FIU wants FAU in C-USA
Updated 1:11 p.m. A source tells Owl Access that Florida International officials have asked Conference USA to invite FAU.
Originally published on
11/28/2012
by
Marcus Nelson
There have been phone calls made from this area to the Conference USA offices to tout FAU's viability of joining the league.
Surprisingly, those overtures have come from Miami-Dade County.
A source has confirmed a report that FIU officials have been lobbying Conference USA to bring in FAU.
The Miami Herald first reported that FIU President Mark Rosenberg and Athletic Director Pete Garcia are lobbying for the Owls to join the Panthers.
A source told Owl Access that Rosenberg and Garcia want Conference USA to bring FAU in for the 2014 season and were also pushing hard for Middle Tennessee, toting its advantage of being in the Nashville TV market.
Earlier today, it was reported that C-USA will indeed invite Middle Tennessee to join the conference.
The Virginian-Pilot reported Tuesday morning that FAU and New Mexico State were "potential expansion candidates."
When asked about FAU's position on moving conferences, FAU President Mary Jane Saunders said on Tuesday night she would listen to any overtures but had not talked with anyone Conference USA.
FAU Athletic Director Pat Chun did not respond to a request for comment, but the sports information department did release this statement from Chun.
“At this time, we are monitoring the situation. I can’t comment on the hypothetical.”
FIU, along with North Texas, will leave the Sun Belt Conference after this season to join Conference USA.