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Southern Arkansas University
Sports Information Department

July 9, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SPORTS BRIEF – Statement Regarding Possible Conference Change

STATEMENT FROM:
Jack Lassiter, Chancellor, University of Arkansas at Monticello
Robert C. Brown, President, Arkansas Tech University
John Hargrave, President, East Central University
David Burks, President, Harding University
Charles Welch, President, Henderson State University
Rex Horne, President, Ouachita Baptist University
Larry Minks, President, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
David Rankin, President, Southern Arkansas University
Randy Beutler, President, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

The presidents, chancellors and directors of athletics from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas Tech University, East Central (Okla.) University, Harding University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southern Arkansas University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University held a meeting in Russellville, Ark., Friday to discuss the possibility of forming a new NCAA Division II conference.

Our ongoing discussion is producing positive results as we analyze the feasibility of creating a new conference that would reduce the amount of missed class time by our student-athletes and reduce our operating costs.

We found during the course of our meeting that we have similar concerns and that we are like-minded in our approach to intercollegiate athletics.

Regardless of the final results of these discussions, our athletic schedules for the 2010-11 academic year will not be affected.

Sounds like someone doesn't want to play North Alabama or Valdosta anymore

We can sympathize with that......

They were long trips to make for a loss.

Southern Arkansas University
Sports Information Department
July 13, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SPORTS BRIEF

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The chief executive officers of nine universities in Arkansas and Oklahoma announced on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, that they intend to apply to the National Collegiate Athletic Association for permission to create a new NCAA Division II conference.

The members of the proposed new conference would be the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas Tech University, East Central (Okla.) University, Harding University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southern Arkansas University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

“The intent of the conference is to group together similar institutions in terms of budgets and goals,” said the presidents, chancellors and directors of athletics from the nine institutions in a joint statement. “Furthermore, the conference is intended to be made up of universities that field an intercollegiate football program. Our most important goals in this new endeavor are to limit time away from class and limit our travel costs.”

The nine member institutions plan to submit a conference strategic plan, a conference constitution and conference by-laws to the NCAA by Dec. 1, 2010.

No decisions have been made regarding the name of the new conference or the location of the conference office.

The pursuit of creating the new conference will not affect athletic schedules for the 2010-11 academic year.

Are the Oklahoma schools defecting from an existing conference and leaving some remnants, or is their entire conference being absorbed by the new one?

They are Lone Star Conference schools.