Western Kentucky first baseman Annie White (16) attempts to make a catch during a game between WKU and UTEP on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at the WKU Softball Complex. (Daily News photo by Caleb Lowndes/caleb.lowndes@bgdailynews.com)

Conference USA concluded its annual spring meetings with its board of directors, athletics directors, senior woman administrators, faculty athletic representatives and head coaches for football and men’s and women’s basketball participating in discussions on conference initiatives to improve competitive success, support academic achievement, enrich conference mental health programming through a partnership with Mindflow and in cooperation with U.S. Integrity enhance sports gambling education Friday in Dallas.

NCAA Senior Vice President of External Affairs Tim Buckley also joined the meetings to provide updates regarding governmental affairs, national office initiatives and congressional engagement activities.

“We had great discussions regarding national policy issues and identifying opportunities for the continued growth of Conference USA,” CUSA Commissioner Judy MacLeod said in a news release. “Our membership is committed to collaboratively addressing the challenges in the national landscape and development of initiatives which strategically support competitive and academic success.”

The board supported scheduling and championship formats for 2024-25, selected future championship host sites and awarded CUSA Jim Castaneda postgraduate scholarships, which will be announced at a later date. Also new in 2024-25, football will see the addition of upgraded sideline video as well as coach to player communication technology.

In recognition of his outstanding service as board chair, the group acknowledged Western Kentucky President Dr. Timothy C. Caboni’s leadership in navigating CUSA through monumental changes in the collegiate landscape.

A new leadership slate for the Conference USA Board of Directors was selected with Sam Houston State President Dr. Alisa White appointed chair and Jacksonville State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. appointed vice chair.

The following championship sites for the 2024-25 academic year were supported.

2024-25 CUSA championship sites

Baseball: Liberty

Men’s/Women’s Basketball: Huntsville, Alabama

Beach Volleyball: TBD

Bowling: Colonial Lanes in Harahan, Louisiana

Cross Country: Jax State

Football: Team with highest winning %

Men’s Golf: Texarkana CC in Texarkana, Arkansas

Women’s Golf: TBD

Women’s Soccer: FIU

Softball: WKU

Track and Field (Indoor): Liberty

Track and Field (Outdoor): Middle Tennessee

Men’s Tennis: TBD

Women’s Tennis: Liberty

Volleyball: UTEP

The following future host sites were approved beyond the 2024-25 academic year:

Future CUSA championship sites

Baseball: Dallas Baptist University 2025-26

Baseball: Sam Houston 2026-27

Men’s/Women’s Basketball: Huntsville, Alabama 2025-26

Softball: Delaware 2025-26

Volleyball: FIU 2025-26

Women’s Soccer: Liberty 2025-26