It's Official: UAB To Join American Athletic Conference

BIRMINGHAM, AL — After speculation began weeks ago, the University of Alabama at Birmingham officially announced Thursday the school will leave Conference USA and join the American Athletic Conference.

UAB, which submitted its application to the AAC Tuesday, will join Florida Atlantic University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of North Texas, University of Texas at San Antonio and Rice University as new members of the AAC.

UAB has been a member of Conference USA since 1995.

"Competing in the AAC will reunite us with rivals like Memphis and Tulane, increase our exposure, raise the profile of the institution and enhance competitive opportunities for our student athletes and coaches," UAB athletic director Mark Ingram said. "This is a great day for Blazer Nation."

"UAB is a strong addition to the American Athletic Conference," AAC commissioner Michael Aresco said. "We were proud to extend an invitation to President Ray Watts and Athletic Director Mark Ingram and are excited about the institutional support from the University of Alabama System Office and Board of Trustees."

UAB president Ray Watts also praised the University of Alabama Board of Trustees and its chancellor Finis St. John.

"Mark and I are grateful for the guidance of Chancellor St. John and our System and Board leadership as we have worked to make this a reality," Watts said. "Along with the System Office and Board of Trustees, we also thank the UAB Athletics Foundation and many other supporters inside and outside of UAB whose vital contributions made this possible. We will need continued campus and community support to compete at the highest levels.”