Gulf South Conference

Gulf South Conference
	File:Gulf South Conference logo.png
Association	NCAA
Commissioner	Matt Wilson (since 2014)
Sports fielded	17 men's: 8; women's: 9; ;
Division	Division II
Region	Southeastern United States
Official website	www.gulfsouthconference.org
Locations

The Gulf South Conference (GSC) is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II level which operates in the southeastern United States.

History

Originally known as the Mid-South Conference, the Gulf South Conference was formed by six universities in the summer of 1970: Delta State, Florence State (now North Alabama), Jacksonville State, Livingston (now West Alabama), Tennessee–Martin, and Troy State (now Troy). Scheduling problems for the 1970–71 academic year limited the league to football, won by Jacksonville State.

In 1971, the league changed its name to the Gulf South Conference; added Southeastern Louisiana (SLU) and Nicholls State (increasing the membership to eight); opened an office in Hammond, Louisiana; and began championships in all men’s sports. The following year, Mississippi College and Northwestern Louisiana (NWLA, now Northwestern State) were admitted. NWLA withdrew to go Division I two years later, followed by SLU and Nicholls State in 1979.

The conference continued with seven teams until 1981, when the presidents admitted Valdosta State. West Georgia joined in 1983. Eight years of stability ended in 1991 when Tennessee–Martin and Troy State went Division I, briefly dropping the GSC back to seven members, before the beginning of an expansion resulting in ten new members: Lincoln Memorial (1992–93); Alabama–Huntsville, Henderson State, Central Arkansas, and Mississippi University for Women (MUW) (1993–94); West Florida (1994–95); and Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech, Montevallo, and Southern Arkansas (1995–96). Jacksonville State went Division I at the end of 1992–93. Mississippi College dropped to Division III at the end of 1995–96 and was replaced by Christian Brothers to keep the Conference at 16 schools. In July 2000, the GSC welcomed Harding University and Ouachita Baptist University, making it the largest NCAA conference at any level with 18 schools. The Conference membership decreased to 17 when MUW dropped its athletics program at the end of the 2002–03 season.

2006–07 was another season of change for the GSC. Central Arkansas moved to Division I, leaving the West Division with eight schools while Lincoln Memorial left for the South Atlantic Conference due to travel and location issues, leaving the East Division with seven schools.

Montevallo announced on June 27, 2008 that they will be leaving for the Peach Belt Conference following the 2008–09 season due to issues between the University's President and the Commissioner.

The GSC moved away from divisional play after the 2010-11 season after its six Arkansas members broke away, dropping the membership to eight. Thanks to an aggressive expansion plan, the GSC sponsored the Division II applications of Union University (TN) and Shorter University (GA), which became official members in 2014-15. The next step in bolstering its membership came in 2012, backing the Division II application of Lee University (TN) which is on track to join the league officially in 2015-16. The league added its first-ever associate member, Florida Tech, in football only in 2013. The Conference hopes to officially add an old friend back into the fold when Mississippi College submitted its application to rejoin Division II and is on track for 2016-17 membership.

Former Commissioner Jim McCullough brought the GSC office to Birmingham when he was hired in 1979. The Conference welcomed its seventh Commissioner in May, 2014 when Matt Wilson was selected to follow Nate Salant who retired after a 22-year stint.

2010s realignment

Beginning with the 2011–12 academic year; Arkansas Tech University, University of Arkansas at Monticello, Harding University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University, and Southern Arkansas University left the GSC to form the Great American Conference.^[1]

The University of New Orleans, which was transitioning from Division I to Division II, was accepted into the conference in June 2011,^[2] but the school announced intentions to stay at Division I in March 2012.^[3] In July 2011, Shorter University and Union University (Jackson, Tenn.) were accepted into the NCAA and will begin the multi-year transition process from the NAIA to NCAA.^[4] Both universities will begin GSC competition in the 2012–13 academic year but will not be eligible for NCAA national tournaments until the 2014–15 academic year.^[5] In August 2011, the GSC added the Florida Institute of Technology as an associate member for football beginning in the 2013 season.^[6]

