- Conference USA announced its plan to host its men’s and women’s basketball championships in Huntsville beginning in 2024. Those making the announcement include, left to right, Mark Russell, Huntsville Sports Commission Executive Director, Cline Thompson, Knight Eady VP, Judy McLeod, Conference USA Commissioner, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Joel Lamp, Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau sports manager. Photo Contributed
Conference USA To Host Basketball Championships In Huntsville
Published 5:35 am Monday, April 10, 2023
HUNTSVILLE- Big time basketball is coming to Huntsville in a big-time way.
Conference USA announced the 2024 and 2025 Conference USA men’s and women’s Basketball Championship Tournaments will be hosted at the Propst Arena inside the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. The events are in partnership with the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Huntsville Sports Commission and Knight Eady, a sports marketing firm based in Birmingham.
“We are very excited to have our men’s and women’s basketball teams compete for a conference championship and berth in the NCAA Tournament at Propst Arena in Huntsville,” said Judy MacLeod, Conference Commissioner. “We can’t wait to get started partnering with the team from the City, Sports Commission, CVB and Knight Eady to put on a first-class event for our student-athletes, universities and fans while enjoying all Huntsville has to offer.”
The 2024 Conference USA Basketball Championships are scheduled for Tuesday, March 12-Saturday, March 16. The conference champions in both divisions receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.
The conference is made up of nine schools, with a tenth, Kennesaw State, expected to join for the 2024-2025 season. The conference lineup for next season includes: Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, Florida International Panthers, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, University-Texas of El Paso Miners, Jacksonville State Gamecocks, Liberty Flames, New Mexico State Aggies and Sam Houston State Bearkats. Jacksonville State joins the conference this fall.
The just completed NCCA Championship featured Florida Atlantic in the Final Four, which came from Conference USA, but the school will be moving to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) in the upcoming school year.
Joel Lamp, sports manager of the Huntsville/Madison County Conventions & Visitors Bureau (CVB) said it best. “Bringing a piece of March Madness to Huntsville has been a goal for our community and this is a great opportunity to have the road to the Final Four state here. Conference USA has a national brand that will provide a larger platform for Huntsville to shine. This has been a tremendous team effort from all our partners, and we appreciate the confidence the Conference USA leadership has in our vison to provide a championship experience at Propst Arena.”
Mark Russell, Executive Director of the Huntsville Sports Commission said Huntsville is a great destination to visit and for sports. He added, “Providing an exciting and enjoyable championship atmosphere for the student-athletes is our top priority, and I believe all of the teams traveling to the Rocket City will love their experience here.”
Conference USA is a NCAA Div. I program based in Dallas, Tex. and is now in its third decade. The conference has adapted to the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics with an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity and leadership in competition, academics and community.
The multi-year agreement is for two seasons with an opportunity to extend. Huntsville will be the ninth location to host the Conference USA Men’s Basketball Championship and the 14th host city for the Women’s Basketball Championship.
Ticket information regarding both tournaments will be available later this year.
