Southern Conference

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Southern Conference
(SoCon)
Southern Conference logo
Established 1921
Association NCAA
Division Division I FCS
Members 12
Sports fielded 19 (men's: 10; women's: 9)
Region Southeast
Headquarters Spartanburg, South Carolina
Commissioner John Iamarino (since 2006)
Website soconsports.com
Locations
Southern Conference locations

The Southern Conference (or SoCon) is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA). Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The Southern Conference ranks as the fourth oldest major college athletic conference in the United States.[1] Only the Big Ten (1896), Missouri Valley (1907) and Southwestern Athletic (1920) conferences are older.

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, three-time Division I NCAA Football champion Appalachian State Mountaineers, who stunned the fifth-ranked Michigan Wolverines 34–32 on September 1, 2007;[2] and from the Davidson Wildcats, who reached the Elite Eight in the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament by upsetting power programs Gonzaga (a mid-major school which became a power program in the 2000s), Georgetown and Wisconsin.[3]

Contents

[edit] History

Conference Commissioners
Wallace Wade 1951–60
Lloyd Jordon 1960–73
Ken Germann 1974–86
Dave Hart 1986–91
Wright Waters 1991–98
Alfred B. White 1998–2001
Danny Morrison 2001–05
John Iamarino 2006–present

The conference was formed on February 25, 1921 in Atlanta as fourteen member institutions split from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association.[1] 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. Later additions included Sewanee (1923), Virginia Military Institute (1924), and Duke (1929).

The SoCon is particularly notable for having spawned two other major conferences. In 1933, thirteen schools located south and west of the Appalachians (Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, University of the South, Tennessee, Tulane, and Vanderbilt) departed the SoCon to form the Southeastern Conference (SEC).[1] In 1953, seven schools (Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina, and Wake Forest) withdrew from the SoCon to form the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).[1]

Other former members include East Carolina (1964–76), East Tennessee State (1978–2005), George Washington (1936–70), Marshall (1976–97), Richmond (1936–76), William & Mary (1936–77) and West Virginia (1950–68).

[edit] Sports offered

Location of Southern Conference member institutions

The Southern Conference currently offers 19 sports, 10 for men and 9 for women.

Men's sports Women's sports
Baseball Basketball
Basketball Cross Country
Cross Country Golf
Football Soccer
Golf Softball
Soccer Tennis
Tennis Indoor Track
Indoor Track Outdoor Track
Outdoor Track Volleyball
Wrestling

[edit] Members

Conference membership increased to 12 full members when Samford joined on July 1, 2008,[4] bringing the number of football playing institutions to ten. Men's basketball and volleyball are split into divisions for conference play. North Division members are: Appalachian State, Chattanooga, Elon, Samford, UNC Greensboro, and Western Carolina. South Division members include: The Citadel, College of Charleston, Davidson, Furman, Georgia Southern, and Wofford.

Institution Location Founded Type Enrollment Joined Nicknames
Appalachian State University Boone, North Carolina 1899 Public (UNC) 17,344 (Fall 2011)[5] 1971 Mountaineers
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee 1886 Public (UT) 11,438 (Fall 2011)[6] 1976 Mocs and Lady Mocs
The Citadel Charleston, South Carolina 1842 Public, Military college 3,390 (Fall 2011)[7] 1936 Bulldogs
College of Charleston Charleston, South Carolina 1770 Public 11,649 (Fall 2011)[8] 1998 Cougars
Davidson College[9] Davidson, North Carolina 1837 Private 1,756 (Fall 2011)[10] 1936–88; 1991 Wildcats
Elon University Elon, North Carolina 1889 Private 5,916 (Fall 2011)[11] 2003 Phoenix
Furman University Greenville, South Carolina 1826 Private 3,121 (Fall 2011)[12] 1936 Paladins
Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia 1906 Public (USG) 20,212 (Fall 2011)[13] 1991 Eagles
Samford University Homewood, Alabama 1841 Private 4,758 (Fall 2011)[14] 2008 Bulldogs
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina 1891 Public (UNC) 18,478 (Fall 2010)[15] 1997 Spartans
Western Carolina University Cullowhee, North Carolina 1889 Public (UNC) 11,379 (Fall 2010)[16] 1976 Catamounts
Wofford College Spartanburg, South Carolina 1854 Private 1,495 (Fall 2010)[17] 1997 Terriers

[edit] Associate members

There are four associate member schools (wrestling only):

