). The Big East was rebranded and reorganizes as the American Athletic Conference on July 1, 2013.
  2. Web site: New Name in College Sports – Current BIG EAST Enters New Era as 'American Athletic Conference' . https://web.archive.org/web/20130421031242/http://www.bigeast.org/News/tabid/435/Article/243706/new-name-in-college-sports-current-big-east-enters-new-era-as-american-athletic.aspx. April 21, 2013. April 3, 2013. April 3, 2013.
  3. Web site: What's next for the 'old Big East' . https://web.archive.org/web/20130318113424/http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/katz_andy/id/9057093/the-steps-new-big-east-conference-college-basketball . dead . March 18, 2013 . Katz . Andy . . March 15, 2013 . March 17, 2013.
  4. Web site: Catholic 7 to keep 'Big East' name for new league next season, according to sources . McMurphy . Brett . . March 1, 2013 . March 7, 2013.
  5. The other conferences in the "Group of Five" are Conference USA (C-USA), the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the Mountain West Conference, and the Sun Belt Conference.
  6. News: Big East, rest of 'Group of Five' score win with six-bowl decision . Mandel . Stewart . . November 12, 2012 . March 8, 2013.
  7. Web site: Grant. Ethan. Big East Will Change Name to American Athletic Conference. 2021-11-22. Bleacher Report. en.
  8. Web site: The American Athletic Conference - About the American Athletic Conference. https://web.archive.org/web/20140209090628/http://www.theamerican.org/sports/2013/6/22/ABOUT_0622134018.aspx. dead. February 9, 2014. February 9, 2014. July 15, 2018.
  9. Web site: Big East Conference - BIG EAST Conference History. www.bigeast.com. July 15, 2018.
  10. News: Big East completes official split of football, basketball . https://archive.today/20130410175126/http://www.delmarvanow.com/viewart/20130309/SPORTS/303090035/Big-East-completes-official-split-football-basketball . dead . April 10, 2013 . Russo . Ralph . . March 8, 2013 . March 17, 2013 .
  11. Commissioner Mike Aresco Announces Retirement . American Athletic Conference . December 7, 2023 . June 1, 2024.
  12. Tim Pernetti Named Second Commissioner of the American Athletic Conference . American Athletic Conference . April 3, 2024 . June 1, 2024.
  13. Web site: Naming original Big East was simple . Blaudschun . Mark . AJerseyGuy.com . March 8, 2013 . March 9, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213431/http://ajerseyguy.com/?p=5625 . April 8, 2014.
  14. Web site: A Big East History and Retrospective, Part 1 . Crouthamel. Jake. December 8, 2000 . SUAthletics.com . March 9, 2013.
  15. News: Dave Gavitt, the Big East's Founder, Dies at 73. The New York Times. September 17, 2011. March 9, 2013. Sarah Maslin Nir.
  16. News: Big East, Villanova Make It Official . United Press International . . March 13, 1980 . March 9, 2013 .
  17. News: Pittsburgh To Join Big East . Richard F . Hanley . November 19, 1981 . March 9, 2013 . .
  18. Web site: Big East Football Timeline . . March 8, 2008 . March 9, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130730175652/http://articles.philly.com/2012-03-08/sports/31136038_1_big-east-football-football-only-member-football-schools . July 30, 2013 . dead.
  19. News: Commissioner John Marinatto Steps Down Amid Big East's Instability. Thamel. Pete . Pete Thamel . The New York Times. May 7, 2012. March 9, 2013.
  20. News: Big East 'unwilling' to meet terms . . January 3, 2013 . March 9, 2013.
  21. Web site: Big East fate vexes Catholic schools . Andy . Katz . Brett . McMurphy . . December 11, 2012 . December 11, 2012.
  22. Web site: Seven schools leaving Big East . . December 15, 2012 . December 15, 2012.
  23. Web site: Sources: 'Catholic 7' eyes big TV deal . Rovell . Darren . . January 6, 2013 . March 6, 2013.
  24. Web site: Catholic 7 has framework to keep Big East name, MSG as tourney site. Harten. David. . March 5, 2013. March 7, 2013.
  25. Web site: Big East, Catholic 7 ready to make split official . Blaudschun . Mark . AJerseyGuy.com . March 6, 2013 . March 7, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203102820/http://ajerseyguy.com/?p=5545 . December 3, 2013 .
  26. News: Report: $100M for football schools . . March 5, 2013 . March 7, 2013.
  27. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/9130997/former-big-east-named-american-athletic-conference Former Big East to be named American Athletic Conference
  28. News: American Athletic Conference unveils its primary logos. Wolken. Dan. USA Today. May 29, 2013 . Beyond the challenge of avoiding something that looked corporate, the league also couldn't build the logo around an acronym. From the very beginning, the conference office has been adamant that it wants to be known as The American instead of the AAC to avoid confusion with the Atlantic Coast Conference..
  29. Web site: ACC Extends Formal Invitation for Membership to the University of Louisville - the Official Athletic Site of the Atlantic Coast Conference . November 28, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121212230217/http://www.theacc.com/genrel/112812aaa.html . December 12, 2012 .
