BRENTWOOD, Tenn., May 13 (UPI) -- Belmont University is leaving the Atlantic Sun Conference to join the Ohio Valley Conference.
The switch is to take place at the start of the 2012-13 so next season will be Belmont's 11th and last in the Atlantic Sun. The Bruins will complete for 16 OVC championships.
The Ohio Valley, which began in 1948, will have 12 members. Current members are Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Morehead State, Murray State, Southeast Missouri State, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and Tennessee-Martin.
Belmont is in Nashville and is the fifth Tennessee school in the OVC.
"Given Belmont University's commitment to excellence, both in the classroom and on the playing fields, they are a wonderful fit for the Ohio Valley Conference," said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. "I am delighted to welcome them to the conference. They are a wonderful addition and the right fit for the OVC."
Belmont joined the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2001-02 and qualified for the NCAA men's basketball tournament the last six seasons. The Atlantic Sun has 11 members, including Belmont.
