The USA South Athletic Conference is a NCAA Division III athletic conference that consists of nine colleges located in the southeastern United States. The conference was founded in 2010 and is an integral part of the college sports scene in the United States. This conference offers student-athletes at the member institutions an opportunity to participate in a wide range of sports activities as well as compete for championships.
History of the Conference
The USA South Athletic Conference was formed in 2010 as a consortium of nine member institutions in the southeastern United States. At the time, these nine schools included Agnes Scott College, Brevard College, Covenant College, Ferrum College, Huntingdon College, Mary Baldwin University, Meredith College, Piedmont College, and Wesleyan College. The founding of the USA South Athletic Conference came amidst a series of athletic restructuring in the southeast region, as many NCAA Division III conferences were either realigned or dissolved in the early 21st century.
Member Institutions & Sports Played
The nine founding member institutions have been joined by two other universities: Salem College (2014) and Maryville College (2017). The division of member institutions into two divisions (East & West) was made for the purpose of more efficient scheduling and competition. The USA South Athletic Conference currently sponsors 19 NCAA-sanctioned sports, including men and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, cross country, golf, tennis, volleyball, lacrosse, soccer, and swimming. The student-athletes in the USA South Athletic Conference compete for championship titles within the conference as well as for the chance to qualify for national championships in their respective sports.
Notable Achievements & Rivalries
The USA South Athletic Conference has seen many of its student-athletes and teams make impressive accomplishments in recent years. In 2019, the Maryville College football team won the USA South Athletic Conference championship, and Ferrum College women’s softball won the USA South Athletic Championship. Additionally, several student-athletes in the conference have been honored with the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. In terms of rivalries, many of the member institutions in the USA South Athletic Conference have been rivals for decades, including the Maryville-Ferrum and Wesleyan-Meredith rivalries.
Conference Governance & Scheduling
The USA South Athletic Conference is governed by a nine-person Executive Committee which is composed of representatives from each of the member institutions. This committee is responsible for setting policies for the conference, scheduling intercollegiate competitions, and making decisions about postseason tournament scheduling. The Executive Committee also works closely with the NCAA and other collegiate athletics organizations to ensure the conference is abiding by all NCAA regulations. The USA South Athletic Conference uses a double round-robin scheduling format which allows each of the member institutions to play every other member institution both home and away during a single season.
Championships & Postseason Events
The USA South Athletic Conference holds a wide range of championship and postseason events in each sport. At the end of each regular season, the four teams with the best records advance to the conference playoffs. From there, the two teams with the best records play in the conference championship game. For certain sports, the conference champion then earns a berth in an NCAA regional tournament. The USA South Athletic Conference also holds numerous other postseason events such as all-star games, tournaments and invitationals.
Impact on the Local & National Sports Scene
As one of the newest and fastest-growing NCAA Division III conferences in the country, the USA South Athletic Conference has had a significant impact on college sports. It has provided top-quality competition for student-athletes and a platform for teams to compete for regional and national recognition. Furthermore, the conference has helped to promote the sports scene around the Southeast and has brought greater visibility to the region. It has also offered opportunities for high school student-athletes to receive scholarship offers and stay close to home while pursuing their academic and athletic dreams.
Future Prospects of the USA South Athletic Conference
Looking towards the future, the USA South Athletic Conference is poised for continued growth and success. Over the past several years, the conference’s schools have made significant investments in their athletic programs and facilities, and recently added two more member institutions to its roster. Additionally, the NCAA has made various changes to the Division III rules which have resulted in reduced recruiting restrictions, greater opportunities for students to participate, and more parity amongst the members. As the conference continues to attract more institutions and teams, the USA South Athletic Conference will continue to be an important part of the college sports scene in the United States.