EKU to Transition All Sports to United Athletic Conference in New Realignment Structure
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EKU to Transition All Sports to United Athletic Conference in New Realignment Structure
Eastern Kentucky University Athletics plans to transition to the newly-expanded United Athletic Conference (UAC) as a full all-sports member beginning in 2026-27. The Western Athletic Conference will rebrand as the UAC and join the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) to form a groundbreaking strategic alliance. The consortium will be led by Executive Director Jeff Bacon, current ASUN Commissioner. EKU will continue to compete in the ASUN during the 2025-26 season, with football playing in the current football-only UAC this fall.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Pending approval by the Board of Regents, Eastern Kentucky University Athletics plans to transition to the newly-expanded United Athletic Conference (UAC) as a full all-sports member beginning in 2026-27, Vice President and Director of Athletics Kyle Moats announced on Thursday.
Effective July 1, 2026, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) will rebrand as the UAC and join the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) to form a groundbreaking strategic alliance. The consortium will be led by Executive Director Jeff Bacon, current ASUN Commissioner.
The UAC and the ASUN will remain independent conferences, each with their own automatic qualifying bid for postseason play. Both conferences will continue to meet the NCAA sport sponsorship and membership standards.
“Eastern Kentucky University is excited to be a part of this new chapter of growth for the United Athletic Conference,” said EKU President, Dr. David McFaddin. “This innovative strategic alliance between the ASUN and WAC continues our work to position EKU for long-term success and competitiveness by strengthening our championship aspirations and reinforcing our mission to excel in collegiate athletics.”
Fans can read the full announcement from the conference office here.
The UAC, which is the current brand used to recognize the ASUN-WAC Football Alliance, will expand to sponsor 15 sports with the following member institutions: Abilene Christian University; Austin Peay State University; the University of Central Arkansas; Eastern Kentucky University; the University of North Alabama; Tarleton State University; the University of Texas at Arlington; and the University of West Georgia.
EKU will continue to compete in the ASUN during the 2025-26 season, with football playing in the current football-only UAC this fall.
“These are extraordinary times in intercollegiate athletics,” Moats said. “This alliance, once approved, allows us to be part of a new structure that solidifies our football program and positions us to best increase our chances to compete for NCAA championships. The consortium provides great leverage for the two conferences and long-term stability amongst like-minded and similarly-situated institutions.”
The strategic alliance between the UAC and the ASUN will improve operational efficiency, create new growth opportunities across the southeast, and position both conferences for continued success in the future.
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