Gulf South Conference

Last updated
Gulf South Conference
Gulf South Conference logo.svg
Association NCAA
Founded1970
CommissionerMatt Wilson (since 2014)
Sports fielded
  • 17
    • men's: 8
    • women's: 9
Division Division II
No. of teams12
Headquarters Birmingham, Alabama
Region Southeastern United States
Official website www.gscsports.org
Locations
Gulf South Conference Map.svg

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

Contents

History

Gulf South Conference
Gulf South Conference
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Mapscaleline.svg
150km
100miles
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Alabama–Huntsville
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Spring Hill
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Lander
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Flagler
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Chowan
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North Greenville
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Trevecca Nazarene
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Erskine
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West Florida
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West Alabama
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Valdosta State
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Union
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Montevallo
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Mississippi
College
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Lee
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Delta State
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Christian Brothers
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Auburn–Montgomery
Location of GSC members:
Location dot orange.svg current
Location dot red.svg affiliate (football)
Location dot blue.svg affiliate (other)
Location dot black.svg departing
Location dot green.svg future

Originally known as the Mid-South Athletic Conference or 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 would 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 was 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 planned to add an old friend back into the fold when Mississippi College submitted its application to rejoin Division II and was 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

Map of GSC school locations (pre-2024) Gulf South Conference cities.png
Map of GSC school locations (pre-2024)

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 began the multi-year transition process from the NAIA to NCAA. [4] Both universities began 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] The transition was a lengthy process; Mississippi College officially became a Division II candidate starting with the 2013–14 academic year, with the school becoming a full Division II member for 2016–17. [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]

The next change to the conference's membership was officially announced on December 6, 2016 when North Alabama was accepted to the ASUN Conference and would begin a transition to Division I sports in 2018. [10] In May 2020, affiliate member Florida Tech announced the discontinuation of their football program due to the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. [11]

