GSC to add Auburn Montgomery and Montevallo
GSC Fact Sheet | AUM Athletics | UM Athletics
Birmingham, Ala.—The Gulf South Conference strengthened its presence in Alabama, announcing the addition of
Auburn University at Montgomery and the
University of Montevallo.
Both public institutions earned unanimous approval from the GSC Board of Directors at last week’s summer meetings and will push the Conference membership to 14 full-time members in 2017-18.
“The Gulf South Conference proudly adds AUM and Montevallo to our membership,” said GSC Commissioner Matt Wilson. “They are natural additions bringing two more dynamic institutions with a strong commitment to Division II athletics and the GSC’s vision to compete for regional and national championships, graduate student-athletes at a higher percentage than the overall student body and impact our communities today and tomorrow.”
The University of Montevallo (UM) is located in Montevallo, Ala. and stands as the state’s only public liberal arts university. UM is a current Division II member and it will return to the GSC after changing conference affiliation in 2009. The Falcons first joined the GSC in 1995-96, claiming six Conference Titles and five Regular Season crowns in 14 seasons. UM currently sponsors 17 sports.
“The Montevallo family is excited to return home to the Gulf South Conference,” said University of Montevallo President Dr. John Stewart III. “This move will result in significantly less travel time for our student athletes and will engender natural competition, healthy rivalries and sportsmanship for all fans of Falcon athletics.”
Montevallo Athletic Director Mark Richard expressed his excitement about their return to the GSC. “We’re excited about the opportunity to go back to the Gulf South Conference we were a part of for 14 years. Our geographic location puts us right in the middle of the Gulf South Conference footprint. The move allows us to restore many of the special rivalries we enjoyed as a member of the Gulf South Conference. It’s a great move for our student-athletes and our fans.”
Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) is transitioning into NCAA Division II and it is currently completing the first year of Provisional Membership. AUM is on track to become an official NCAA and GSC member in 2017-18. The school is governed by the Auburn University Board of Trustees, and is a branch campus of Auburn University. The Warhawks currently sponsor 10 sports and will introduce volleyball as an official sport in 2017.
“Auburn University at Montgomery is proud to become a member of the Gulf South Conference,” said Chancellor Dr. John G. Veres III. “Along with the ability to renew geographic rivalries, the Gulf South and Auburn Montgomery share a strategic focus on balancing high academic achievement with a high level of athletic competition, a characteristic beneficial to our student athletes and their collegiate experience. We are excited about the opportunity to join the premier conference at the Division II level.”
“We are honored to accept an invitation to join the Gulf South Conference,” said AUM Director of Athletics Jim Herlihy. “Membership in one of the premier NCAA DII conferences will provide our student-athletes an outstanding experience and is a natural next step in our growth and progress as a department and as a university.”
There will be two press conferences today to officially announce the GSC’s new additions, as Montevallo will host a media event on its campus at 10:30 am followed by Auburn Montgomery’s on-campus press conference at 2:00 pm.
The Gulf South Conference is a charter member of NCAA Division II dating back to its creation in the summer of 1970. The league is now composed of 12 active members and four affiliate members located in six states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee). GSC teams have claimed 50 NCAA Division II national championships in 13 sports.
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