After weeks of speculation, the Mid-American Conference is expected make a formal announcement of the Temple football program's move to the conference as early as Tuesday.
Ohio President Roderick McDavis had said Wednesday the official decision on Temple joining the MAC likely would not be made until next month. MAC regulations stipulate that all major policy decisions must be made by a council of the presidents of all member institutions. McDavis said he thought the issue would be discussed at the presidents' meeting in June.
But according to information from MAC sources in The Plain Dealer and the Toledo Blade, the confirmation will take place at a press conference next week.
Temple will become an affiliate member for the 2005 season and a full member in 2007. While its membership will be limited to football, scheduling agreements will be arranged with other sports, such as men's and women's basketball.
This will give MAC teams the chance to possibly earn higher RPIs and more tournaments berths by playing against Temple's nationally ranked basketball teams.
The Owl football team's schedule over the next three seasons will ease them into the conference. Temple is slated to play four games against MAC teams in 2005, six in 2006 and eight in 2007.
-Molly O'Hare
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Molly O'Hare