Chronological timeline

  • 1970 – The Gulf South Conference (GSC) was founded as a football-only league known as the Mid-South Athletic Conference (MSAC). Charter members included Delta State College (now Delta State University), Jacksonville State University, Florence State University (now the University of North Alabama), the University of Tennessee at Martin, Troy State University (now Troy University) and Livingston University (now the University of West Alabama) beginning the 1970–71 academic year.
  • 1971 – The MSAC added more sports to be a full-fledged athletic conference and was rebranded as the Gulf South Conference, beginning the 1971–72 academic year.
  • 1971 – Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University and Southeastern Louisiana University joined the GSC in the 1971–72 academic year.
  • 1972 – Mississippi College joined the GSC in the 1972–73 academic year.
  • 1975 – Northwestern State left the GSC to become an NCAA D-II Independent (who would later join the Division I ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Trans Atlantic Athletic Conference (TAAC) beginning the 1978–79 academic year) after the 1974–75 academic year.
  • 1979 – Nicholls State and Southeastern Louisiana left the GSC to become NCAA D-II Independents (who both would later join the NCAA Division I ranks: Nicholls State to the TAAC beginning the 1982–83 academic year as a provisional member; and Southeastern Louisiana to the Gulf Star Conference beginning the 1984–85 academic year) after the 1978–79 academic year.
  • 1981 – Valdosta State College (now Valdosta State University) joined the GSC in the 1981–82 academic year.
  • 1983 – West Georgia College (now the University of West Georgia) joined the GSC in the 1983–84 academic year.
  • 1991 – Tennessee–Martin (UT Martin) and Troy State left the GSC to become NCAA D-II Independents (who both would later join the NCAA Division I ranks: Tennessee–Martin (UT Martin) to the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) beginning the 1992–93 academic year; and Troy State to the East Coast Conference (ECC) beginning the 1993–94 academic year) after the 1990–91 academic year.
  • 1992 – Lincoln Memorial University joined the GSC in the 1992–93 academic year.
  • 1993 – Jacksonville State left the GSC to become an NCAA D-II Independent (who would later join the NCAA Division I ranks and the TAAC beginning the 1995–96 academic year) after the 1992–93 academic year.
  • 1993 – The University of Alabama in Huntsville, the University of Central Arkansas, Henderson State University and Mississippi University for Women joined the GSC in the 1993–94 academic year.
  • 1994 – The University of West Florida joined the GSC in the 1994–95 academic year.
  • 1995 – Arkansas Tech University, the University of Arkansas at Monticello, the University of Montevallo and Southern Arkansas University joined the GSC in the 1995–96 academic year.
  • 1996 – Mississippi College left the GSC to join the NCAA Division III ranks and the American Southwest Conference after the 1995–96 academic year.
  • 1996 – Christian Brothers University joined the GSC in the 1996–97 academic year.
  • 2000 – Harding University and Ouachita Baptist University joined the GSC in the 2000–01 academic year.
  • 2003 – MUW left the GSC due to the school announcing to discontinue its athletics program after the 2002–03 academic year.
  • 2006 – Two institutions left the GSC to join in their respective new home primary conferences: Central Arkansas to join the NCAA Division I ranks and the Southland Conference, and Lincoln Memorial to join the South Atlantic Conference, both effective after the 2005–06 academic year.
  • 2009 – Montevallo left the GSC to join the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) after the 2008–09 academic year.
  • 2011 – Arkansas Tech, Arkansas–Monticello, Harding, Henderson State, Ouachita Baptist and Southern Arkansas left the GSC to join with a few Oklahoma schools to form the newly created Great American Conference after the 2010–11 academic year. However, only Harding and Ouachita Baptist remained in the GSC as affiliate members for men's soccer just for the 2011 fall season (2011–12 academic year).
  • 2011 – University of New Orleans joined the GSC as an associate member for some sports in the 2011–12 academic year.
  • 2012 – New Orleans left the GSC to fully align with the NCAA Division I ranks (which would later join the Southland beginning the 2013–14 academic year) after the 2011–12 academic year.
  • 2012 – Shorter University and Union University joined the GSC in the 2012–13 academic year.
  • 2013 – Lee University joined the GSC in the 2013–14 academic year.
  • 2013 – Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) joined the GSC as an affiliate member for football in the 2013 fall season (2013–14 academic year).
  • 2014 – Mississippi College rejoined the GSC in the 2014–15 academic year.
  • 2014 – Spring Hill College joined the GSC as an affiliate member for women's golf, and men's & women's soccer, all effective in the 2014 fall season (2014–15 academic year).
  • 2015 – Young Harris College joined the GSC as an affiliate member for women's lacrosse (with Montevallo re-joining for that sport) in the 2016 spring season (2015–16 academic year).
  • 2017 – Auburn University at Montgomery joined the GSC (with Montevallo re-joining for all sports) in the 2017–18 academic year.
  • 2018 – North Alabama left the GSC to join the NCAA Division I ranks and the ASUN Conference after the 2017–18 academic year.
  • 2018 – North Greenville University joined the GSC as an affiliate member for football in the 2018 fall season (2018–19 academic year).
  • 2020 – Florida Tech left the GSC as an affiliate member for football due to the school discontinuing the sport after the 2019 fall season (2019–20 academic year).
  • 2023 – Chowan University joins the GSC as an affiliate member for football in the 2023 and 2024 fall seasons (2023–24 and 2024–25 academic years).
  • 2024 – Two institutions will leave the GSC to join in their respective new home primary conferences: Shorter to join Conference Carolinas, and West Georgia to join NCAA Division I and the ASUN Conference, both effective beginning the 2024–25 academic year.
  • 2024 – Trevecca Nazarene University will join the GSC in the 2024–25 academic year. [12]
  • 2024 – Erskine College will join the GSC as an affiliate for football in the 2024 fall season only (2024–25 academic year).
  • 2025 – Chowan, Erskine, and North Greenville will all leave the GSC as affiliate members for football and move their programs to Conference Carolinas after the 2024 fall season (2024–25 academic year).

