Looking Back at WKU President Dr. Timothy C. Caboni’s Time As Chair Of CUSA Board Of Directors

DALLAS, Texas – WKU President Dr. Timothy C. Caboni's tenure as Chair of the Conference USA Board of Directors came to an end on Thursday (May 23, 2024). Caboni, the longest-tenured Chair in Conference history, has served in his role since October 2021, when North Texas announced its departure from Conference USA.

"President Caboni's leadership in his role as Chair of our Board of Directors has proved invaluable," Commissioner Judy MacLeod said. "His strategic vision and guidance during a period of significant transition in Conference USA has been critical to transforming our membership for continued success."

Caboni provided stability to a conference that underwent a significant transformation during his nearly-three-year tenure. As the landscape of college athletics has shifted dramatically since he was appointed Vice Chair in June of 2021, and later took over as Chair. Caboni guided the Conference through challenging times and leaves his post with the Conference positioned for long-term success and a return to 12 member schools by July 1, 2025.

"I am thankful for my tenure as chair of Conference USA and am proud of what we have achieved during that time," Caboni said. "We successfully overcame substantial challenges and enhanced both the profile and competitiveness of CUSA, setting the stage for its ongoing success. I would like to thank my fellow CUSA presidents, Judy MacLeod, and all conference staff for their indispensable support."

During Caboni's time as Chair, the Conference has added Liberty University, Sam Houston State University, Jacksonville State University and New Mexico State University. Kennesaw State University will join the league on July 1, 2024, and University of Delaware and Missouri State University are set to join CUSA on July 1, 2025.

"President Caboni's leadership was vital during his tenure as Chair of Conference USA's Board of Directors, not only to the conference as a whole, but to Western Kentucky University," Athletic Director Todd Stewart said. "As the conference underwent a significant makeover during the last few years, WKU benefited greatly from having President Caboni heavily involved in all league matters. He departs his position as Chair with Conference USA well-positioned for continued success into the future, with a stable 12-school membership once again, starting in 2025."

While Caboni served as Chair, Conference USA also struck a new multimedia rights deal which emphasized accessibility, opportune scheduling models, national linear and digital exposure, and increased revenue. The multi-year agreement between CUSA and its longtime partners, CBS Sports and ESPN, started during the 2023-24 season.

During the first year of the agreement, WKU Athletics saw a media exposure value of nearly $40 million, with nationally televised games in football, men's basketball, women's basketball and softball. In addition, over 150 Hilltopper games and events appeared on ESPN+, including more than 60 originating from the campus of Western Kentucky University.

With Caboni serving as Chair, Conference USA also signed a multi-year agreement (which began in 2024) for the City of Huntsville and Propst Arena to host the CUSA Basketball Championships in Huntsville, Ala.

Caboni was first selected to the league's Executive Committee in Summer of 2019 and then chosen as vice chair in June of 2021.

Caboni, a 1994 graduate of WKU, recently completed his seventh year as WKU's 10th President. Since his arrival in 2017, the university has launched a number of key initiatives, including WKU's First Year Village, the Innovation Campus, centralized advising, a revised institutional scholarship program, a comprehensive academic program review, and revised admissions standards. Under his leadership, retention has increased significantly, and he has overseen campus improvement projects totaling more than half a billion dollars.

Looking Back at WKU President Dr. Timothy C. Caboni’s Time As Chair Of CUSA Board Of Directors

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