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ktysiac@charlotteobserver.com
Campbell is leaving the Atlantic Sun Conference to rejoin the Big South, two sources with direct knowledge of the move said Wednesday on condition of anonymity.
Officials at the school in Buies Creek have scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference today for a major athletics announcement.
Campbell was a charter member of the Big South, which was founded in 1983. In 1994, Campbell left to join the Trans America Athletic Conference, which now is the Atlantic Sun.
Rejoining the Big South should help Campbell restore and develop rivalries with neighboring schools such as UNC Asheville, Winthrop, High Point, Coastal Carolina, Presbyterian and Charleston Southern.
The proximity of the Big South schools also should reduce Campbell's travel costs.
All Big South member schools are in North Carolina, South Carolina or Virginia.
With the exception of USC Spartanburg, all of Campbell's Atlantic Sun rivals were in Tennessee, Georgia or Florida.
Campbell will be the 11th member of the Big South, whose offices are in Charlotte.
Big South Commissioner Kyle Kallander would not comment Wednesday on reports that Campbell is joining the conference.
“We don't discuss other institutions' candidacy whether or not they are a prospective member of the conference,” Kallander said.
Ken Tysiac: 919-829-8942 or ktysiac@charlotteobserver.com