  30. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/rutgers-accepts-invitation-join-big-ten-article-1.1204813 Rutgers Scarlet Knights accept invitation to join Big Ten as Board of Governors gives go-ahead to athletic director Tim Pernetti
  31. News: At a glance: Latest wave of conference realignment . . June 29, 2014 . June 30, 2014.
  32. The American adds Associate Members for Women's Rowing. American Athletic Conference. March 25, 2014. May 17, 2014.
  33. News: Wichita State getting 'serious evaluation' to join American Athletic Conference . Dennis . Dodd . CBSSports.com . March 3, 2017 . March 6, 2017.
  34. Sources: Wichita State in talks to join AAC as soon as 2017–18 . Pete . Thamel . Pete Thamel . . March 31, 2017 . March 31, 2017.
  35. News: Source: Wichita St. eyes 2017 move to AAC. ESPN.com. April 4, 2017.
  36. Web site: AAC Is Preparing For Wichita State To Join League In 2017–18. www.fanragsports.com. en. April 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170056/https://www.fanragsports.com/news/aac-preparing-wichita-state-join-league-2017-18/. April 5, 2017. dead.
  37. Wichita State to Become Member of American Athletic Conference . American Athletic Conference . April 7, 2017 . April 7, 2017.
  38. News: UConn to Return to Big East . Digital Sports Desk . June 21, 2019 . June 22, 2019.
  39. News: Sources: UConn expected to rejoin Big East . Jeff . Borzello . Mark . Schlabach . ESPN.com . June 22, 2019 . June 22, 2019.
  40. News: Sources: UConn move to the Big East inevitable . Pete . Thamel . Pete Thamel . . June 22, 2019 . June 22, 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190622180100/https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-u-conn-move-to-the-big-east-inevitable-151200471.html . June 22, 2019 .
  41. Web site: Big East presidents approve UConn's invitation to join conference; football program's future remains uncertain . Tom . Fornelli. Matt . Norlander. Gary . Parrish . CBSSports.com . June 24, 2019 . 25 June 2019 . en.
  42. Web site: It's official: UConn is back in the Big East. Dauster. Rob. 2019-06-26. CollegeBasketballTalk . NBC Sports . en. 2019-06-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626180901/https://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2019/06/26/its-official-uconn-is-back-in-the-big-east/ . 2019-06-26 .
  43. News: UConn leaving AAC in '20, will owe $17M exit fee . Jeff . Borzello . ESPN . July 26, 2019 . July 26, 2019.
  44. Web site: American Athletic Conference Adds Old Dominion as an Affiliate Member in Women's Lacrosse . . April 16, 2020 . American Athletic Conference . May 26, 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220523203342/https://theamerican.org/news/2020/4/15/american-athletic-conference-adds-old-dominion-as-an-affiliate-member-in-womens-lacrosse.aspx . 2022-05-23.
  45. Web site: American Athletic Conference Moving HQ From Rhode Island to Irving . Swanger . Ben . May 21, 2020 . . May 26, 2020.
  46. Web site: UC Discontinues Men's Soccer Program . . April 14, 2020 . GoBearcats . April 14, 2020.
  47. Web site: East Carolina eliminates swimming and diving, tennis program . Adelson . Andrea . 21 May 2020 . . 26 May 2020 .
  48. Open Letter to the San Diego State University Community . San Diego State Aztecs . November 20, 2020 . December 8, 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201120203135/https://goaztecs.com/news/2020/11/20/general-open-letter-to-the-san-diego-state-university-community.aspx . 2020-11-20.
  49. News: Big 12 accuses ESPN of encouraging its schools to leave conference in cease-and-desist letter . Jack . Baer . Yahoo Sports . July 28, 2021 . July 28, 2021.
  50. Big 12 Accuses ESPN of Destabilizing Conference, Issues Cease and Desist . Wilton . Jackson . Sports Illustrated . July 28, 2021 . July 28, 2021.
  51. Sources: Big 12 Could Add Four New Members By End of Next Week . Ross . Dellenger . Pat . Forde . Pat Forde . Sports Illustrated . September 3, 2021 . September 4, 2021.
  52. News: BYU, Houston, UCF, Cincinnati planning to submit applications to Big 12 next week, sources confirm . Heather . Dinich . Adam . Rittenberg . Adam Rittenberg . ESPN.com . September 3, 2021 . September 4, 2021.
  53. Big 12 Conference Adds Four New Members . Big 12 Conference . September 10, 2021 . September 10, 2021.
  54. American Announces Agreements With UCF, Cincinnati and Houston on Departure . American Athletic Conference . June 10, 2022 . June 10, 2022.
  55. Web site: About The American: Sponsored Sports . American Athletic Conference . August 26, 2023.
  56. Big 12 to Add Beach Volleyball & Women's Lacrosse . Big 12 Conference . November 9, 2023 . November 10, 2023.
  57. Report: Colorado State, Air Force Latest College Football Programs Eyeing Move to AAC . Wilton . Jackson . Sports Illustrated . September 28, 2021 . October 20, 2021.