Institution Location Founded Type Enrollment Nickname
Campbell University[18] Buies Creek, North Carolina 1887 Private 10,487 Fighting Camels
Gardner-Webb University[18] Boiling Springs, North Carolina 1905 Private 4,300 Runnin' Bulldogs
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville[19] Edwardsville, Illinois 1957 Public (SIU) 14,235 (Fall 2011)[20] Cougars
Virginia Military Institute[18] Lexington, Virginia 1839 Public 1,569 (Fall 2011)[21] Keydets

[edit] Membership timeline

See also: List of former Southern Conference members

[edit] Conference facilities

School Football stadium Basketball arena Baseball stadium Soccer stadium
Name Capacity Name Capacity Name Capacity Name Capacity
Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium 21,650 Holmes Center 8,325 Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium 2,000 ASU Soccer Stadium 1,000
Chattanooga Finley Stadium 20,668 McKenzie Arena 10,928 Non-baseball School N/A North River Soccer Complex 500
The Citadel Johnson Hagood Stadium 21,000 McAlister Field House 6,000 Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park 6,000 Washington Light Infantry Field —
College of Charleston Non-football School N/A TD Arena 5,100 CofC Baseball Stadium at Patriot's Point 2,000 CofC Soccer Stadium 1,000
Davidson Richardson Stadium[9] 6,000 John M. Belk Arena 5,223 T. Henry Wilson, Jr. Field 700 Alumni Stadium 2,000
Elon Rhodes Stadium 11,250 Alumni Gym 1,544 Walter C. Latham Park 500 Rudd Field 500
Furman Paladin Stadium 16,000 Timmons Arena 5,000 Latham Baseball Stadium 2,000 Stone Stadium 3,000
Georgia Southern Paulson Stadium 18,000 Hanner Fieldhouse 4,358 J.I. Clements Stadium 3,000 Eagle Field 500
Samford Seibert Stadium 6,700 Pete Hanna Center 4,974 Joe Lee Griffin Stadium 1,000 Bulldog Field 972
UNC Greensboro Non-football School N/A Greensboro Coliseum (men's)
Fleming Gymnasium (women's)		 7,617
2,320		 UNCG Baseball Stadium 3,500 UNCG Soccer Stadium 3,540
Western Carolina E. J. Whitmire Stadium 13,742 Ramsey Center 7,826 Hennon Stadium 1,500 Catamount Athletic Complex 1,000
Wofford Gibbs Stadium 13,000 Benjamin Johnson Arena 3,500 Russell C. King Field, McNair Field 2,500 Snyder Field 2,250

[edit] Conference champions

[edit] 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
2002 Georgia Southern 7–1–0
2003 Wofford 8–0–0
2004 Furman
Georgia Southern		 6–1–0
2005 Appalachian State 6–1–0
2006 Appalachian State 7–0–0
2007 Wofford
Appalachian State+		 5–2–0
2008 Appalachian State 8–0–0
2009 Appalachian State 8–0–0
2010 Appalachian State
Wofford+		 7–1–0
2011 Georgia Southern University 7–1–0

+Denote loser of the head-to-head battle between co-champions.

[edit] Men's basketball

This is a partial list of the last 10 champions. For the full history, see List of Southern Conference men's basketball champions.

The Southern Conference split into a divisional format for basketball beginning with the 1994–95 season.

Year Regular Season Champion (North) Record Regular Season Champion (South) Record Tournament Champion
2002–03 Davidson
East Tennessee State
Appalachian State		 11–5 College of Charleston 13–3 East Tennessee State
2003–04 East Tennessee State 15–1 Davidson
Georgia Southern
College of Charleston		 11–5 East Tennessee State
2004–05 Davidson 16–0 College of Charleston
Georgia Southern		 10–6 Chattanooga
2005–06 Elon 10–4 Georgia Southern 11–4 Davidson
2006-07 Appalachian State 15–3 Davidson 17–1 Davidson
2007-08 Appalachian State
Chattanooga		 13–7 Davidson 20–0 Davidson
2008-09 Chattanooga
Western Carolina		 11–9 Davidson 18–2 Chattanooga
2009-10 Appalachian State 13–5 Wofford 15–3 Wofford
2010-11 Western Carolina
Chattanooga		 12–6 College of Charleston
Wofford		 14–4 Wofford
2011-12 UNC Greensboro 10–8 Davidson 16–2 TBD

[edit] Women's basketball

[edit] Baseball

This is a partial list of the last 10 champions. For the full history, see Southern Conference Baseball Tournament.

