SANDESTIN, Fla. – The Sun Belt Conference announced today future championship sites, the confirmation of its executive committee and discussion topics that took place at the conference’s annual meetings in Sandestin, Florida that concluded Wednesday.

Dr. Jack Hawkins, chancellor of Troy University, will continue his two-year term as president of the Sun Belt Conference Executive Committee.  The slate of officers for 2010-11, in addition to Hawkins, is: Vice President – Gordon Moulton, president, South Alabama; Past President - Dr. Sidney McPhee, president, Middle Tennessee State University; At-Large Representative – Joel Anderson, chancellor, UALR; Athletics Directors Representative – Bobby Staub, Louisiana-Monroe; Faculty Athletics Representative – Nonie Wiggins, Arkansas State; Senior Woman Administrators Representative – Cinnamon Sheffield, North Texas.


The following 2012-2013 championship sites were also determined:

Cross Country – Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Ky.)

Soccer – South Alabama (Mobile, Ala.)

Volleyball – Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Ky.)

Tennis – University of Denver (Denver, Co.)

Outdoor Track and Field – FIU (Miami, Fla.)

Softball – Troy University (Troy, Ala.)

Baseball – Louisiana-Lafayette (Lafayette, La.)

Indoor Track and Field – Arkansas State (Jonesboro, Ark.)

The Sun Belt Conference’s annual meetings include the senior staff of the conference office along with each member school’s Chief Executive Officer, Faculty Athletic Representative, Athletic Director, Senior Woman Administrator, Head Football Coach, Head Men’s Basketball Coach and Head Women’s Basketball Coach.

Topics of conversation throughout the meetings included men’s basketball scheduling criteria, finances, Academic Progress Rate (APR), NCAA compliance and enforcement, the league’s sporting behavior program “Learning Through Sports”, the modernization of the league’s constitution and best practices.

Competitive scheduling for an enhanced men’s basketball league was discussed among the league’s presidents, men’s basketball coaches and athletic directors.

“The league and its member institutions believe in a democratic process and the input of coaches and athletics directors,” said Sun Belt Conference Executive Committee President Dr. Jack Hawkins.  “We will need to work together to enhance men’s basketball within the league.”

The league’s member institutions recommended that scheduling criteria for men’s basketball be examined further within a subcommittee and a proposal be brought forward in the upcoming months.

In regards to the league’s current status and the improvements that have been made in all Sun Belt Conference sports – most notably football – Dr. Hawkins expressed that the league presidents are “committed to excellence within the Sun Belt Conference.  Our philosophy is that we ‘bloom where we are’ and there is unquestionable commitment to the Sun Belt Conference from the league presidents.”

Representatives from the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, the GMAC Bowl and the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl were also on hand at the meetings and each expressed their excitement in being partners with the Sun Belt Conference.

Representatives from ESPN, CSS and CST were also present to update league members on current television deals.

The conference will enter the 2010-2011 season with 12 all sports members sponsoring 19 sports.

Source: Sun Belt Media Relations