By Mariana Smithfield

Fri, Sep 1, 2023

IRVING, Texas – American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco has issued the following statement on today’s announcement by the Atlantic Coast Conference.

SMU has shared our pursuit of competition at the highest level throughout its time in the American Athletic Conference. President Gerald Turner and Athletic Director Rick Hart have been among our strongest advocates and leaders both internally and externally. We wish them well.

We have known that today’s move was a possibility, which has allowed us time to investigate a number of options, including consideration of the larger group of institutions in the Pacific time zone. We have concluded, however, that the best way to proceed for our outstanding student-athletes is to not look westward. Instead, we plan to focus any expansion efforts on schools that allow for sensible and sustainable competition and student-athlete well-being within our strong geographic footprint. We look forward to continued success as a leading FBS conference.

COURTESY AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE COMMUNICATIONS