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Denver Leaving Sun Belt to Join WAC in 2012

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Denver Leaving Sun Belt to Join WAC in 2012

This was already up in the football forum, but here is the official release from the Conference:

The University of Denver has informed the Sun Belt Conference that it will be leaving the league in all sports effective for the 2012-13 athletic season.  Denver’s athletics programs will begin competition in the Western Athletic Conference at that time.

“The University of Denver has been a great member for our league since they joined in 1999,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Wright Waters.  “The Pioneers have always been competitive during their time in the league as evidence by their 31 Sun Belt Conference Championships.  Additionally, DU has had great success in producing outstanding student-athletes as noted by their 22 Academic All-Americans since joining the Sun Belt and having won 10 consecutive Sun Belt Graduation Rate Awards. It has been a privilege to work with the university and athletic department staffs at DU.”

Denver’s departure will leave the league with 11 full-time members and the Sun Belt will continue to have nine football playing institutions until South Alabama begins to play a conference schedule in football in 2012.  Upon USA’s arrival in football the league will have 10 football playing intuitions.

“In the coming months we expect to be asked many questions regarding potential new members as well as what future league schedules will look like,” said Waters.  “At this time I do not anticipate any additions to our league membership other than South Alabama’s upcoming transition to football.”

“The leadership within the Sun Belt Conference will meet to discuss scheduling and other issues involving DU’s departure such as divisional alignment and championship schedules,” Waters continued.  “I fully expect our institutional athletic department staffs to work well together to ensure the issues are addressed promptly and properly.”

Since Denver informed the league before the annual deadline for disclosure of departure there will be no penalties assessed.

Source: Sun Belt Media Relations
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