Member schools

Current members

The GSC currently has 12 full members:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedColors
University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, Alabama 1950 Public 9,237 Chargers 1993   
Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, Alabama 1967Public5,112 Warhawks 2017     
Christian Brothers University Memphis, Tennessee 1871 Catholic 1,934 Buccaneers 1996   
Delta State University Cleveland, Mississippi 1924Public2,556 Statesmen &
Lady Statesmen
1970   
Lee University Cleveland, Tennessee 1918 Church of God 3,927 Flames 2013   
Mississippi College Clinton, Mississippi 1826 Baptist 3,946 Choctaws 1972;
2014 [a]
   
University of Montevallo [b] Montevallo, Alabama 1896Public2,586 Falcons 1995;
2017 [c]
   
Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, Tennessee 1901 Church of the Nazarene 3,327 Trojans 2024  
Union University Jackson, Tennessee 1823 Baptist 2,730 Bulldogs 2012   
Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia 1906Public10,225 Blazers 1981   
University of West Alabama Livingston, Alabama 1835Public5,847 Tigers 1970   
University of West Florida Pensacola, Florida 1963Public13,542 Argonauts 1994   
Notes
  1. Mississippi College left the GSC after the 1995–96 school year to join NCAA Division III and the American Southwest Conference; but later rejoined in the 2014–15 school year.
  2. Montevallo competed in the GSC as an affiliate member for women's lacrosse from the 2016 to 2017 spring seasons (2015–16 to 2016–17 school years).
  3. Montevallo left the GSC after the 2008–09 school year to join the Peach Belt Conference, but later rejoined in the 2017–18 school year.

Affiliate members

The GSC currently has six affiliate members:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedColorsGSC
sport
Primary
conference
Chowan University Murfreesboro, North Carolina 1848 Baptist 1,316 Hawks 2023–24   football Carolinas
Flagler College St. Augustine, Florida 1968 Nonsectarian 2,671 Saints 2021–22   women's lacrosse Peach Belt (PBC)
Lander University Greenwood, South Carolina 1872Public3,279 Bearcats 2019–20   women's lacrosse Peach Belt (PBC)
Erskine College Due West, South Carolina 1839 Presbyterian 800 Flying Fleet 2024–25   football Carolinas
North Greenville University Tigerville, South Carolina 1891 Baptist 2,428 Trailblazers 2018–19   football Carolinas
Spring Hill College Mobile, Alabama 1830 Catholic 1,317 Badgers 2014–15   women's golf;
men's soccer;
women's soccer
Southern (SIAC)

Former members

The GSC had 19 former full members, with all but four being public schools.

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedLeftCurrent
conference
Arkansas Tech University Russellville, Arkansas 1909 Public 12,009 Wonder Boys &
Golden Suns
19952011 Great American (GAC)
University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, Arkansas 1910Public3,659 Boll Weevils &
Cotton Blossoms
19952011 Great American (GAC)
University of Central Arkansas Conway, Arkansas 1907Public10,869 Bears &
Sugar Bears
19932006 Atlantic Sun (ASUN) [a]
Harding University [b] Searcy, Arkansas 1924 Churches
of Christ
6,009 Bisons &
Lady Bisons
20002011 Great American (GAC)
Henderson State University Arkadelphia, Arkansas 1890Public3,530 Reddies 19932011 Great American (GAC)
Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, Alabama 1883Public9,238 Gamecocks 19701993 Conference USA (CUSA) [a]
Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, Tennessee 1897 Nonsectarian 4,867 Railsplitters 19922006 South Atlantic (SAC)
Mississippi University for Women Columbus, Mississippi 1884Public2,479 Blues [c] 19932003 St. Louis (SLIAC) [d]
University of New Orleans [e] New Orleans, Louisiana 1958Public8,511 Privateers 20112012 Southland [a]
Nicholls State University Thibodaux, Louisiana 1948Public6,366 Colonels 19711979 Southland [a]
University of North Alabama Florence, Alabama 1830Public7,650 Lions 19712018 Atlantic Sun (ASUN) [a]
Northwestern State University Natchitoches, Louisiana 1884Public10,979 Demons 19711975 Southland [a]
Ouachita Baptist University [b] Arkadelphia, Arkansas 1886 Baptist 1,569 Tigers 20002011 Great American (GAC)
Shorter University Rome, Georgia 1873 Baptist 1,506 Hawks 20122024 Carolinas
Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, Louisiana 1925Public14,327 Lions 19711979 Southland [a]
Southern Arkansas University Magnolia, Arkansas 1909Public4,138 Muleriders 19952011 Great American (GAC)
University of Tennessee at Martin Martin, Tennessee 1927Public6,705 Skyhawks 19701991 Ohio Valley (OVC) [a]
Troy State University Troy, Alabama 1887Public17,494 Trojans 19701991 Sun Belt [a]
University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia 1906Public11,914 Wolves 19832024 Atlantic Sun (ASUN) [a]
Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
  2. 1 2 Harding and Ouachita Baptist competed in the GSC as affiliate members for men's soccer during the 2011 fall season (2011–12 school year).
  3. Their current nickname is now known as the Owls.
  4. Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.
  5. New Orleans was a provisional full member in the GSC that competed in baseball, men's & women's cross country, men's & women's golf, men's & women's tennis, and volleyball during the 2011–12 school year.

