In changing times, C-USA commissioner sees bright future and co-existing with 5 power leagues

Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky speaks at the NCAA college Conference USA football media day in Irving, Texas Wednesday, July 23, 2014. Banowsky seems to be settling in after a few years of significant change in the makeup of its league, at the same time the five power conferences seem so close to the autonomy they have sought. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky, right, shakes hands with College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock during the NCAA college Conference USA football media day in Irving, Texas Wednesday, July 23, 2014. Banowsky seems to be settling in after a few years of significant change in the makeup of its league, at the same time the five power conferences seem so close to the autonomy they have sought. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

IRVING, Texas – The commissioner of Conference USA sees his league at a "pivot point" with a bright future at a time when he says intercollegiate athletics are transitioning from conference realignment to system realignment.

While the five power conferences are seemingly close to getting the autonomy to make their own bylaws, Britton Banowsky says that won't prevent leagues like 14-member Conference USA from fielding competitive teams, engaging the fan base and having great programs.

Banowsky said Wednesday at C-USA's football media day that the five higher-resource leagues — the SEC, Big 12, Pac- 12, ACC and Big Ten — have a lot of history with the other five NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision leagues. He believes the two sides will continue to co-exist much like they always have.