Sources: MAC votes to accept UMass as member

• Pete Thamel, ESPNFeb 26, 2024, 04:27 PM ET

The University of Massachusetts is set to sign up with the MAC in all appropriate sports for the 2025-26 school year, sources informed ESPN on Monday.UMass is an independent in football but plays in the Atlantic-10 in basketball and the huge bulk of the school’s other sports. UMass’ hockey program will stay in the Hockey East as the MAC does not have a hockey league.The MAC presidents voted to welcome UMass on Monday, as the school had actually already officially used to the league. The timing of a statement is not known, however UMass is set to accept and settle the details of the plan in the future. When a school formally applies in conference realignment, there’s usually an understanding that they will be accepted and enter that league.UMass had likewise

been engaged with Conference USA, per sources. Eventually, the MAC made more geographic sense, and it also houses more of the sports that UMass offers. UMass athletic director Ryan Bamford made clear in recent comments that signing up with a league was a top priority for UMass.The relocation of

UMass to the MAC will leave Notre Dame and Connecticut as the only independents in college football, with Army set to join the American Athletic Conference in the upcoming season.In basketball,

the news is a shock to the Atlantic 10 Conference, where UMass has had a home since 1976. UMass’ Final Four look in 1996 is the only Final Four look in Atlantic 10 history.UMass will request to remain in the Atlantic 10 as an affiliate member for men’s and women’s lacrosse only, according to a source.UMass has some familiarity in the MAC for football

, having actually played four seasons in the league from 2012 to 2015. UMass ultimately decreased complete subscription in the MAC, which was part of the contract, and resulted in the school’s departure.The move brings the MAC up to 13 teams and will open speculation regarding whether the league will include

a 14th member for balance. There had actually been discussions about Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky back in 2021, per sources, and those schools would once again top any speculative lists.UMass will play its final season as a football independent this year, and its schedule consists of 5 present MAC members.

The Athletic first reported the MAC’s vote on UMass.