American Athletic Conference

American Athletic Conference

The American Athletic Conference (AAC), colloquially known as "The American," is a collegiate athletic conference in the United States. It is a member of the NCAA Division I, with its football teams competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of NCAA competition in that sport.

History

The American Athletic Conference was founded in 2013 as a result of the split of the original Big East Conference. The split was primarily due to differences in the focus on football and basketball. The schools that did not sponsor FBS football formed a new conference that retained the Big East name, while the remaining schools, along with several new members, formed the American Athletic Conference.

Member Schools

The AAC consists of a diverse group of institutions spread across the United States. As of the 2023-2024 academic year, the conference includes the following full members:

• UCF
• Cincinnati
• East Carolina
• Houston
• Memphis
• South Florida
• SMU
• Temple
• Tulane
• Tulsa
• Wichita State (non-football member)

Sports

The American Athletic Conference sponsors competition in a variety of sports for both men and women. These include:

Men's Sports

• Football
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Golf

Women's Sports

• Basketball
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Softball
• Tennis
• Golf

Achievements

The AAC has been competitive in several sports, particularly in men's basketball and football. The conference has produced teams that have participated in the College Football Playoff and the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Media Coverage

The American Athletic Conference has media rights agreements with several networks, including ESPN, which broadcasts many of the conference's games across its platforms. This exposure has helped the conference maintain a national presence.

Future Developments

The AAC continues to evolve, with potential changes in membership and conference structure as the landscape of college athletics shifts. The conference aims to maintain its competitive edge and expand its influence in collegiate sports.

External Links

• Official website of the American Athletic Conference

References

• "American Athletic Conference." The American. [1]
• "NCAA Division I." NCAA. [2]