The American (conference)

The American (conference). The American Athletic Conference, commonly branded as **The American**, is a prominent NCAA Division I athletic conference competing at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level. Founded in 2013 from the remnants of the original Big East Conference, it has navigated significant realignment to maintain its status as a major competitor in collegiate sports. The conference's membership spans a wide geographic footprint across the United States, with its headquarters located in Irving, Texas.

History

The conference's origins are directly tied to the 2010–2014 NCAA conference realignment, a period of massive upheaval in college athletics. In 2013, the seven non-FBS schools of the Big East—including Georgetown and Villanova—departed to form the new Big East, retaining the conference's name and Madison Square Garden for its basketball tournament. The remaining FBS football-playing institutions, led by Commissioner Mike Aresco, rebranded as the American Athletic Conference. Early members included the University of Cincinnati, the University of Connecticut, and the University of Louisville. Further realignment saw the departure of several founding members, such as Louisville to the ACC and the University of Cincinnati, Houston, and the University of Central Florida (UCF) to the Big 12. The conference subsequently expanded by adding six universities from Conference USA in 2022, including the UAB and the North Texas.

Format and structure

The American operates with a divisional format for football, typically split into East and West divisions, though this structure is subject to change with membership shifts. The conference champion is determined by a championship game held at the home stadium of the division winner with the best conference record. In basketball, the league employs a 20-game double round-robin schedule for its men's teams, with its postseason tournament historically held at venues like the FedExForum in Memphis and Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. The conference sponsors 22 championship sports, including baseball, softball, and women's soccer, and maintains television partnerships with ESPN and CBS Sports Network for broad national distribution of its events.

Notable participants and speakers

The conference has been home to numerous elite athletes and coaches who have achieved national prominence. In football, standout players include quarterback Desmond Ridder from Cincinnati and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the Alabama (prior to its SEC tenure). Legendary basketball coaches such as John Calipari, who led the Memphis program, and Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars have been central figures. The conference's media days and events have featured addresses from prominent figures like Mike Aresco, Tim Pernetti, and athletic directors from member institutions, shaping the public narrative of the league.

Impact and legacy

The American has had a substantial impact on the College Football Playoff landscape, with the University of Cincinnati becoming the first team from a non-Power Five conference to earn a CFP berth in 2021. Its success in NCAA basketball tournaments has been significant, with programs like the University of Houston and the UConn (before its return to the Big East) making deep runs and winning national championships. The conference's formation and survival through realignment have cemented its role as a leading league in the Group of Five, influencing television revenue distribution and the competitive balance within the FBS.

Related events and spin-offs

The primary related event is the **American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game**, an annual contest that determines the league's champion. In basketball, the **American Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament** is a key postseason event. While not direct spin-offs, the formation of the new Big East Conference in 2013 is intrinsically linked to The American's creation. Furthermore, the conference's expansion strategies have influenced the composition of other leagues, notably Conference USA and the Sun Belt Conference, through the transfer of member institutions. The league's media rights agreements with ESPN have also led to dedicated programming like "American Digital Network" content.

Category:NCAA Division I conferences Category:American Athletic Conference Category:College sports conferences in the United States