Conference Realignment Could Impact Georgia Southern

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – With all the conference realignment happening all over the country, one university here in Georgia could be prepping for a move of its own.

New Georgia Southern Athletic Director Tom Kleinlein was in Macon Thursday night to speak with alumni and supporters at an event at Wild Wing Cafe’.

Much of the talk centered around the school’s conference affiliation.

With Sun Belt Conference members Florida Atlantic and Middle Tennessee announcing they’re set to leave the conference, the door is wide open for schools like Georgia Southern to move up.

“I’ve talked to people with the Sun Belt,” says Georgia Southern Athletic Director, Tom Kleinlein.  “I’ve talked with people in other conferences across the country–more as an introductory-type conversation, just kind of talking about what we have going on here at Georgia Southern and what we want to do.  I will continue to talk to people throughout the up and coming weeks.”

The Eagles have been longtime members of the Southern Conference from the Football Championship Subdivision, but Kleinlein, who just took over as AD last month, says if a conference from the Football Bowl Subdivision were to call tomorrow, it’d be hard to turn the offer down.