Year Champion
2002 Georgia Southern
2003 Western Carolina
2004 The Citadel
2005 Furman
2006 College of Charleston
2007 Wofford
2008 Elon
2009 Georgia Southern
2010 The Citadel
2011 Georgia Southern

[edit] 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.[22] 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 2010-11 athletics season saw Appalachian State winning its 31st Commissioner's Cup and 9th Germann Cup[23]

[edit] Commissioner's Cup

Year Champion
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
1987–88 Appalachian State
1988–89 Appalachian State
1989–90 Appalachian State
1990–91 Furman
1991–92 Appalachian State
1992–93 Appalachian State
1993–94 Appalachian State
1994–95 Appalachian State
1995–96 Appalachian State
1996–97 Appalachian State
1997–98 Appalachian State
1998–99 Appalachian State
1999–00 Appalachian State
2000–01 Appalachian State
2001–02 Appalachian State
2002–03 Appalachian State
2003–04 Appalachian State
2004–05 Chattanooga
2005–06 Appalachian State
2006–07 Appalachian State
2007–08 Appalachian State
2008–09 Appalachian State
2009–10 Appalachian State
2010–11 Appalachian State

[edit] Germann Cup

Year Champion
1986–87 Appalachian State
1987–88 Appalachian State
1988–89 Appalachian State
1989–90 Appalachian State
1990–91 Appalachian State
1991–92 Appalachian State
1992–93 Furman
1993–94 Furman
1994–95 Furman
1995–96 Furman
1996–97 Furman
1997–98 Furman
1998–99 Furman
1999–00 Furman
2000–01 Furman
2001–02 Furman
2002–03 Furman
2003–04 Furman
2004–05 College of Charleston
2005–06 Appalachian State
2006–07 Appalachian State
2007–08 Chattanooga
2008–09 College of Charleston
2009–10 Samford
2010–11 Appalachian State

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d "The History of the Southern Conference". Southern Conference. 2008-06-30. http://www.soconsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4000&KEY=&ATCLID=177772. 
  2. ^ Stewart Mandel (2007-09-01). "The Mother of All Upsets". CNNSI. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/football/ncaa/2007/09/mother-of-all-upsets.html. 
  3. ^ Associated Press (2008-03-28). "Curry's sweet touch continues as Davidson eludes Wisconsin". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=284000014. 
  4. ^ "The Southern Conference Welcomes Samford University". Southern Conference. 2008-07-01. http://www.soconsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4000&ATCLID=1480651. 
  5. ^ http://www1.appstate.edu/dept/irp/FB/11-12/SI/S8demographics.pdf
  6. ^ http://www.utc.edu/Administration/PlanningEvaluationAndInstitutionalResearch/documents/FACTSUMMARY2011.xlsx.pdf
  7. ^ http://www3.citadel.edu/instresearch/fall_11_profile.pdf
  8. ^ http://www.cofc.edu/about/ataglance/index.php
  9. ^ a b Davidson does not compete in the SoCon for football. Instead, they compete in the Pioneer Football League.
  10. ^ http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/documents/OfficesServices/OfficeofthePresident/InstResearch/OFFPR_IR_FF1112_Fall_enrollment.pdf
  11. ^ http://www.elon.edu/e-web/about/default.xhtml
  12. ^ http://www2.furman.edu/admission/EngageFurman/QuickLinks/Pages/FurmanataGlance.aspx
  13. ^ http://news.georgiasouthern.edu/pressrelease.php?id=2178
  14. ^ http://www.samford.edu/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=21474838590
  15. ^ http://ire.uncg.edu/pages/factbook/2010-11/PDFs/history/2010Profile.PDF
  16. ^ http://www.wcu.edu/WebFiles/PDFs/12-month_Enrollment.pdf
  17. ^ http://www.wofford.edu/about/fastfacts/
  18. ^ a b c >Campbell, Gardner-Webb, and VMI compete in the Big South Conference for most sports.
  19. ^ SIU Edwardsville competes in the Missouri Valley Conference for men's soccer and the Ohio Valley Conference for all other sports.
  20. ^ http://www.theintelligencer.com/local_news/article_ed47adc2-db06-11e0-a95e-001cc4c03286.html
  21. ^ http://www.vmi.edu/Content.aspx?id=7281
  22. ^ "Southern Conference Commissioner’s & Germann Cups". Southern Conference. 2007-06-04. http://www.soconsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4000&KEY=&ATCLID=264425. 
  23. ^ "Appalachian State, Samford Win SoCon All-Sports Cups". Southern Conference. 2010-06-01. http://www.soconsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4000&ATCLID=204953736. 

[edit] External links

Southern Conference
Current members
Former members
Championships & awards
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Southern_Conference&oldid=479244532"
Personal tools
Namespaces

Variants
Actions
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
Print/export