NMSU moving to Conference USA for all sports, will join UTEP
UPDATE, Nov. 5: In a unanimous 5-0 vote on Friday, the New Mexico State University Regents decided to join Conference USA for all their athletics programs.
The move will take place on July 1, 2023. Then, for the first time since the old Border Conference in 1961, NMSU and UTEP will compete in the same league.
NMSU has been an FBS independent in football and a member of the Western Athletic Conference for other sports.
In addition to NMSU, C-USA will add Liberty, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State in the latest round of conference realignment. C-USA is trying to survive after numerous of its schools announced plans to leave.
UPDATE, Nov. 3: Yahoo Sports! reported Wednesday that New Mexico State University is among four schools that have been officially been invited to join Conference USA, where UTEP is among only three athletic teams likely left after a mass exodus in recent weeks.
In addition to NMSU, the other programs receiving C-USA invitations are Liberty, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston. The league is also said to still be looking for one more team to join the league for an even eight teams.
The Yahoo report indicated that potential of the invitees paying a $2 million conference entrance fee appeared to be the last major issue to be resolved.
NMSU regents have a meeting set for Friday to decide whether to accept the invite.
ORIGINAL REPORT, Nov. 2: LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- The New Mexico State University Board of Regents has called a special meeting for Friday to consider joining Conference USA for its athletic teams.
The agenda item is titled: "Consideration of a proposal for an athletic conference change."
While the document doesn't specify the conference that made the proposal, Sports Illustrated and other media outlets reported Tuesday that Conference USA is courting NMSU and has extended them an offer to join.
The Aggies are currently an independent in football, but could soon be joining the rival UTEP Miners in C-USA.
UTEP is one of just three teams currently in C-USA that will be remaining following the reported defections of 11 of its 14 schools to other conferences.
As a result, C-USA is attempting to recruit new member programs to ensure it can remain an FBS conference, which is the top division for collegiate football.