Former affiliate members

The GSC had three former affiliate members, one was a public school and two were private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedLeftGSC
sport(s)
Primary
conference
Current
conference
in GSC sport
Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, Florida 1958 Nonsectarian 6,451 Panthers 2013–142019–20football Sunshine State (SSC) dropped program
University of Montevallo Montevallo, Alabama 1896Public2,559 Falcons 2015–162016–17women's lacrosseGulf South (GSC)
Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia 1886 United Methodist 1,408 Mountain Lions 2015–162022–23women's lacrosse Carolinas

Membership timeline

Erskine CollegeTrevecca Nazarene UniversityChowan UniversityFlagler CollegeLander UniversityNorth Greenville UniversityAuburn University at MontgomeryYoung Harris CollegeSpring Hill CollegeFlorida Institute of TechnologyLee UniversityUnion UniversityShorter UniversityUniversity of New OrleansOuachita Baptist UniversityHarding UniversityChristian Brothers UniversitySouthern Arkansas UniversityUniversity of MontevalloUniversity of Arkansas at MonticelloArkansas Tech UniversityUniversity of West FloridaMississippi University for WomenHenderson State UniversityUniversity of Central ArkansasUniversity of Alabama in HuntsvilleLincoln Memorial UniversityUniversity of West GeorgiaValdosta State UniversityMississippi CollegeSoutheastern Louisiana UniversityNicholls State UniversityNorthwestern State UniversityUniversity of West AlabamaTroy UniversityUniversity of Tennessee at MartinUniversity of North AlabamaJacksonville State UniversityDelta State UniversityGulf South Conference

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

Conference venues

SchoolFootballBasketball
StadiumCapacityArenaCapacity
Alabama–Huntsvillenon-football schoolSpragins Hall2,250
Auburn–Montgomerynon-football schoolAUM Basketball Complex2,670
Chowan Garrison Stadium 5,000football-only school
Christian Brothersnon-football school Canale Arena 1,000
Delta State McCool Stadium 8,000Walter Sillers Coliseum4,000
Erskine J. W. Babb Stadium 4,000
football-only school
Leenon-football school Walker Arena 2,700
Mississippi CollegeRobinson-Hale Stadium8,500A.E. Wood Coliseum3,500
Montevallonon-football schoolTrustmark Arena2,000
North Greenville Younts Stadium 5,000football-only school
Trevecca Nazarenenon-football schoolTrojan Fieldhouse1,500
Unionnon-football schoolFred DeLay Gymnasium2,200
Valdosta State Bazemore-Hyder Stadium 11,500 The Complex 5,350
West Alabama Tiger Stadium 7,000Pruitt Hall1,500
West Florida Pen Air Field 4,000UWF Fieldhouse1,180

The GSC sponsors competition in 8 men's sports and 9 women's sports. The conference began sponsoring women's lacrosse and men's / women's track & field in the 2015–16 school year. [13] [14]

