UT Arlington to join Sun Belt Conference for 2013-2014 season

5/24/2012 5:10 PM EST

The move places UT Arlington in an 11-league conference with broad media exposure.
The University of Texas at Arlington announced today that it has accepted an invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference beginning July 1, 2013, with conference play beginning in the 2013-2014 academic year.

UT Arlington will play in the Western Athletic Conference for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Jim Baker, UT Arlington’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, called Sun Belt announcement “another milestone” for the University and thanked Commissioner Karl Benson for the conference invitation.

“This move to the Sun Belt will allow us to continue to showcase our athletics program on a national level and create further awareness for our University,” Baker said.

UT Arlington President James D. Spaniolo said the Sun Belt move will continue to advance the University’s goals of becoming a first tier institution.

“We are honored to join the Sun Belt Conference,” Spaniolo said. “Along with the opening...