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<A HREF="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/cusa/2003-07-10-army-exit_x.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/cusa/2003-07-10-army-exit_x.htm</A>

Army football retreating from Conference USA after 2004
WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Army's football team will leave Conference USA after the 2004 season to play as an independent. The U.S. Military Academy is making the move to have more flexibility in scheduling, superintendent Lt. Gen. William Lennox Jr. said Thursday.
"We are committed to building a competitive football program at the highest level," Lennox said.

Before joining Conference USA, Army was an independent from 1890 to 1997. Army joined as a football-only member in 1998.

Meanwhile, Conference USA officials voted Wednesday to enforce a bylaw preventing member schools from leaving before June 30, 2005. Conference officials said the move would not keep a school from leaving, but shows the league is prepared to fight to maintain its membership.

Good riddance. I'm sure CUSA won't be losing sleep over the fact their weakest team who never did anything for the conference is leaving to be an independent.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Pony Nation:
<B>Good riddance. I'm sure CUSA won't be losing sleep over the fact their weakest team who never did anything for the conference is leaving to be an independent.</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

On the side of the coin, I'm sure Army isn't exactly crushed that it can now schedule Notre Dame, Boston College, and the Northeast rivals that they had to drop once they entered CUSA.

I also doubt they'll miss the Southern Miss, Memphis, UAB, etc. games...

It's a win-win situation for all partners

Good point, the haul from West Point to Hattiesburg probably isn't that pleasant.

And I'm sure the other schools don't like going all the way up there either.

In my view CUSA is a bigger loser in this departure. Army always draws a good crowd, just like Navy. This could really hurt UAB attendance and to some extent TCU's. It also may hurt their TV contract as Army is a national draw even when they stink.

Army apparently gave notice over a year ago that it would exercise its right to withdraw with one year's notice. They are safe from any reprisals.

GO ARMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

can't really blame them either...you're right about that 'Southland'...i'll take BC & ND anyday over UAB & yes, tcu!

Army takes with them the revenue from the nationally televised Army / Navy game. This is medium bowl level revenue.