Dear Osprey Community,
I want to share an exciting announcement relating to UNF Athletics and our conference — the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN). The ASUN is entering into a strategic alliance with the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) which is rebranding as the United Athletic Conference (UAC).
I have worked closely on this initiative with our Director of Athletics, Nick Morrow, and fellow ASUN university presidents. This is the first such interconference alliance in Division I sports, and we believe it will become an innovative model that others will follow.
North Florida remains a proud full member of the ASUN Conference since 2009-10. This provides UNF the opportunity to collaborate with a larger number of similarly aligned institutions, with the student-athlete experience at the forefront always, to enhance efficiency, scheduling and visibility as we compete for championships.
This new alliance represents a forward-thinking step to address the realities of a rapidly changing NCAA Division I landscape. Participation in this consortium that combines the strengths of both the ASUN and UAC, enables us to:
- Consolidate and reduce expenses through shared resources, overhead, travel efficiencies and more
- Enhance external revenue generation and bargaining opportunities, including media rights, sponsorships and collective purchasing
- Increase in-season scheduling opportunities via a cross-conference scheduling alliance in multiple sports, allowing for an increase in home games and regional competition
- Expand our brand reach and visibility across a growing market
- Position ourselves for success with support in anticipation of a more deregulated NCAA Division I governance structure
- Elevate student-athlete experiences with less missed class time and opportunities for rivalry development through better sport alignment
The values that define North Florida Athletics, centered around the holistic development of our student-athletes, remain unchanged even in our continued pursuit to elevate in the current NCAA Division I landscape.
This innovative alliance ensures that UNF is not reactive to change, but leading it. We will continue to benefit from the experienced leadership of ASUN Commissioner Jeff Bacon, who will also serve as leader of the alliance between the two conferences over the next year. A new organizational structure is being developed for 2026 and beyond that will allow the two conferences to collaborate more closely, while maintaining separate governance.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the University of North Florida. Together, we are building a future that honors our traditions while embracing new opportunities.
You can read more about the strategic alliance here.
Sincerely,
