Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I. Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision. Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Established in 1921, the Southern Conference ranks as the fifth-oldest major college athletic conference in the United States, and either the third- or fourth-oldest in continuous operation, depending on definitions. Among conferences currently in operation, the Big Ten and Missouri Valley are indisputably older. The Pac-12 Conference did not operate under its current charter until 1959, but claims the history of the Pacific Coast Conference, founded in 1915, as its own. The Southwest Conference was founded in 1914, but ceased operation in 1996. The Big Eight Conference claimed the same history as the Missouri Valley from 1907 to 1928 during its existence; though it essentially merged with four SWC members to form the Big 12 Conference in 1996, the Big 12 does not claim the Big Eight's legacy. The Ivy League was formally organized in 1954 with athletic competition starting in 1955, but claims the history of the Eastern Intercollegiate Basketball League, which competed from 1901 to 1955, as its own.
The SoCon was the first conference to use the three-point field goal in basketball in a November 29, 1980 game at Western Carolina against Middle Tennessee State University, where Ronnie Carr shot the historic shot from away and the Catamounts won 77–70.
The Southern Conference is considered one of the stronger football conferences in the Football Championship Subdivision and is considered a mid-major conference in basketball. It has also garnered considerable national attention from its recent success in these sports: in particular, former member, three-time Division I NCAA Football champion Appalachian State Mountaineers, who stunned the fifth-ranked Michigan Wolverines 34–32 on September 1, 2007; from the Davidson Wildcats, who reached the Elite Eight in the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament by upsetting power programs Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin. More recently, the six-time Division I NCAA Football champion Georgia Southern Eagles stunned Southeastern Conference power-house Florida Gators 26–20 in The Swamp on November 23, 2013—the first loss to a lower division opponent in the Florida program's history. In 2015, Furman defeated UCF 16–15 and The Citadel topped South Carolina 23–22 for their second win over the Gamecocks in the past three meetings. The SoCon also frequently sees multiple teams selected to participate in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship.
History
Talks of a new conference for southern athletics had started as early as fall of 1920. The conference was formed on February 25, 1921 in Atlanta as fourteen member institutions split from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Southern Conference charter members were Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi State, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Washington & Lee. In 1922, six more universities – Florida, LSU, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tulane, and Vanderbilt joined the conference. The first year of competition for the conference was in 1922, effective January 1. The new rules banned freshman play. Later additions included , Virginia Military Institute, and Duke.The SoCon is particularly notable for having spawned two other major conferences. In 1932, the 13 schools located south and west of the Appalachians all departed the SoCon to form the Southeastern Conference. In 1953, seven additional schools withdrew from the SoCon to form the Atlantic Coast Conference. The SEC and ACC have gone on to surpass their parent conference in prestige; while the SEC and ACC are considered "power" conferences in Division I FBS, the SoCon dropped to Division I-AA in 1982, four years after the top division was split into two levels in 1978.
The SoCon became the first league to hold a post-season basketball tournament to decide a conference champion. Although first played in 1921, it did not become "official" until 1922, and in its first few years included teams which were not conference members. Held at the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta from February 24 – March 2, 1922, the first meeting was won by North Carolina who defeated non-member Mercer in the Finals 40–25. The SoCon Basketball Tournament continues as the nation's oldest conference tournament. The next-oldest tournament overall is the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament, founded in 1933, but that event was suspended after its 1952 edition and did not resume until 1979. With the demise of the Division II West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2013, whose tournament had been continuously held since 1936, the next-oldest conference tournament in continuous existence is now the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament, first held in 1954.
Member schools
Current members
The all-sports membership changed to 10 schools in 2014 following the departure of Appalachian State, Davidson, Elon, and Georgia Southern, plus the arrival of East Tennessee State, Mercer, and VMI. The current football membership stands at nine. UNC Greensboro does not sponsor football, while ETSU, which relaunched its previously dormant football program in 2015, rejoined SoCon football in 2016 after one season as an independent.Institution | Location | Founded | Joined | Type | Enrollment | Nickname | Colors |
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | Chattanooga, Tennessee | 1886 | 1976 | Public | 11,638 | Mocs | |
The Citadel | Charleston, South Carolina | 1842 | 1936 | Public | 3,784 | Bulldogs | |
East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, Tennessee | 1911 | 1978 2014 | Public | 14,334 | Buccaneers | |
Furman University | Greenville, South Carolina | 1826 | 1936 | Private | 2,933 | Paladins | |
Mercer University | Macon, Georgia | 1833 | 2014 | Private | 8,740 | Bears | |
Samford University | Homewood, Alabama | 1841 | 2008 | Private | 5,619 | Bulldogs | |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, North Carolina | 1891 | 1997 | Public | 20,106 | Spartans | |
Virginia Military Institute | Lexington, Virginia | 1839 | 1924 2014 | Public | 1,685 | Keydets | |
Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, North Carolina | 1889 | 1976 | Public | 11,639 | Catamounts | |
Wofford College | Spartanburg, South Carolina | 1854 | 1997 | Private | 1,608 | Terriers |
Associate members
On January 9, 2014, the SoCon and Atlantic Sun Conference announced a new alliance in lacrosse that took effect with the 2014–15 school year. Under its terms, sponsorship of men's lacrosse shifted from the ASUN to the SoCon, while women's lacrosse sponsorship remained with the ASUN. Bellarmine, which had announced it would join the ASUN for men's lacrosse for the 2015 season, instead joined the SoCon. The alliance remains in full effect in men's lacrosse, but the leagues amicably ended their full alliance in women's lacrosse once the SoCon began sponsoring that sport in the 2018 season.The most recent addition to the associate membership is Presbyterian wrestling, which joined during summer 2019. Two women's lacrosse members, Central Michigan and Detroit Mercy, will leave after the 2020 season to join the new women's lacrosse league of Central's full-time home of the Mid-American Conference.
