Atlanta, GA – Georgia State, CAA Football hardly knew ya.
That scenario could come to fruition if, as CBSSports.com reported Tuesday, Georgia State joins the Sun Belt Conference and accepts an invitation from the league as early as Thursday.
Georgia State would join the Sun Belt for the 2013 season. This fall, the Panthers will be playing in the Colonial Athletic Association for the first time after starting its program as an FCS independent the last two seasons.
CBSSports.com reported the Sun Belt's presidents voted Monday to extend an invitation to Georgia State and that Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson is scheduled to visit the university on Thursday and officially extend an invitation for conference membership.
Georgia State has a June 1 deadline to declare to the NCAA whether its program is going to make the move from the FCS to the FBS. The Panthers would play a full Sun Belt schedule in 2013, but not be eligible for the conference title or play in a bowl until 2014.
Georgia State is coached by Bill Curry, who has extensive experience on the FBS level, including as the head coach at Georgia Tech, Alabama and Kentucky. The Panthers, who play home games at the Georgia Dome, finished 6-5 in their inaugural season in 2010 and 3-8 this past season.
The university would be subject to a $250,000 exit fee if it leaves the CAA, where its Olympic sports teams have been a member since 2005.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.