The University of New Orleans will join the Southland Conference next July, the league announced Thursday. New Orleans, which has had athletic teams since 1969, was a founding member of the Sun Belt Conference in 1976 but left that league in 2010. The Privateers have been competing as an NCAA Division I independent. New Orleans will field teams in 14 of the 17 sports that the South Conference has championships in. \"Finding a conference home in the Southland is significant for the University of New Orleans because it will allow us to re-establish our proud Division I athletic tradition,\" said New Orleans President Peter J. Fos. \"Southland membership gives our student-athletes an opportunity to compete for championships, play in the postseason and receive recognition for their academic achievements.\" The men will take part in basketball, baseball, cross-country, golf, tennis and indoor and outdoor track and field. On the women\'s side, New Orleans will compete in basketball, cross-country, golf, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field and volleyball.