UAB Director of Athletics Mark Ingram and President Ray L. Watts announced Wednesday that UAB will officially join the American Athletic Conference on July 1, 2023. This follows an October announcement from Watts of UAB’s intention to join the AAC following the university’s departure from Conference USA.

“We have made the most of every opportunity in recent years to propel UAB Athletics to new heights, and joining the AAC is an incredible opportunity to build on all we have accomplished in a big way,” said Ingram. “We’ve worked hard to make great progress that put us in this position, and we don’t intend to slow down. This is another great day for UAB Athletics and Blazer Nation, and it is still just the beginning.”

UAB is making the switch to the AAC alongside Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, and UTSA, all of whom are making similar departures from C-USA. The new additions will officially make the AAC a 14-team league.

“We’re looking forward to competing for championships in the AAC, and it is an exciting milestone to now know when that will begin,” said Watts. “I want to thank and congratulate everyone who helped make this a reality, including the AAC leadership and member institutions, Director of Athletics Mark Ingram and his talented UAB Athletics team, the UAB Athletics Foundation, the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees, UA System Chancellor Finis St. John and the UA System Office, as well as other key leaders and supporters inside and outside of UAB.”

UAB is committed to the AAC with full participation in every sport, with the exceptions of beach volleyball, bowling, and rifle. UAB’s men’s soccer team will get an early start with the AAC this fall following numerous departures from C-USA’s soccer league.