Old Dominion University President Dr. Brian Hemphill says ODU is working to “ensure the long-term viability and attractiveness” of Conference USA after news broke Monday that six conference members are planning to depart for the American Athletic Conference (AAC).

ESPN confirmed that UNC Charlotte, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Rice, North Texas, University of Texas at San Antonio and Florida Atlantic University have all sent in applications to the AAC. The AAC is expected to send them each a formal letter by the end of the week detailing the terms of expansion.

In his statement on Tuesday, Hemphill said that ODU is looking to work with Conference USA leadership to save the league and bring its footprint closer to Norfolk.

“By working together with our partners at C-USA, we are optimistic about attracting additional members with regional benefit to ODU, resulting in less travel and greater competition, for many years to come.”

The remaining seven teams in addition to ODU are Marshall, Western Kentucky, Southern Mississippi. Louisiana Tech, Florida International, University of Texas at El Paso and Middle Tennessee.