Eastern Kentucky, founding member of Ohio Valley Conference, leaves OVC to join ASUN
RICHMOND, Ky. (BVM) — On Jan. 29, Eastern Kentucky University athletics quashed any rumors that the school would leave the Ohio Valley Conference to join another athletic institution when it announced that the university’s athletics programs would be joining the ASUN Conference in July. Rumors had persisted throughout the week that the Colonels could leave the OVC, in which the university was a charter member since 1948, and now those rumors have been confirmed as true by the athletics staff.
“What a seminal moment for our institution and athletics department, as we have no doubt this move will help positively impact our collective future,” EKU Athletic Director Matt Roan said in a press release. “With our STUDENTS FIRST in mind – as well as our coaches, staff, alumni, fans, supporters, partners, and prospective students and student-athletes – we are confident membership in the ASUN Conference will benefit all involved.”
You've probably heard the rumors … pic.twitter.com/PtPsiYiTmL
— EKU Sports (@EKUSports) January 29, 2021
EKU joins the University of Central Arkansas and Jacksonville State University to give the conference 12 membership institutions. Perhaps most significantly, the addition of the three teams also allows the ASUN to become an FCS Scholarship Football conference, its 20th sponsored sport. The move also makes the ASUN the 15th NCAA Division I Conference to sponsor FCS football.
“Eastern Kentucky will hold a special place in the history of the ASUN Conference,” ASUN Commissioner Ted Gumbart said in a press release. “I know that both EKU and the ASUN will be stronger by joining together and EKU’s willingness to be a builder, not a follower, played a great role in the positive impact adding Eastern Kentucky University had on the ASUN Presidents’ Council decision to extend an invitation.”
Joining the ASUN also gives many benefits for the Colonels’ athletics future. With ASUN teams enjoying numerous postseason successes including a member school going to the 2019 NIT tournament finals (Lipscomb), women’s basketball earning a number of top 12 seeds and conference baseball teams advancing to NCAA Super Regionals twice in the last six years, there are a number of opportunities for EKU to find national success in the new conference.
EKU becomes the third biggest school in the ASUN based on enrollment trailing only Kennesaw State University and University of North Florida while becoming the second Kentucky-based college in the conference joining Bellarmine University in Louisville.
“Joining the ASUN Conference provides Eastern Kentucky University the opportunity to share our story with a rapidly growing, more geographically diverse audience,” EKU President Dr. David T. McFaddin said in an ASUN press release. “Our membership with the ASUN is an opportunity to raise our athletic profile, enhance our alumni connections, expand our brand, and transform our student experience. And, it’s an opportunity to join a conference that shares a bold and innovative vision for college athletics and student-athletes. It makes this an exciting day and a logical move for EKU.”
We are looking forward to having @ekusports join the ASUN clan!
16 teams make up Eastern Kentucky and will be under the ASUN umbrella in the 2021-22 season!
📰| https://t.co/crF4gJlnTK#ASUNBuilt | #GoBigE pic.twitter.com/958XOkPSMn
— #ASUNBuilt (@ASUNSports) January 29, 2021
All 16 EKU athletic programs will officially join the conference at the start of league year on July 1. After that day, the new institutions will also receive immediate rights to ASUN voting on any policy and the school’s student-athletes and programs can enjoy all the benefits of an ASUN membership. All EKU teams will also be immediately eligible for conference awards, postseason play and NCAA Tournament automatic bids.
