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NEW ORLEANS — The Sun Belt Conference announced Tuesday the addition of Louisiana Tech after a unanimous vote of the Sun Belt CEOs. Louisiana Tech will join the Sun Belt Conference no later than July 1, 2027.
The earliest date Louisiana Tech can join the Sun Belt is July 1, 2026. It reportedly will cost the school at least $5 million to negotiate an exit from Conference USA.
Louisiana Tech and the Sun Belt Conference will host a joint press conference on Wednesday, July 16, at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT in the Davison Athletics Complex, which will include Louisiana Tech President Dr. Jim Henderson, Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Ryan Ivey and Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill. The press conference will also be streamed at http://www.youtube.com/latechathletics.
“We are thrilled to welcome Louisiana Tech University to the Sun Belt. Geographically situated within the current Sun Belt footprint, the addition of Louisiana Tech reunites a number of long-standing regional rivalries under the conference banner,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill. “I am grateful to President Dr. Jim Henderson and Athletic Director Ryan Ivey for their leadership during this process. I’d also like to thank the CEOs and athletic directors of our Sun Belt member institutions for their continued commitment to the premier FBS non-autonomy conference in the country. The Sun Belt Conference is RISING and our best days are ahead.”
The addition of Louisiana Tech will bring the number of Sun Belt members to 14 with the Bulldogs and Lady Techsters joining current members App State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, James Madison, Louisiana, ULM, Marshall, Old Dominion, South Alabama, Southern Miss and Troy.
“The Sun Belt has remained steadfast in its commitment to regional rivalries, geographic alignment and competitive excellence,” said Georgia Southern and Sun Belt Board of Directors President Dr. Kyle Marrero. “When it came time to add a new member to the Sun Belt Conference, it became clear that Louisiana Tech was the right fit. This addition renews long-standing rivalries, enhances our divisional structure, strengthens the competitive profile of the league across multiple sports and eases travel for fans and teams. We’re excited to welcome the Bulldogs to the Sun Belt!”
Louisiana Tech University, founded in 1894 and located in Ruston, La., is an R2 Research Institution that supports a student population of over 12,000. The school has won seven national championships—three in College Division (1972) or NCAA Division II football (1973 & 1974), three in AIAW (1981) or NCAA Division I women’s basketball (1982 & 1988) and one individual title in track & field. The football program has appeared in 14 bowl games all-time, with an 8-5-1 record, while the softball program has appeared in three NCAA Women’s College World Series (1983, 1985 & 1986).