Sun Belt Conference welcomes new members, says goodbye to others

[Harry]

One almost needs a scorecard to keep up with all the official changes taking place in terms of conference realignment today, and observers warn even more changes are likely ahead.

"We have been anticipating this day for quite some time," Sun Belt Conference commissioner Karl Benson said in a statement released by the league today. "A lot of hard work has been put in by the administrators around the Sun Belt and at these three institutions. It is very rewarding to see that hard work pay off.

"And while we take a moment to reflect on the process that has gotten us here, we also take focus on what this day means for us moving forward. There is no longer any time to look in the rearview mirror. With the membership that is joining us today, and the membership that will join us on July 1, 2014, we know that this conference will continue to rise in all aspects and our future is unquestionably bright."

With the changes, the Sun Belt becomes a 10-team league this year with eight of the schools -- South Alabama, Troy, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Arkansas State, Western Kentucky, Georgia State and Texas State -- competing for the football crown. Arkansas-Little Rock and Texas-Arlington are members but do not field teams in football.

Recently, the league unveiled its new logo and brand which was a year in development. The slogan adopted by the league is "Together We Rise.''

Read more: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/sun_belt_conference_welcomes_n.html#incart_river