Atlantic Sun Conference and Western Athletic Conference to Forge Strategic Alliance

WAC to Rebrand as United Athletic Conference

6/26/2025 1:59:31 PM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) and the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) announced a groundbreaking strategic alliance on Thursday, with the plan set to commence in July 2026. The WAC will rebrand as the United Athletic Conference (UAC) and together the ASUN and UAC will form a consortium. The consortium will be led by Executive Director Jeff Bacon, current ASUN Commissioner. 
 
“We are proud to launch this innovative Division I conference alliance, creating an environment where institutions can elevate their programs, leverage collective resources, and champion a new era of intercollegiate athletics,” Bacon said. “This strategic alliance reflects our dedication to empowering the next generation of leaders, both on and off the field, ensuring a legacy of success and impact for years to come.” 
 
The alliance will serve both conferences through the formation of a consortium designed to significantly enhance operational efficiency, foster deeper collaboration, and drive innovation across both NCAA Division I organizations. 
 
“We find ourselves in a transformative era where conferences and institutions are proactively seeking opportunities to collaborate, forge scheduling alliances, unlock new revenue streams, and prepare for a modernized world of intercollegiate athletics,” Bacon added. “This alliance achieves all these objectives simultaneously for our two conferences. We are now prepared to sprint into a new future with a structure that will provide unprecedented support.” 

  • WAC Rebranding and Membership Realignment: The WAC will rebrand as the United Athletic Conference (UAC) in July 2026, with intended membership of eight (8) institutions including Abilene Christian University, Austin Peay State University, the University of Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky University, the University of North Alabama, Tarleton State University, the University of Texas at Arlington, and the University of West Georgia. The ASUN will maintain a roster of seven (7) members: Bellarmine University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Lipscomb University, the University of North Florida, Queens University of Charlotte, and Stetson University.
     
  • Independent Operation with Shared Efficiencies: While both the ASUN and the newly branded UAC will retain their independent conference structures and automatic qualifiers to NCAA championships, they will partner within a broadly defined consortium. This consortium will facilitate collaborative scheduling, the leveraging of collective assets, and the exploration of various shared operational efficiencies designed to benefit all member institutions.
     
  • Optimized Geographic Footprint: The alliance strengthens the geographic footprint for both conferences, ensuring that student-athletes continue to benefit from extensive competition opportunities.
“The alliance could not have been achieved without the unwavering leadership and commitment of the fifteen university presidents involved, to whom I extend my profound gratitude. I am tremendously proud to be a part of this historic moment, and I eagerly anticipate the future that lies before us.”
Jeff Bacon - ASUN Commissioner
“As collegiate athletics enters a transformational era, bold leadership is essential. Our alliance with the ASUN positions our institutions for long-term success and greater competitive opportunities. This important step includes a period of transition, highlighted by the rebranding of our conference. While we look ahead, we remain committed to honoring the storied history and tradition of the Western Athletic Conference. We are excited to embark on this next chapter as the United Athletic Conference and to collaboratively build the consortium with our partners.”
Rebekah Ray - WAC Commissioner
“As Chair of the Atlantic Sun Conference Board of Directors, I am delighted to guide the ASUN towards a promising future. The formation of our alliance with the United Athletic Conference arrives at a truly transformative period in intercollegiate athletics, and I believe it will empower all of us to achieve unprecedented success. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the outstanding leadership demonstrated by both our Board and the WAC Board of Directors, and to ASUN Commissioner Jeff Bacon for his vision and stewardship throughout this process.”
Dr. Susan Donovan – Bellarmine University President, ASUN Board Chair
“We stand at a pivotal moment in collegiate athletics that demands vision, collaboration, and bold leadership. The evolving landscape of collegiate athletics presents both challenges and opportunities and our alliance with the ASUN represents a strategic step forward for our institution and peers. We honor the proud past of the Western Athletic Conference and carry that legacy with us as we move confidently into the future as the United Athletic Conference, in partnership with the consortium. Together, we are building something that reflects the values, ambition, and resilience of our universities and student-athletes.”
Dr. James Hurley – Tarleton State University President, WAC Board Chair

Requests for interviews should be directed to:
Kaitlin Parsons, Senior Associate Commissioner for External Operations - Atlantic Sun Conference / kaitlin.parsons@asunsports.org