In the table below, the "Joined" column denotes the start of the school year in which the institution became an associate member, which for spring sports differs from the first season of competition.
Departing associate members are highlighted in red.
Institution | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Nickname | Primary Conference | Joined | SoCon Sport |
Colorado Springs, Colorado | 1954 | Federal | 4,417 | Falcons | Mountain West | 2015 | men's lacrosse | |
Appalachian State University | Boone, North Carolina | 1899 | Public | 17,589 | Mountaineers | Sun Belt | 2013 | wrestling |
Bellarmine University | Louisville, Kentucky | 1950 | Private | 3,846 | Knights | GLVC | 2014 | men's lacrosse |
Belmont University | Nashville, Tennessee | 1890 | Private | 8,080 | Bruins | OVC | 2018 | men's soccer |
Campbell University | Buies Creek, North Carolina | 1887 | Private | 11,241 | Fighting Camels | Big South | 2011 | wrestling |
Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | 1892 | Public | 27,693 | Chippewas | MAC | 2017 | women's lacrosse |
Davidson College | Davidson, North Carolina | 1837 | Private | 1,850 | Wildcats | Atlantic 10 | 2014 | wrestling |
Delaware State University | Dover, Delaware | 1891 | Public | 3,400 | Hornets | MEAC | 2017 | women's lacrosse |
Detroit, Michigan | 1877 | Private | 5,700 | Titans | Horizon League | 2017 | women's lacrosse | |
Gardner–Webb University | Boiling Springs, North Carolina | 1905 | Private | 5,000 | Runnin' Bulldogs | Big South | 2011 | wrestling |
Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, Georgia | 1906 | Public | 20,517 | Eagles | Sun Belt Conference | 2016 | rifle |
High Point University | High Point, North Carolina | 1924 | Private | 4,500 | Panthers | Big South | 2014 | men's lacrosse |
Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, Florida | 1934 | Private | 3,741 | Dolphins | Atlantic Sun | 2014 | men's lacrosse |
Dahlonega, Georgia | 1873/2013 | Public | 16,064 | Nighthawks | Peach Belt Conference | 2016 | rifle | |
Presbyterian College | Clinton, South Carolina | 1880 | Private | 1,403 | Blue Hose | Big South Conference | 2019 | wrestling |
Richmond, Virginia | 1830 | Private | 4,361 | Spiders | Atlantic 10 | 2014 | men's lacrosse | |
Birmingham, Alabama | 1969 | Public | 18,568 | Blazers | Conference USA | 2016 | rifle |
;Notes
Former members
Membership timeline
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bar:22 color:Full from:1924 till:2003 text:VMI
bar:22 color:OtherC1 from:2003 till:2014 text:Big South
bar:22 color:Full from:2014 till:end
bar:23 color:Full from:1928 till:1953 text:Duke
bar:23 color:OtherC1 from:1953 till:end text:ACC
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bar:27 color:Full from:1936 till:1977 text:William & Mary
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bar:27 color:OtherC2 from:1983 till:end text:CAA
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bar:42 color:Full from:2003 till:end text:Elon
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- Due to space limitations, one portion of Washington and Lee's affiliation history is not indicated in the table. In 1958, W&L stopped awarding athletic scholarships; from then until 1962, it was an independent in what was then the NCAA College Division.
Sports
Sport | Men's | Women's | Co-ed |
Baseball | |||
Basketball | |||
Cross Country | |||
Football | |||
Golf | |||
Lacrosse | |||
Rifle | |||
Soccer | |||
Softball | |||
Tennis | |||
Track and Field | |||
Track and Field | |||
Volleyball | |||
Wrestling |
Men's sponsored sports by school
;Notes:Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the Southern Conference which are played by SoCon schools:
School | Swimming & Diving |
VMI | America East |
Women's sponsored sports by school
;NotesWomen's varsity sports not sponsored by the Southern Conference which are played by SoCon schools:
School | Beach Volleyball | Swimming & Diving | Water Polo |
Chattanooga | OVC | No | No |
Mercer | ASUN | No | No |
VMI | No | America East | MAAC |
Facilities
;NotesConference champions
Football
This is a partial list of the last 10 champions. For the full history, see List of Southern Conference football champions.Year | Champion | Record |
2010 | Appalachian State+ Wofford | 7–1 |
2011 | Georgia Southern | 7–1 |
2012 | Appalachian State Georgia Southern+ Wofford | 6–2 |
2013 | Chattanooga Furman+ Samford | 6–2 |
2014 | Chattanooga | 7–0 |
2015 | Chattanooga+ The Citadel | 6–1 |
2016 | The Citadel+ | 8–0 |
2017 | Wofford+ | 7–1 |
2018 | East Tennessee State Furman Wofford+ | 6–2 |
2019 | Wofford+ | 7–1 |
+Denotes automatic bid to NCAA Division I Football Championship
- See also: College Football All-Southern Team
Men's basketball
The Southern Conference split into a divisional format for basketball beginning with the 1994–95 season.