Conference sports
SportMen'sWomen's
Baseball Green check.svg
Basketball Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Cross country Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Football Green check.svg
Golf Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Lacrosse Green check.svg
Soccer Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Softball Green check.svg
Tennis Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Track & field outdoor Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Volleyball Green check.svg

Men's sponsored sports by school

SchoolBaseballBasketballCross
country
FootballGolfSoccerTennisTrack
& Field
outdoor
Total
GSC
sports
Alabama–HuntsvilleGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg5
Auburn–MontgomeryGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg5
Christian BrothersGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
Delta StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
LeeGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
Mississippi CollegeGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
MontevalloGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
Trevecca NazareneGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
UnionGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg5
Valdosta StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
West AlabamaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
West FloridaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
Totals1212115+3911+19777
Affiliate members
ChowanGreen check.svg1
ErskineGreen check.svg1
North GreenvilleGreen check.svg1
Spring HillGreen check.svg1

Women's sponsored sports by school

Departing members in pink.

SchoolBasketballCross
country
GolfLacrosseSoccerSoftballTennisTrack
& field
outdoor
VolleyballTotal
GSC
sports
Alabama–HuntsvilleGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
Auburn–MontgomeryGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
Christian BrothersGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
Delta StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg5
LeeGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
Mississippi CollegeGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
MontevalloGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
Trevecca NazareneGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
UnionGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
Valdosta StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
West AlabamaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
West FloridaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
Totals12126+13+212+112991184
Affiliate members
FlaglerGreen check.svg1
LanderGreen check.svg1
Spring HillGreen check.svgGreen check.svg2

Other sponsored sports by school

SchoolMenWomen
LacrosseSwimming
& Diving
Track
& Field
Indoor
WrestlingAcrobatics
& tumbling
Swimming
& Diving
Track
& Field
Indoor
Alabama–Huntsville PBC INDIND
Delta State NSISC NSISC
LeeINDIND
Mississippi CollegeINDIND
Montevallo PBC NSISC [a] IND CC IND [a] NSISC [a] IND
West Florida NSISC
  1. 1 2 3 Joining CC in 2025-26.

National championships

SportSchoolYear(s)
Baseball Valdosta State1979
Troy State1986 • 1987
Jacksonville State1990 • 1991
Delta State2004
West Florida2011
Men's basketball North Alabama1979 • 1991
Jacksonville State1985
Women's basketball Delta State1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1989 • 1990 • 1992
Southeastern Louisiana1977
Football West Alabama1971
Troy State1984 • 1987
Mississippi College1989
Jacksonville State1992
North Alabama1993 • 1994 • 1995
Delta State2000
Valdosta State2004 • 2007 • 2012 • 2018
West Florida2019
Men's golf Troy1976 • 1977 • 1984
West Florida2001 • 2008
Lee2022
Women's golf Troy State1984 • 1986 • 1989
Women's gymnastics Jacksonville State1984 • 1985
Men's ice hockey Alabama–Huntsville1996 • 1998
Women's soccer Christian Brothers2002
West Florida2012
Softball Valdosta State2012
North Alabama2016
Men's tennis West Florida2004 • 2005 • 2014 • 2017
Valdosta State2006 • 2011
Men's track & field outdoor Southeastern Louisiana1975
Women's volleyball North Alabama2003

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The American South Conference was an NCAA Division I athletic conference that existed from 1987–88 to 1990–91. The charter members were Arkansas State University, Lamar University, Louisiana Tech University, the University of New Orleans, the University of Southwestern Louisiana and the University of Texas–Pan American. The University of Central Florida (UCF) became the only expansion school during the conference's final academic season before the conference merged with the Sun Belt Conference. The Sun Belt, which was losing all but three members, merged with the American South conference. The combined conference retained the name of the older Sun Belt Conference. Craig Thompson, the American South's first and only commissioner, became commissioner of the merged Sun Belt. After serving as Sun Belt commissioner for eight years, he became commissioner of the newly formed Mountain West Conference in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys and Golden Suns</span> Arkansas Tech University athletic teams

The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys and Golden Suns are the athletic teams that represent Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas. They are a charter member of the Great American Conference of the NCAA Division II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montevallo Falcons</span> Athletic teams representing University of Montevallo

