Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — As The Beatles once sang, “This Bird Has Flown,” the members of Conference USA are experiencing a couple more birds who are about to fly.

East Carolina and Tulane announced Monday they are exiting C-USA to join the Big East. They will join current league members Houston, Central Florida, Southern Methodist and Memphis as schools leaving for the Big East.

Marshall athletic director Mike Hamrick was not concerned about the continuing shakeup among conferences in the college landscape.

“We at Marshall University would like to wish Tulane and East Carolina the best of luck in their new conference affiliations. At the same time, I remain confident in the future of Conference USA, and the direction we will go,” said Hamrick.

The departure of the six programs will be eased by the addition of Texas-San Antonio, Louisiana Tech, Florida International, North Carolina-Charlotte, Old Dominion and North Texas State.

“We have recently made some great regional additions (Charlotte, Old Dominion) and a growing and vibrant Florida institution (FIU) in Conference USA for future matchups that Herd fans will enjoy, and I feel this trend of expanding with the right institutions will continue,” said Hamrick.

The Marshall athletic director added that while the league is changing, his main concern is improving the Thundering Herd athletic programs.

“My focus now, as it has been since I returned here more than three years ago, is on our program at Marshall University, and how we can best build for the future for our coaches and student-athletes,” said Hamrick.

“We should focus on what we can control, and we are doing just that with our $30 million Vision Campaign that will significantly improve and add to our athletic facilities.”