  58. News: Mountain West Conference says it will stay intact; American Athletic Conference denies offering invitations . Kyle . Bonagura . ESPN.com . October 1, 2021 . October 20, 2021.
  59. News: Sources: The AAC is close to massive 6-school expansion to reshape conference . Pete . Thamel . Pete Thamel . . October 18, 2021 . October 19, 2021.
  60. News: Source: Six schools officially apply to join American Athletic Conference . Heather . Dinich . ESPN.com . October 19, 2021 . October 19, 2021.
  61. Source: American Athletic Conference Announces the Addition of Six Universities . American Athletic Conference . October 21, 2021 . October 21, 2021.
  62. American Announces Entrance Agreements With Incoming Members for 2023-24 Season . American Athletic Conference . June 16, 2022 . June 16, 2022.
  63. Web site: JMU to the Sun Belt: Frequently Asked Questions. James Madison Dukes . November 6, 2021. December 4, 2021.
  64. James Madison to Compete in Sun Belt Conference in 2022-2023 . James Madison Dukes . February 2, 2022 . February 2, 2022.
  65. News: Move of Marshall, Old Dominion, Southern Miss from Conference USA to Sun Belt now complete . Pete . Thamel . Pete Thamel . . March 29, 2022 . March 29, 2022.
  66. West Virginia Added as C-USA Soccer Member for 2022 . Conference USA . June 14, 2021 . June 15, 2021.
  67. Sun Belt Conference Announces Return of Men's Soccer This Fall . Sun Belt Conference . April 6, 2022 . April 7, 2022.
  68. American Announces Affiliate Members in Men's Soccer and Women's Swimming and Diving . American Athletic Conference . May 4, 2022 . May 6, 2022.
  69. Web site: 2023-08-25 . SMU Joins The ACC . 2023-09-01 . SMU Athletics . en.
  70. Web site: Crosby . Jack . Army to join AAC in 2024 as football-only member as conference tabs Black Knights to replace SMU . CBSSports.com . October 25, 2023 . October 25, 2023.
  71. Web site: UAB - Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Analysis - Enrollment . 2015-01-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150224080041/http://www.uab.edu/institutionaleffectiveness/student-data/enrollment . 2015-02-24 .
  72. Web site: Thanks a billion: The Campaign for UAB surpasses $1 billion. 2018-11-28 . 2024-06-15.
  73. Web site: ECU by the Numbers . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230105043837/https://facts.ecu.edu . 2023-01-05 . 2023-02-23 .
  74. Web site: 2023 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments . National Association of College and University Business Officers . 2024-02-15 . 2024-04-22.
  75. FAU Accepts Invite to The American . FAU Athletics . October 21, 2021 . October 21, 2021.
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  77. Web site: UofM Facts at a Glance - About UofM - The University of Memphis. www.memphis.edu. July 15, 2018.
  78. UNC Charlotte Accepts Invitation to American Athletic Conference . UNC Charlotte Athletics . October 21, 2021 . October 21, 2021.
  79. Web site: UNIVERSITY PROFILE. admissions.uncc.edu. 2020-10-25.
  80. UNT Accepted as Member of the American Athletic Conference . UNT Athletics . October 21, 2021 . October 21, 2021.
  81. Web site: With nearly 47,000 students, UNT is the top choice for career readiness in Texas. news.unt.edu.
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  87. Web site: UTSA welcomes record number of freshmen, celebrates more fall milestones. September 29, 2021.
  88. Web site: Endowment Report 2022/23 . The University of Texas at San Antonio . 2024-01-11 . 2024-04-22.
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  93. American Athletic Conference to Sponsor Women's Lacrosse Beginning in 2019 . American Athletic Conference . October 11, 2017 . October 16, 2017.
  94. ODU Lacrosse to Join the American Athletic Conference . Old Dominion University Athletics . April 16, 2020 . April 18, 2020.
  95. American Adds James Madison University as Affiliate Member in Women's Lacrosse . American Athletic Conference . February 4, 2022 . February 4, 2022.
  96. Under NCAA Bylaw 20.9.4, all Division I schools are required to sponsor a minimum of seven men's and seven women's sports, or six men's and eight women's sports. Bylaw 20.9.7.1 imposes the latter requirement on FBS schools. FCS schools, under Bylaw 20.9.8.1, may use either requirement. This does not explicitly require that a school sponsor two more women's sports than men's sports. See Web site: 2012–13 NCAA Division I Manual . . March 7, 2013.
  97. BOWL: Wichita State Joins CUSA as an Affiliate Member for Bowling . Conference USA . November 13, 2023 . November 15, 2023.
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  104. American Announces Football Scheduling Model for 2023-26 Seasons . American Athletic Conference . November 9, 2022 . April 16, 2023.
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  107. If The American's champion is the highest ranked from among the "Group of Five" conferences, it will receive a bid to either the Cotton Bowl, the Peach Bowl, or the Fiesta Bowl. If the team is ranked in the top four at the end of the regular season, it will take part in the College Football Playoff.
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