LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State Aggies are embarking on a new chapter as they officially begin their affiliation with Conference USA on Saturday, July 1.
 
This move comes after the initial announcement was made nearly two years ago, signifying the end of their nearly 20-year association with the Western Athletic Conference. Along with NM State, Jacksonville State, Liberty and Sam Houston have traded in their league affiliations for the CUSA flag. The four new institutions will join current CUSA members Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, UTEP and Western Kentucky to make up a nine-member conference entering the 2023-24 seasons.
 
This transition marks a significant milestone for the football program specifically. Formerly one of seven FBS independent programs, the Aggies will be affiliated with a conference for the first time since being a part of the Sun Belt from 2014-17. Additionally, the majority of NM State's NCAA Division I men's and women's athletic programs, totaling 14 out of 15, have become full members of Conference USA. The exception is the swimming and diving program, which will remain an affiliate member of the WAC due to the absence of women's swimming and diving sponsorship in CUSA.
 
In total, NM State spent 18 years as a member of the Western Athletic Conference – beginning its membership in 2005. CUSA now becomes the fifth conference affiliation for the Aggies after representing the Border Conference (1931-62), Missouri Valley Conference (1971-83), the Pacific Coast Athletic Association/Big West Conference (1983-2001), the Sun Belt Conference (2001-05), the Western Athletic Conference (2005-23).
 
Over the course of 18 years in the Western Athletic Conference, NM State achieved remarkable success, securing a total of 85 conference titles, second only to Brigham Young University's 193 championships during its 36-year membership. Since 2005 when NM State first joined the WAC, the Aggies claimed 26 more titles than the next closest institution. The Aggies' legacy extends through their previous affiliations with the Border Conference (1931-62), Missouri Valley Conference (1971-83), Pacific Coast Athletic Association/Big West Conference (1983-2001), Sun Belt Conference (2001-05), and the Western Athletic Conference (2005-23).
 
Conference USA is an NCAA Division I athletic conference based in Dallas, Texas. Now in its third decade of existence, CUSA has adapted to the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics with an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity and leadership in competition, academics and community.
 
For complete coverage of NM State athletics throughout the 2023-24 academic year and beyond, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow NM State on Facebook (NM State Aggies), Twitter (@NMStateAggies) and Instagram (@NMStateAggies).