On October 11, 2012, Mississippi College announced that it would petition the NCAA to leave Division III and return to the conference.^[7] There is a lengthy process involved as Mississippi College becomes part of the Division II candidacy starting with the 2013-14 academic year. The transition period will end with the 2016-17 season when Mississippi College will become a full Division II member.^[8]

In 2013, Lee University joined the GSC, bringing the membership to 11. Lee University moved to Division II provisional membership for the 2014-15 season. They will complete transition to Division II in the 2015-16 season. Mississippi College entered its second candidacy year with the 2014-15 season in its path to full Division II membership in 2016-17 and added Gulf South Conference teams to its schedule.^[9]

Member schools

Current members

Institution	Location	Founded	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined
University of Alabama in Huntsville	Huntsville, Alabama	1969	7,900	Chargers	1993
Christian Brothers University	Memphis, Tennessee	1871	1,720	Buccaneers	1996
Delta State University	Cleveland, Mississippi	1924	4,392	Statesmen & Lady Statesmen	1970
Lee University	Cleveland, Tennessee	1918	4,922	Flames	2013
Mississippi College	Clinton, Mississippi	1826	4,162	Choctaws	1972; 2014
University of North Alabama	Florence, Alabama	1830	7,244	Lions	1970
Shorter University	Rome, Georgia	1873	3,500	Hawks	2012
Union University	Jackson, Tennessee	1823	4,186	Bulldogs	2012
Valdosta State University	Valdosta, Georgia	1906	12,898	Blazers	1981
University of West Alabama	Livingston, Alabama	1835	5,157	Tigers	1970
University of West Florida	Pensacola, Florida	1963	12,823	Argonauts	1994
University of West Georgia	Carrollton, Georgia	1906	11,252	Wolves	1983

Future members

Institution	Location	Founded	Enrollment	Nickname	Colors	Joins
Auburn University at Montgomery	Montgomery, Alabama	1967	5,079	Warhawks		2017
University of Montevallo	Montevallo, Alabama	1896	3,000	Falcons		1995; 2017

Reclassifying member in yellow.
Montevallo — lacrosse (W) was an affiliate member from 2015–2017.

Affiliate members

Institution	Location	Founded	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined	Sport	Primary Conference
Florida Institute of Technology	Melbourne, Florida	1958	6,400	Panthers	2013	football	Sunshine State
University of Montevallo	Montevallo, Alabama	1896	3,000	Falcons	2015	lacrosse (W)	Peach Belt
Spring Hill College	Mobile, Alabama	1830	1,439	Badgers	2014	golf (W); soccer (M); soccer (W)	Southern Intercollegiate
Young Harris College	Young Harris, Georgia	1886	1,120	Mountain Lions	2015	lacrosse (W)	Peach Belt

Reclassifying member in yellow.

Future affiliate members

Institution	Location	Founded	Enrollment	Nickname	Colors	Joins	Sport	Primary Conference
North Greenville University	Tigerville, South Carolina	1891	2,100	Crusaders		2018	football	Carolinas

Former members

Institution	Location	Founded	Nickname	Joined	Left	Current Conference
Arkansas Tech University	Russellville, Arkansas	1909	Wonder Boys & Golden Suns	1995	2011	Great American
University of Arkansas at Monticello	Monticello, Arkansas	1910	Boll Weevils & Cotton Blossoms	1995	2011	Great American
University of Central Arkansas	Conway, Arkansas	1907	Bears & Sugar Bears	1993	2006	Southland (NCAA D-I)
Harding University	Searcy, Arkansas	1924	Bisons & Lady Bisons	2000	2011	Great American
Henderson State University	Arkadelphia, Arkansas	1890	Reddies	1993	2011	Great American
Jacksonville State University	Jacksonville, Alabama	1883	Gamecocks	1970	1993	Ohio Valley (NCAA D-I)
Lincoln Memorial University	Harrogate, Tennessee	1897	Railsplitters	1992	2006	South Atlantic
Mississippi University for Women	Columbus, Mississippi	1884	Blues	1993	2003	Dropped sports
University of New Orleans	New Orleans, Louisiana	1958	Privateers	2011	2012	Southland (NCAA D-I)
Nicholls State University	Thibodaux, Louisiana	1948	Colonels	1971	1979	Southland (NCAA D-I)
Northwestern State University	Natchitoches, Louisiana	1884	Demons	1971	1973	Southland (NCAA D-I)
Ouachita Baptist University	Arkadelphia, Arkansas	1886	Tigers	2000	2011	Great American
Southeastern Louisiana University	Hammond, Louisiana	1925	Lions	1971	1979	Southland (NCAA D-I)
Southern Arkansas University	Magnolia, Arkansas	1909	Muleriders	1995	2011	Great American
University of Tennessee at Martin	Martin, Tennessee	1927	Skyhawks	1970	1991	Ohio Valley (NCAA D-I)
Troy University	Troy, Alabama	1887	Trojans	1970	1991	Sun Belt (NCAA D-I)

