Big South addition of Campbell a help to Longwood?

Troy Austin's fingers are crossed.

The Longwood University athletic director hopes yesterday's announcementthat Campbell will leave the Atlantic Sun Conference and join the Big South Conference for 2011-12 might create an affiliation opportunity for the Lancers. Longwood does not belong to a league and hasn't since it became a full-fledged Division I member two years ago.

Campbell's shift will give the Big South Conference, the league that seems most logical for Longwood, 11 members. "We hope, given the odd number, that it would create [opportunity]," said Austin. "In some situations, it's preferable to have an even number, maybe even the possibility of divisions."

Big South Commissioner Kyle Kallander could not be reached for comment yesterday, but suggested at a press conference at Campbell that the Big South didn't feel compelled to go to a 12-school membership.

VMI , Liberty and Radford belong to the Big South, as do Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, Gardner-Webb, High Point, Presbyterian, UNC Asheville and Winthrop. Campbell's football program will continue to compete in the non-scholarship Pioneer League, and the school at this time has no plans to join the BSC for football.

Austin said Longwood remains interested in the Big South and Atlantic Sun, and that the Lancers "are still exploring any other options that may be available." Said Austin: "It's very important we get our student-athletes a conference home."

Atlantic Sun Conference Commissioner Ted Gumbart yesterday said Campbell's pending departure would not "trigger any plans on our part to seek new members. We're solid with the membership we have and not looking to add, though we're always monitoring."

The Atlantic Sun includes Belmont, Campbell, East Tennessee, Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, North Florida, USC Upstate and Stetson. Campbell was a charter member of the Big South, and called the league home from 1983-1994. The switch back to the Big South will dramatically cut Campbell's travel costs.

Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or .