Conference USA

Conference USA is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA at the Division I level. The conference consists of 11 member institutions, primarily located in the Southern United States and Midwestern United States, including UAB, FAU, FIU, Louisiana Tech, Charlotte, North Texas, Rice, UTEP, UTSA, Western Kentucky, and ULM. Conference USA sponsors championships in 19 sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball, with its member schools competing against other top programs from conferences like the SEC, ACC, and Big 12.

● History

The conference was established in 1995, with its first championship game held in 1996 at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. The founding members included Cincinnati, Houston, Louisville, Memphis, SMU, South Florida, Tulane, and Tulsa. Over the years, the conference has undergone several changes, including the addition of new members like UCF and Marshall, and the departure of others, such as Cincinnati and Louisville, which joined the American Athletic Conference and ACC, respectively. Conference USA has also had partnerships with other conferences, including the Mountain West and WAC, to create bowl games like the Hawaii Bowl and New Mexico Bowl.

● Member Schools

The current member schools of Conference USA are UAB, FAU, FIU, Louisiana Tech, Charlotte, North Texas, Rice, UTEP, UTSA, Western Kentucky, and ULM. These schools have a strong athletic tradition, with several having won championships in sports like football, basketball, and baseball. For example, Western Kentucky has won several NCAA basketball championships, while Rice has a strong baseball program, having won a College World Series title in 2003. Other member schools, like North Texas and UTEP, have also had success in sports like football and track and field.

● Championships

Conference USA sponsors championships in 19 sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball. The conference has a strong tradition of producing top-notch athletes, with several having gone on to compete in professional leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB. For example, UAB has produced athletes like Roddy White, who played in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, while Rice has produced athletes like Lance Berkman, who played in MLB for the Houston Astros. The conference also has a strong rivalry with other conferences, including the SEC and Big 12, with several of its member schools competing against top programs from these conferences.

● Media Rights

Conference USA has a strong media presence, with its games and championships broadcast on several networks, including ESPN, CBS Sports Network, and FOX Sports. The conference has a partnership with ESPN to broadcast its football and basketball games, as well as its championships in sports like baseball and softball. Conference USA also has a digital media platform, which provides live streaming of its games and championships, as well as news and updates on its member schools. The conference has also partnered with other media outlets, like CBS Sports Network and FOX Sports, to broadcast its games and championships, providing its member schools with increased exposure and revenue.

● Rivalries

Conference USA has several rivalries with other conferences, including the SEC and Big 12. The conference also has several internal rivalries, including the rivalry between UAB and North Texas, as well as the rivalry between Rice and Houston. These rivalries are fueled by the conference's strong athletic tradition and the competitive nature of its member schools. For example, the rivalry between UAB and North Texas is fueled by the two schools' proximity to each other and their competitive football programs. Other rivalries, like the one between Rice and Houston, are fueled by the schools' strong academic and athletic traditions, as well as their proximity to each other in the Houston area. Category:College athletics conferences in the United States