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CCU officially joins Sun Belt

The dawn of a new era in the Sun Belt Conference began July 1 as Coastal Carolina University officially joined the league after announcing its acceptance of an invitation on Sept. 1, 2015.

The Chanticleers join the Sun Belt Conference as full members and will begin play in all sports, with the exception of football, in the upcoming 2016-17 academic year. The CCU football program will begin its two-year transition from the FCS to FBS this fall Next season, CCU will play a full Sun Belt football schedule and will be eligible to win a conference championship, but ineligible for postseason play. The Chanticleers will complete the transition and attain full football membership status, with eligibility to play in a bowl game, for the 2018 season.

“This is a great day for the Sun Belt Conference as we are very proud to have Coastal Carolina University officially join our membership,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Karl Benson. “The Sun Belt has a bright future and Coastal Carolina makes a perfect fit as it too has seen a tremendous amount of growth and success with its baseball team most recently winning the College World Series and a national championship. Under the leadership of President DeCenzo, Athletics Director Matt Hogue, and all the Chanticleer coaches and student-athletes, I expect CCU to be very competitive in the Sun Belt immediately and represent the SBC in NCAA championships in the upcoming season.”

“July 1 ushers in a new wave of excitement at Coastal Carolina University as we officially join the Sun Belt Conference,” said Coastal Carolina University president David A. DeCenzo. “The entire Coastal Carolina community is excited about our transition and look forward to a new level of competition with our sister Sun Belt schools. We could not be more honored than to have been asked to join the Sun Belt Conference and look forward to a long and rewarding association with Commissioner Benson and the SBC schools.”

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