I'll Be Back! Schools Come Full Circle Returning to Old Stomping Grounds
October 23rd, 2012 - 7:58
Dominoes seem to fall every time a school seeks greener pastures. The Ivy League is the only Division I conference to remain intact since the late 1980s.
Oddly, some schools such as Boise State (Big West), Charlotte (C-USA), Georgia State (Sun Belt), Idaho (Big Sky), Pacific (West Coast) and San Diego State (Big West) are going full circle and returning to leagues where they previously were members. They join the following institutions that re-enlisted with a conference after leaving for various durations:
| School | DI Conference (Membership Tenure) | School Status During Interim |
|---|---|---|
| Boise State | Big West (1997-2001 and will rejoin in 2014) | WAC (2002-11) and Mountain West (2012 and 2013) |
| Campbell | Big South (1986-94 and since 2012) | TAAC/Atlantic Sun (1995-2011) |
| Charlotte | Conference USA (1996-2005 and wll rejoin in 2014) | Atlantic 10 (2006-13) |
| Creighton | Missouri Valley (1929-48 and since 1978) | Independent |
| Davidson | Southern (1937-88 and since 1993) | Big South (1991 and 1992) |
| Drake | Missouri Valley (1908-51 and since 1957) | Independent |
| Duquesne | Eastern 8/Atlantic 10 (since 1977 except for 1993) | Midwestern Collegiate (1993) |
| Georgia State | Sun Belt (1977-81 and will rejoin in 2014) | TAAC/Atlantic Sun (1985-2005) and CAA (2006-13) |
| Harvard | EIBL/Ivy League (1902-09 and since 1934) | Independent |
| Idaho | Big Sky (1964-96 and since 2014) | Big West (1997-2005) and WAC (2006-13) |
| Lamar | Southland (1969-87 and since 1999) | American South (1988-91) and Sun Belt (1992-98) |
| Murray State | Ohio Valley (since 1949 except for 1962) | Independent |
| New Orleans | Sun Belt (1977-80 and 1992-2010) | Independent and American South (1988-91) |
| Northern Illinois | Mid-American (1976-86 and since 1998) | Mid-Continent (1991-94) and Midwestern Collegiate (1995-97) |
| Oregon | Pacific Coast (1916-59 and since 1965) | Independent |
| Oregon State | Pacific Coast (1916-59 and since 1965) | Independent |
| Pacific | WCAC/West Coast (1953-71 and will rejoin in 2014) | PCAA/Big West (1972-2013) |
| Penn State | Eastern 8/Atlantic 10 (1977-79 and 1983-91) | Independent |
| Prairie View A&M | SWAC (since 1921 except for 1991) | Discontinued program one season |
| San Diego State | Big West (1970-78 and will rejoin in 2014) | WAC (1979-99) and Mountain West (2000-13) |
| Washington State | Pacific Coast (1917-59 and since 1964) | Independent |