Year | Regular Season Champion | Record | Regular Season Champion | Record | Tournament Champion |
2009–10 | 13–5 | Wofford | 15–3 | Wofford | |
2010–11 | 12–6 | Wofford | 14–4 | Wofford | |
2011–12 | UNC Greensboro | 10–8 | Davidson | 16–2 | Davidson |
2012–13 | Elon | 10–8 | Davidson | 17–1 | Davidson |
However, the divisional format was abandoned beginning with the 2013–14 season.
Year | Regular Season Champion | Record | Tournament Champion |
2013–14 | Davidson | 15–1 | Wofford |
2014–15 | Wofford | 16–2 | Wofford |
2015–16 | Chattanooga | 15–3 | Chattanooga |
2016–17 | East Tennessee State UNC Greensboro Furman | 14–4 | East Tennessee State |
2017–18 | UNC Greensboro | 15–3 | UNC Greensboro |
2018–19 | Wofford | 18–0 | Wofford |
Women's basketball
This is a partial list of the last 10 tournament champions. For the full history, see Southern Conference Women's Basketball TournamentYear | Champion |
2010 | |
2011 | |
2012 | |
2013 | |
2014 | |
2015 | |
2016 | Chattanooga |
2017 | Chattanooga |
2018 | Mercer |
2019 | Mercer |
Baseball
This is a partial list of the last 10 champions. For the full history, see Southern Conference Baseball Tournament.Year | Reg. Season Champion | Tournament Champion |
2010 | The Citadel | The Citadel |
2011 | ||
2012 | ||
2013 | ||
2014 | ||
2015 | Mercer | |
2016 | ||
2017 | ||
2018 | ||
2019 |
Commissioner's and Germann Cups
The Commissioner's and Germann Cups are awarded each year to the top men's and women's program in the conference. The Commissioner's Cup was inaugurated in 1970. The Germann Cup, named for former Southern Conference Commissioner Ken Germann, was first awarded in 1987. The completion of the 2013–2014 athletics season saw Appalachian State winning its 33rd Commissioner's Cup and Furman its 13th Germann Cup.Year | Commissioner's Cup | Germann Cup |
1969–70 | East Carolina William & Mary | — |
1970–71 | William & Mary | — |
1971–72 | William & Mary | — |
1972–73 | William & Mary | — |
1973–74 | East Carolina | — |
1974–75 | East Carolina | — |
1975–76 | William & Mary | — |
1976–77 | East Carolina | — |
1977–78 | Appalachian State | — |
1978–79 | Appalachian State | — |
1979–80 | Appalachian State | — |
1980–81 | Appalachian State | — |
1981–82 | Appalachian State | — |
1982–83 | East Tennessee State | — |
1983–84 | Appalachian State | — |
1984–85 | Appalachian State | — |
1985–86 | Appalachian State | — |
1986–87 | Appalachian State | Appalachian State |
1987–88 | Appalachian State | Appalachian State |
1988–89 | Appalachian State | Appalachian State |
1989–90 | Appalachian State | Appalachian State |
1990–91 | Furman | Appalachian State |
1991–92 | Appalachian State | Appalachian State |
1992–93 | Appalachian State | Furman |
1993–94 | Appalachian State | Furman |
1994–95 | Appalachian State | Furman |
1995–96 | Appalachian State | Furman |
1996–97 | Appalachian State | Furman |
1997–98 | Appalachian State | Furman |
1998–99 | Appalachian State | Furman |
1999–00 | Appalachian State | Furman |
2000–01 | Appalachian State | Furman |
2001–02 | Appalachian State | Furman |
2002–03 | Appalachian State | Furman |
2003–04 | Appalachian State | Furman |
2004–05 | Chattanooga | College of Charleston |
2005–06 | Appalachian State | Appalachian State |
2006–07 | Appalachian State | Appalachian State |
2007–08 | Appalachian State | Chattanooga |
2008–09 | Appalachian State | College of Charleston |
2009–10 | Appalachian State | Samford |
2010–11 | Appalachian State | Appalachian State |
2011–12 | Appalachian State | College of Charleston |
2012–13 | Appalachian State | Appalachian State |
2013–14 | Appalachian State | Furman |
2014–15 | Chattanooga | Samford |
2015–16 | East Tennessee State | Furman |
2016–17 | East Tennessee State | Furman |
2017–18 | East Tennessee State | Furman |
2018–19 | East Tennessee State | Furman |