The Southern Conference will expand to 12 teams on July 1, 2008, when Samford University is slated to join the league, the SoCon announced Thursday. The conference’s council of presidents accepted a unanimous approval by the league’s executive committee during a teleconference Thursday morning.
“We are delighted that Samford University will become the 12th member of the SoCon,” league commissioner John Iamarino said. “Samford’s institutional profile is one that is very consistent with those of our current members – strong academics, an unwavering commitment to the welfare and graduation of the student-athlete, combined with a burning desire to operate a successful athletics program within the mission of the institution.”
Founded in 1841, Samford is the largest independently supported university in Alabama. It has an enrollment of more than 4,500 students and sponsors 17 sports including football. In 2003-04, the university ranked seventh — along with Harvard, Bradley and U.S. Naval Academy — in the inaugural national Academic Progress Ratings (APR). The Bulldogs are currently members of the Ohio Valley Conference.
With the addition of the Birmingham, Ala., based school, SoCon members are now located in five states — Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. Along with Georgia Southern, current league members include: Appalachian State (Boone, N.C.), College of Charleston (Charleston, S.C.), The Citadel (Charleston, S.C.), Davidson (Davidson, N.C.), Elon (Elon, N.C.), Furman (Greenville, S.C.), University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Greensboro, N.C.), University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Western Carolina (Cullowhee, N.C.) and Wofford (Spartanburg, S.C.). The league is headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C.
“This day speaks volumes about the progression of Samford athletics,” Samford athletic director Bob Roller said. “It also points to the dedication and hard work of many coaches and student-athletes who have worked tirelessly to put us in this position. Competing in the Southern Conference in intercollegiate athletics is a challenge – plain and simple.”
Iamarino said the addition of Samford is beneficial to the SoCon.
“It will strengthen our efforts in both football and basketball scheduling,” he said. “It provides a road-swing partner for Chattanooga on the western flank of the conference. It opens up a significant southern market (Birmingham) to SoCon exposure. Most importantly, it gives us another institution committed to operating a good competitive program while not sacrificing its academic integrity in any manner. Simply put, Samford is going to make the Southern Conference a better league.”
Alex Pellegrino can be reached at (912) 489-9413.
“We are delighted that Samford University will become the 12th member of the SoCon,” league commissioner John Iamarino said. “Samford’s institutional profile is one that is very consistent with those of our current members – strong academics, an unwavering commitment to the welfare and graduation of the student-athlete, combined with a burning desire to operate a successful athletics program within the mission of the institution.”
Founded in 1841, Samford is the largest independently supported university in Alabama. It has an enrollment of more than 4,500 students and sponsors 17 sports including football. In 2003-04, the university ranked seventh — along with Harvard, Bradley and U.S. Naval Academy — in the inaugural national Academic Progress Ratings (APR). The Bulldogs are currently members of the Ohio Valley Conference.
With the addition of the Birmingham, Ala., based school, SoCon members are now located in five states — Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. Along with Georgia Southern, current league members include: Appalachian State (Boone, N.C.), College of Charleston (Charleston, S.C.), The Citadel (Charleston, S.C.), Davidson (Davidson, N.C.), Elon (Elon, N.C.), Furman (Greenville, S.C.), University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Greensboro, N.C.), University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Western Carolina (Cullowhee, N.C.) and Wofford (Spartanburg, S.C.). The league is headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C.
“This day speaks volumes about the progression of Samford athletics,” Samford athletic director Bob Roller said. “It also points to the dedication and hard work of many coaches and student-athletes who have worked tirelessly to put us in this position. Competing in the Southern Conference in intercollegiate athletics is a challenge – plain and simple.”
Iamarino said the addition of Samford is beneficial to the SoCon.
“It will strengthen our efforts in both football and basketball scheduling,” he said. “It provides a road-swing partner for Chattanooga on the western flank of the conference. It opens up a significant southern market (Birmingham) to SoCon exposure. Most importantly, it gives us another institution committed to operating a good competitive program while not sacrificing its academic integrity in any manner. Simply put, Samford is going to make the Southern Conference a better league.”
Alex Pellegrino can be reached at (912) 489-9413.
