MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Sun Belt Conference concluded its annual Spring Meeting on Tuesday after four days of conducting business in Montgomery, Ala.
 
The conference’s Presidents and Chancellors, Faculty Athletic Representatives, Directors of Athletics, Senior Women’s Administrators, and Men’s and Women’s Basketball Coaches were all in attendance.
 
“The Sun Belt Conference is moving forward with its second full year of stable membership and we remain committed to growing and strengthening all aspects of the conference,” said Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson.  “We have strong leadership with our Presidents, Chancellors, and Athletics Directors and they continue to invest in intercollegiate athletics on their campuses.  It is an important time in collegiate athletics, but the collective whole of the Sun Belt Conference is prepared to face any challenge and the core of our mission remains promoting a positive student-athlete experience.”
 
The conference membership devoted time to address current and future topics and issues related to Division I athletics including new and potential NCAA regulations.  There was discussion on how each individual school would approach these issues and agreement that cost of attendance be addressed on the school level.
 
A number of other important topics were discussed and several key developments took place.
 
Executive Committee
Texas State President Denise Trauth was announced as the new Sun Belt Conference Executive Committee President after serving as the league’s Vice President the last two years.  Arkansas State Chancellor Tim Hudson was appointed as the conference’s new Vice President.
 
Special Guest Presentations
Representatives from ESPN, the College Football Playoff, the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, the GoDaddy Bowl, the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, the AutoNation Cure Bowl, the Capital One Orange Bowl, and the NCAA were on hand to present updates to the membership.
 
Sun Belt Conference Championship Rotation
The conference announced several sites for upcoming championships:
 
2016
Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track: UL Lafayette
Cross Country:  Troy
Women’s Soccer: Troy
Men’s Soccer: Georgia State
Volleyball: UT Arlington
 
2017
Men’s and Women’s Tennis: New Orleans City Park Pepsi Tennis Center
Softball: Appalachian State
Baseball: Georgia Southern
 
Men’s Basketball Scheduling Policy
The conference approved a policy that a $50,000 fine would be imposed for any member institution that schedules more than two non-Division I men’s basketball games. 
 
Football Championship Game
There was continued discussion on if the conference should have a Football Championship game with various opinions expressed.  The conference office has been asked to continue to explore the potential impact of the game from both a competition standpoint and a financial perspective.
 
Sun Belt Conference Membership and Expansion
The conference increased its entry fee for future members to two million dollars from one million dollars.  Conference members also voted to increase the exit fee for any departing member to 2.5 million if less than 12 to 15 months notice is given and two million dollars if more than 15 months notice is given.
 
Additional discussion did include the potential for additional membership and expansion, but Sun Belt officials will not have further comment on the subject.
 
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