The American Conference dumps Athletic from long-held name, announces new eagle mascot with rebranding ahead of 2025-26 school year.
Nothing is quite as American as the excitement surrounding collegiate sports, and one conference is seizing upon that moniker.
The American Athletic Conference, reconstituted in 2013 as the successor to the original Big East Conference, announced July 21 that it has rebranded and will now be known as the American Conference, or, simply, American.
Ahead of the league's annual football media days, July 24-25 in Charlotte, N.C., the American hopes to raise its identity in an environment which has 136 Football Bowl Subdivision members across 10 conferences, and more than 360 basketball teams.
“The American has built a brand that differentiates us in a crowded collegiate landscape by establishing and elevating what makes us distinctive,’’ commissioner Tim Pernetti said in a press release. “This modernization is rooted in who we are and where we’re headed. It prioritizes clarity, momentum, and the competitive advantage driving every part of our conference forward.’’
With conference offices based in Irving, Texas, the American has Army and Navy as football-only members, along with Alabama Birmingham; Charlotte; East Carolina; Florida Atlantic; Memphis; North Texas; Rice, South Florida; Temple, Texas San Antonio; Tulane; Tulsa; and Wichita State, which does not have a football program.
The league has a new tagline, “Built to Rise,’’ touted by the league as resilient by design, purpose-driven in action, and constantly innovating across collegiate athletics. The American has introduced a brand ambassador, a red, white and blue uniformed eagle named “Soar,” which the league says personifies its core elements.
Pernetti said the conference has worked diligently on the rebranding for the past year, partnering with communications firm Anachel.
“A brand is more than a name,’’ said Pernetti, who has just finished his first year as commissioner. “Over the past year, we stepped back, listened and involved our community – that’s how real, lasting identity is built. We’re not slick, we’re strong. This brand defines who we are, service and mission-driven institutions of higher learning with highly competitive athletics and deeply committed leaders. The student-athletes and their experience will always be our north star.’’
The American sponsors 20 sports (nine for men, 11 for women). The league’s new website will go live Thursday.
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American Conference membership for 2025-26
Army - Based in West Point, N.Y., the Black Knights joined the American as a football-only member in 2024, winning the conference in their first season.
Navy - Based in Annapolis, Md., the Midshipmen joined the American as a football-only member in 2015, ending 134 years of independent status.
Alabama Birmingham - Based in Birmingham, Ala., the Blazers joined the American in 2023, departing from Conference USA.
Charlotte - Based in Charlotte, N.C., the 49ers joined the American in 2023, departing from Conference USA.
East Carolina - Based in Greenville, N.C., the Pirates joined the American in 2014, departing from Conference USA.
Florida Atlantic - Based in Boca Raton, Fla., the Owls joined the American in 2023, departing from Conference USA.
Memphis - Based in Memphis, Tenn., the Tigers joined the American in 2013, departing from Conference USA.
North Texas - Based in Denton, Texas, the Mean Green joined the American in 2023, departing from Conference USA.
Rice - Based in Houston, Texas, the Owls joined the American in 2023, departing from Conference USA.
South Florida - Based in Tampa, Fla., the Bulls joined the American in 2013, departing from the Big East.
Temple - Based in Philadelphia, Pa., the Owls joined the American in 2013, departing from the Atlantic 10 in most sports and the Mid-American Conference in football.
Texas San Antonio - Based in San Antonio, Texas., the Roadrunners joined the American in 2023, departing from Conference USA.
Tulane - Based in New Orleans, La., the Green Wave joined the American in 2014, departing from Conference USA.
Tulsa - Based in Tulsa, Okla., the Golden Hurricane joined the American in 2014, departing from Conference USA.
Wichita State - Based in Wichita, Kan., the Shockers joined the American in 2017, departing from the Missouri Valley Conference. The school does not have a football program.
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: American Conference announces NCAA Division I athletics rebranding
Category: General Sports