The Montevallo Falcons are the athletic teams that represent the University of Montevallo, in Montevallo, Alabama, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Falcons have primarily competed in the Gulf South Conference since the 2017–18 academic year. Rivals include West Alabama, Auburn Montgomery, Alabama–Huntsville, and North Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Valdosta State Blazers football team</span> American college football season

The 2016 Valdosta State Blazers football team represented Valdosta State University as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 2016 NCAA Division II football season. They were led by first-year head coach Kerwin Bell and played their home games at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia. Valdosta State compiled an overall record of 8–3 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, placing second in the GSC. They were invited to the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs, where they lost in the first round to UNC Pembroke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 North Alabama Lions football team</span> American college football season

The 2017 North Alabama Lions football team represented the University of North Alabama during the 2017 NCAA Division II football season. They were led by first-yer head coach Chris Willis. The Lions played their home games at Braly Municipal Stadium and were members of the Gulf South Conference. They finished the season 5–5, 5–3 in GSC play to finish in a five-way tie for second place.

The 2018 Mississippi College Choctaws football team represented Mississippi College during the 2018 NCAA Division II football season. They were led by fifth-year head coach John Bland. The Choctaws played their home games at Robinson-Hale Stadium and were members of the Gulf South Conference (GSC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Valdosta State Blazers football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Valdosta State Blazers football team represented Valdosta State University as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 2018 NCAA Division II football season. They were led by third-year head coach Kerwin Bell, who also served as offensive coordinator. The Blazers played their home games at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia. Valdosta State compiled an overall record of 14–0 with a conference mark of 8–0, winning the GSC title. They beat Ferris State in the NCAA Division II Championship Game to win the program's fourth national title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 West Alabama Tigers football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 West Alabama Tigers football team represented University of West Alabama during the 2018 NCAA Division II football season. They were led by fifth-year head coach Brett Gilliland. The Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium and are members of the Gulf South Conference.

The 2018 West Florida Argonauts football team represented the University of West Florida in the 2018 NCAA Division II football season. They were led by third-year head coach Pete Shinnick. The Argonauts played their home games at Blue Wahoos Stadium and are members of the Gulf South Conference.

The 2019 Mississippi College Choctaws football team represented Mississippi College during the 2019 NCAA Division II football season. They were led by sixth-year head coach John Bland. The Choctaws played their home games at Robinson-Hale Stadium and were members of the Gulf South Conference (GSC).

The 2019 West Florida Argonauts football team represented the University of West Florida as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 2019 NCAA Division II football season. They were led by fourth-year head coach Pete Shinnick. The Argonauts played their home games at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The Argonauts won the 2019 NCAA Division II Football Championship by defeating Minnesota State, 48–40 in the 2019 NCAA Division II Football Championship Game.

The 2022 Gulf South Conference football season was the season of college football played by the eight member schools of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) as part of the 2022 NCAA Division II football season.

References

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  2. "GSC Admits UNO for Conference Membership". Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  3. Daniels, Ed. "UNO Athletics to remain Division I in NCAA". SportsNOLA.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  4. Staff (July 11, 2011). "NCAA approves Union's application for NCAA Division II membership process". The Jackson Sun . Retrieved July 12, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. "NCAA accepts Shorter's application for NCAA II membership process". Shorter University . July 12, 2011. Archived from the original on September 16, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  6. "Florida Tech Football Accepts Invitation to Join Gulf South Conference". Florida Tech Athletics. August 19, 2011. Archived from the original on October 9, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  7. Staff (October 16, 2012). "Exciting Development for MC Sports". Clinton Courier . Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  8. "It's Time to be II". Mississippi College. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  9. "Division II Admits its 300th Member". NCAA. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  10. "UNA Accepts ASUN Division I Invitation" (Press release). North Alabama Lions. December 6, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  11. Rogers, Eric; Neale, Rick (May 11, 2020). "Florida Tech cuts football program, announces layoffs due to COVID-19 impacts". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
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  13. "GSC Adds Women's Lacrosse". Gulf South Conference. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
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