Harding — soccer (M) was an affiliate member in 2011–12.
New Orleans — provisional member in transition from D-I to D-II which competed in baseball, cross country (M / W), golf (M / W), tennis (M / W), and volleyball. However, the school announced intentions to remain D-I in March 2012.
Ouachita Baptist — soccer (M) was an affiliate member in 2011–12.

Membership timeline

Full member (all sports) Full member (non-football) Associate member (football-only) Associate member (sport)

Conference venues

School	Football		Basketball
School	Stadium	Capacity	Arena	Capacity
Alabama–Huntsville	non-football school		Spragins Hall	2,250
Christian Brothers	non-football school		Canale Arena	1,000
Delta State	McCool Stadium	8,000	Walter Sillers Coliseum	4,000
Florida Tech	Florida Tech Panther Stadium	4,980	football-only member
Lee	non-football school		Walker Arena	2,700
Mississippi College	Robinson-Hale Stadium	8,500	A.E. Wood Coliseum	3,500
North Alabama	Braly Municipal Stadium	14,215	Flowers Hall	3,900
Shorter	Barron Stadium	6,500	Winthrop-King Centre	1,500
Union	non-football school		Fred DeLay Gymnasium	2,200
Valdosta State	Bazemore-Hyder Stadium	11,500	The Complex	5,350
West Alabama	Tiger Stadium	7,000	Pruitt Hall	1,500
West Florida	Blue Wahoos Stadium		UWF Fieldhouse	1,180
West Georgia	University Stadium	9,000	The Coliseum	6,790

National championships

Sport	School	Year(s)
Baseball	Valdosta State	1979
	Troy State	1986 • 1987
	Jacksonville State	1990 • 1991
	Delta State	2004
	West Florida	2011
Men's Basketball	North Alabama	1979 • 1991
Men's Basketball	Jacksonville State	1985
Women's Basketball	Delta State	1975 • 1976 • 1977 (AIAW) • 1989 • 1990 • 1992
Women's Basketball	Southeastern Louisiana	1977
Football	West Alabama	1971 (NAIA)
	Troy	1984 • 1987
	Mississippi College	1989
	Jacksonville State	1992
	North Alabama	1993 • 1994 • 1995
	Delta State	2000
	Valdosta State	2004 • 2007 • 2012
Men's Golf	Troy	1976 • 1977 • 1984
Men's Golf	West Florida	2001 • 2008
Women's Golf	Troy	1984 • 1986 • 1989
Women's Gymnastics	Jacksonville State	1984 • 1985
Men's Ice Hockey	Alabama–Huntsville	1996 • 1998
Women's Soccer	Christian Brothers	2002
Women's Soccer	West Florida	2012
Softball	Valdosta State	2012
Men's Tennis	West Florida	2004 • 2005 • 2014
Men's Tennis	Valdosta State	2006 • 2011
Men's Track & Field Outdoor	Southeastern Louisiana	1975 (NAIA)
Women's Volleyball	North Alabama	2003

Valdosta State won 1979 baseball national championship prior to joining the GSC.
Mississippi College's 1989 football tournament participation and national championship were vacated by the NCAA Committee on Infractions for recruiting violations.
Ice Hockey is not a conference-sanctioned sport.

References

^ Pickle, David (March 9, 2011). "GAC becomes 23rd DII conference". NCAA.com. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
^ "GSC Admits UNO for Conference Membership". Retrieved 22 June 2011.
^ Daniels, Ed. "UNO Athletics to remain Division I in NCAA". SportsNOLA.com. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
^ Staff (July 11, 2011). "NCAA approves Union's application for NCAA Division II membership process". The Jackson Sun. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
^ "NCAA accepts Shorter's application for NCAA II membership process". Shorter University. July 12, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
^ "Florida Tech Football Accepts Invitation to Join Gulf South Conference". Florida Tech Athletics. 19 August 2011. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ Staff (October 16, 2012). "Exciting Development for MC Sports". Clinton Courier. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
^ "It's Time to be II". Mississippi College. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
^ "Division II Admits its 300th Member". NCAA. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
^ "GSC Adds Women's Lacrosse". Gulf South Conference. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
^ "GSC Adds Men's and Women's Track & Field". Gulf South Conference. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
^ "Wetzel Announces Resignation; Inaugural Season Delayed Until 2017". Auburn University at Montgomery Athletics. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
^ "Montevallo announces men's lacrosse as 18th intercollegiate sport". University of Montevallo. Retrieved May 26, 2016.

External links

Official website

[1] Pickle, David (March 9, 2011). "GAC becomes 23rd DII conference". NCAA.com. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved April 18, 2011.

[2] "GSC Admits UNO for Conference Membership". Retrieved 22 June 2011.

[UNO-DI-3] Daniels, Ed. "UNO Athletics to remain Division I in NCAA". SportsNOLA.com. Retrieved 7 March 2012.

[unionapp-4] Staff (July 11, 2011). "NCAA approves Union's application for NCAA Division II membership process". The Jackson Sun. Retrieved July 12, 2011.

[shorterapp-5] "NCAA accepts Shorter's application for NCAA II membership process". Shorter University. July 12, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2011.

[Florida_Tech-6] "Florida Tech Football Accepts Invitation to Join Gulf South Conference". Florida Tech Athletics. 19 August 2011. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[clintoncourier-7] Staff (October 16, 2012). "Exciting Development for MC Sports". Clinton Courier. Retrieved October 16, 2012.

[8] "It's Time to be II". Mississippi College. Retrieved October 20, 2014.

[9] "Division II Admits its 300th Member". NCAA. Retrieved October 20, 2014.

[10] "GSC Adds Women's Lacrosse". Gulf South Conference. Retrieved August 18, 2015.

[11] "GSC Adds Men's and Women's Track & Field". Gulf South Conference. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

[12] "Wetzel Announces Resignation; Inaugural Season Delayed Until 2017". Auburn University at Montgomery Athletics. Retrieved April 22, 2016.

[13] "Montevallo announces men's lacrosse as 18th intercollegiate sport". University of Montevallo. Retrieved May 26, 2016.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

School	Men					Women
School	Ice Hockey ^‡	Lacrosse	Swimming & Diving	Track & Field Indoor	Wrestling	Swimming & Diving	Track & Field Indoor
Alabama–Huntsville	WCHA	IND		IND			IND
Delta State			NSISC			NSISC
Lee				IND			IND
Mississippi College				IND			IND
North Alabama							IND
Shorter		IND		IND	IND		IND
West Florida						NSISC
Future Members
Montevallo				IND			IND

v t e Gulf South Conference
Members	Alabama–Huntsville Chargers Auburn Montgomery Warhawks Christian Brothers Buccaneers and Lady Buccaneers Delta State Statesmen and Lady Statesmen Lee Flames Mississippi College Choctaws Montevallo Falcons Trevecca Nazarene Trojans Union University Bulldogs Valdosta State Blazers West Alabama Tigers West Florida Argonauts
Football affiliates	Chowan Hawks Erskine Flying Fleet North Greenville Trailblazers
Other affiliates	Flagler Saints (women's lacrosse) Lander Bearcats (women's lacrosse) Spring Hill Badgers (golf, men's & women's soccer)

v t e NCAA Division II football conferences
Super Region 1	Great Midwest Athletic Conference Mountain East Conference Northeast-10 Conference Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
Super Region 2	Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference Carolinas (starting in 2025) Gulf South Conference South Atlantic Conference Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Super Region 3	Great American Conference Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Great Lakes Valley Conference Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
Super Region 4	Lone Star Conference Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Division II	Independents
NCAA	Conferences Institutions Football (Championship, Bowl Games)